540i instrument cluster interchange years and models

[Joshmelrose540i]

I currently own a 97 bmw 540i the cluster is no longer working. No rpm, mph, temp or gas. Looking to find out what years and models of 5 series will interchange with my 97 540i 6 speed. (E39)

[blackknight530i]

I currently own a 97 bmw 540i the cluster is no longer working. No rpm, mph, temp or gas. Looking to find out what years and models of 5 series will interchange with my 97 540i 6 speed. (E39)

97-2003 clusters will work in your car. All new ones are retrofitable to the older cars. Basically, make sure it came from a 540i with the high cluster (message display in the middle bottom). E38 and E53 clusters will work as well, but those need a notch cut out in the middle of the lens frame to clear the screw hole on the cluster surround. Easy to do though. Basically, get the newest one you can find. I have a bunch I sell with mileage correction and coding if you need one. PM me for details.

[Dking078]

97-2003 clusters will work in your car. All new ones are retrofitable to the older cars. Basically, make sure it came from a 540i with the high cluster (message display in the middle bottom). E38 and E53 clusters will work as well, but those need a notch cut out in the middle of the lens frame to clear the screw hole on the cluster surround. Easy to do though. Basically, get the newest one you can find. I have a bunch I sell with mileage correction and coding if you need one. PM me for details.

Isn't there a variation in 97MY clusters (Up to 09/1997) where the IKE is not internal?

[blackknight530i]

Yes, but the new ones can still be interchanged. I wouldn't put a 97 cluster in a later model, but you can put newer in an old car.

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[Joshmelrose540i]

So basically a 95 bmw 540i cluster would work!?

[blackknight530i]

So basically a 95 bmw 540i cluster would work!?That's not what I was saying. I was saying 97+. Also, there wasn't an e39 540i in 95. Not even sure there was in 96 either, but could be wrong about that.

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[Joshmelrose540i]

There’s a 95 bmw 540i with the 4.0l v8 at my local junk yard was my old car. So basically I’m asking since that car has some similarities would the cluster work? I’ve gotten yes and no from multiple people. Just hate to buy a cluster I can’t use. And a e53 is a 740i correct?

[CPHES]

A 95 540 is an e34 chassis - just cause it says 540 does not make it an e39. A e53 is the first X5 chassis - uses some common e39 and e38 parts - e38 is the 7 series sedan.

[blackknight530i]

A 95 540 is an e34 chassis - just cause it says 540 does not make it an e39. A e53 is the first X5 chassis - uses some common e39 and e38 parts - e38 is the 7 series sedan.

^This.

Why would you want to use such an old cluster on your car? I can pretty much guarantee that it has bad pixels. The newer the cluster the better. Try to find a 2006 X5 4.4i cluster if you can as it will be guaranteed to not have bad pixels and will just need to be coded to your car, as would any cluster you install. Any I6 cluster could be made to work, but the redline that's printed on the tach would not match as the V8s had a lower printed redline than I6s.

[Joshmelrose540i]

Which cluster would be the best choice as of plug and play option.? Not to worried about the mileage not being exact since I’m am not selling the car. Looking for a cluster that would plug in and have working rpm speedo gas and engine temp. Also changing the cluster will the fault codes also continue? I’ve got a couple that pop up and have been wondering what they say but cluster doesn’t work and pixels are bad. So she’s parked until then. Any info is appropriated!

[Qsilver7]

Which cluster would be the best choice as of plug and play option.? Not to worried about the mileage not being exact since I’m am not selling the car. Looking for a cluster that would plug in and have working rpm speedo gas and engine temp. Also changing the cluster will the fault codes also continue? I’ve got a couple that pop up and have been wondering what they say but cluster doesn’t work and pixels are bad. So she’s parked until then. Any info is appropriated!
I would recommend taking Paul up on his offere to contact him (in post #2).

The more info you give us...the more you move away from a "plug-n-play" cluster swap.

The check control warning eminate from the LCM...so if you want to be able to have that function, you'll need the LCM & IKE (instrument cluster) to have communication with each other. If you swap in an uncoded cluster without writing the VIN to it, the LCM & IKE will not communicate with each other (you'll get the tamper dot)...and if the mileage isn't zeroed out as well there wil also be other issues.

You'll also need a cluster from a 97-03 540i/6 because one from an automatic will also need ZKE coding to tell the IKE that you have a 6 speed transmission so that the tachometer operates correctly, and also the LCM will need to turn on the back-up lights when you put the tranny into REVERSE...without ZKE coding this won't occur.

There's more...so again, contact Paul so you can get an understanding of what you "think" you can get away with versus what you're actually going to end up not having.

Get an understanding of ALL six of the datapoints below so that you'll know what will not work if you don't follow protocol and just willy-nilly install and uncoded IKE:


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/Odometer%20Tamper%20Dot.jpg

The e32 740i/iL & e34 540i built between 1994-95 uses a different instrument cluster since they were a different BMW generation and models. In fact, I don't think they suffered the "pixel" issues that the e38 & e39 did...but it's a moot point since they will not work in the e38/e39 generation 7 & 5 series.

Another tidbit...yes, there was a 1996 e39 in other parts of the world...the US didn't get the 1996 model due to the implementation of OBD II mandate required by the USA/DOT. BMW had to delay the e39's debut until they could meet the requirement...which pushed back the e39's debut to June 1996. When they did this, they released them as early build 1997 models. So you will not find an e39 in the US market with a "T" as the 10th VIN digit. The 10th VIN digit indicates the "official" model year in the USA market regardless of build date.

The 1995 e34 continued to be build/sold up until April 1996...and all e34s built from Sept/94 thru April/96 have an "S" as their 10th VIN digit...and when the e39s debuted in June/1996...they have a "V" as their 10th VIN digit to indicate they are officially 1997 model year cars. ;)


http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/q/original/VIN%2010th%20Digit%20Model%20Year%20Designation%20 5-1-2014%20update.jpg

[Joshmelrose540i]

Will a 01 7 series cluster work?

[CPHES]

Please re-Read QSilver post at 6:38 - there are additional concerns, as you have a stick. A 740 cluster from 2001 could work. I would avoid any from a 750, as the tach is for a v12, not v8.

[TerraPhantm]

Please re-Read QSilver post at 6:38 - there are additional concerns, as you have a stick. A 740 cluster from 2001 could work. I would avoid any from a 750, as the tach is for a v12, not v8.

740s, 750s, and pre-04 X5 4.4s all share the same instrument cluster.

Electrically they should be fully compatible with an E39, but would need minor modifications to the shroud to fit properly (a square has to be cut out of the plastic - it’s pretty apparent when looking at the E39 and E38/E53 units side by side)

[Qsilver7]

Will a 01 7 series cluster work?

What specifically do you mean by "work"? From one perspective (see below) the question has already been answered. :)

The e38 has an automatic transmission, a larger gas tank, and a different data link between the gear shift lever, reverse, and the LCM. So no...there will be issues beyond incorrect mileage due to different ZKE coding for the e38 vs the manual tranny e39. If you just do a simple google/internet search for IKE coding...you'll see that there is coding specific to what vehicle the instrument cluster is installed in. If the data doesn't match, then the things mentioned above will not be accurate. CONTACT PAUL


I would recommend taking Paul up on his offer to contact him (in post #2).

You'll also need a cluster from a 97-03 540i/6 because one from an automatic will also need ZKE coding to tell the IKE that you have a 6 speed transmission so that the tachometer operates correctly, and also the LCM will need to turn on the back-up lights when you put the tranny into REVERSE...without ZKE coding this won't occur.

There's more...so again, contact Paul so you can get an understanding of what you "think" you can get away with versus what you're actually going to end up not having.

[TR6N]

97-2003 clusters will work in your car. All new ones are retrofitable to the older cars. Basically, make sure it came from a 540i with the high cluster (message display in the middle bottom). E38 and E53 clusters will work as well, but those need a notch cut out in the middle of the lens frame to clear the screw hole on the cluster surround. Easy to do though. Basically, get the newest one you can find. I have a bunch I sell with mileage correction and coding if you need one. PM me for details.

I realize this is an older thread but I sent you a PM to see if you can help on this. I have a 2000 540i/6sp with the same burned our pixels issue. Planning on possibly listing the car and this is the only issue so I'd like to see about possible fixes beforehand.

[blackknight530i]

I realize this is an older thread but I sent you a PM to see if you can help on this. I have a 2000 540i/6sp with the same burned our pixels issue. Planning on possibly listing the car and this is the only issue so I'd like to see about possible fixes beforehand.

Replied by PM, but you can also reach me at my facebook page www.facebook.com/Fixels.