Didn't think that this simple trick would work out as well as it did, but taking a cue from another forum member, I removed the instrument cluster from the vehicle over the weekend and performed the infamous Sharpie trick on the pointers.
The only advice I would give others is to down two or three beers prior to starting the application to steady the hand while applying the sharpie ink.
At 59 years old, the hands are not as fluid as they once were.
Millennials need not apply!
Pic attached.
'94 840Ci "Broomhilda"
Mission Creep |def|: "When repair X ultimately leads to repair Y and Z"
I have to agree that looks good. When illuminated, how do the red needles look?
I haven't driven my car in so long, I don't remember what my cluster looks like without referring to an old photo:
Looks good. One more thing added to the "to do" list.
Desecrator of all things Sacred
Red needles look good, but it's still a long way from resembling a CSi cluster.
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
Except for the speedo scale....
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
Please don't do "sharpie" trick...
Get E36 M3 needles and with a little modifications they will look stock on ours E31.
Make Bimmerforums Great Again
What "thumbs up" really means
Or... go full bore and install the actual CSi gauges.
Bert
91 850i-A
1972 3.5 CSi (L-jet, Getrag 265 5 speed)
1988 ///M6
2021 X3 M40i
The back to back BIG COUPE” duo
Only 26,500km on the clock! Can't believe you have been behind the wheel long enough to notice the needles!
1994 850CSi, 2007 M5, 1990 VW Westy Syncro, 2010 e61 Touring Manual
Since I already have a red Sharpie, I am going to use it. Quick and cost effective. And the money I saved from not buying a CSI cluster will be reallocated to buy something else I don't need for Eva.
Desecrator of all things Sacred
......yeah, that picture was taken the day I first bought the car, back in 2013....and yes, the odometer reading certainly draws attention away from the subject of the needles!
However I'm pleased to report that it's done a few more kms since then - 31,500 now.
Back on topic, the Sharpie method appears to do the trick, but I also like the idea of swapping out the needles rather than painting them - a good option if you're going to all the trouble of getting access to them.
And while you're in there, if your speedo is an imperial instrument, why not de-clutter the dial face by blacking out that annoying km/h scale?
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
Blanz, did you remove the needles from their axels or did you paint them while still attached? Once you pry off the needles it is a simple matter to lift off the gauge faces and replace them with custom made ones. Way cheaper than buying a CSi cluster. I used hobby shop paint to do mine.
I removed each individual gauge from the backside and then applied a single pass of the sharpie. I say single pass because you do not want to deposit too much ink that would impede the translucency of the needle. Ask me how I know.
A single pass of the sharpie gives a good contrast of color while still illuminating at night when the lights are on.
'94 840Ci "Broomhilda"
Mission Creep |def|: "When repair X ultimately leads to repair Y and Z"
Now he can try this:
dash2.jpg
Which also looks good. Do they illuminate as needed?
Desecrator of all things Sacred
The difference is in the hole diameter.
E31 needle pins are thinner.
You have to take E36 needle, heat up the hole end with a lighter or torch and press it agains something flat, it will expend melted plastic slightly, just enough to sit firm on E31 pin.
E36 stock needle
Modified:
Gauge faces and red needles.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1991-1998-BM...VXctKF&vxp=mtr
Desecrator of all things Sacred
Would look so much cleaner without the km/h scale...is that a legal requirement in the US?
Current:
1994 E31 850CSi Sterlingsilber/Anthracite Buffalo
Previous:
1987 E28 M5 Delphin
1986 E23 M745iA Arctic Blue
1986 E24 635CSi Polaris
1976 E3 3.0 Si Arctic Blue
Not to the best of my knowledge.
Desecrator of all things Sacred
In case you don't have a red Sharpie.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fluorescent-...38.m2548.l4275
s-l500.jpg
Desecrator of all things Sacred
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