E39 M5 cluster in an E38?

[DIEGOBMW]

Hey All,
So I've seen several pictures of E38s with E39 M5 or E53 X5 instrument clusters installed. How do you do this? What I mean is how do you make the mileage correct and no manipulation dot on?

[SpeedyE38]

I have an E39 cluster in mine (though it is not an M series). Mine had the tamper dot on and I sent it off (I forget who our fellow E38-er is right now, maybe someone else can share) to have it zeroed out. Once you reinstall it, my understanding is that the data from a couple of other computers in the car check each other out and then report correct mileage to the cluster. The cluster itself doesn't store mileage from what I understand. I know this is very vague, but the concept is what I found helpful.

If I had it all to do over again, I'd get one of those clusters that shows (in LED lights) when you go into the yellow and red zones on the tach.

Good luck with your project.

[Sabreslight]

It is Blackknight530i on here i believe, But his page is https://www.facebook.com/Fixels/ and he can zero the clusters out, i have one that i'll be sending him soon.

And SpeedyE38, i think your talking about the E53 4.6is/ E39 M5 cluster with the tach lights.

[RVAE34]

Correct^

[kahlilj]

https://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/s...2tu-steptronic

[Qsilver7]

It is Blackknight530i on here i believe, But his page is https://www.facebook.com/Fixels/ and he can zero the clusters out, i have one that i'll be sending him soon.

And SpeedyE38, i think your talking about the E53 4.6is/ E39 M5 cluster with the tach lights.

And don't forget the e53 X5 4.8is...it also had the M cluster with the additional tach lights. The retrofitable M-clusters would come from one of the 3 BMW models below:

1. E39 M5 (2000-03)
2. E53 X5 4.6is (2002-03)
3. E53 X5 4.8is (2004-06)

[Sabreslight]

And don't forget the e53 4.8is...it also had the M cluster with the additional tach lights.

Ah I forgot the 4.8 was offered in the e53, thought it was just the e70.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[SpeedyE38]

This is all very good info. I wouldn't mind making the upgrade but am in no hurry. I seem to be losing a fair amount of coolant after swapping out my water pump, sensors, etc. last fall (top it up once every 500 miles). So, I want to set aside funds for potential engine work (i.e. while I am in there, go ahead and do guides, etc.) I will save this thread though. Tons of good info and reference points.

[tominizer]

Is this just a straight swap ?!?!? Is it actually that easy ?

[tominizer]

Never mind...... a little more reading by me and I found out my answers. It's a bit of work and yet, it's very very cool in my mind. Putting this on the list of "Want To Do It If Money Allows"