LCD Display on E39 Gauge cluster

[SnakeyesTx]

I went and drove the E39 540M/6 earlier.... my left leg is still a little shaky.

That thing is a monster compared to my humble 525. It *sounds* like it wants to eat small children!

Anyway I noticed the digital readout under the gauges was flaky, but the owner was telling me that BMW dealerships are replacing those for free as part of some recall program. Is this true?

Aside from that, the "idiot proof clutch valve" which will be coming out, and the windshield rubber seal that could use a replacing... the car is a steal. I'll put it to you this way, I haggled almost 20% off his asking price when I told him I'd be waving cash in full to pick it up tomorrow

[Ferret]

The E39 display thing is *very* common in the UK - there's even specialist companies set up to repair the effing things!

I'll see if I can dig you up a link on how to repair it yourself.

[SnakeyesTx]

The E39 display thing is *very* common in the UK - there's even specialist companies set up to repair the effing things!

I'll see if I can dig you up a link on how to repair it yourself.

Yes.. that would be most appreciated as I haven't heard anywhere of the dealer recall repair from any board so far.

[winfred]

what year? and get a warranty!

[Sixdown]

I rarely if ever trust aftermarket non-manufacturer and manufacturer alike warranties. They're a ripoff and usually cover very little unless the car still has substantially low mileage. You will be paying more for the premiums and such than the cost of parts.

[winfred]

i have a few customers that have been ungodfully lucky to have that aftermarket warranty, we love to milk those warranty's too i am generally the first to say ******** but i have seen it first hand

I rarely if ever trust aftermarket non-manufacturer and manufacturer alike warranties. They're a ripoff and usually cover very little unless the car still has substantially low mileage. You will be paying more for the premiums and such than the cost of parts.

[Ross]

" Anyway I noticed the digital readout under the gauges was flaky, but the owner was telling me that BMW dealerships are replacing those for free as part of some recall program. Is this true?"
Ahem, "E39 electronics ARE are troublesome"
If BMW was willing to do it for zip he would already have had it done.
I've repaired the LCD displays in e34s by simply squeezing the glass display tighter against the rubber connection that powers it. Could be that easy on the 39er.

[SnakeyesTx]

" Anyway I noticed the digital readout under the gauges was flaky, but the owner was telling me that BMW dealerships are replacing those for free as part of some recall program. Is this true?"
Ahem, "E39 electronics ARE are troublesome"
If BMW was willing to do it for zip he would already have had it done.
I've repaired the LCD displays in e34s by simply squeezing the glass display tighter against the rubber connection that powers it. Could be that easy on the 39er.

Aside from the display, is there a known list of issues to look out for or a "this is prone to fail" list somewhere I can look over? As far as I could tell, everything else worked without any issues aside from that display.

[Ross]

The ASC and ABS(intermittantly), LKM, the trans electronics, aux fan controller, dash pixels. This from the two E39s I'm familiar with.
I used to watch an E39 forum and saw lots of gripes about the electronics, nothing else specific comes to mind right now.

[Qube]

It's covered with one hour labor if you are in the USA. Elsewhere, you can just take it apart, spray some contact cleaner on the ribbon, and be good for a longer while.