Anyone want a DIY for how to change gauge cluster colors on a 335i?

jellish · 10-07-2014, 09:24 PM

I just got my car a week ago but didn't like the orange cluster lights, so I changed them to white. Would anyone be interested in a DIY guide on it? I took lots of pics.

Bbacho2002 · 10-07-2014, 09:27 PM

Yes!!! Even better .... I'll pay u to do mine !!!!

jellish · 10-07-2014, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bbacho2002

Yes!!! Even better .... I'll pay u to do mine !!!!

Haha, unfortunately I own my own business and don't have time to sleep much less do this for others. But it's really not hard (took me about an hour) and costs ~$20 to to do yourself as long as you have a soldering iron already.

Walker16 · 10-07-2014, 10:25 PM

That would be awesome.

jellish · 10-07-2014, 11:31 PM

Okay I posted a DIY in the DIY forum for those interested. Hope it helps!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16748105

1chanc3 · 10-08-2014, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neuroclast

Okay I posted a DIY in the DIY forum for those interested. Hope it helps!

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16748105

Very Good write up. Probably won't have the balls to do it myself but always nice to read and learn.

roll_the_dice · 10-08-2014, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neuroclast

I just got my car a week ago but didn't like the orange cluster lights, so I changed them to white. Would anyone be interested in a DIY guide on it? I took lots of pics.

The white looks awesome! I was undecided in doing the dash, but that is clean looking....great job!!! i think you just pushed me to the edge.

i know someone that can change the LEDs in any of the interior pieces if anyone is interested. PM me and I will give you his contact information. I don't know what he charges for an instrument panel, but he is reasonable on the other stuff. he is changing my light switches, window switches and other parts now. i am going with blue on the window switches blue and white on the headlight switch...white on the knob and blue on the other parts of the headlight switch.

e90TiAg335i · 10-08-2014, 10:21 PM

Great job OP.

I can help anyone in the North Florida area with changing any of the interior LEDs. I wrote one of if not the first DIY on the cluster mod.

Conti. · 10-08-2014, 10:33 PM

Maybe this was answered elsewhere im too lazy to check, but is it possible to leave the needles red/orange and everything else white?

roll_the_dice · 10-09-2014, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conti.

Maybe this was answered elsewhere im too lazy to check, but is it possible to leave the needles red/orange and everything else white?

I don't think so...not sure though.

you may have to buy aftermarket needles that have red/amber and the white light will illuminate them to the color of the needle...much like the red line area on the tach...that is just a different color in the tach "film".

jellish · 10-09-2014, 09:39 AM

I believe roll_the_dice is correct, you'd have to have a needle with a red stripe and the white leds would simply illuminate it.

N54 TuNeR · 10-09-2014, 10:15 AM

Thought you can just either paint the needles or use sharpie.

roll_the_dice · 10-09-2014, 10:54 AM

Bimmian has aftermarket "M3" colored needles but there was a review on here that was not favorable. Said they were dim and didn't allow as much light through.

I have heard of painting them...they are white now?? On top or bottom?

I would love blue needles, but think I will just go with white...I like how clean the OP cluster looks...

ptpending · 10-09-2014, 12:11 PM

women nail paint is excellent for needles

N0Chill 335i · 10-09-2014, 12:16 PM

Thank you, I love you!!
Wait... what?! I mean "Cool DIY bro."
Lol. But in all seriousness, thanks man. I've been looking for a comprehensive DIY on this since I bought my car 2 years ago.

jellish · 10-09-2014, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conti.

Maybe this was answered elsewhere im too lazy to check, but is it possible to leave the needles red/orange and everything else white?

Quote:

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I don't think so...not sure though.

you may have to buy aftermarket needles that have red/amber and the white light will illuminate them to the color of the needle...much like the red line area on the tach...that is just a different color in the tach "film".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forever Fly

Thank you, I love you!!
Wait... what?! I mean "Cool DIY bro."
Lol. But in all seriousness, thanks man. I've been looking for a comprehensive DIY on this since I bought my car 2 years ago.

1QuikWS6 · 10-10-2014, 03:19 AM

While you can use a soldering iron as in your DIY, the best & easier way to flow/reflow the solder is by using a SMD Hot Air Pencil

I use a Hot Air Rework station that is specific for SMD that includes HA pencil with tons of different tips, vacuum pencil with different tips for picking/placing the LED's, fixturing device for boards, lighted magnifying viewer, etc.

Not entirely necessary I guess especially if you will never use it again - but I already had mine for other work...

jellish · 10-10-2014, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

While you can use a soldering iron as in your DIY, the best & easier way to flow/reflow the solder is by using a SMD Hot Air Pencil

I use a Hot Air Rework station that is specific for SMD that includes HA pencil with tons of different tips, vacuum pencil with different tips for picking/placing the LED's, fixturing device for boards, lighted magnifying viewer, etc.

Not entirely necessary I guess especially if you will never use it again - but I already had mine for other work...

Yep, that is definitely the better tool. But most people don't have a reflow station so I did it with a soldering iron to prove it is easily doable.

10-07-2014, 09:24 PM	#1
jellish Lieutenant 103 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Anyone want a DIY for how to change gauge cluster colors on a 335i? I just got my car a week ago but didn't like the orange cluster lights, so I changed them to white. Would anyone be interested in a DIY guide on it? I took lots of pics.
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10-07-2014, 09:27 PM	#2
Bbacho2002 Second Lieutenant 16 Rep 291 Posts Drives: E93 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	Yes!!! Even better .... I'll pay u to do mine !!!!
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10-07-2014, 10:25 PM	#4
Walker16 First Lieutenant 28 Rep 300 Posts Drives: '11 335i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Livermore, Ca iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW 335i [0.00] 2010 BMW 335i -RIP- [0.00]	That would be awesome.
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10-07-2014, 11:31 PM	#5
jellish Lieutenant 103 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	Okay I posted a DIY in the DIY forum for those interested. Hope it helps! http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?p=16748105
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10-08-2014, 10:21 PM	#8
e90TiAg335i Major 124 Rep 1,151 Posts Drives: 10 e90 335i Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: jacksonville, FL iTrader: (10) Garage List 2010 e90 335i [7.00]	Great job OP. I can help anyone in the North Florida area with changing any of the interior LEDs. I wrote one of if not the first DIY on the cluster mod. __________________ JB4, DP, VMR V710, Sonic Tuning S1 coilovers, Hybrid Ovations, Soundsplinter 10" and Zapco DC Ref amps
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10-08-2014, 10:33 PM	#9
Conti. Lieutenant 86 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 16' Azurite F80 M3 Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: CT iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 M3 [0.00]	Maybe this was answered elsewhere im too lazy to check, but is it possible to leave the needles red/orange and everything else white?
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10-09-2014, 09:39 AM	#11
jellish Lieutenant 103 Rep 420 Posts Drives: 2013 X6M Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (3)	I believe roll_the_dice is correct, you'd have to have a needle with a red stripe and the white leds would simply illuminate it.
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10-09-2014, 10:15 AM	#12
N54 TuNeR ///Member 49 Rep 327 Posts Drives: E90 '08 335i Sedan Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Coast iTrader: (5)	Thought you can just either paint the needles or use sharpie. __________________ E90 335i Auto, Cold Weather, & Sports Prem. Package, Navigation Mods: JB4/MHD, ACF ST, Precision T/S 6062, AD-Eng Mounts, PrecisionRaceworks STG_3+LPFP,//HPF Exhaust Titanium Tips, Custom HighLow OCC, Precision RaceWorks Coils,RACE InterCooler, Custom Meth Kit, v8Bait(Justin)Tuning
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10-09-2014, 10:54 AM	#13
roll_the_dice Colonel 507 Rep 2,981 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW F30 EBII Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Upstate, NY iTrader: (23) Garage List 1988 Porsche 944 Ce ... [0.00] 2010 BMW E90 328xi [10.00]	Bimmian has aftermarket "M3" colored needles but there was a review on here that was not favorable. Said they were dim and didn't allow as much light through. I have heard of painting them...they are white now?? On top or bottom? I would love blue needles, but think I will just go with white...I like how clean the OP cluster looks... __________________ Drives: 2011 Porsche 958, 1965 Chevy C10, 1988 Porsche 944 Sold:2010 e90 Montego Blue, 2013 F30 EBII, 2013 Tangerine Scream Ford Focus ST, 2006 Mini R50,2004 VW Touareg, 2012 Camaro Convertible, 2008 Porsche 911 Convertible, 2007 Corvette, 2004 BMW e64 convertible, 2000 Dodge Dakota, 1999 Ford F150, 1999 Porsche Boxster, 1999 Ferrari Modena, 1992 BMW e36, 1990 Nissan 240sx, 1979 Celica, 1974 Mustang II My Build Thread
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10-09-2014, 12:11 PM	#14
ptpending Colonel 456 Rep 2,747 Posts Drives: e91 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Poland iTrader: (1)	women nail paint is excellent for needles __________________ E81 2007 130i 6cylinder Montego blue Retrofits: Harman Kardon, High-beam assistant, Removable tow hitch. Auto-dim folding exterior mirrors. Lumbar support. Perfomance Brakes.
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10-09-2014, 12:16 PM	#15
N0Chill 335i Colonel 848 Rep 2,771 Posts Drives: 13' F30 335i M Sport AW Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MD iTrader: (2)	Thank you, I love you!! Wait... what?! I mean "Cool DIY bro." Lol. But in all seriousness, thanks man. I've been looking for a comprehensive DIY on this since I bought my car 2 years ago.
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10-10-2014, 03:19 AM	#17
1QuikWS6 No 55mph 1621 Rep 8,476 Posts Drives: F32 435ix MSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blitzburgh, PA iTrader: (113) Garage List 2022 BMW M440ix Vert [0.00] 2015 BMW 435ix MSport [0.00] 2000 Pontiac Trans Am [0.00]	While you can use a soldering iron as in your DIY, the best & easier way to flow/reflow the solder is by using a SMD Hot Air Pencil I use a Hot Air Rework station that is specific for SMD that includes HA pencil with tons of different tips, vacuum pencil with different tips for picking/placing the LED's, fixturing device for boards, lighted magnifying viewer, etc. Not entirely necessary I guess especially if you will never use it again - but I already had mine for other work... __________________ F32 435ix//MGM//M Sport-Prem-Tech-Driver Assist-Lighting-Cold Weather-Dyn Handling Pkgs//M4 Black Lthr Int w/M4 Alum Blade Trim//HK w/Bavsound Stg3//763M//M4 Euro LCI Tails//M4 Mirrors w/CF Covers//AWCarbon CF F/R Spoilers-Side Splitters-Diffuser 6WB/ID6 HU+HUD/IND M4 Alcantara Armrest//PURE S2 Turbo//AA FMIC+DP//ER CP+TIC//3.5bar TMAP/TS DV//AWE Tuning Exh w/Blk Tips//Turner MS CF Intake//BM3 Cary Jordan Tune//MPerf Diff//PrecRW Ignition Kit
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