Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars)

**terraphantm** · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 06:28:16 AM

Okay so in the M-track mode retrofit thread, it became apparent that some 03+ cars have functional M-track mode logos, and some don't have LEDs in the spot... even in cars that are *supposed* to have come with the same part number instrument clusters. I want to figure out if it's random luck or if there's some kind of pattern as to whether or not the cluster is there.

So when you guys get the chance, please do the instrument cluster test (hold left button while turning on the car, go to test 2, and run the test) and see if the M-track logo lights up. Post your results (along with build date, transmission, body style, and country) here. I'll start:

M-track logo: Yes
Build Date: 10/2004
Transmission: 6MT
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

Also, if your original cluster was replaced at some point, make a note of that.

MarkOne · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:23:14 AM

M-track logo: Yes
Build Date: 01/2005
Transmission: smg
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

Carbon04smg · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:29:34 AM

M-track logo: Yes
Build Date: 09/2003
Transmission: smg
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

Jason11 · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:29:53 AM

Yes
3/2003
SMG
Coupe
USA

cell21633 · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 09:57:28 AM

M-track logo: No (cutout present, LED not present)
Build Date: 11/2002
Transmission: 6MT
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

kt22cliffjumper · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 12:53:42 PM

M-track logo: Yes - without S
Build Date: 08/2005
Transmission: SMG
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

ShafferMD · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 03:25:27 PM

M-track logo: Yes (with "S"), but does not illuminate
Build Date: 1/2003
Transmission: 6MT
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

GRKM3 · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:53:37 PM

M-track logo: YES, with S (cutout present, LED present)
Build Date: 11/2002
Transmission: SMG
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

*FIXED* I was mistaken, the icon is there and does light up.

yaja23 · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 09:58:16 PM

M-track logo: Yes (Yes with S and fully illuminates)
Build Date: 11/2002
Transmission: SMG
Body Style: Coupe
Country: USA

Mine illuminates with the S. Not sure if it makes any difference, but I do have an ESS (e.g. the CSL software) NA tune. Also when doing the test, I notice that the icon next to the left of the M track logo, does NOT light up.

**terraphantm** · Sat, Jul-02-2011, 11:08:30 PM

thanks guys, keep them coming. So far it really does look random though. Last two posts for example... same production month, same body style, same transmission, and same country - and yet one has the LED and one doesn't.

It looks like the "S" was present in M3s built between 09/2002 and 03/2003. I guess maybe BMW at one point planned on making a "sport" mode for the DSC or something?

Edit: Okay never mind about the randomness since GRKM3 was initially mistaken.

The LED seems to be present in:
2003+ SMG cars ("S" logo being in pre 2003.5 cars)
2005+ 6MT cars

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 06:28:16 AM	#1
terraphantm Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 11,598 In the garage: '04 BMW 330i '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 11 Location: Philadelphia	Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) Okay so in the M-track mode retrofit thread, it became apparent that some 03+ cars have functional M-track mode logos, and some don't have LEDs in the spot... even in cars that are supposed to have come with the same part number instrument clusters. I want to figure out if it's random luck or if there's some kind of pattern as to whether or not the cluster is there. So when you guys get the chance, please do the instrument cluster test (hold left button while turning on the car, go to test 2, and run the test) and see if the M-track logo lights up. Post your results (along with build date, transmission, body style, and country) here. I'll start: M-track logo: Yes Build Date: 10/2004 Transmission: 6MT Body Style: Coupe Country: USA Also, if your original cluster was replaced at some point, make a note of that.

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:23:14 AM	#2
MarkOne I plead the FiF Join Date: May 2010 Age: 39 Posts: 1,362 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A., Planet Earth	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: Yes Build Date: 01/2005 Transmission: smg Body Style: Coupe Country: USA __________________ "I then just left that Ho in my rear view"- ///M3PhrEAk SOLD 2005 Carbon Black on Black M3 Coupe w/ SMG Current Mods: M3an One headers, OEM euro section 1, K&N drop in filter, OEM zcp brakes, ECS brake lines, ST coilovers, Linea Corse LM reps (19x8.5 +35, 19x10 +22), Khoalty license plate LEDs, Turner painted reflectors, Depo matte black kidney grills, Depo smoked corners, Depo smoked side markers, EAS cf 2x2 interior trim, BSW subwoofer

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:29:34 AM	#3
Carbon04smg Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 51 Reputation: 0	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: Yes Build Date: 09/2003 Transmission: smg Body Style: Coupe Country: USA

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:29:53 AM	#4
Jason11 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 45 Posts: 301 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) Yes 3/2003 SMG Coupe USA __________________ 2008 ///M3 6MT B&B Exhaust

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 09:57:28 AM	#5
cell21633 Black Ops Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 105 Reputation: 0 Location: Great Lakes	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: No (cutout present, LED not present) Build Date: 11/2002 Transmission: 6MT Body Style: Coupe Country: USA __________________ Last edited by cell21633; Sat, Jul-02-2011 at 10:02:20 AM.

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 12:53:42 PM	#6
kt22cliffjumper Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 261 In the garage: '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: High Bridge, NJ	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: Yes - without S Build Date: 08/2005 Transmission: SMG Body Style: Coupe Country: USA __________________ 2005 Silver Grey \| SMG \| Xenon \| sunroof delete \| manual nappa leather/cloth seats \| TC Kline D/A coilover 450F/500R with TCK camber plates and TCK RSM \| BMW Motorsports 4.10 LSD \| Powerflex RTAB \| Stoptech 4 piston F/R BBK with slotted 2-piece rotors \| BBS RS-GT 18" 2018 Mineral Grey M2 \| DCT Last edited by kt22cliffjumper; Sat, Jul-02-2011 at 03:28:57 PM.

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 03:25:27 PM	#7
ShafferMD M3 Enthusiast Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 613 In the garage: '06 BMW 325i '08 BMW 128i '13 BMW 135i Reputation: 0	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: Yes (with "S"), but does not illuminate Build Date: 1/2003 Transmission: 6MT Body Style: Coupe Country: USA __________________ SOLD: 2003 6MT ///Carbonschwartz Metallic : Black Nappa : Premium Package : Cold Weather Package PERFORMANCE: 245/275 PS \|\| CDV Delete \|\| Clutch Stop \|\| BMW SSK \|\| RE RTAB's \|\| APPEARANCE: Invisibulbs \|\| AC Schnitzer Pedals \|\| Custom Toolkit w/ M3Forum Decal \|\| Painted Reflectors \|\| 55W Xenon Matched Fogs CONVENIENCE: Eurotray \|\| Dynavin V4 DVD/NAV Ask me anything about Powdercoating! PM me for Metric Clutch Stop sourcing

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 07:53:37 PM	#8
GRKM3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,326 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Long Island, NY	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: YES, with S (cutout present, LED present) Build Date: 11/2002 Transmission: SMG Body Style: Coupe Country: USA FIXED I was mistaken, the icon is there and does light up. __________________ SOLD2003 Steel Gray Metallic M3 - Imola Red Interior - SMGII - Premium - HK Sound - NAV - BT -Sirius Mods :VFE Stage 2 SC, SS Ceramic Coated Stepped Headers, S-Pipe, X-Pipe,TMS Subframe Reinforcement, KWV2 Coilovers, TMS Camber Plates, Powerflex RTAB's, Rogue RSM's, ZCP F/R Brakes, OEM CSL Roof, VCSL D/S Carbon Trunk, diffuser and bumper, Armrest Delete, carbon mirror shells, OEM LED tail lights, BBS CH, Alcantara steering wheel, Armrest delete, Valentine V1, Laser Interceptor... Current ride: 2015 F32 435i xDrive with PPK Last edited by GRKM3; Wed, Jul-06-2011 at 06:01:16 AM.

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 09:58:16 PM	#9
yaja23 M Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,386 In the garage: '03 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Bay Area	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) M-track logo: Yes (Yes with S and fully illuminates) Build Date: 11/2002 Transmission: SMG Body Style: Coupe Country: USA Mine illuminates with the S. Not sure if it makes any difference, but I do have an ESS (e.g. the CSL software) NA tune. Also when doing the test, I notice that the icon next to the left of the M track logo, does NOT light up. __________________ Orion V2 Angel Eyes, OEM LED TailLights, Valentine1 Hardwired, OEM ZCP Rims, Turner Subframe Reinforcement Kit, Vorsteiner Double Sided CF Bootlid Last edited by yaja23; Sat, Jul-02-2011 at 10:02:01 PM.

Sat, Jul-02-2011, 11:08:30 PM	#10
terraphantm Moderator Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 11,598 In the garage: '04 BMW 330i '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 11 Location: Philadelphia	Re: Instrument Cluster Research (2003+ cars) thanks guys, keep them coming. So far it really does look random though. Last two posts for example... same production month, same body style, same transmission, and same country - and yet one has the LED and one doesn't. It looks like the "S" was present in M3s built between 09/2002 and 03/2003. I guess maybe BMW at one point planned on making a "sport" mode for the DSC or something? Edit: Okay never mind about the randomness since GRKM3 was initially mistaken. The LED seems to be present in: 2003+ SMG cars ("S" logo being in pre 2003.5 cars) 2005+ 6MT cars Last edited by terraphantm; Thu, Jul-07-2011 at 09:49:05 PM.

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