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      08-09-2014, 08:09 AM   #1
mrwilby
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6WB - Digital Instrument Cluster (X5 35d)

If I understood, with 2015 X5 models the newer style digital cluster should be available in Canada and Europe as standard (?).

However, there appears to be no sign of it for the USA.

Does the presence in the non-US models imply that the coding issues wdimagineer has alluded to with 2014+6WB will be resolved? Do some special coding files need to be made available before coders will be able to fixup aftermarket 6WB installations?

My CA indicated its not unheard of for BMW to sneak in an update through the year. Having driven a couple of 6 series models this week (with 6WB) and also seeing the new X6 has this as standard I am disappointed the X5 is not getting the same treatment for the F15 2015 US model. I wonder if this is due to regulatory approval or BMW profit-managing?

Update:
@Opasha has created a complete how-to guide for installing the 6WB on F15 models - see here: http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1039855

Last edited by mrwilby; 09-26-2014 at 07:24 AM.. Reason: Add link to installation thread
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      08-09-2014, 12:13 PM   #2
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Did you see the pixels on the LCD dash? It is not high resolution enough, IMO, and not ready for prime time. If they incorporated an OLED screen on the dash it would work and look awesome. I almost got a 650 GC before my M5, but much prefer the regular dash to the screen with obvious pixelation. Glad it is not in the US X5 yet
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      08-09-2014, 01:04 PM   #3
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Cluster

Here, in Norway, its available as an option, for about - what equals, usd 1050.
Looking at my very own 2014 ordinary cluster...I am not sure if I would have chosen it.
If it was there by default, OK fine...but to pay that much extra for it, I don't think so.
Surely, in a model year or so - it should be std. without pay, then nice.

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      08-09-2014, 06:24 PM   #4
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I noticed the pixels but didn't think it was detracting. I was having too much fun driving the 650

I ordered a 35d today so I am prepared to live without it, but might consider the 'upgrade' in the future if the coding is resolvable.
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      08-09-2014, 06:41 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mrwilby
I noticed the pixels but didn't think it was detracting. I was having too much fun driving the 650

I ordered a 35d today so I am prepared to live without it, but might consider the 'upgrade' in the future if the coding is resolvable.
It's not the coding that's the problem, that's been resolved. It's the $2,000 price tag for a mediocre display.
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      08-09-2014, 07:25 PM   #6
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Don't know that I agree that the problem is the LCD. From the better quality picture, the LCD actually looks pretty crisp. But they way the've chosen to represent the dials and gauges is almost...cartoonish. The bottom portion of the display looks pretty good, but the top...not so much. Hoping they improve the programming as time goes on.
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      08-09-2014, 07:55 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidTSG View Post
Don't know that I agree that the problem is the LCD. From the better quality picture, the LCD actually looks pretty crisp. But they way the've chosen to represent the dials and gauges is almost...cartoonish. The bottom portion of the display looks pretty good, but the top...not so much. Hoping they improve the programming as time goes on.
have you seen it in person?? Honest question
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      08-09-2014, 08:01 PM   #8
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I've read many comments from people that say it doesn't look all that great. Also recall reading that it actually has less info on it than the current cluster. Can someone tell me what is the advantage of the LCD over the standard. Is this just a matter of people assuming it is the latest technology, therefore it must be better? From what I've read and seen, it's not better. So why do people want it?
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      08-09-2014, 08:06 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanditz View Post
have you seen it in person?? Honest question
No, I haven't had the opportunity. I've seen the black panel LCD that comes w/ the US X5 (I think it's coded as 6WA), but not the full digital. I'm going based on the few high resolution, clear pictures that I've been able to find. Very few people are good at taking crisp pictures of digital displays.

So, in fairness, it could definitely look worse in person.
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      08-09-2014, 08:38 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidTSG View Post
No, I haven't had the opportunity. I've seen the black panel LCD that comes w/ the US X5 (I think it's coded as 6WA), but not the full digital. I'm going based on the few high resolution, clear pictures that I've been able to find. Very few people are good at taking crisp pictures of digital displays.

So, in fairness, it could definitely look worse in person.
go check out a 6 series. Report back
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      08-09-2014, 08:40 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MysticBlue View Post
I've read many comments from people that say it doesn't look all that great. Also recall reading that it actually has less info on it than the current cluster. Can someone tell me what is the advantage of the LCD over the standard. Is this just a matter of people assuming it is the latest technology, therefore it must be better? From what I've read and seen, it's not better. So why do people want it?
1. you can switch display views (change layouts of tach/speedo/etc.)
2. IMO, There is no other advantage other than above
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      08-09-2014, 10:57 PM   #12
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For whatever reason, BMWNA is keeping it out of the 5 Series, including the X5. I guess the 6 Series and X6 are considered more niche and 'up market' based on conversations I've had.

The cluster can be retrofitted starting in a few weeks when the latest I-Level ships, but I don't think it's worth it. If you plan on coding some of the features you can unlock in HUD, like the turn signals, etc., they don't work with 6WB. You lose some functionality to gain the digital display.
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      08-10-2014, 02:04 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdimagineer View Post
For whatever reason, BMWNA is keeping it out of the 5 Series, including the X5. I guess the 6 Series and X6 are considered more niche and 'up market' based on conversations I've had.

The cluster can be retrofitted starting in a few weeks when the latest I-Level ships, but I don't think it's worth it. If you plan on coding some of the features you can unlock in HUD, like the turn signals, etc., they don't work with 6WB. You lose some functionality to gain the digital display.
This is a separate question altogether, but how much does it cost to retrofit HUD? Thanks, bud.
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      08-10-2014, 02:50 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opasha View Post
This is a separate question altogether, but how much does it cost to retrofit HUD? Thanks, bud.
It won't be cheap. You'd need the HUD itself, new windshield, new upper dashboard, possible new dashboard carrier, cluster that has HUD output, etc.

I'd say $5K plus.

I've seen it done by some crazy people. But I wouldn't attempt it myself.
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      08-10-2014, 05:20 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdimagineer View Post
It won't be cheap. You'd need the HUD itself, new windshield, new upper dashboard, possible new dashboard carrier, cluster that has HUD output, etc.

I'd say $5K plus.

I've seen it done by some crazy people. But I wouldn't attempt it myself.
Thank you for the response. Seems like every nice option is sooo expensive to retrofit . I asked my service guy at BMW how much it would cost to mount the side mirror and front grille camera to enable surround view and he said around $6-7K off the top of his head. That's something I really wanted to do, but seems like at that price not worth it. He said the same thing.
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      08-10-2014, 09:19 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opasha View Post
Thank you for the response. Seems like every nice option is sooo expensive to retrofit . I asked my service guy at BMW how much it would cost to mount the side mirror and front grille camera to enable surround view and he said around $6-7K off the top of his head. That's something I really wanted to do, but seems like at that price not worth it. He said the same thing.
The panorama view is cool. When approaching obstacle at low speed it comes on with the front PDC. I think it's a must have for a vehicle of this size.
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      08-10-2014, 09:42 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by aussiem3 View Post
The panorama view is cool. When approaching obstacle at low speed it comes on with the front PDC. I think it's a must have for a vehicle of this size.
Yeah, after seeing it in action on my brother's ML63, I really wish I had it, esp since it helps with all parking (garage, parallel, etc). I'm one of those guys that grew up playing Need for Speed, Project Gotham Racing, Forza, etc. so seeing a car on a screen and parking is a piece of cake for me . I park my brother's car perfectly/quickly every time with it. I have enough driving skill/experience to use my mirrors and reverse park etc, but having extra eyes/birds eye view always makes things better .

At least I coded my car so that I can get access to the rear view camera by just tapping the iDrive when the PDC gets active when approaching obstacles/garage at low speed. The greyed out R for rear view camera in the PDC menu becomes clickable/white/active - really convenient.
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      08-10-2014, 11:49 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aussiem3 View Post
The panorama view is cool. When approaching obstacle at low speed it comes on with the front PDC. I think it's a must have for a vehicle of this size.
How did you get your front camera to come on automatically? All I get automatically is the PDC (top view) when hitting obstacles. If I manually hit the camera button then it comes on.
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      08-10-2014, 02:28 PM   #19
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Quote:
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How did you get your front camera to come on automatically? All I get automatically is the PDC (top view) when hitting obstacles. If I manually hit the camera button then it comes on.
Yeah, I have to manually hit it when going forward. This is coded. Before, without the coding, you had no option to select the Rear View Camera in the menu when PDC was activated when going forward - it was greyed out, at least for me. It would only be active when you hit reverse then went forward in slow speed when approaching an obstacle. Sounds confusing, I know.
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      08-10-2014, 08:33 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanditz View Post
1. you can switch display views (change layouts of tach/speedo/etc.)
2. IMO, There is no other advantage other than above
In other words, a waste of money. Seriously, an LCD panel of an analog display....
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      08-10-2014, 10:00 PM   #21
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The 6WB digital display is $2000 for the retrofit
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      08-11-2014, 02:25 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by opasha View Post
Yeah, I have to manually hit it when going forward. This is coded. Before, without the coding, you had no option to select the Rear View Camera in the menu when PDC was activated when going forward - it was greyed out, at least for me. It would only be active when you hit reverse then went forward in slow speed when approaching an obstacle. Sounds confusing, I know.
May be the cars are coded for Australia to do this. I have no idea.
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