BMW 1 Series Coupe Forum / 1 Series Convertible Forum (1M / tii / 135i / 128i / Coupe / Cabrio / Hatchback) (BMW E82 E88 128i 130i 135i)
 





 

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      01-06-2014, 08:45 PM   #1
mccandless
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Gauge Cluster design options

So i'm designing a new set of gauge faces for my 135i. I've tried a few tests print just to see how they look in the cluster. Let me know what you guys think. Also, If there is any interest i may consider doing a few custom faces for sale. It's hard to get a good picture with the reflections, but here you go...

Option 1 - 1M style


Option 2 - Based on the new BMW digital gauge


Option 3 - My own design to try and give the illusion of depth.
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      01-06-2014, 09:03 PM   #2
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Those are pretty cool. How exactly do you do/install those? I imagine many people may not like putting the 1M cluster look in a non 1M. The second one looks pretty cool, too.

You might also want to consider something similar to what they have on the 335is and z4 35is below with a gray background and then script writing with the model number. Don't know how hard that'd be to do, but I know a lot of people might be interested in buying something like that perhaps. I know I was disappointed after looking at a 135is that it didn't have the gray gauges. Or perhaps it might help spawn some new ideas.
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      01-06-2014, 11:00 PM   #3
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Love the designs...2 or 3 look the best to me..

I think your oil temp number scale is wrong though
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      01-07-2014, 12:35 AM   #4
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I like to have 1M style or 335is but also the oil temp indicate i want to have for boost
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      01-07-2014, 06:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris. View Post
I think your oil temp number scale is wrong though
I'm from Canada so these are metric gauges with Celsius degrees.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Everfly View Post
I like to have 1M style or 335is but also the oil temp indicate i want to have for boost
Thats an interesting idea. Do you know the boost range for the JB4? I think it's 0-20 psi. But i'm thinking it may be better to replace to fuel gauge. The oil temp is kind of important and you can use the center display to show how much fuel you have left.
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      01-07-2014, 08:40 AM   #6
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is this a replacement face or an overlay? they look great though. nice work.
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      01-07-2014, 11:05 AM   #7
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What a shame that BMW cheaped out on our gauge clusters....wish we had something that indicated how warmed up the engine was via a moving redline...that would have been a nice touch...oh well....guess theys pent all the money on the motor?
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      01-07-2014, 11:25 AM   #8
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I like

I like 1 and 2. I'm in Ottawa and have a MPH speedo so would like to convert to KPH speedo.
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      01-07-2014, 11:41 AM   #9
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335IS /z4 IS style would be great. Esp if the 128i can get some attention too
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"The 1-series is the last car that BMW engineered before the Germans, as a car-making culture, fell out of love with driving." - R&T 2013 135is
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      01-07-2014, 12:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twin fed View Post
is this a replacement face or an overlay? they look great though. nice work.
It's going to be a replacement face printed on plastic. the picture below shows what i'm planning for the night backlight. I've already replaced the led's in the cluster with white so i can make the backlight overlay any color i want. I'm going to keep some orange color so it will match the rest of the existing interior lights.

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      01-07-2014, 10:05 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gregthegr8
Those are pretty cool. How exactly do you do/install those? I imagine many people may not like putting the 1M cluster look in a non 1M. The second one looks pretty cool, too.

You might also want to consider something similar to what they have on the 335is and z4 35is below with a gray background and then script writing with the model number. Don't know how hard that'd be to do, but I know a lot of people might be interested in buying something like that perhaps. I know I was disappointed after looking at a 135is that it didn't have the gray gauges. Or perhaps it might help spawn some new ideas.
I wish BMW did this for the 135is as well. I would love those gauges in car.
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      01-08-2014, 01:09 AM   #12
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I'm surprised no one has suggested tii style gauges. Well, if there's a way to nicely overlap/swap the face of the tach + oil temp gauge, it's pretty nice.
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      01-08-2014, 01:26 AM   #13
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How are you test fitting the gauge overlays? I thought the needles arent supposed to be removed repeatedly - is there a slit in the paper I'm not seeing?

Your designs look great. How does the overlay stay in place? Have you done these printed plastic overlays before? Curious how they look when complete.

I'll take a set that are 1M style
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      01-08-2014, 06:44 AM   #14
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Also would take a 1m style face to try, please on me
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      01-08-2014, 08:59 AM   #15
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I tried one with a grey background and the 135i text. I wasn't sure about it at first, but the more i look at it, the more i'm liking it.

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      01-08-2014, 05:21 PM   #16
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I love option 3. Would be nice to incorporate an m letter in there or 135i. Great work. Subscribing to this.
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      01-08-2014, 06:28 PM   #17
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How would you install this?
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      01-08-2014, 08:37 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mccandless View Post
I tried one with a grey background and the 135i text. I wasn't sure about it at first, but the more i look at it, the more i'm liking it.

Awesome work dude!!! Made a couple modifications. I think this would look slick with the M font.



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Originally Posted by adobeee View Post
How would you install this?
It would have to be cut perfectly and then attached with thin doublesided tape, I think. :
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      01-08-2014, 09:30 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam135 View Post
Awesome work dude!!! Made a couple modifications. I think this would look slick with the M font.

It would have to be cut perfectly and then attached with thin doublesided tape, I think. :
Thanks, I don't know the M font. do you know where i can download it?
The overlay just replaces the existing one. it's not glued or taped down, there are tabs on the overlay that are held in place by the gauge frame. Very easy to replace (10 min and a screwdriver).

Here is a picture of the stock overlays, you can see the tabs that hold them in place. Mine will have the same tabs.
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Last edited by mccandless; 01-09-2014 at 05:55 AM..
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      01-08-2014, 09:41 PM   #20
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Would the ink on the plastic leave a shiny surface? Might be able to hit it with a coat of matte clear for a more OEM appearance.

Here is a good thread that shows a cluster breakdown http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503185
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      01-09-2014, 02:59 AM   #21
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I did this with blue LEDs and white face gauges. I also put the M and 135i in it. Mine are just stickers though. So your saying you can make the plastic insert with all the numbers correctly spaced and everything. I would really like to buy one from you if you are. I would need something custom to go with my blue LEDs. Do you know if the other member you referenced ever finished the LED swap with the radio, sunroof/SOS switch and start button. I'll PM him and ask. Just though if mention it. Those are the only 3 things left and then I have 100% swapped orange interior to blue. Here's a pic of mine. Doesn't look anywhere as good as yours and would like to replace it if you make me something. I had troubles because the tach has that little writing that says x1000. Which would glow if I covered it up. I did the best with what I had 2 summer ago. After seeing yours I need this to happen. Pm me with what I need to do please. Here's a pic of mine. I also made a thread if you search for blue led instrument cluster.
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      01-09-2014, 06:10 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MuNkY6913 View Post
I did this with blue LEDs and white face gauges. I also put the M and 135i in it. Mine are just stickers though. So your saying you can make the plastic insert with all the numbers correctly spaced and everything. I would really like to buy one from you if you are. I would need something custom to go with my blue LEDs. Do you know if the other member you referenced ever finished the LED swap with the radio, sunroof/SOS switch and start button. I'll PM him and ask. Just though if mention it. Those are the only 3 things left and then I have 100% swapped orange interior to blue. Here's a pic of mine. Doesn't look anywhere as good as yours and would like to replace it if you make me something. I had troubles because the tach has that little writing that says x1000. Which would glow if I covered it up. I did the best with what I had 2 summer ago. After seeing yours I need this to happen. Pm me with what I need to do please. Here's a pic of mine. I also made a thread if you search for blue led instrument cluster.
I saw your DIY, it was very helpful when I replaced my LED's for white ones. I used white because i can print transparent color on the back of the overlay and make the backlight any colors I want. I'd love to do blue like your's, but I'm not up for the work required to change all the LED's in the car like you did.

There is one limitation with the method I'm using. The text must be white for the backlight to work properly. That means no white face gauges.
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