11-28-2021, 10:08 PM | #1 |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Digital Gauges
I've been looking at getting the 6WB gauge cluster for my '17 330e, but it is almost $2000! Does this not seem like an outrageous price to anyone else? Anyways, has anyone bought one second-hand for cheaper, or found an alternative that is cheaper?
Additionally, Has anyone put one in the 330e? I'm assuming that I'd then lose out on the ability to see charge/electric status in the Gauges? Thanks! |
11-28-2021, 11:00 PM | #2 |
Major General
4958
Rep 6,222
Posts
Drives: 2018 340i M Sport
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38]
2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00] |
I would pass. I have the 6WB in my car and it’s the one thing about the executive pkg I wish it didn’t have. I view it as just one more computerized feature to eventually fail. I haven’t had any big problems with mine yet, but I’ve only had my car since April and already once it has gone black on me. Fortunately it was very briefly. I’d much rather have the standard analog gauges.
__________________
www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________ |
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2021, 11:36 PM | #3 |
Monobloc
331
Rep 447
Posts
Drives: '02 M Coupe - '19 F31 330ix
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bay Area, Killa Kali
|
Was the 330E not able to be configured the with package/option at the time?
For me the 6WB cluster is cool to have but nothing worth replacing your 'regular' cluster for. It's nowhere near as refined as what you would find in a more premium car such as a W213 E-class.
__________________
-2023 Honda Odyssey Elite - Sonic Gray Pearl / Black
-2019 F31 330ix Individual - Champagne Quartz / Coral Red (M-sport, Exec, Premium, Track) -2004 Honda CRV AWD - Silver / Black -2002 S54 M Coupé - Steel Gray / Dark Gray/Black |
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2021, 11:56 PM | #4 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 12:00 AM | #5 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Quote:
And as far as I know, it wasn't. I bought my car used, but I've never seen and F30 have it stock. Although, someone else replied, and from what I understand, it came with their car as a part of the executive package. Maybe they're just in a different market? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 12:23 AM | #6 |
Monobloc
331
Rep 447
Posts
Drives: '02 M Coupe - '19 F31 330ix
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Bay Area, Killa Kali
|
Yes, there are plenty of F3x's with the 6WB stock. AFAIk, it was bundled within a package for some cars/years and for others as a standalone option.
__________________
-2023 Honda Odyssey Elite - Sonic Gray Pearl / Black
-2019 F31 330ix Individual - Champagne Quartz / Coral Red (M-sport, Exec, Premium, Track) -2004 Honda CRV AWD - Silver / Black -2002 S54 M Coupé - Steel Gray / Dark Gray/Black |
Appreciate
1
rexmatt19.00 |
11-29-2021, 12:25 AM | #7 |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 12:26 AM | #8 |
Major General
4958
Rep 6,222
Posts
Drives: 2018 340i M Sport
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee)
iTrader: (0)
Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38]
2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00] |
It’s fairly common on 2018 M Sport 340i’s. Quite a few of them were equipped with the executive pkg.
__________________
www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________ |
Appreciate
1
Swappy531.50 |
11-29-2021, 12:29 AM | #9 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 04:57 AM | #11 |
Brigadier General
1879
Rep 3,860
Posts |
Interesting how opinions deviate.
Having a digital cluster on a modern, premium vehicle was a must-have for me and I refused to buy an F3x (or a BMW in general) with that old, orange-needled analogue cluster from the 90s! Whilst the 6WB functionality is nowhere close to what the competitors (Audi, MB, even some budget manufacturers like Peugeot) offer, it gives the cockpit a completely different look! For me (!) it is totally worth it and if I didn't have it, it would be the first thing on my list to retrofit. This said, many people have done it and the topic has been extensively discussed. Check out the 6WB threads in this section: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/fo...429&order=desc
__________________
"Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
|
Appreciate
1
Swappy531.50 |
11-29-2021, 06:13 AM | #12 |
Lieutenant
357
Rep 412
Posts |
I have the digital cluster on my car combined with HUD, and it is indeed a bit limited in functionality. Also, it has a bluish hue to it (backlight bleeding).
Pretty sure that it's cheaper to produce than analogue cluster (no moving parts) and in the near future we will see it on all the cheap brands too. By that time it's likely that premium brands will sell analogue clusters as an upgrade, maybe in collaboration with luxury watch manufacturers (TAGHeuer premium mechanical cluster!!!!). Would not bother if I were you. Extended analogue cluster looks better. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 07:17 AM | #13 | |
Lieutenant Colonel
2419
Rep 1,804
Posts |
Quote:
I find it surprising when people say they prefer analog gauges, I understand when it's really well done, analogues with interesting/colorful gauge faces or other cool sweeping features, the F30 6WA is as mundane and boring as it gets… I've had a few people compliment my digital gauge cluster since I got it, Id love to find a person who got into a 6WA F30 and thought, "wow cool gauge cluster"
__________________
|
|
Appreciate
1
Swappy531.50 |
11-29-2021, 07:31 AM | #14 |
Lieutenant
357
Rep 412
Posts |
Yes, maybe BMW charges the customers the same, but I am sure that they make more profit on the digital cluster. All it basically is is a laptop screen, and not a very good one. Think of all the different parts and assembly needed to produce the (extended) analogue cluster, and on top of that also includes colour display.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 10:19 AM | #15 |
Brigadier General
1879
Rep 3,860
Posts |
Don't underestimate non-recurring cost and qualification/certification cost!
Digital clusters have a significantly higher NRC element due to the reliability requirements and testing that both the hardware and software within must adhere to and be shown compliant with! General rule - never assume the price of a system is a sum of the prices of its individual components sold separately. That's never the case. And never underestimate the price of high-integrity software and hardware, even if to you as a user it is "just a display". (Engineer's two cents)
__________________
"Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 10:50 AM | #16 |
Lieutenant
357
Rep 412
Posts |
While that may be true, I would prefer my Bimmer with the mechanical cluster / display combo anytime. For me, analogue mechanical equals timeless. Digital equals doo doo.
It's like a mechanical timepiece watch vs a digital one... "In 1972, Hamilton introduced the world's first commercial electronic digital wristwatch. It retailed for the pricey sum of $2,100, which amounts to over $12,000 today. However, by the end of the 1970s, digital watches would regularly retail for under $10 a piece. In the 1980s, they could be found in cereal boxes as cheap giveaways [...]" I would not be surprised if in the future a premium car can be recognized by physical gauges, where cheap cars have all digital displays. Just my 2 cents... All a matter of taste of course, can't argue that. Last edited by MidtownMike; 11-29-2021 at 11:02 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 11:08 AM | #17 |
Brigadier General
1879
Rep 3,860
Posts |
You sound like you are old enough for a MB and soon ready for an Aston Martin or a Jag
There is a product for everyone
__________________
"Large increases in cost with questionable increases in performance can be tolerated only in cars and women."
|
Appreciate
1
Swappy531.50 |
11-29-2021, 11:28 AM | #18 | |
Lieutenant
357
Rep 412
Posts |
Quote:
Actually when I bought my car, I really saw my digital cluster as a plus. It was only after driving it for a couple of months that I started to realize that the added value was minimal with BMW's software, and that the "flatness" or 2-dimensionality as well as the backlight bleeding turned out to be a bit annoying. BMW could have done so much better. It just doesn't look that attractive and the graphics are quite basic. Also, the customization options could be unlimited with a digital display but BMW chose not to make it customizable. Maybe I'll change my mind if I come across a better implementation of the concept. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-29-2021, 11:37 PM | #19 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-04-2021, 09:36 PM | #20 |
New Member
6
Rep 19
Posts |
Interesting. I have a 330e and I believe you lose some features like seeing the electrical range if you get the 6wb. Pretty sure only the 530e has the correct coding for it. Could be wrong tho. Lmk if you go thru with it!
|
Appreciate
0
|
12-06-2021, 08:50 AM | #21 |
Cheapskate
4445
Rep 4,993
Posts |
I ordered my 440i with it. It was a standalone option, but maybe it was added to a package later.
It was $350, so I can't believe how much it costs to have it added afterwards. Old thread with more details: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1388286 |
Appreciate
1
rexmatt19.00 |
12-06-2021, 08:54 AM | #22 | |
Private First Class
19
Rep 113
Posts |
Quote:
Hopefully if I do, I can find a way to use the 530e coding. Not being able to see electric stats would be disappointing. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|