[amancuso_]

Been thinking about upgrading the cluster in my F31 recently, but the $2K sticker price seems like a lot for a mostly aesthetic upgrade. My car has the base cluster, but I already upgraded the infotainment to the NBT EVO 6 NAV upgrade which wasn't cheap either. Should I take the plunge or nah?

[eff32fl]

Do it. I love the 6WB makes the interior look much more modern. Plus if you drive in Sport/+ mode the display stays red and doesn't turn amber at night like the analog cluster. You can get a used one for around 1k.

[im_an_alien]

Originally Posted by eff32fl

Do it. I love the 6WB makes the interior look much more modern. Plus if you drive in Sport/+ mode the display stays red and doesn't turn amber at night like the analog cluster. You can get a used one for around 1k.

Wasn't long ago that the brand new ones were 1k

[space_2001]

I would just swap gauge faces. I love analog gauges and these look so much better when you change out the faces.

I’ve gotten the Venoxy ones and I like them on both of my cars. They also have more colors to chose. Although you’ll need some patience for install.

Here are some pics:

[amancuso_]

Originally Posted by space_2001

I would just swap gauge faces. I love analog gauges and these look so much better when you change out the faces.

I’ve gotten the Venoxy ones and I like them on both of my cars. They also have more colors to chose. Although you’ll need some patience for install.

Here are some pics:

You have the 6WA, I have the base. I can't get any nav instruction on the screen, and the lag time when changing radio stations is annoying. I don't think the base cluster was made to interface with the NBT EVO6 infotainment system.

[eff32fl]

Originally Posted by amancuso_

You have the 6WA, I have the base. I can't get any nav instruction on the screen, and the lag time when changing radio stations is annoying. I don't think the base cluster was made to interface with the NBT EVO6 infotainment system.

I believe you are correct. I've only seen later models with 6WA or 6WB. The digital portion of the base screen appears to only be for basic car status messages.

[Wires]

Lets be honest, how often does one actually look at the gauges? I'll glance at the tach on occasion, speed comes from the HUD.

For me, it isn't worth it to make it look more modern.

[space_2001]

Originally Posted by Wires

Lets be honest, how often does one actually look at the gauges? I'll glance at the tach on occasion, speed comes from the HUD.

For me, it isn't worth it to make it look more modern.

That’s fair lol, unfortunately I have no HUD so I HAVE to look at my gauges.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by space_2001

That’s fair lol, unfortunately I have no HUD so I HAVE to look at my gauges.

Ridiculous! You have a BMW. I thought we didn't need to observe speeds, signal, park across lines, etc?!?!

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by space_2001

That’s fair lol, unfortunately I have no HUD so I HAVE to look at my gauges.

Not with one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Yaouzicn-Cons...zcF9hdGY&psc=1

[Skyhigh]

6WB is definitely worth it. It was on my "must-have" list when buying the car as well. Makes a huge difference in modernising the cockpit. From the good old orange analogue clusters from the 80s straight to 2020 (or at least 2010, if you compare to Audi).
This said, its functionality is pretty limited when compared to e.g. Audi's Virtual Cockpit. Still worth it nevertheless.

And I do have a HUD as well, but it is also so limited in functionality that it does not replace an instrument cluster. I can happily live without it, but not without the fully digital cluster.

[oshrizak]

A bit off topic here but since there are a bunch of guides out for NBT to EVO do you mind sharing which one you used? Did you have to upgrade from TCB. To ATM?

[Solenoidal]

I have the 6WB and HUD. I wouldn't have it any other way. The dials make it so much more modernised inside compared to the analogue dials.

Like someone mentioned above, the HUD is pretty basic in terms of functionality, just displays speed, cruise control information, speed limit signs (if you have the sensor), directions (if using stock bmw navigation) and media control.

I just wished it would display the directions if using Waze or Google Maps via Apple CarPlay.

[Skyhigh]

It has a compass too, if you code it in that‘s an increase of functionality by 20%

But seriously - 6WB changes the interior big time!

[Djphonics]

I've got the 6wb, and disabled the sport mode in it to keep the gauges 'analog'

The center screen only shows a car when you're too close to another car, but is otherwise a screen of nothingness.

It also drives me nuts that there are two fuel gauges on it. The standard 'analog' gauge, and then the gauge under the speedo. You can also add the 'countdown' in the middle for the ultimate trifecta of fuel level information.

I'd miss it because I am used to it, but I wouldn't pay to 'upgrade' to it. BAVMODS does a knockoff of the newer cluster that I'd suggest if you want to modernise the cabin.

[Skyhigh]

You do realise that one is a fuel gauge, the other a range gauge, right? Not the same thing at all….

[Runner340]

I upgraded to the 6WB cluster because it's backlit during the day where the 6WA is only backlit when the headlights are on. I have no idea why BMW choose not to backlight the 6WA for daytime driving. Sunlight glare or while wearing dark sunglasses the 6WA cluster gauges don't show up well. As an added bonus the 6WB does have a more modern look. One of my favorite upgrades.

[amancuso_]

Originally Posted by oshrizak

A bit off topic here but since there are a bunch of guides out for NBT to EVO do you mind sharing which one you used? Did you have to upgrade from TCB. To ATM?

I paid the $$$ and used Bimmer-tech. ConnectedDrive works, but I can't get RTTI because of the combox. Use Apple CarPlay for traffic anyways.

[amancuso_]

Originally Posted by Djphonics

I've got the 6wb, and disabled the sport mode in it to keep the gauges 'analog'

The center screen only shows a car when you're too close to another car, but is otherwise a screen of nothingness.

It also drives me nuts that there are two fuel gauges on it. The standard 'analog' gauge, and then the gauge under the speedo. You can also add the 'countdown' in the middle for the ultimate trifecta of fuel level information.

I'd miss it because I am used to it, but I wouldn't pay to 'upgrade' to it. BAVMODS does a knockoff of the newer cluster that I'd suggest if you want to modernise the cabin.

I have had experience with "aftermarket" components and do not feel they offer the same stability and reliability as factory components. Maybe the 6WA might be the way to go at a lower cost. I had that in my previous 4 series cars and had absolutely no problem with them. The base cluster is just so slow/lagging response time when navigating through the menus/media.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by amancuso_

Been thinking about upgrading the cluster in my F31 recently, but the $2K sticker price seems like a lot for a mostly aesthetic upgrade. My car has the base cluster, but I already upgraded the infotainment to the NBT EVO 6 NAV upgrade which wasn't cheap either. Should I take the plunge or nah?

Well, I’ll just start out saying I’m an old fart and I prefer iconic BMW with as much analog as is reasonable. I’m not totally against “digital” when it actually adds worthwhile functionality. But, I don’t think the 6WB is worth it at all. The fact of the matter is it will eventually fail and have to be replaced. I have the Executive pkg, so I have it, but if I had the choice I would have analog gauges. Yes, I know the analog gauges are run electronically. Fortunately it hasn’t happened to me with my current 2018 F30, but on my first 2018 F30 with the Executive pkg the 6WB went black on me at least three times and possibly four during the 21 months I had that car. It never lasted more than a few seconds, but it’s unnerving when it happens, especially at night. I think it’s pointless and just adds something expensive to fail and require replacement.

[Skyhigh]

«It will fail» is the most bizarre logic I often read for not getting (meaningful) extras on a car. That you don’t find it meaningful is a separate thing.

Everything fails eventually, including your engine, gearbox, windshield wipers and HiFi. Do you not have an Aircon because it will fail?

Since I am involved with avionics, I can tell you that components whose function is essential are designed to have a Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) as high as possible. This is also why they are so expensive to srart with. Which doesn’t mean they don’t fail, ever. Just rest assured that there is a good reason why an instrument cluster from Ali Express costs a fraction. It will last a fraction.

[Wires]

Being in the electronics industry, I can guarantee that the reason the 6WB is expensive is because people will pay the price tag if they want the feature. That price has zero to do with it being designed to be reliable.

There is zero risk that if the dash went dark that you would die driving -- it's just an annoyance. Fully different paradigm than the aviation industry where the bird can fall from the sky if a critical item fails.

Our Audi has the full virtual cockpit. It looks awesome (better than BMWs implementation BTW since it is basically a screen that can toggle between Nav maps, gauges, etc. into different layouts.) But to tturedraider's point, I cringe with the thought when it is no longer being produced as a replacement part and it fails.