[B58_Touring]

So I finally put my hand in my pocket and bought a 6WB digital instrument cluster. It's made a huge difference to the interior and brings it a lot more up to date.

I'm still a fan of classic non digital clocks but the F3X ones were starting to look a bit dated, even the 6WA could have done with a refresh during the LCI. Initially I wasn't a fan of the digital look, particularly the sport mode display which I found a bit naff looking and while I do think it looks better in person than in pictures or videos I have it set to display the standard clocks in all modes. I do like the digital representation of the classic dials, I think it'll age quite well. I like the cleaner display without the Km's reading on the inside of the mph figures, it all just looks a bit cleaner.

The unit was prepared and supplied for a DIY install by GA (German Auto) Coding in Southampton. Once I'd fitted the cluster they arranged to code the car remotely, this was my first experience with coding anything on the car and they did a great job. Everything up and running in no time, mileage, service intervals etc all reading as they should. If you're looking to have any coding/retrofits carried out I would certainly recommend getting in touch.

If anyone has this fitted with HUD can you tell me if that totally removes the option of having Nav directions displayed in the centre? Same with media/track info? Pretty sure I've read HUD displays all of this info instead and leaves a bit of a blank space in the middle, which isn't a problem as I'd have it set that way

[haagm58]

Looks fantastic, well done and thank you for sharing.

[obert]

Would love to do this. Looks great!

[kitster]

Might be a bit different as I have G31 + HUD. If the nav is shown in the HUD it does not show anywhere in the 6WB. If you switch off the HUD then the Nav is shown inside the right dial.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by kitster

Might be a bit different as I have G31 + HUD. If the nav is shown in the HUD it does not show anywhere in the 6WB. If you switch off the HUD then the Nav is shown inside the right dial.

Yeah seems to be the same here. I'm sure I've seen the same thing asked before, it's probably how I'd have it set up anyway and when I think back my 6WA didn't show it either. Can't remember about media input though, can't say I noticed as I only every looked at the HUD

[Pobsey]

With hud, media and phone only show in the hud, turn hud off and it shows on the 6wb.

[kitster]

Originally Posted by JonBk

Yeah seems to be the same here. I'm sure I've seen the same thing asked before, it's probably how I'd have it set up anyway and when I think back my 6WA didn't show it either. Can't remember about media input though, can't say I noticed as I only every looked at the HUD

The media also appears inside the right dial.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by kitster

The media also appears inside the right dial.

Yeah just tried turning off the HUD there and it all then displays in the cluster. It's either one or the other

[M33DLO]

Well nice... this is something I've had my eye on for a while..
Was the fitment easy enough.? I've read it's a simple 30min job.
How does the remote code work, do they remote into your laptop and take control, or do they tell you what to do over the phone.?

[JLX.]

Very nice! One on the list of things to do, although quite far down the list due to cost.

[SantaEugence]

Very nice, how much did it set you back?
Is that a leather dash too 👀

[SkyJawa]

Looks good, cost?

[WillLowe]

A person in london supplied and fitted mine for £600

[ukbeemerboy]

Am I the only person who prefers the analogue dials over this? When Audi brought out the virtual cockpit, they nailed it but BMW are behind with this. Even on the new cars, the fact the Rev counter goes the wrong way is just annoying.

[Vasumir]

Originally Posted by ukbeemerboy

Am I the only person who prefers the analogue dials over this? When Audi brought out the virtual cockpit, they nailed it but BMW are behind with this. Even on the new cars, the fact the Rev counter goes the wrong way is just annoying.

Nope you're not the only one. When I bought my car new I opted not to have the digital dials as I preferred the analogue, was a fairly inexpensive option too, about £200. Seeing Audi's first hadn't helped, the BMW version looked like a cheap last minute thought in comparison to that.

No offence to anyone that likes them.. which is the majority of this thread.

[M33DLO]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

A person in london supplied and fitted mine for £600

That's a real good price.. was that new or 2nd hand?

[WillLowe]

It was second hand but the condition was perfect. The guy lives in Watford area. Took him about half a hour

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by ukbeemerboy

Am I the only person who prefers the analogue dials over this? When Audi brought out the virtual cockpit, they nailed it but BMW are behind with this. Even on the new cars, the fact the Rev counter goes the wrong way is just annoying.

We have the latest Vc in our Tiguan and it’s alright but some say the first gen was better and more configurable.

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by ukbeemerboy

Am I the only person who prefers the analogue dials over this? When Audi brought out the virtual cockpit, they nailed it but BMW are behind with this. Even on the new cars, the fact the Rev counter goes the wrong way is just annoying.

Originally Posted by Vasumir

Nope you're not the only one. When I Audi's first hadn't helped, the BMW version looked like a cheap last minute thought in comparison to that.

No offence to anyone that likes them.. which is the majority of this thread.

I agreed with you both at one point, as I said I do like a nice set of classic dials. The ones in the m3 look great. I chose not to take the 6WB option when ordering as well, I wasn't fussed on the sport mode style, found it a bit naff and as you say compared to the Audi they weren't in the same league.

After seeing a couple in person though I did agree they modernise the cabin and keep it current. The originals are almost 10 years old now and after looking at the 6WB I felt mine did look a bit dated with the red accents and KM's on the inside of the dial, not to mention the small display section off to one side that looked odd lit up on a night (My opinion of course).

I will use the classic style gauges in all modes and I think this look will age pretty well as a digital representation of a classic gauge. It'll probably age better than the G30 design. It's an expensive retrofit, but I'm keeping hold of this car for the long term so worth it for me to keep it feeling current. It may not be as functional or visually impressive as the Audi virtual cockpit but I'm happy with the cleaner modern look it's gave the interior... In summary, I was wrong not to spec them with the car

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by Medslow

Well nice... this is something I've had my eye on for a while..
Was the fitment easy enough.? I've read it's a simple 30min job.
How does the remote code work, do they remote into your laptop and take control, or do they tell you what to do over the phone.?

Yeah the fitment was simple, 30 minutes is about right. For the remote coding you just need a windows laptop with TeamViewer installed (free download) and an ethernet - OBD cable, approx £15 from amazon. The coder takes control of your desktop and installs the required files to the car, he just asked me to switch the car on where required and then to check a few things were working correctly. It was really simple.

Originally Posted by SantaEugence

Very nice, how much did it set you back?
Is that a leather dash too 👀

£900, for what it is I can't argue it's a very expensive retrofit and I had thought about for a while before convincing myself to go for it. I'm keeping the car for the long term so I decided it was worthwhile. If I wasn't planning on keeping it I'd have left it alone.

It is a leather dash yeah, I love it. Gives the interior a nice lift in terms of quality feel.

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Looks good, cost?

As above mate, I'd rather not say it twice... haha

[SkyJawa]

That’s not a bad price

[B58_Touring]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

That’s not a bad price

Most prices I got seemed to be £1k+ so getting it for under that is what tempted me in