LCI headlights and Instrument cluster swap?

[PixelVogue]

Hi all,

does anyone know if these 2 are just plug and play (with coding) or do they need anything extra upgrading?

Cheers

[Qsilver7]

The instrument clusters are the same. If you're referring to the 6WB (digital cluster)...it was an option in the pre facelifts (2011-2015).

I have no clue about the headlights...I just know that the turn indicator is in a different location.

You can also swap out the kidney grilles...the pre-facelift has 10 slats...the facelift has 9 slats (with a slightly different design)....then there's also the M6's kidney grilles which will also fit. You use to be able to find the M6 style grilles with or without the M badge (just a thought).

[PixelVogue]

Cheers mate, yes the 6WB digital cluster. The cars I see for sale have the old analog dials within the price range/spec I want.
Just wondering if I can add these parts later if I get a pre-LCI model, if its just plug and play with some coding.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by PixelVogue

Cheers mate, yes the 6WB digital cluster. The cars I see for sale have the old analog dials within the price range/spec I want.
Just wondering if I can add these parts later if I get a pre-LCI model, if its just plug and play with some coding.

Yes, if you have the 6WA cluster I know you can swap in the 6WB with some coding. There's also the other basic cluster and I believe that can also be swapped along with coding.

The basic cluster has round anodized rings and the digital display is on the far right of the cluster (I think its the same regardless of LHD or RHD). The needles and writing remains visible even after the car is shut down:

Basic Cluster:



The 6WA cluster has a larger digital display that runs across the entire bottom of the display and it has 4 anodized rings that are open along the bottom (reminiscent of a horseshoe)...and the gauge needles are analog and still appear when the car shuts down.

6WA Cluster:




The 6WB cluster is all digital with four anodized rings that are open on the side and the needles are also digital and disappear when the car is shut down. It also has multiple displays depending on which drive experience mode is selected (comfort/sport/eco-pro).

6WB Cluster:

[PixelVogue]

Good to know thanks

[MoFoHo]

That 6WA cluster looks ACE! I love it. My 640d has the 6WB cluster, and is the only thing I'd rather not have had (car had too many other nice options not to pass up on!).
I just find the 6WB cluster way too bright at night, (if I want to be able to see the rest of the switch gear as well).

[PixelVogue]

I've seen pre-lci models with the spec I want but with the crappy headlights and none-6WB items I want so was looking at upgrading those.
Seems like the same rubbish hanging about on Autotrader, Pistonheads and ebay......

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by MoFoHo

That 6WA cluster looks ACE! I love it. My 640d has the 6WB cluster, and is the only thing I'd rather not have had (car had too many other nice options not to pass up on!).
I just find the 6WB cluster way too bright at night, (if I want to be able to see the rest of the switch gear as well).

I’m with you (probably in a small minority)…I prefer the 6WA cluster, too.

My biggest issues with the 6WB is the placement of the OBC’s info…it is moved to the center bottom of the cluster. Second issue is you cant select the turn indicators to display in the HUD. My third issue is the design of the “digital” needles on the smaller gauges…BMW could have designed them a little better to be clear as to which end is pointing at the data in the gauge…doing a quick glance when I first used the 6WB…it wasn’t clear which end was the base and which end was the “pointer”. My fourth issue is there aren’t any numerical values in the two smaller gauges…just line markings.

The 6WA cluster always displays the TIME, ODOMETER, TRIP ODOMETER, and AMBIENT TEMP in specific locations at the bottom of the cluster’s display….the OBC’s “scrollable” info is located in the bottom of the speedometer dial along with the speed limit/road sign data.

The 6WB cluster moves the OBC’s “scrollable” info to the center bottom of the display where the odometer/trip odometer is located…then squeezes the CLOCK & AMBIENT TEMP to either side. So if the car is turned on and you want to see your odometer or trip odometer…you have to press the BC button on the turn indicator stalk because they become part of the “scrollable” info along with the OBC selections.

[PixelVogue]

anyone know if the lci headlights are a pita to fit? lol

[FlyinLowSD]

@Qsilver7,
Howdy. I’m wondering about your statement,”If you're referring to the 6WB (digital cluster)...it was an option in the pre facelifts (2011-2015).” I see some newer models with 6WA cluster. Did 6WB remain an option post-LCI?

My 2017 F06 has the 6WB.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by FlyinLowSD

@Qsilver7,
Howdy. I’m wondering about your statement,”If you're referring to the 6WB (digital cluster)...it was an option in the pre facelifts (2011-2015).” I see some newer models with 6WA cluster. Did 6WB remain an option post-LCI?

My 2017 F06 has the 6WB.

In the USA market...the 2015 model year I think the 6WB cluster became standard equipment & the iDrive controller knob got bigger...even though it is considered pre-LCI. I haven't seen any LCI's with the 6WA cluster (2016-2019 in the USA market).

If you're thinking about the cluster in the M6...it doesn't have the 6WB cluster...it has an "M" version that is similar to the 6WA.

M cluster (has similar design as the 6WA cluster):

[FlyinLowSD]

Interesting! Thank you. Your posts are always through and your comparo helped me understand why my oil temp gauge doesn’t have any numbers on it. Not sure what BMW was thinking there!

It is good to see that at least in some versions the full odometer remains, is not relegated to “scrollable”.

Originally Posted by Qsilver7

In the USA market...the 2015 model year I think the 6WB cluster became standard equipment & the iDrive controller knob got bigger...even though it is considered pre-LCI. I haven't seen any LCI's with the 6WA cluster (2016-2019 in the USA market).

If you're thinking about the cluster in the M6...it doesn't have the 6WB cluster...it has an "M" version that is similar to the 6WA.

M cluster (has similar design as the 6WA cluster):

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by FlyinLowSD

It is good to see that at least in some versions the full odometer remains, is not relegated to “scrollable”.

LOL…yep…one of the reasons why my fav cluster is the 6WA…it always has the TIME - ODOMETER - TRIP ODOMETER - TEMP displayed along the bottom from left to right. You never have to press the BC button to find any of those 4 bits of info.