instrument cluster color

sonicbimmer19 · 08-03-2012, 06:56 PM

Hi guys,

I don't own a M3, but I own a BMW and I was just curious to see what M3 owners thought about the color change of M3 instrument cluster from traditional orange to white in E9x M3?
To me, orange lights in instrument cluster defines BMW just as much as quad headlights and kidney grills and more than (my personal favorite) Hofmeister Kink.
I know there's still a lot of orange, but instrument cluster is completely white.
Just wanted to hear your opinions

MKE_M3 · 08-03-2012, 07:01 PM

I've owned 6 BMWs, ranging from 1978 to my 2011 M3, I don't "like it", but it doesn't bother me either. +1 on the Hofmeister Kink!

IL8Apex · 08-03-2012, 07:36 PM

I like it. It distinguishes the M3 from the riff raff.

regensburg94 · 08-03-2012, 08:07 PM

Kidney grills are my favorite identifier.

Orange display is classic too - hope BMW doesn't move further away.

THE TECH · 08-03-2012, 08:12 PM

I just feel that the orange dates the car.

kmarei · 08-03-2012, 08:33 PM

I'd prefer orange

HeartMD · 08-03-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

I like it. It distinguishes the M3 from the riff raff.

LOL,, agreed. Besides the obvious. I love it. Noticed it the first time I drove my sweetheart at night

HeartMD · 08-03-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE TECH

I just feel that the orange dates the car.

I have to give that a +1 as well.

iamcpap · 08-03-2012, 10:01 PM

As long as the red needles don't trickle down to NON M models I'm ok with the less prominent orange cluster. The rest of the interior is orange.

sonicbimmer19 · 08-03-2012, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

I like it. It distinguishes the M3 from the riff raff.

Again, I do not own a M3 car but I'd rather M cars have orange instrument cluster and non-M BMW's to have like .. white? but I guess that's too big a change.

dom_cmh · 08-04-2012, 12:43 AM

I miss the orange. It ties it together better.

aajami · 08-04-2012, 12:50 AM

I hate the orange. It makes everything look monochromatic and extremely dated. The white adds a nice splash of color and contrast, and imbues the otherwise timeless cluster with a touch of modern design.

HotIce · 08-04-2012, 01:17 AM

The orange was a little easier on the eyes. I just hope the M logo lights up next generation.

highyo · 08-04-2012, 07:02 AM

Orange? That's red isn't it? I think it's classic BMW. Would like to see it come back to the f80

UsualSuspect · 08-04-2012, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

The orange was a little easier on the eyes. I just hope the M logo lights up next generation.

Yep. The white is very bright and easier to read when you don't have time to really glance down and read.

luis_m3 · 08-04-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IL8Apex

I like it. It distinguishes the M3 from the riff raff.

LMAO

dviolagis · 08-04-2012, 04:47 PM

Should have used the traditional color used for BMW instrument cluster. The color is important when driving at night. White - bad, red/orange-good. Better on your eyes. Not sure why they did this.

dom_cmh · 08-04-2012, 05:10 PM

This is quickly turning into a 6MT vs DCT like thread....

Superfly_M3 · 08-04-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

The orange was a little easier on the eyes. I just hope the M logo lights up next generation.

Orange is the most visible and gives the most contrast. It is the worst on the eyes. Green/Blue are the best for "easy on the eyes"

I like the current cluster. I think orange looks dated as well.

dom_cmh · 08-04-2012, 08:59 PM

I guess after thinking about it I don't mind the white but I wish all the orange was gone elsewhere and those were white also. In other words, keep a consistent theme one way or the other.

sonicbimmer19 · 08-04-2012, 11:03 PM

I'm extremely surprised at the "orange looks dated" responses, partly because I never saw it that way.
Personally, orange instrument cluster is what defines BMW to me and white just does not look right at all. Looks like Mercedes Benz to be honest.
I think orange instrument cluster is what makes BMW look really special and awesome and something to identify a BMW, but I guess nothing is forever.

One day BMW will steer away from quad headlights, kidney grills, and Hofmeister Kink (the new X1 already doesn't have traditional kink.. it does have the curve, but it is not Hofmeister kink in my opinion)

Giggs · 08-04-2012, 11:17 PM

The one thing i hated about BMWs before this car was the orange instument cluster lighting. I feel like with the M3 they finally did it right! +1 for BMW

08-03-2012, 06:56 PM	#1
sonicbimmer19 Lieutenant 72 Rep 487 Posts Drives: E88 and F32 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	instrument cluster color Hi guys, I don't own a M3, but I own a BMW and I was just curious to see what M3 owners thought about the color change of M3 instrument cluster from traditional orange to white in E9x M3? To me, orange lights in instrument cluster defines BMW just as much as quad headlights and kidney grills and more than (my personal favorite) Hofmeister Kink. I know there's still a lot of orange, but instrument cluster is completely white. Just wanted to hear your opinions
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08-03-2012, 07:01 PM	#2
MKE_M3 Lieutenant Colonel 65 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: 2011 e90 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI iTrader: (0)	I've owned 6 BMWs, ranging from 1978 to my 2011 M3, I don't "like it", but it doesn't bother me either. +1 on the Hofmeister Kink! __________________
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08-03-2012, 07:36 PM	#3
IL8Apex Private First Class 12 Rep 175 Posts Drives: 2009 E92 M3, 1999 E36 M3 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: San Diego iTrader: (7)	I like it. It distinguishes the M3 from the riff raff. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 / DCT / AW / Black Extended / Akrapovic Evolution / BPM Engine+DCT Tune / Dinan Stage I + Camber Plates / HRE C20 / Valentine One by Alekshop
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08-03-2012, 08:07 PM	#4
regensburg94 Second Lieutenant 91 Rep 208 Posts Drives: 2011 AW/FR M3 ZCP 6MT Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Kidney grills are my favorite identifier. Orange display is classic too - hope BMW doesn't move further away.
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08-03-2012, 08:12 PM	#5
THE TECH BimmerPost Supporting Vendor 307 Rep 13,093 Posts Drives: BPMsport 2012 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Kansas iTrader: (45) Garage List 2013 Nissan GTR [0.00] 2019 Sierra Denali ... [0.00] 1999 Nissan Silvia [0.00] 1999 Nissan Skyline ... [0.00] 1998 Toyota Supra [0.00]	I just feel that the orange dates the car.
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08-03-2012, 08:33 PM	#6
kmarei Major General 686 Rep 6,845 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi RS5 coupe Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Reston, VA iTrader: (34) Garage List 2018 Audi RS5 [0.00]	I'd prefer orange __________________
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08-03-2012, 10:01 PM	#9
iamcpap Captain 53 Rep 920 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW X5M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (7)	As long as the red needles don't trickle down to NON M models I'm ok with the less prominent orange cluster. The rest of the interior is orange. __________________ 2010 E70 X5M \| Black \| Black \| Stock for now. 2008 E90 M3 \| Interlagos Blue \| Speed Cloth \| Sold 2011 E92 M3 ZCP \| Space Grey \| Black \| Sold
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08-04-2012, 12:43 AM	#11
dom_cmh Lieutenant 140 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Columbus, Ohio iTrader: (1)	I miss the orange. It ties it together better. __________________ Daily Driver - 2007 E70 X5 4.8i Sport w/20" Wheels Summer Fun - 2016 F80 M3 \| Tanzanite \| Black FULL Leather \| 6MT \| Executive \| Lighting \| Driver Assist \| Adaptive Suspension \| 19" Black Wheels \| Black Grills & Sides \| Roof
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08-04-2012, 12:50 AM	#12
aajami Brigadier General 432 Rep 4,567 Posts Drives: Space Gray '09 E92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA iTrader: (4)	I hate the orange. It makes everything look monochromatic and extremely dated. The white adds a nice splash of color and contrast, and imbues the otherwise timeless cluster with a touch of modern design. __________________ '09 E92 M3: Space Gray, Black, Carbon Leather \| ZTP 2MK ZPP 2MT 6FL \| link 1 / link 2 Mods: M Performance exhaust \| ZCP retrofit \| Euro airbox \| GTS DCT flash \| JPN 240 ECU flash \| Euro LCI taillights \| CRT lip \| OEM alarm retrofit \| Space Gray bumper plugs \| BMW Performance: Mk. II spoiler / Mk. II non-electronic steering wheel / mirror caps / front grilles / side gills / intake louvers / emblem
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08-04-2012, 01:17 AM	#13
HotIce Banned 74 Rep 449 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: May 2010 Location: I'm not telling some creeper where I live! iTrader: (0)	The orange was a little easier on the eyes. I just hope the M logo lights up next generation.
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08-04-2012, 07:02 AM	#14
highyo Banned 15 Rep 408 Posts Drives: M3, X5 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: nYc iTrader: (0)	Orange? That's red isn't it? I think it's classic BMW. Would like to see it come back to the f80
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08-04-2012, 04:47 PM	#17
dviolagis New Member 1 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Convertible Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Potomac, MD iTrader: (0)	BMW made mistake with the light choice Should have used the traditional color used for BMW instrument cluster. The color is important when driving at night. White - bad, red/orange-good. Better on your eyes. Not sure why they did this.
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08-04-2012, 05:10 PM	#18
dom_cmh Lieutenant 140 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Columbus, Ohio iTrader: (1)	This is quickly turning into a 6MT vs DCT like thread.... __________________ Daily Driver - 2007 E70 X5 4.8i Sport w/20" Wheels Summer Fun - 2016 F80 M3 \| Tanzanite \| Black FULL Leather \| 6MT \| Executive \| Lighting \| Driver Assist \| Adaptive Suspension \| 19" Black Wheels \| Black Grills & Sides \| Roof
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08-04-2012, 08:59 PM	#20
dom_cmh Lieutenant 140 Rep 441 Posts Drives: 2016 F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Columbus, Ohio iTrader: (1)	I guess after thinking about it I don't mind the white but I wish all the orange was gone elsewhere and those were white also. In other words, keep a consistent theme one way or the other. __________________ Daily Driver - 2007 E70 X5 4.8i Sport w/20" Wheels Summer Fun - 2016 F80 M3 \| Tanzanite \| Black FULL Leather \| 6MT \| Executive \| Lighting \| Driver Assist \| Adaptive Suspension \| 19" Black Wheels \| Black Grills & Sides \| Roof
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08-04-2012, 11:03 PM	#21
sonicbimmer19 Lieutenant 72 Rep 487 Posts Drives: E88 and F32 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (1)	I'm extremely surprised at the "orange looks dated" responses, partly because I never saw it that way. Personally, orange instrument cluster is what defines BMW to me and white just does not look right at all. Looks like Mercedes Benz to be honest. I think orange instrument cluster is what makes BMW look really special and awesome and something to identify a BMW, but I guess nothing is forever. One day BMW will steer away from quad headlights, kidney grills, and Hofmeister Kink (the new X1 already doesn't have traditional kink.. it does have the curve, but it is not Hofmeister kink in my opinion)
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08-04-2012, 11:17 PM	#22
Giggs Major 143 Rep 1,129 Posts Drives: R8 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (5)	The one thing i hated about BMWs before this car was the orange instument cluster lighting. I feel like with the M3 they finally did it right! +1 for BMW
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