XSeries-forum

The radio display in my 2003 x5 non-sat nav is missing pixels, who is the best person to go to to get this fixed?

I’m non-diy so relying on someone to do this for me!

Cheers
Mark

Have you checked Akspeedo.com, based in Falkirk Scotland. Been in business for nearly 20 years. Name is Keith James, spoken to him twice this week, very approachable. Have got a lcd screen with ribbon from him to try/do a diy this weekend for my X5 instrument cluster, on special offer £34.99. Noticed he had repair ribbons for your job as well on his website.

Also got repair ribbon for mother in laws CLK W210. Which is also faulty only £14.99 and very diy'able apparently, more so than on our cars.

I'm sure there are others, but I've been impressed with my dealings with him so far...

He fits as well btw.

Great help Mike, thank you.

Used him very good

did my DIY repair this afternoon, he was on hand a few times to discuss, by phone. I'm pleased with the afternoons work...

Looks fantastic Mike - my radio unit will be sent up as I’ve no hope of doing this job - my dash also has same issue wish there was someone who could do it for me local in Devon/Exeter!...

Have you tried a guy called Baris at Cartonics? Nearer and lots of recommendations in here for himNot trying to worry you but I thought a pixelated dash was potential evidence of speedo clocking/tampering, but I may be wrong. If I recall correctly it was a security feature to show evidence of tampering. Im sure someone else will be along to advise

Smee

No apparently alot of the dashes were made in USA and Mexico where the build quality was poor. Mine had been opened before and contact cleaner had clearly been squirted onto it, all wet and sticky!! Mine was made in the US.

Took 3 hours, I can say I enjoyed it now its done...

https://youtu.be/vut7byFw-RY

I thought I’d read that if there was a full stop after the word “miles” on the dash it meant it had been tampered with, might be some urban myth though!

Just a word of warning, I also did my pixelated dash a couple of months ago with the kit from AK Speedo, I’m not sure if the dash frame is different on the 4.6 but according to the instructions you just need to place the template and drill a few holes in the front face of the dash to access the screws that hold the LED unit in place. Looking at the photos etc it might be easier on other e53s i think as there is one screw that needs to be removed and it is directly behind a piece of the framework for the 4x4 warning lights and it’s a bloody nightmare. There is nothing to drill out, I had to cut out the plastic divider between the two warning lights to get to the screw, I can honestly say I was fekking traumatised after doing this job, but mightily relieved when it worked and everything lit up!

That I believe is true, the dot beside miles or km's indicates that the original paired speedometer has been replaced.
[quote="sleepyfolk"]
I thought I’d read that if there was a full stop after the word “miles” on the dash it meant it had been tampered with, might be some urban myth though!

Just a word of warning, I also did my pixelated dash a couple of months ago with the kit from AK Speedo, I’m not sure if the dash frame is different on the 4.6 but according to the instructions you just need to place the template and drill a few holes in the front face of the dash to access the screws that hold the LED unit in place. Looking at the photos etc it might be easier on other e53s i think as there is one screw that needs to be removed and it is directly behind a piece of the framework for the 4x4 warning lights and it’s a bloody nightmare. There is nothing to drill out, I had to cut out the plastic divider between the two warning lights to get to the screw, I can honestly say I was fekking traumatised after doing this job, but mightily relieved when it worked and everything lit up!
[/quote]

Hi Sleepy, I know the bit you mean, I started with a pointy awl and made a slight dent in that corner, then drilled with the smallest drill-bit I had 2.5mm then once I'd made a small hole, we let rip with the 5mm. The hole only needs to be as big as your torx screwdriver, mine was quite small....

[quote="Smeeagain"]
Have you tried a guy called Baris at Cartonics? Nearer and lots of recommendations in here for himNot trying to worry you but I thought a pixelated dash was potential evidence of speedo clocking/tampering, but I may be wrong. If I recall correctly it was a security feature to show evidence of tampering. Im sure someone else will be along to advise

Smee
[/quote]

Have you a website address?

He means carphonics I think http://www.carphonics.co.uk/bmw.htm

Yep that's the one

AKspeedo done mines 2 years ago i also had him put chrome rings in from an m5 great job he took £100 for doing it,but then im not far from him and left the car with him for couple of hours.