This DIY (Do It Yourself) is a contribution by Daniel Castro, thanks Daniel. In the following text, you will find a detailed procedure on how you can remove your gauges cluster and disassemble it in order to replace your OEM gauges with the Plasma type. I know that almost everyone here is looking for these gauges but unfortunately I couldn’t find them on the German eBay where I found them for the first time. I’m not sure where you can get them from now, but I will keep looking and hopefully I will find them. Daniel, do you know where I can get this from? If you want to know how they should look like after you finish, take a look at the BMW E36 With Plasma Gauges and BMW E36 with blue interior LED lights . . . Wow!

Disclaimer: Use this info at your own risk!! The author is not responsible if this didn’t work for you :-).

1. Removing Screws:

Remove upper Left & Right screws using a 4 cornered screw driver. Once removed, use a flat screw driver to remove the whole unit from above.

2. Removing Sockets:

Pull the unit until the wires at the back are exposed. Remove the sockets by pushing the lever upwards or to the direction shown above. 3 sockets are to be removed, Black, Blue and White.

No need to remove the Steering Wheel, adjust it to the lowest position. After all the sockets are removed, just slowly slide the unit to the right side of the steering wheel, as shown below…

3. Unit Disassembly:

Use a #T-9 screw driver (hex shaped) to remove the screw (3 pcs) as shown below. Then Lift the level locks on the left & the right.

Lift both levers at the same time. Notice the outer back cover is lifted. Now, you will see 3 stick locks, Rotate the white locks wrapped around the black plastic poles.

Afterwards, you may separate the front cover from the middle part.

In my case, I have not locked them back, so I can easily lift or separate the middle part along with the back part. As shown below…

Using two flat screws, or anything that can lift the needles (of the Instrument Cluster).

BEWARE : The Needle pins are very SENSITIVE, as it can easily be bent.

Once all five needles are removed, remove the smaller hex shaped screws and place the Illuminating gauge face.

Placing the needles back is tricky, I recommend you rotate the pin by 45 degrees, hold it down, then place the needle slowly, pointing to 0 or minimum.

Reverse the whole process to install it back to it’s original place.

Join The BMW E36 Community now... it's FREE

Are you looking for more do it yourself procedures (DIY) ? I recommend the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual for you. I got it and I think it’s a gold mine for us -BMW E36 Owners-. If you didn’t grab your copy yet, get it right now! I’m sure you’ll find this book worth every penny you’ve paid for. Get the Bentley BMW 3 series service manual

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 information source.

Hi Guys,

Julien, a reader of the BMW E36 Blog, was very kind to send me some photos of his white 1998 BMW E36 316i. The car looks great and with a fabulous background. Honestly, I couldn’t stop myself from publishing these photos. I’m 100% sure that you are going to love them.

Take a look at the photos and let’s hear your opinions…

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

Hi Guys,

Daniel was so kind to send me some pics of his BMW E36. That was long time ago and I couldn’t publish something about this car until today. I always have a full schedule … you know .

The car looks really cool with the special touches and colors (I especially like the Plasma guages and the great sub & amplifier). The only thing that is upseting me is that Daniel is going to get rid of her because of the UAE regulations which is banning old cars. What a shame!

Take a look at the photos, then let’s hear your opinions…

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

Hi Guys,

Willy Moore, a reader of this blog, has sent me some photos of his 318is. The car looks amazing and I have to admit it’s one of the best looking E36’s I’ve seen. However, I thought of some changes that may enhance the look of the car and I’ve already sent these to Willy. My notes about his car are:

1. The 318is sign: I think this should be removed as it will make the car look better. Besides, you don’t need to tell ppl what engine you have under the hood

2. The rear led lights: well, we’ve disagreed, Willy and I about this, but I think that these do NOT fit in his E36 perfectly. So, I suggested that he should remove them, and he argued that they look awesome at night. I agree that led rear lights look great at night, but they don’t look that good in daylight (at least on his car). Anyway, of course it’s his car and he can do whatever he thinks right.

So, I asked him to publish a post about his car asking you for your opinions and about how you can make this car look even better. So, do you think you can make this car look better? How?

Take a look at the photos first, then let’s hear your opinions…

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate E36 information source.

Hello,

Today, I brought to you this BMW E36 328is. The car looks fabulous and it’s a real example of how sexy the E36 cars can be when they’re in very good shape. The car didn’t receive much of modifications and it’s looks almost standard. But it’s very cool and nice looking.

Only one thing I would change about it is the fog lights. I would lose them and put the OEM fog lights back. The car is just amazing!

I just want to apologize for the owner of this car if he reads this. I wanted to put it as miss June, but then I changed my mind because I remembered that I have already picked miss June. She will be revealed in the next few days . . . Sorry man!

Take a look guys, what do you really think?

BMW E36 Blog: The ultimate BMW E36 M3 information source.