Dash inst cluster "kink" - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

e34M52b · 15th August 2006, 07:22

Hello... I'm a fresh newbe to the realm of E34's, but have a question...

I'm sorta starting to look seriously for one. I see some in my price range, but can't seem to go for it... and then I see ones I really want, but can't seem to muster up enough to go for it. Ah... the age old problem of having champagne and caviar tastes on a beer and pizza budget.

Anyways, a lot of the cars I have looked at (or at least seen pictures of) at the lower end all seem to have a wierd warping of the dash at the top of the instrument cluster.

I really don't mind a few scratches in the paint or stone chips, but I think if I were looking at that all the time (which you would be as it's right in front of you), it would drive me nuts!!

Is this a common E34 M5 problem?? Is there any solution? I noticed in one car that there is a little metal piece that seems to be up under that part of the dash. Was this supposed to brace it? Didn't seem to work, either way. I'd hate to pull that dash to replace it as it looks like a PITA, especially if there's a driver's side airbag in there.

Of course, I'm trying to find one without this issue, but I've even seen some real clean ones that seem to have been plagued by this problem.

That being said, I really like this one...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-...QQcmdZViewItem

Looks basically perfect. I'm just waiting for my winning lottery ticket to come in.

e34M52b · 17th August 2006, 03:28

Anyone, anyone... Buehler, Buehler...

Stevie · 17th August 2006, 03:33

What kink

??

e34M52b · 17th August 2006, 06:00

Okay, I didn't want to do this as the picture is of an M5 Board members car (and a particularly beautiful one at that!), but just goes to show that no cars are safe from the "dash kink" issue.

I hope this guy doesn't sue me for this... I usually see this a lot on M5's on Ebay, but for whatever reason, there are some really nice examples on Ebay right now.... which is kinda tempting.

See pic below:

You should be able to see it at the top of the dash above the instrument cluster. It looks "kinked" ... sorry, but that's the best word I can think of to describe it. Basically should be flat accross there and it's not.

Any ideas if this is a mainstream problem? What causes it? Any solutuons (cheap ones, that is)?

The Bigfella · 17th August 2006, 09:30

Is it just me? I can't see anything out of the ordinary.

farrell · 17th August 2006, 10:46

I cant either.

Farrell

Stevie · 17th August 2006, 12:42

I don't see a kink.

If you do, swap the top of the dash which can be done in about an hour.

Sebring NL · 17th August 2006, 14:21

above the gauges cluster in the middle, I think I can spot a small ^

But its defo the worst pic for showing this

Mmm-Five · 17th August 2006, 14:42

You mean the 'curve' on the instrument binnable?

e34M52b · 18th August 2006, 07:34

Yes, but to be honest, I really don't see the kink in your dash. Yours looks like an immaculate example.

I tried finding a pic, and low and behold... I can't find a good one to illustrate what I'm talking about, but maybe you can see it better here.

I think it's a little easier to see some "slight" kinking at the very top of the dash at the center of the instrument cluster. I've seen a few cars that were MUCH worse however. Looked really bad.