VDO vs Motometer

[handysmurf59]

Does anyone know if the Motometer speedo will fix and work in a VDO cluster? Also are the VDO and Motometer clusters interchangable? I remember someone saying that they wernt, but could not find that post.
Thanks,
Jason

[lordofthewaters]

First look at the front of the cluster, do you have 1 or 3 RED S.I lights?

If you have 3, then all parts from all 84 - 03/86 VDO/Motometer clusters will interchange with each other.

If you have 1 (04/86 - 1992) then all VDO/Motometer parts will interchange with each other.

The earlier ones use different S.I Boards, Motherboards, and Speedo/MPG/Tach gauges then the newer one, which also has parts that you cannot change with the older ones.

The Early versions also had the Tach coding plug on the rear of the tach, while the newer spec had the plug on the front of the cluster itself.


VDO/Motometer were two suppliers built to BMW spec on how to make the cluster.

So the parts can interchange.

[Dylboz]

The parts (lights, gauges even) may interchange, but the clusters themselves don't. If you replace a VDO cluster in an 84 or 85 with a later model Motometer, your D+ circuit will not function correctly, depriving you of the use of your alternator, a situation that is not conducive to battery life or driving much at all. I speak from experience here. VDO and Motometer clusters are not interchangeable, so try and stick with what you got originally.

[devonjordan]

So if I replace, say the tachometer in my Motometer guage cluster with one from a VDO will it work?

[ldsbeaker]

Perfect timing! This is where I'm at:

My TURTL3 ('86 325es) has a VDO cluster. So I bought an early VDO cluster with the 7k tach to work with the M30 swap.

Then I bought GREEN HELL ('86 325e). Of FREAKIN' course! It's Motometer.

Both are x/85 build dates, so they both are early generation. I'm going to do the M30 swap in GREEN HELL now, so I wonder if the VDO 7k tach will work in the Motometer cluster. I'm thinking not, but I'm going to go ahead and give it a try anyways. The temp gauge doesn't work either, so I have to pull it anyway...

Anyone know for sure?

[devonjordan]

Let us all know if it works.

Perfect timing! This is where I'm at:

My TURTL3 ('86 325es) has a VDO cluster. So I bought an early VDO cluster with the 7k tach to work with the M30 swap.

Then I bought GREEN HELL ('86 325e). Of FREAKIN' course! It's Motometer.

Both are x/85 build dates, so they both are early generation. I'm going to do the M30 swap in GREEN HELL now, so I wonder if the VDO 7k tach will work in the Motometer cluster. I'm thinking not, but I'm going to go ahead and give it a try anyways. The temp gauge doesn't work either, so I have to pull it anyway...

Anyone know for sure?

[devonjordan]

double post

[ldsbeaker]

Great, I get to be the guinea pig.
I'll see if I can do it in the next week or two. I just got an Mtech wheel that I want to put on as well.. It all works out so PERFECT!

Stay tuned.

[NC325iC]

ive been runing vdo guages on a motometer board for a while now

[devonjordan]

ive been runing vdo guages on a motometer board for a while now

No problems thus far? I guess that means the motometer board is getting some VDO updates soon.

[netcsk]

I run a moto speedo/odo on my VDO cluster. No problems.

[NC325iC]

as long as you have stuff from the same time period ie after 86 i think

[ldsbeaker]

Mine doesn't work.
Tried switching a VDO 7k (early 318) tach to an early Motometer cluster. No workie.
Tried both plugs and everything.
The temp gauge works, though. Anyone want to trade for a VDO cluster?

[lordofthewaters]

VDO and Motometer clusters are not interchangeable, so try and stick with what you got originally.

Not so. The only caveat is that you should not use an early cluster (pre 6/86) in a later model car (post 6/86), or vice versa. The clusters are made to spec, and are completely interchangeable.

[lordofthewaters]

So if I replace, say the tachometer in my Motometer guage cluster with one from a VDO will it work?

Yes. provided that you follow the rule I stated above.

Sometimes that one doesn't necessarily apply, as I have an early style 7k tach cluster in my 87 eta (in it when I got it last year) and it works fine without any voltage drain.