E36 guage needles...

[ultima]

I was wondering about changing the needles on my guages. If I were to use E36 guage needles on my stock cluster, will they light up like they do in the E36? I want to know if it's worth it before trying this out. If no one has done it I'm probably just going to go for it anyways. Thanks.

[TimmyBigHands]

I wanted to do the same, but never got to it and couldnt find e36 needles anyway, so I painted my needles red. Looks really nice.

Jordan did the e36 needle swap, I think.

[Jordan]

None of the bases are the right size. I mean the part the pin goes on, is too big or too small.

The speedo and tach needles are also too tall, and rub the glass unless modified.

Its not a easy conversion.

[ultima]

What about just taking the needle off itself without the base? Is the material flimsy like the needles on the E30s where it will bend and break? And how would you go about pulling the base witht the needle off the E36 guage? Just pull up on it? I don't want to be sitting at a junkyard trying to carefully take the needle off the base....I'll do that at home.

So is it worth it Jordan? Does the lighting of the E30 cluster actually make the needles glow like on the E36? And what other BMW models may have the reflective type needles? Thanks.

[salacious325i]

I would say its worth it. I havn't done it but Ive been in Jordans car and its AWSOME, i think. He even topped them with red to match his other gauges and it looks sweet. I would do it.

[ultima]

But hows the light reflection off the needles from the stock guages? Does it actually light up at night? And still lookig for answers to my previous questions. :D

[EtaSport]

Jordan used needles off a 7 series I believe. If I remember right they fit almost exact. As far as lighting, the gages are illuminated from the front, so they will glow the same as the gages. I painted my needles red and thought I wouldnt be able to see them at night, but they look exactly the same as the white ones.

[demlotcrew]

I painted my needles red also, but i just could not carry on thinking they are not real, so had to gte me one of these;

Old painted clocks with chrome rings.



Genuine M3 clocks with Oil temp



Looks much better me thinks.

Andrew

[ultima]

Yes much better.....but it would look best with some E36 guage needles. Especially if you have a lighted shift knob to go with it.....hell even a head unit that lights up amber would round it off real nice.

[GaryE30]

I think Jordan has E34 gauge needles.

[demlotcrew]

Yes much better.....but it would look best with some E36 guage needles. Especially if you have a lighted shift knob to go with it.....hell even a head unit that lights up amber would round it off real nice.

Thanks

My Nak CD500 glows amber.

Andrew