My DIY of Bimmian "M-style needles"

EndOfAnEra · 02-28-2015, 07:45 PM

Okay so I was tired at looking at such a boring gauge cluster...I wanted to add some color so I decided to try out the Bimmian "M-style" needles:

http://www.bimmian.com/M-Style-Red-N...r-E93-3-Series

When I first opened the bag I noticed the black centers were gloss black. To me it looked very tacky so I wanted to change the finish.

I first tried a satin/semi-gloss paint, but the finished product was bumpy and I was not happy. It is hard to tell by the picture but the finish was not very smooth.

I decided I wanted some type of textured finish, I think it will look better in the end. This time I taped off the needles and used wet sandpaper to really smooth the centers before paint.

Then I rigged up my DIY paint booth lol

I am going to do the installation now. Will post finished pictures when completed. So far I am pleased!

EndOfAnEra · 02-28-2015, 09:24 PM

OEM needles removed

comparing the OEM needles to the modified bimmian needles

EndOfAnEra · 02-28-2015, 09:27 PM

I would also like to add I was planning on doing the M3 gauge rings, but after seeing how close the rings are to the clear plastic cover I don't think I am going to attempt it

http://www.bimmian.com/Gauge-Rings-f...r-E93-3-Series

EzequielR · 02-28-2015, 09:34 PM

Looking good, but will you be switching to white LED's?

EndOfAnEra · 02-28-2015, 10:22 PM

that might be something I consider in the future, do you have them done? It does look great!

EndOfAnEra · 03-01-2015, 12:40 AM

Done!

KN| BMW · 03-01-2015, 01:56 AM

Good job. I still pefer to retrofit the m3 cluster.

dbworld4k · 03-01-2015, 05:37 AM

I may eventually do this too. I sharpied mine when having the white LEDs installed and it's not bad, but not perfect. The white LEDs are a must, in my opinion!

EzequielR · 03-01-2015, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndOfAnEra

that might be something I consider in the future, do you have them done? It does look great!

Unfortunately, no but I was contemplating doing them soon, might order these needles and the M3 rings and do them all at once. I will definitely create a thread if I do so!

EzequielR · 03-01-2015, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

I may eventually do this too. I sharpied mine when having the white LEDs installed and it's not bad, but not perfect. The white LEDs are a must, in my opinion!

Hey brother, do you mind sending me a link for the LED's? Seeing this get me all excited, lmao!

glachhman · 03-01-2015, 12:27 PM

Can you post a picture at night. I heard the bimmian needles dont transfer light like oem.

EndOfAnEra · 03-01-2015, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KN| BMW

Good job. I still pefer to retrofit the m3 cluster.

Thanks! and yeah I can understand that, but that ///M sitting on the cluster would bother me

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbworld4k

I may eventually do this too. I sharpied mine when having the white LEDs installed and it's not bad, but not perfect. The white LEDs are a must, in my opinion!

I read many people say that their "sharpie job" was always uneven and never perfect, that's why I took a chance on the Bimmian needles and I am glad I did!

Quote:

Originally Posted by glachhman

Can you post a picture at night. I heard the bimmian needles dont transfer light like oem.

Well they were wrong! The Bimmian needles look great at night.

EndOfAnEra · 03-01-2015, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EzequielR

Hey brother, do you mind sending me a link for the LED's? Seeing this get me all excited, lmao!

you can use this for the install

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=503185

Wolf 335 · 03-01-2015, 02:39 PM

All that work just to have red needles in day light.

Not worth it.

EndOfAnEra · 03-01-2015, 06:22 PM

oh well

psmitty95 · 03-01-2015, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndOfAnEra

I would also like to add I was planning on doing the M3 gauge rings, but after seeing how close the rings are to the clear plastic cover I don't think I am going to attempt it

http://www.bimmian.com/Gauge-Rings-f...r-E93-3-Series

Huge pain in the ass to do so smart move not doing those. Took me forever... My gauges will be done fully modded next week. Last step is installing custom gauge faces I got

_ink · 03-02-2015, 04:07 AM

My gripe with their needles are what you just changed, and the fact that the red looks pink when you change the LEDs to white.

chandleerr · 03-02-2015, 05:46 PM

My best friend and his dad own a Speedometer repair shop in ATL if anyone is interested. Super fast turnaround time. Almost always ship same day. They are BMW enthusiasts. Not trying to promote. PM me if you guys want more info.

EndOfAnEra · 03-04-2015, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psmitty95

Huge pain in the ass to do so smart move not doing those. Took me forever... My gauges will be done fully modded next week. Last step is installing custom gauge faces I got

How did you get the rings out?! and what custom faces are you installing? I am interested.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _ink

My gripe with their needles are what you just changed, and the fact that the red looks pink when you change the LEDs to white.

oh they do huh? maybe ill stick with the amber lights then...I wish they were better quality :/

psmitty95 · 03-05-2015, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EndOfAnEra

How did you get the rings out?! and what custom faces are you installing? I am interested.

oh they do huh? maybe ill stick with the amber lights then...I wish they were better quality :/

rings fucking sucked... You have to cut off a piece and even then you just have to tug. I scratched the inside of the glass bad but luckily it came off with some compound. Here's a photoshop of the faces. Hopefully they'll be installed by the end of this weekend

glachhman · 03-05-2015, 12:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psmitty95

rings fucking sucked... You have to cut off a piece and even then you just have to tug. I scratched the inside of the glass bad but luckily it came off with some compound. Here's a photoshop of the faces. Hopefully they'll be installed by the end of this weekend

I hope these illuminate like oem or better peter! I'm personally not a fan but you're the only that has to see it everyday

psmitty95 · 03-05-2015, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glachhman

I hope these illuminate like oem or better peter! I'm personally not a fan but you're the only that has to see it everyday

Hahaha i hope so too. I'm sure i'll get mixed reviews but i'm excited to get them thrown on and think they'll look good

02-28-2015, 07:45 PM	#1
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	My DIY of Bimmian "M-style needles" Okay so I was tired at looking at such a boring gauge cluster...I wanted to add some color so I decided to try out the Bimmian "M-style" needles: http://www.bimmian.com/M-Style-Red-N...r-E93-3-Series When I first opened the bag I noticed the black centers were gloss black. To me it looked very tacky so I wanted to change the finish. I first tried a satin/semi-gloss paint, but the finished product was bumpy and I was not happy. It is hard to tell by the picture but the finish was not very smooth. I decided I wanted some type of textured finish, I think it will look better in the end. This time I taped off the needles and used wet sandpaper to really smooth the centers before paint. Then I rigged up my DIY paint booth lol I am going to do the installation now. Will post finished pictures when completed. So far I am pleased! __________________ flickr Last edited by EndOfAnEra; 03-01-2015 at 12:45 AM..
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02-28-2015, 09:24 PM	#2
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	OEM needles removed comparing the OEM needles to the modified bimmian needles __________________ flickr
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02-28-2015, 09:27 PM	#3
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	I would also like to add I was planning on doing the M3 gauge rings, but after seeing how close the rings are to the clear plastic cover I don't think I am going to attempt it http://www.bimmian.com/Gauge-Rings-f...r-E93-3-Series __________________ flickr
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02-28-2015, 09:34 PM	#4
EzequielR Major 257 Rep 1,347 Posts Drives: E92 08 328xi Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: NYC iTrader: (2)	Looking good, but will you be switching to white LED's?
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02-28-2015, 10:22 PM	#5
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	that might be something I consider in the future, do you have them done? It does look great! __________________ flickr
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03-01-2015, 12:40 AM	#6
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	Done! __________________ flickr
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03-01-2015, 01:56 AM	#7
KN\| BMW Lieutenant 24 Rep 411 Posts Drives: E90LCI to GTRS5 WideBody M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Vietnam - HCM iTrader: (0)	Good job. I still pefer to retrofit the m3 cluster. __________________
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03-01-2015, 05:37 AM	#8
dbworld4k Banned 590 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: '12 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: YYZ iTrader: (5) Garage List 2002 BMW M5 [10.00] 2009 BMW 335i [10.00]	I may eventually do this too. I sharpied mine when having the white LEDs installed and it's not bad, but not perfect. The white LEDs are a must, in my opinion! Attached Images
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03-01-2015, 12:27 PM	#11
glachhman Banned 44 Rep 692 Posts Drives: '07 335i e90 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Queens, NY iTrader: (0)	Can you post a picture at night. I heard the bimmian needles dont transfer light like oem.
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03-01-2015, 02:39 PM	#14
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2570 Rep 3,663 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	All that work just to have red needles in day light. Not worth it.
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03-01-2015, 06:22 PM	#15
EndOfAnEra Lieutenant Colonel 523 Rep 1,707 Posts Drives: F16 X6 Msport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Largo, FL iTrader: (13)	oh well __________________ flickr
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03-02-2015, 04:07 AM	#17
_ink Jedi samurai ninja turtle 636 Rep 3,021 Posts Drives: X3 M40i 2018 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 X3 M40i [0.00]	My gripe with their needles are what you just changed, and the fact that the red looks pink when you change the LEDs to white.
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03-02-2015, 05:46 PM	#18
chandleerr Captain 110 Rep 748 Posts Drives: 09 335i Join Date: May 2014 Location: Atlanta,GA iTrader: (2) Garage List 2009 Bmw 335i [0.00]	My best friend and his dad own a Speedometer repair shop in ATL if anyone is interested. Super fast turnaround time. Almost always ship same day. They are BMW enthusiasts. Not trying to promote. PM me if you guys want more info. Last edited by chandleerr; 03-02-2015 at 05:52 PM..
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