STLcoupe

Hi everyone,

Like many of you, the MFD LEDs on my W203 have faded to the point of being almost impossible to read during the daytime. Searching the forum, it seems that this is a systemic problem for a large number of W203 owners with the pre-facelift cluster, both in coupe and sedan models.

Incidentally, my father owned an E38 BMW 7-series that had a similar problem due to a design flaw in its LED construction. Like our W203s, BMW-USA was initially unwilling to redress the result of their manufacturing flaw and replace the faltering LEDs of many E38s instrumental panels and cabin control stacks. However, after the threat of a class action lawsuit by a sizable number of angry owners, BMW-USA eventually agreed to replace the parts for free, if owners would pay the cost of labor. This turned a multi-thousand dollars fix into one that cost most owners only an hour of labor at their local shop.

Thus, I'm working to mount a class action suit against MB-USA. Part of the discovery process is establishing that the problem is widespread and systemic.

Given this, if I put up a google doc/survey monkey/etc, would W203 owners with this problem be willing to offer their names and their make/model?

FrankW

lmao...the fading pixel is covered under the warranty bro. even the extended warranty. I had the MFD/dash replaced under warranty.

bad bulb is not covered however as any bulbs are listed as wear item.

STLcoupe

I'm very aware. However, given that we're discussing a range of models from 01-05, it is very plausible there are a number of cars that are out of warranty and are facing this problem. Naturally, any warrantied part would be replaced the easy way. I'm looking for those that didn't have your foresight.

datgai

Yup, mine acted up after warranty

krisv420

Mine gets messed up when its over 90 outside.. summer time is coming so fadddddeeee away

FrankW

I see what you are saying. I seriously doubt something can be done however. as it was/is a part that the manufacturer more than willing to replace under warranty. It's one of those thing that you just have to pay to get it repaired if you are out of warranty. same thing as the "pogo stick" door locks, alternator, intercooler pump, etc. the maintenance comes with owning a car.

good luck with the class action suit tho.

rinosaur

Same problem here, at daytimes/heat, the top and bottom 1/3rd are faded.

ggong5150

Mine is faded too in high heat!

STLcoupe

Frank,

Well, it worked for E38 owners. A few letters and they had BMW-NA against the wall enough that they were offering free parts. I'm not willing to chalk a part that clearly has a systemic design flaw up to "part of owning the car." Maintenance is different than design failure.


Who else has had this problem?

C320Jeff

My '02 C320 did the same exact thing a couple of years ago, and it was replaced under warranty. I seem to remember being told then the part was something like $800 to replace out of pocket.

When it was replaced, I had one new "feature" of the MFI - if I go to leave the car with the sunroof open or tilted, an alert apears that I didn't see originally.

Am I to understand from the OP's comment that the replacement part *should* not result in the same fade problem over time?

hcalvarez

bro mine too for some reason when it get's really hot outside

tommy

I agree in that I think it's a badly designed part if it cannot withstand normal temperatures. Mine starts to fade at only 70 degrees or so, and becomes truly awful over 85.

Having said that, I doubt that a suit would do anything, but I'd be willing to offer my details to a list. It's one of the many reasons why I'll be switching brands next time.

I am sending mine to BBA in a couple of weeks, as it is an annoying situation, and I don't want to have to spend the money my dealership would have charged me.

Jkw

I complained a few times about the MFD LEDs on my 2004 C230 and was told it wasn't covered under warranty, so it's interesting to hear it was.

Midnight Koop

same here!

goodluck and keep us posted. would it help to have some kind of list of owners who have this problem so they could be more aware of the magnitude of the issue?

mystery905

I have this problem also....always when it's hot: the top 1/4 of my display gets garbled.

mtnman82

Had this problem on my '03 c230 and the display was replaced under warranty. The whole outer edge would start to fade when it got warm out (over ~90F). Replacement has been rock solid. My replacement also now displays when the sunroof is left open.

w.campbell

I would absolutely add my name and car to the list. We have a 2002 C320 wagon that has the exact problem described, and we are soooo happy that warm weather is coming, because it will become nearly unreadable again!

I think a Class Action Suit warning letter would be a good idea, and might just convince them to do as BMW-USA did. Worth a shot if nothing else.

w.campbell

Since MANY of us are now out of warranty, this would help a great deal. Especially for those of us who usually DIY to save money!

When you get a little further along, maybe consider posting on benzworld.org as well. I would be glad to spread the word locally (there are a lot of W203 owners in my area) through Craigslist or however else I can if that would be desired at some point.

fanito

Mine too, that cluster really sucks, Unfortunately I don't know at what temperature it becomes unreadable since I can't read it
+1

krisv420

This is just bull****... Look how many people have a broken lcd screen when it gets warm outside...

When it gets really hot outside.. i can't read the outside temp / the time / i keep it on the digital MPH and i can still see that a little.

LILBENZ230

You have a 2005 with this problem? The 2005s have completely different gauges and displays. I have no issue, even in GA heat.

The rest of you are not alone with this issue. We had a 2008 G37 coupe that did the fade-away thing in the heat, too. So it isn't just Mercedes.

STLcoupe

Everyone,

Just as I expected! Pretty widespread problems. To get things rolling:

1. I'm going to create an email address where owners with this problem can email relevant information. Expect it sometime this evening.

2. Please publicize this thread. Mods, any chance of making a temporary sticky? Members, perhaps add a link to your sigs so we can make the most comprehensive list possible.

3. Starting the thread on other forums - I will do this as soon as I get the email address up. Are there other ones besides Benzworld?


??? Have owners with other models experienced this? Didn't the pre-facelift W209 have the same cluster? And the pre-facelift W463 G-wagon?

STLcoupe

EMAIL ADDRESS FOR CLUSTER PROBLEMS:



w203pixelproblems@gmail.com


Please send your:

1. Name
2. Location (city/state)
3. Model and year
4. Approx mileage
5. Any additional info related to the problem (when you noticed the failure, what temperatures you have the most fading at, etc)

samaritrey

i have this problem but my dealer wouldn’t replace it. it did it today and i am really angry and now i see that others got it fixed i am going to call the dealer tomorrow morning and see if they can good will it lol i am only 28,000 miles over extended warranty.

mystery905

Should I still e-mail? I'm from Canada....