I have a 1997 e420 sport with 68,000 miles and my instrument cluster went out. I came across a instrument cluster with 44,000 miles on the older model w210 will those mile be different, or will my miles stay at 68,000 if i change it out. this is not the newer w210 with fss sytem.

 

Can I make a suggestion - take a picture of the unit before you remove it, with proof of the date (a newspaper in the photo), and stick that in the envelope for the vehicle's history.

Better for prospective buyers in future if you sell it.

 

Swap the clusters and keep the old cluster for proof. Write the actual miles on the replacement unit and the date when it was swapped. If you are friends with the dealership they may set the cluster to the miles you have now or there are places that you can send it to be set before you install it.

 

so actually which cluster will show my orginal miles or the 44,000 mile? That what i'm asking if I dont go to the dealer which mile will show.

 

The miles are stored in the cluster itself. If you swap in one with 44K miles on it, that is where it will start counting from.

 

E-Klasse knows what he is talking about. The instrument cluster stores the mileage and when one is swapped the mileage on the cluster does not change. The dealer cannot reprogram a used instrument cluster, but they will certainly offer to sell you a new one (that can be programmed to the correct mileage) for $700-$1100.

The swap is pretty simple and Zam has a post for adding chrome gauge rings that shows how to remove the cluster. Do a search on chrome rings.
Good luck

 

is it a difference between diesel and gasoline instrument cluster are they the same or are they different the one im looking at is for a diesel i have a gasoline car.

 

The fault indicator lenses or idiot lights may be different. You can swap them from the original cluster or the dealership may have to code the version in to it. The redline on the face tach may not be correct because there are differences between the gas V6, Inline 6, V8 and the diesel engines. You are better off matching the part number on the cluster with the one you are swapping in.

 

I know very old but....which part of the cluster do I need to keep. I was replacing some of the lcd cables and the plastic frame broke. If I keep the original board w/gauges can I replace other plastic parts and keep the milage correct? Thanks

 

Keep all of the electronics. You can transfer it to a different casing if you have plastic pieces that are cracked or broken. Hope that helps.