The one thing I can't stand about BMWs . . .

[DZD]

I may be in the minority - but I hate the pale red dash/instrument lighting that BMW has used for decades. I think the M cars have white lighting (which I prefer) but the rest use the same red from 1980.

I haven't looked at the brand new 3 series - I hope they've changed it.

Now a days a VW or Hyundai or Kia has much better dash/instrument lighting.

Anyone else feel this way?

(Flame suit activated)

[Shomegrown]

Red is the most functional color. I like it.

[phryxis]

The one thing I can't stand about BMWs is...

The prick driving it!

lolololol

[mraguilar]

the only thing I cant stad is the A55holes behind the wheel

[Señor Peligro]

I've never liked BMW's Halloween color scheme. A little too blurry with crappy definition. Audi does red well.

[Espresso]

How come they never update the interior dash lighting?

[DrinkDrankDrunk]

I agree. A deal breaker regardless of the science behind it. It's also prevalent in VWs and Ducatis. I also dislike the green in Saabs and older Jaguars, and the cheap-looking blue back-lit displays in modern Hyundais. I prefer optitron or white gauges.

[In 4 Bagels, Left Hungry]

cupholders are my pet peeve with bimmers

[clutchrider]

I'll take the white/red from my GLI gauges anyday. More pic whoring content for me

[mr lee]

...the chip on the shoulder.

[are you listening]

Truth. My E36 M has the godawful red. I much prefer my VW for night driving.

[Egz]

Red is the most functional color. I like it.

Red/Green > White > poop > Blue

[Yo Teach]

I am more annoyed about their nickel-and-diming of options, but my opinion doesn't matter that much since I'm not buying one.

[cryption]

I can't help but love the MK4 blue/purple whatever color it is

[Dave Zero]

I love me some green gauges. Mmmmmm.

The thing that bothers me is when the guage faces are white. I think it looks cheap and nasty.

[SSLByron]

Red/Green > White > poop > Blue

Yes. One thing I dislike about my Speed3 is that it has blue accent lightning over red alphanumerics in night mode.

I am more annoyed about their nickel-and-diming of options, but my opinion doesn't matter that much since I'm not buying one.

They're not that bad compared to some... like Porsche.

[Slipstream]

Red is the most functional color.

Also supposed to be the least tiring on the eyes.

[R-Dubya]

Red/Green > White > poop > Blue

Really? I think green is the cheapest looking color, it seems like every older car has a green backlit cluster. Red is pretty good when done well, but imo blue looks the best.

[Dave Zero]

cupholders are my pet peeve with bimmers

No doubt.

When I saw this in a 1 series, I thought it was some cheesy aftermarket thing, but this is factory.

Horrible design here.

[Brickx3]

As someone that drives with his interior lights turned down very low, I find the BMW red to be most unobtrusive and easy to ignore while I focus on looking where I'm going.

[Egz]

Really? I think green is the cheapest looking color, it seems like every older car has a green backlit cluster. Red is pretty good when done well, but imo blue looks the best.

Talking about function over form. Sure blue looks pretty, but its hell on the eyes.

[hushypushy]

It's all about JDM amber y0!



I think BMW's have some of the most pleasantly lit clusters.....shrug.

[vdubturbo]

I like the new ones...

[BeBop!]

Isn't red the color thats least likely to cause the driver to fall asleep? I remember hearing that somewhere.

[vdubturbo]

Isn't red the color thats least likely to cause the driver to fall asleep? I remember hearing that somewhere.

Red is least fatiguing on eyes at night and least impactful on your night vision.

[2.0T_Convert]

I miss my holographic speedo.

[TruEvo]

I can't help but love the MK4 blue/purple whatever color it is

Avus Blue?

[R-Dubya]

Talking about function over form. Sure blue looks pretty, but its hell on the eyes.

Is it? I've driven for extended periods in cars with green, white, and blue clusters at night and I never really noticed one color being harder on my eyes. Never driven with red though, besides a friend's e36 which is more of an orange that I wasn't too fond of. I'm not saying I disagree, just that I've never had a problem with one color vs another.

[S0RRY]

No doubt.

When I saw this in a 1 series, I thought it was some cheesy aftermarket thing, but this is factory.

Horrible design here.

reminds me of this turd in my Saab. I have an aftermarket head unit now, but if you were using the aux jack on the stock one you couldn't open/close the cupholder

[hrama803]

my e30 has no cup holders.

Who needs drinks anyway.

[kiznarsh]

Red also doesn't reflect off the windshield.

I liked it in my GTI, and also like it in the S4.

[Non_Affiliated]

Red is least fatiguing on eyes at night and least impactful on your night vision.

Ding.


I honestly prefer the dash lights off. If it wans't for speed limits, I would black out the dash. I keep it it very dimly lit.

I guess the question is who has don long distance driving with different colors, with the dash at full brightness?

[Wheelwright]

I like red/amber in my 128i. As others already said it has been scientifically established as the best colour for human vision. In combination with easy-to-read fonts it results in the best gauges in the industry. That means it only takes a fraction of a second to get a reading off of them. Furthermore: this colour/font combination has been used for decades in BMWs and such continuity establishes brand identity which in turn leads to brand loyalty.

[carguy69]

lol at vw owners thinking their cars are more special because of blue backlighting.

[genjy]

Blue is the most tiring color because the human eyes have trouble distinguishing blue text on black background.

Green is one of the least tiring colors.

A lot of non-car instruments have green text on black background.