The information panel in front of the stering column in the dash is so pixalated the information such as the odometer and other necessary safety information is unreadable. The dealer where the car was purchased as a certified BMW, 18 months after the purchase in 2004 the car had approximately 60,000 miles at the time (now 75,000 miles), said it would cost approximately $1500 to $2000 to replace and it was our responsibility. We have lived with it for some years now and try to avoid driving at night. The car has always been used sparingly because of this problem. There was no condition that we know of that caused the problem. Only hearsay, but the BMW service person told us that this happens sometime and they could not explain why. We know that there were others with the some problem but of course the dealer would not say in their protective conversation. I do not blame them but I do blame them, the dealer, and BMW for not giving the benefit of the doubt and full didclosure that it was not normal and was a defect. Thanks to a neighbor I learned of this site. I hope people buying a new BMW extends their warrenty to include the instrument panel.

- Huntersville, NC, USA