E46 Gauge Cluster in an E36?

[m3f_djjvr]

I was curious if anyone knew about fitting the gauge cluster from an E46 M3 into an E36. The reason I ask is because I am thinking of doing a S54 swap and would like to have it paired up to the E46 cluster. For the swap I was looking to use BW's S54 swap kit so I can use the E46 M3 DME. Which made me think that wiring things up to an E46 cluster wouldn't be an issue and all the gauges would work.

TLDR Can the E46 cluster fit in the E36, and will it read correctly paired to an S54?

[m3f_Alex Lipowich]

Physically it will fit.


The E46 M3 cluster has a snap on extension that makes it look at first glance to be "different", but keep in mind, it was physically put into the E36 based Z3 cars, so, it does have to fit.


**** update, apparently they only look identical, and do not swap, I am sorry if I mislead anyone, it sure is deceiving, even side by side. I think I have an SMG Euro cluster with like 22K miles on it.... it sure looked like an E36 with just the front visor lip thingy.... oh well....*****


Electrically, YOYO. Lean on the suppliers of your flashed DME to guide you, they should have experience and knowledge about this subject.


Good luck, this is a fun combination, no matter how you run it.

[m3f_Braymond141]

Physically it will fit.



The E46 M3 cluster has a snap on extension that makes it look at first glance to be "different", but keep in mind, it was physically put into the E36 based Z3 cars, so, it does have to fit.



Electrically, YOYO. Lean on the suppliers of your flashed DME to guide you, they should have experience and knowledge about this subject.



Good luck, this is a fun combination, no matter how you run it.

Actually it wont fit Alex, it's much larger. The Z3M used an E36 cluster casing with new electronics inside.



The only way to fit the E46 cluster is to cut the dash up.

[m3f_djjvr]

Actually it wont fit Alex, it's much larger. The Z3M used an E36 cluster casing with new electronics inside.



The only way to fit the E46 cluster is to cut the dash up.

Awww man. I may just go with a Euro cluster then unless I can source a S54 Z3M cluster which I'm not counting on.

[m3f_SteveTVM3]

You don't even want one of those. I know the S54 Z3m's in North America came with a separate oil temp gauge that's in the centre console. Oil temp gauge built in is one of the main reasons to swap a euro cluster in so that makes it useless. Just get a regular E36 Euro cluster. The main problem with the E46 cluster in an E36 is getting the speedo to work. I wonder how Mike Burroughs did it though. I know he's got one in his S54 E36.

Awww man. I may just go with a Euro cluster then unless I can source a S54 Z3M cluster which I'm not counting on.

[m3f_jsalicru]

I'm pretty sure the Stanceworks e36 has a E46M cluster.

[m3f_Braymond141]

I'm pretty sure the Stanceworks e36 has a E46M cluster.

and? When have any of his cars represented a quality job?

[m3f_djjvr]

You don't even want one of those. I know the S54 Z3m's in North America came with a separate oil temp gauge that's in the centre console. Oil temp gauge built in is one of the main reasons to swap a euro cluster in so that makes it useless. Just get a regular E36 Euro cluster. The main problem with the E46 cluster in an E36 is getting the speedo to work. I wonder how Mike Burroughs did it though. I know he's got one in his S54 E36.

Hmm well the Euro Cluster is looking to be the best way to go then.

[m3f_enderw88]

Hmm well the Euro Cluster is looking to be the best way to go then.

Would a British cluster be calibrated in MPH? Probably even harder to source...

[m3f_jkoppo]

and? When have any of his cars represented a quality job?

[m3f_SteveTVM3]

Would a British cluster be calibrated in MPH? Probably even harder to source...

Yes they are. The mph euro clusters are actually quite easy to come by. EBay.de has quite a few. It's the km/h ones that are rare and cost a ton. It took me over a year to find an evo one in km/h from a seller willing to ship overseas!


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[m3f_enderw88]

Yes they are. The mph euro clusters are actually quite easy to come by. EBay.de has quite a few. It's the km/h ones that are rare and cost a ton. It took me over a year to find an evo one in km/h from a seller willing to ship overseas!





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Hmm...interesting. I will add that to my S54 Swap research list...

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

just bought a 99 e36 3.2 evo cluster in MPH from the UK for $112 plus $30 shipping...score!!! and I'm led to believe they drop right in

[m3f_SteveTVM3]

They do but you will need to wire the oil temp gauge to an oil temp sender.

just bought a 99 e36 3.2 evo cluster in MPH from the UK for $112 plus $30 shipping...score!!! and I'm led to believe they drop right in

[m3f_englishtom1596q]

oh really? ill look into that.