[stanstan]

I have a 2019 build X3 the control panel and dashboard of which auto brighten and dim during daylight hours depending on the intensity of light being detected by a sensor located just above the the fuel gauge. it is brutally annoying and a design flaw IMO. I can shine my iPhone's flashlight at this sensor and only then will the the control panel produce an acceptably bright display. Others on here and in the X5 forums have mentioned.

Things appear to have changed however in the most recent version of the X3. My sister has acquired an X3 (built I guess in 2023) and the control panel and dash in her car have a very bright display no matter if it's dull outside. I shone my flashlight at the dashboard and the control panel screen brightness did not change.

Can anyone advise what has happened to bring about this change in behaviour of the control panel display. Has BMW finally fixed this issue? Where has the light sensor gone? Note - There remains only the option to change the brightness at night in the vehicle display menu so how is the daytime brightness regulated now in the updated X3?

[bouchy]

Things appear to be more complicated (at my X3 2021 LCI):
There is (both display) brightness setup somewhere in menu - indeed for "day" and for "night".
If there is "enough sunlight" in the cab, the dimmer switch next to headlight control is inactive.
If there is not "enough sunlight" in the cab, the dimmer switch can adjust the brightness of both displays.

I'd need to try it. And maybe I'm wrong with "LCI". I have the updated "mild hybrid" x30d, but the old rear lamps.

[avi66]

Originally Posted by bouchy

Things appear to be more complicated (at my X3 2021 LCI):

I'd need to try it. And maybe I'm wrong with "LCI". I have the updated "mild hybrid" x30d, but the old rear lamps.

Don’t know about your country, but in the UK the diesel engine 30d/40d got MHEV a year or so before the LCI (SP18) introduced it to the 40i model as well. So it’s possible to have pre LCI (SP15) diesel with MHEV.

[bocabimmer]

The behavior of the LCI hasn’t changed. Daytime driving still works off an ambient light sensor (somewhere, I haven’t investigated where) that can dim the display or brighten it.

When I got my front windows mildly tinted, the iDrive and cluster displays began to dim too much all the time. I coded off that function with BimmerCode and basically now have it so that I have one brightness in “daytime” all the time.

Nighttime driving still allows for customizing the brightness via the thumb wheel.

[ASAP]

You can fix any issues of this sort with coding... i too recoded my dashboard brightness after tint... its perfect anywhere i am.

[pache33]

Can someone share the code to fix this?

[freshxdough]

The instrument cluster firmware has been updated to have a better behavior after a certain production date of instrument cluster. The main reason is tint on the front windows. So yes, newer cars have better behavior for this even with tinted front windows. I’d have to research the exact date of instrument cluster forward that have the updated firmware

[ASAP]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

The instrument cluster firmware has been updated to have a better behavior after a certain production date of instrument cluster. The main reason is tint on the front windows. So yes, newer cars have better behavior for this even with tinted front windows. I’d have to research the exact date of instrument cluster forward that have the updated firmware

the answer to this is in the coding thread... i put up the directions, you just need to browse thru there

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by ASAP

the answer to this is in the coding thread... i put up the directions, you just need to browse thru there

I was informing OP that in fact the part has changed. Some people can help the issue with coding yes, but OPs newer car has a newer production instrument cluster with better lighting behavior firmware already installed. “As of KOMBI production 8/23/22 the dimming strategy has been changed to accommodate customers that wish to tint their windows.”

[bocabimmer]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I was informing OP that in fact the part has changed. Some people can help the issue with coding yes, but OPs newer car has a newer production instrument cluster with better lighting behavior firmware already installed. “As of KOMBI production 8/23/22 the dimming strategy has been changed to accommodate customers that wish to tint their windows.”

I should’ve ordered a month later!

Nah, car would’ve cost $1,500 more.

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by bocabimmer

I should’ve ordered a month later!

Nah, car would’ve cost $1,500 more.

KOMBI production, not vehicle production date

[nvme90]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I was informing OP that in fact the part has changed. Some people can help the issue with coding yes, but OPs newer car has a newer production instrument cluster with better lighting behavior firmware already installed. “As of KOMBI production 8/23/22 the dimming strategy has been changed to accommodate customers that wish to tint their windows.”

New G01 owner ('24), having the entire car tinted tomorrow. I hope you're right! 3M Ceramic IR 70% Windshield 35% Fronts 70% everything else.

[kristof_x3]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

I was informing OP that in fact the part has changed. Some people can help the issue with coding yes, but OPs newer car has a newer production instrument cluster with better lighting behavior firmware already installed. “As of KOMBI production 8/23/22 the dimming strategy has been changed to accommodate customers that wish to tint their windows.”

It would be great to see if they just coded the curve differently with the new units - could someone with a newer car check the following values and report back?

Headunit
3005 APIX_CID_UND_ZIN
DIM_CURVE_X2

Default values are 0x1F and 0xC0

Thank you!!!

[Zircular]

Originally Posted by nvme90

New G01 owner ('24), having the entire car tinted tomorrow. I hope you're right! 3M Ceramic IR 70% Windshield 35% Fronts 70% everything else.

I had my ‘24 tinted to the same levels and I haven’t had any issues with display brightness.

[kristof_x3]

Originally Posted by Zircular

I had my ‘24 tinted to the same levels and I haven’t had any issues with display brightness.

Could you please post here what your values are (if you have any access to coding):

Headunit
3005 APIX_CID_UND_ZIN
DIM_CURVE_X2

Default values are 0x1F and 0xC0

Thank you

[nvme90]

Originally Posted by Zircular

I had my ‘24 tinted to the same levels and I haven’t had any issues with display brightness.

Just want to provide an update! Just had the tint completed an hour ago. On the ride to work I did not notice any dimming issues that I’ve seen in older threads with earlier model year G01’s. Maybe the screens are slightly dimmer (Could be in my head or just because the cabin is slightly darker) but they remained at a consistent level of brightness.