BMW Display Malfunctions: DIY Fix or Pro Help Needed?

Had the same issue with my 2012 BMW 3 Series 320d. The display started flickering and eventually went dark completely. Turned out to be a failed Control Display Unit (CDU). Not just a simple fix, they had to replace the entire unit because the internal connections were fried. Was at the garage last month for this. Took them about 4 hours to diagnose and replace everything. The technician showed me the old unit, there was visible damage to the circuit board. It's definitely something you want a certified BMW specialist to handle since it's connected to other electronic systems in the car. These display issues usually don't fix themselves and tend to get worse. Mine started just like yours, intermittent flickering, then audio problems, and finally complete failure. Don't wait too long to get it checked out, as it can affect other electronic systems in the car. My advice: Find a certified BMW specialist rather than a general mechanic. These infotainment systems are pretty complex and need someone who knows what they're doing.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It's really helpful to hear from someone who went through the same ordeal. Mind if I ask how much you ended up paying for the CDU replacement? Also, has everything been working smoothly since the repair? I'm trying to budget for this fix and want to make sure I'm prepared for any potential follow-up issues.

Hey again! Happy to update you on my BMW repair situation. I actually just got it fixed last week, ended up paying 725 € for the complete CDU replacement. And I've got to tell you, it was worth every penny! The audio system is working perfectly now, no more glitches or weird behaviors. It's like having a brand new infotainment system. The display is crystal clear, no more flickering, and everything responds instantly. Such a relief after dealing with those annoying issues for weeks! Since you're budgeting, I should mention that labor was included in that price, and they also did a full system diagnostic to make sure everything was properly connected. Been driving it daily since the repair, and honestly, no complaints at all, everything's working exactly as it should. One thing I really appreciated was that the specialist took the time to show me exactly what was wrong with the old unit. Definitely recommend getting it done sooner rather than later, you don't want to risk any further damage to the car's electronics.

Thanks for all that detail! I actually bit the bullet and got mine fixed yesterday. Went to a certified BMW specialist after hearing your experience. Turns out you were spot on, it was the CDU causing all the trouble. My bill came to a bit more, around 800 €, but they also found and fixed some loose wiring while they were at it. Took them about 5 hours total, but what a difference! The display is working perfectly now, no more flickering or dead screen. The sound system's back to its crisp, clear quality too. The mechanic was super professional, showed me the damaged unit and explained everything. Much better experience than my last garage visit! Really glad I didn't put it off any longer. Everything's running smoothly now, and it feels great to have a properly working system again. Thanks for pushing me to get it checked out by a specialist, definitely the right call!