Tiguan cluster retrofit red MFD -> white MFD or ?? colour "premium" MFD

[YellowLemon]

Finally got a "premium" cluster with the colour MFA and am happy to report it's (almost) plug and play swap! For a facelift Tiguan there would be only a few steps:

1) Go to someone local with an immo tool like AVDI and read the cluster IMMO data and save as a .HEX file. This file is very small <1kB and contains all the immo data from the car, including the "component security" code, which are the bytes that have been burned into the key transponder. Cost ~ AU $100, takes all of 30 seconds at the auto electrician. Looks like this:



2) Buy a new or used cluster online preferably from a tacho specialist (rather than a wrecker) - numerous overseas eBay sellers are gurus in instrument clusters and have the tools and knowledge to adapt the new cluster to your car using just the HEX file from above. Cost EUR 300-700+ including coding and shipping, depending on the cluster condition, how many scratches...

3) Swap your cluster - takes less than 5 minutes. Unclip 1 trim piece, undo 2 torx screws with a magnetic driver, the cluster slides right out - then unlatch the plug at the back. Fitting is reverse of removal. Then use VCDS to code the odometer value.

4) "You now have the premium colour cluster. Prepare to get laid." (That's a quote from another forum, love it ) Some pictures for your amusement below.

. .

[YellowLemon]

Advanced classes:

- Open up your cluster to clean out any dust behind the glass
- Swap boring red needles for sexy blue needles. You need to solder 4x SMT blue LED diodes but they are quite large in size and doable with even basic solder skills and a crappy $5 ***** smith iron.

[YellowLemon]

Internals for your interest. Wear gloves to avoid smudges on the clockfaces. You can see the NEC chip that runs the show.

[Belix]

Thanks for the wealth of information YellowLemon.
I've been wanting to change my white MFD to a full colour for a while, but have not been able to obtain a replacement. I'm considering buying one new from the dealers, but looking at ETKA, even with your helpful info that the second last digit is an 8 if a colour MFD, I still have a few options to choose from.
ETKA shows the following 300KM/h parts which I assume would be the blue needle variety
- 5K6 920 882 BX
- 5K6 920 882 EX
- 5K6 920 883 BX
- 5K6 920 883 CX

For the GTi 280km clocks it gives
- 5K6 920 882X
- 5K6 920 883X

Any idea what the difference is? What is the part number of the red needle version you bought?