Replacing the instrument panel with an infocenter type one
 

You have to admit that those infocenter instrument panels are pretty cool. How difficult would it be to fit one instead of a regular panel, with the analog temp/fuel gauges? I doubt that it's plug and play, would you need another ECU?

I'm interested in phase 1, by the way.

Edit: oops, wrong info centre :), never mind

my phase 1 had the info centre, same cluster as the one you have pictured.

I tried to retrofit it to a mates v40 a few months ago but the loom isn't behind the dash so I assume theres more to it!

You will need an info centre switch from a Ph1 as the Ph2 are different. Also the P1 measures engine coolant temp and engine oil temp. Only the very early engines had an oil temp sender - located on the front of the sump by the dipstick. If you do get it working the oil temp will always read cold if you haven't got the oil temp sender. Cannot be retro fitted as the sumps are different. No big deal - just giving you a heads up. Don't know about the wiring loom and whether it is plug and play or not.

Which loom are you talking about? The knob switch loom, or are there more than 2 usual connectors for the panel itself?

I noticed that the switches are slightly different, not a problem. What about the later engines - if they don't have the sender, how do they measure the oil temperature? Are there different infocenter panel versions, with and without oil temp?

I have one or two lowish mileage T4 instrument panels from 1998 with the trip computer .

the knob switch loom isn't there, the cluster itself is capable of displaying the values but only shows miles to empty I think and obv iv no way to scroll through the different options without the knob fitted

Crap. Which year and model of v40 does your mate have?

have a look and see if yours is there taped up behind the cd player, you never know! his is a 2003 ph2 v40.

Oh, so it's a P2, there's still hope! P1 models had more options pre-wired, if I recall. For example P1 has seat heater wiring even if there are no heated seats, while P2 doesn't. And they shouldn't need different software to enable the features.
Thanks for the offer, by the way. I already have a panel and switch from a P1 T4 in my stack of instrument panels that are different from the one that was originally in my car.

The one I have doesn't seem to indicate oil temperature (says DIST instead of OIL, even though it's from a P1), while the one in the first post does.