Mercedes: LED IN DASHBOARD, e320 cdi, mercedes clubs

Question
I have an E320 CDI Mercedes  year 2000 and just outside my warranty the two led instruments on the dashboard decided to work in sympathy with each other, one day the time clock would not read correctly and the outside temperature reading was complete, the next day it would be the other way around, for the last couple of years now only the time clock wakes up, according to my local dealer at the time he said it was a common problem which they could solve quite easily by fitting a new dashboard at a nice little figure of £400 +, as you would expect I declined his offer.
I am 70 years of age and purchased my car new from Germany expecting it to last me out.

It appears to falling to bits around me unfortunately, even though my local dealer services it regularly as required.

I have had both front wings replaced due to body rot from inside and numerous other touch ups around the car in general.

Answer
Derek,
Sounds like you may have some electrical corrosion in the fuse box. You need to determine if this instrument function if powered though the fuse box. If you have bullet fuses, the are notorious for developing resistance with age, particularly if they use an aluminum fuse strip.
Leaning the ends of the fuses and the hold will often repair a transient problem.

I would never take the word of a dealer on these issues. Remember the least amount the Dealer make is on the new car sale.
The back end shop funds the profits.
Think about joining your local Mercedes club and talk with some of the other owner about independent mechanics in your area.
Google Mercedes clubs and your town. The search may turn one in your area.
You may be able to have the problem repaired without a complete dash replacement.
A use instrument cluster may do the trick.

Good Luck, and let us know how things turn out.
Rob