If I was in your position I'd be very very happy at just US$60 for a new VFD. I'm tempted to buy a spare just in case. I'm also a little concerned about the vacuum leaking and the display fading. I have a few VCRs that have had this problem.
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Christian
#40104192 120Gb (no longer in my E36 M3, won't fit the E46 M3)