| Thats correct-They are soldered for some stupid unkown reason! Though it might be fairly easy to remove with a solder iron?
Alternatively like cooperstan said, obtain a set of original pre 05 clusters off Ebay-Usually £20+Postage then swap the bulb holders across, you will have to buy the various buls though, Brake , Fog indicator etc in with silver coating like the ones in there now.
Only thing else could suggest is take them back to dealer and play hell that this is the most stupid design you have ever seen and you want replacements! | 
