Interior/Exterior Does anybody have the $250 auxillary guages?
#6
I bought them and am waiting to have them installed.
I also got a Boost Gauge from BMP. So instead of the Battery meter, I;m putting the Boost...if this is something that you are interested in, you need to make sure that you buy this kit for the boost gauge. THe kit contains the tubes etc...
L
I also got a Boost Gauge from BMP. So instead of the Battery meter, I;m putting the Boost...if this is something that you are interested in, you need to make sure that you buy this kit for the boost gauge. THe kit contains the tubes etc...
L
#7
I got the panel from MINI, and gauges from Summitracing. Ended up costing about $100 less and gave me better, more accurate, and more useable gauges.
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#8
I've got the OEM set, installed by my dealer. I am very happy with it, and would buy it again. It looks especially good at night, and matches the look and feel of the other gauges quite well. It is expensive and you can get similar set-ups cheaper by buying the OEM mounting plate from a dealer and then gauges elsewhere, but I didn't want to bother. One thing to be aware of: the gauges have black bezels (rings). I thought they would be chrome (wish they were!) based on the picture in the MINI accessory catalog, but I think that must have been just glare from the flash when they took the photo.
#10
i have the guages and think they look cool but if you have anything in the cup holder they are hard to see. The battery guages is very helpfull if you like to go shoot some hoops and listen to your music because you can make sure that you have enough power in your battery to start it back up so you dont have to leave it running the whole time
#11
Originally Posted by ChiliCooperMark
I've got the OEM set, installed by my dealer. I am very happy with it, and would buy it again. It looks especially good at night, and matches the look and feel of the other gauges quite well. It is expensive and you can get similar set-ups cheaper by buying the OEM mounting plate from a dealer and then gauges elsewhere, but I didn't want to bother. One thing to be aware of: the gauges have black bezels (rings). I thought they would be chrome (wish they were!) based on the picture in the MINI accessory catalog, but I think that must have been just glare from the flash when they took the photo.
My friend has the aux gauges on his '03 and I think they are great (I always like to have oil temp and I didn't want the chrono pack) - I'll get them off his car before he sells it and put them in my '05.
#12
#13
#14
Originally Posted by eVal
Acutually the 05 gauges do have chrome rings, all of the earlier ones are just black. I know that I've seen the new part number somewhere when I heard about the change, but I guess it doesnt matter since your gauges are installed already.
BTW, I too wanted the chrome bezels as they would better match my MINI's chrome line interior. Bummer...
#15
My experience with MINI's auxiliary gauges:
A couple of weeks ago I had an MC 40 as a loaner car for about 4 days. It had the auxiliary gauges fitted (my car does not).
First, I noticed the view of the tops of the gauges was blocked by the toggle panel. I might have been able to overcome this with some more time spent adjusting the driver's seat. Since it was just a loaner, I didn't bother.
Second, the oil temperature needle rarely ever moved. It led me to think that either the sender wasn't working correctly or the scale on the gauge is too wide for the operating parameters of the MINI engine.
The voltmeter was, well, a voltmeter. It worked; not a lot else to say.
The gauges looked nice, especially at night, but I'm not convinced I would go that particular route. More thought is needed.
First, I noticed the view of the tops of the gauges was blocked by the toggle panel. I might have been able to overcome this with some more time spent adjusting the driver's seat. Since it was just a loaner, I didn't bother.
Second, the oil temperature needle rarely ever moved. It led me to think that either the sender wasn't working correctly or the scale on the gauge is too wide for the operating parameters of the MINI engine.
The voltmeter was, well, a voltmeter. It worked; not a lot else to say.
The gauges looked nice, especially at night, but I'm not convinced I would go that particular route. More thought is needed.
#17
I have a Sept. build, '05 MCS with the aux. gauge package. The gauges are installed below the switches, behind the cup holders, as you know.
Here are a few observations:
1) Very bad location: you have to take your eyes completely off the road (looking way down there below the switches) to see them. Can't do that when driving at speed, unless you want to crash!;
2) They are recessed about 3 inches back into the console, well back out of the line of vision (see #1);
3) the gauge glass is not polarized and usually has a glare on it, except at night when the gauge lights are on. Can't see them well in bright sunlight becuase of the glare on the glass (see #1 again);
As you can tell, most of my problems are with the gauges' location. They are pricey, too. But, having said all this, I still like them. They retain that "classic" retro look and fill the space nicely. I'd order them again for that reason.
I like the oil temp gauge, it really gives a good indicator of true engine temp. Water temp doesn't do that. I don't like to run my engine hard until it heats up, oil temp gives me a way to know when to let 'er rip! The voltmeter seems to be less useful on a modern car. I agree that the vacuum/boost gauge would be far more useful instead.
The alta gauge setup is very nice, IMHO: http://www.eurostyleseast.com/store/...R%2D200&eq=&Tp=
I hope this is helpful . . .
Here are a few observations:
1) Very bad location: you have to take your eyes completely off the road (looking way down there below the switches) to see them. Can't do that when driving at speed, unless you want to crash!;
2) They are recessed about 3 inches back into the console, well back out of the line of vision (see #1);
3) the gauge glass is not polarized and usually has a glare on it, except at night when the gauge lights are on. Can't see them well in bright sunlight becuase of the glare on the glass (see #1 again);
As you can tell, most of my problems are with the gauges' location. They are pricey, too. But, having said all this, I still like them. They retain that "classic" retro look and fill the space nicely. I'd order them again for that reason.
I like the oil temp gauge, it really gives a good indicator of true engine temp. Water temp doesn't do that. I don't like to run my engine hard until it heats up, oil temp gives me a way to know when to let 'er rip! The voltmeter seems to be less useful on a modern car. I agree that the vacuum/boost gauge would be far more useful instead.
The alta gauge setup is very nice, IMHO: http://www.eurostyleseast.com/store/...R%2D200&eq=&Tp=
I hope this is helpful . . .
#18
Originally Posted by TheOfficeMaven
Actually, I don't think this is true. I contacted Classic in Ohio about this very thing (i.e. the new "05" aux gauges having chrome bezels) and he said that it was a mistake in the accessories catalog. He forwarded me an e-mail correspondence that he had with MINI USA on the subject and they claimed that while the part number has changed, the gauges are the same and they don't have the chrome bezels as shown in the accessories catalog. I can try and dig out the e-mail if you're interested.
BTW, I too wanted the chrome bezels as they would better match my MINI's chrome line interior. Bummer...
BTW, I too wanted the chrome bezels as they would better match my MINI's chrome line interior. Bummer...
EDIT: Found the old vs new part numbers on Motoringfile, perhaps someone knows the differences, if any between the old and new:
Old: 82-94-0-148-956 , New: 82-94-0-303-934
#19
Originally Posted by vagt6
I have a Sept. build, '05 MCS with the aux. gauge package. The gauges are installed below the switches, behind the cup holders, as you know.
Here are a few observations:
1) Very bad location: you have to take your eyes completely off the road (looking way down there below the switches) to see them. Can't do that when driving at speed, unless you want to crash!;
2) They are recessed about 3 inches back into the console, well back out of the line of vision (see #1);
3) the gauge glass is not polarized and usually has a glare on it, except at night when the gauge lights are on. Can't see them well in bright sunlight becuase of the glare on the glass (see #1 again);
As you can tell, most of my problems are with the gauges' location. They are pricey, too. But, having said all this, I still like them. They retain that "classic" retro look and fill the space nicely. I'd order them again for that reason.
I like the oil temp gauge, it really gives a good indicator of true engine temp. Water temp doesn't do that. I don't like to run my engine hard until it heats up, oil temp gives me a way to know when to let 'er rip! The voltmeter seems to be less useful on a modern car. I agree that the vacuum/boost gauge would be far more useful instead.
The alta gauge setup is very nice, IMHO: http://www.eurostyleseast.com/store/...R%2D200&eq=&Tp=
I hope this is helpful . . .
Here are a few observations:
1) Very bad location: you have to take your eyes completely off the road (looking way down there below the switches) to see them. Can't do that when driving at speed, unless you want to crash!;
2) They are recessed about 3 inches back into the console, well back out of the line of vision (see #1);
3) the gauge glass is not polarized and usually has a glare on it, except at night when the gauge lights are on. Can't see them well in bright sunlight becuase of the glare on the glass (see #1 again);
As you can tell, most of my problems are with the gauges' location. They are pricey, too. But, having said all this, I still like them. They retain that "classic" retro look and fill the space nicely. I'd order them again for that reason.
I like the oil temp gauge, it really gives a good indicator of true engine temp. Water temp doesn't do that. I don't like to run my engine hard until it heats up, oil temp gives me a way to know when to let 'er rip! The voltmeter seems to be less useful on a modern car. I agree that the vacuum/boost gauge would be far more useful instead.
The alta gauge setup is very nice, IMHO: http://www.eurostyleseast.com/store/...R%2D200&eq=&Tp=
I hope this is helpful . . .
#20
I have the Aux Gauges & like them. However, I do concur with the others that their location is about the worst place. I pretty much just make sure she's up to temp before blasting the throttle. The gauge location is tolerable for that. As for the volt meter... I think I would have better use for an oil pressure gauge.
Would I get them again? Sure.
Would I get them again? Sure.
#21
#23
82 94 0 393 994
What about the top of the steering column, next to the tach auxiliary gauges ? part # 82 94 0 393 994 , they should be easy to read, they are a boost and volt meter set with a cooper s logo. They look sweet and I just scored a set from the morristown dealership for $222.50 on an e-bay auction.
Can't wait to install them.
Can't wait to install them.
#24
Originally Posted by minibrute
What about the top of the steering column, next to the tach auxiliary gauges ? part # 82 94 0 393 994 , they should be easy to read, they are a boost and volt meter set with a cooper s logo. They look sweet and I just scored a set from the morristown dealership for $222.50 on an e-bay auction.
Can't wait to install them.
Can't wait to install them.
Last edited by WEEGIT; 02-24-2009 at 08:27 AM.