R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Sigh... Chrono package or regular speedo?

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  #1  
Old 05-23-2008 | 12:50 PM
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Sigh... Chrono package or regular speedo?

I like the huge speedo but also the cool extra gauges..

Sigh... its never a straight forward choice is it?

Which would you go for and why?

Anything Im not seeing?
 
  #2  
Old 05-23-2008 | 12:55 PM
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Chronopack, gauges are good
 
  #3  
Old 05-23-2008 | 12:57 PM
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To me, that speedo is a defining MINI characteristic. Getting a MINI without it was getting "something else". Not to say it is the end all and be all of MINI ownership, but it is a defining item that I wanted present, and opted against a car with NAV so that I could get it.

There are a number of aftermarket ways you can get the extra gauges if you want more vehicle info in Real Time. Not sure what your plans are for modding.

D
 
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Old 05-23-2008 | 12:59 PM
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I understand that sentiment exactly as thats what I thought originally. I guess I am kinda drawn to the extra gauges which I really like, and I am not a big fan of aftermarket gauge set ups...

Anyone have a close up pic of a Chrono package?

Thanks
 
  #5  
Old 05-23-2008 | 01:02 PM
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I like the center speedo look, but I like more having the oil temp, oil pressure, and water temp gauges in my chrono pack. I also like not having to look somewhere other than the front when checking my speed.
 
  #6  
Old 05-23-2008 | 01:12 PM
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Chrono Package.

Gauges good.
Speedo placed in front of you, goood.

When you find just how fast your Mini gets up to speed, you're going to want that speedo in front of your face.
 
  #7  
Old 05-23-2008 | 02:12 PM
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center speedo - keep it retro.
 
  #8  
Old 05-23-2008 | 02:16 PM
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Chrono all the way! No such thing as too many gauges, plus I like the speedo and tach side by side directly in front of me as well. BIG mistake for the new generation to not offer the extra gauges.
 
  #9  
Old 05-23-2008 | 02:44 PM
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Unfortunately, the Chrono pack does not have traditional analog gauges. One (or both) of the temperature gauges is merely an idiot light made to look like an analog dial. It only has 3 needle positions (low, normal, high).
 
  #10  
Old 05-23-2008 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by donaldj
To me, that speedo is a defining MINI characteristic. Getting a MINI without it was getting "something else". Not to say it is the end all and be all of MINI ownership, but it is a defining item that I wanted present, and opted against a car with NAV so that I could get it.

There are a number of aftermarket ways you can get the extra gauges if you want more vehicle info in Real Time. Not sure what your plans are for modding.

D
+1
 
  #11  
Old 05-23-2008 | 02:54 PM
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Originally Posted by rkw
Unfortunately, the Chrono pack does not have traditional analog gauges. One (or both) of the temperature gauges is merely an idiot light made to look like an analog dial. It only has 3 needle positions (low, normal, high).


ooooh thats a no-no
 
  #12  
Old 05-23-2008 | 03:04 PM
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only way to go in a MINI is huge center speedo!
 
  #13  
Old 05-23-2008 | 03:17 PM
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the only way is the mid-speedo.

having chrono pack (no offense) is like eating a pepperoni pizza w/o the pepperoni.
 
  #14  
Old 05-23-2008 | 04:59 PM
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Me like pizza w/out pepperoni.

DH ordered the chrono pack for me because he *didn't* like the big center speedo. And honestly, I was just stoked and totally freaked that I was even getting a Mini! I don't miss having the speedo in the center.

I'll try to take a pic later and post it.

-Holly
 
  #15  
Old 05-23-2008 | 08:41 PM
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I like the gauges, but that speedo is so Mini that I can't imagine doing without it.

My new used Mini just bought today has the speedo.

But I like the idea of adding gauges, real ones, not if the chrono package are "idiot lights."
 

Last edited by MichaelSF; 05-24-2008 at 06:56 AM.
  #16  
Old 05-23-2008 | 09:32 PM
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Originally Posted by rkw
Unfortunately, the Chrono pack does not have traditional analog gauges. One (or both) of the temperature gauges is merely an idiot light made to look like an analog dial. It only has 3 needle positions (low, normal, high).
I can confirm that the Oil pressure and Oil Temp are real-time gauges, and not idiot lights. I think the water one is also, since when it is really cold up here, the needle moves to the top a lot slower, and starts off at different positions depending on how long the car has been sitting.
 

Last edited by Ferroequine; 05-23-2008 at 09:41 PM.
  #17  
Old 05-23-2008 | 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by MichaelSF
I like the gauges, but that speedo is so Mini that I can't imagine doing without it.
You're aware that there were plenty of Classics with the speedo behind the steering wheel (and not in the middle) too, right?

Just saying...
 
  #18  
Old 05-23-2008 | 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Mini1966
Anyone have a close up pic of a Chrono package?
Here's mine:

 
  #19  
Old 05-23-2008 | 09:54 PM
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I am so used to the center speedometer because my first car was a MINI. Now I look to the center for the speed in all cars, then remember it's behind the wheel. Who's dumb idea was it to put speedometers behind the wheel anyway?
 
  #20  
Old 05-23-2008 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Ferroequine
Originally Posted by rkw
Unfortunately, the Chrono pack does not have traditional analog gauges. One (or both) of the temperature gauges is merely an idiot light made to look like an analog dial. It only has 3 needle positions (low, normal, high).
I can confirm that the Oil pressure and Oil Temp are real-time gauges, and not idiot lights. I think the water one is also, since when it is really cold up here, the needle moves to the top a lot slower, and starts off at different positions depending on how long the car has been sitting.
Then I stand corrected. I thought it was what I had seen posted by others.
 
  #21  
Old 05-24-2008 | 04:56 AM
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I love my center speedo. Looks cool and gives passengers a little more of the Holy Crap! feeling.
 
  #22  
Old 05-24-2008 | 05:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Ferroequine
I can confirm that the Oil pressure and Oil Temp are real-time gauges, and not idiot lights. I think the water one is also, since when it is really cold up here, the needle moves to the top a lot slower, and starts off at different positions depending on how long the car has been sitting.
Me, too. I wish this myth would die. My Scangauge tells me basically the same thing for H20 temp as the Chrono Pack gauge... now, that said, the way the gauge is calibrated, there is very little difference between, say 193F and 205F... and very little between 250F and 220F... so if your car is running just *a little* hot, you probably won't notice by looking at the gauge...
 
  #23  
Old 05-24-2008 | 06:39 AM
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My 2¢:

I don't understand the appeal of the Chrono option. It's just so ugly.
 
  #24  
Old 05-24-2008 | 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by STLMINI
My 2¢:

I don't understand the appeal of the Chrono option. It's just so ugly.
That's not nice.
 
  #25  
Old 05-24-2008 | 09:08 AM
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I too like the center speedometer. But I spec'd out the chrono pack for the additional information provided on round gauges. Never can have too much info.
 


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