R56 Do People Miss Having a Temperature Gauge?
#51
#52
#53
can i note that when mine rose they didn't go to an exact 3/4 position. the first time i was on a long haul and it was over 3/4 marginally, say1/8to 1/4". the second time i noticed it right away and it didn't hit 3/4 more like 5/8. i'm sure it doesn't register every degree like an analog would but i believe it is more sensitive than 1/2 3/4 full.
in fact my experiences say so.
p.s. i called princeton mini about the issue and my model is the pre 2005 release but my electronics are upgraded but not the motor and such. i was told however that i do have a coated supercharger for the heat. when inquiring about the idiot light i was told that it is an electronic gauge and the programming keeps it at center unless you are 30-40 degrees over/under than it will make moves based on the temp. i hope this helps some people.
in fact my experiences say so.
p.s. i called princeton mini about the issue and my model is the pre 2005 release but my electronics are upgraded but not the motor and such. i was told however that i do have a coated supercharger for the heat. when inquiring about the idiot light i was told that it is an electronic gauge and the programming keeps it at center unless you are 30-40 degrees over/under than it will make moves based on the temp. i hope this helps some people.
#55
Thanks, it's official then!
No thanks to all those owners who complained about having a true gauge...
No thanks to all those owners who complained about having a true gauge...
#56
#57
#58
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
I definitely wish I had a temp gauge. I nearly lost a BMW engine when the radiator neck snapped (common in BMWs), but I saw the needle rise in time to pull over. I'd like to put in a ScanGauge or its equivalent. I confess I'm waiting for Hubby to do it.
Last edited by daffodildeb; 02-26-2008 at 09:27 PM.
#59
Installing the ScanGaugeII is dead simple. You feel around under the dash, just to the left of the steering column for the OBDII socket (it is fairly large). Take the cap off and plug in the ScanGaugeII.
#62
If you mean the MINI's computer, no. IIRC, you do input a few specification of the engine into the ScanGaugeII -- things like number of cylinders, 1.6 liter engine size, etc. It was pretty simple. You can download a PDF of the manual from here:
http://www.scangauge.com/support/
http://www.scangauge.com/support/
#64
#66
#67
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Hot Springs Village, AR
Posts: 4,743
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes
on
5 Posts
If you mean the MINI's computer, no. IIRC, you do input a few specification of the engine into the ScanGaugeII -- things like number of cylinders, 1.6 liter engine size, etc. It was pretty simple. You can download a PDF of the manual from here:
http://www.scangauge.com/support/
http://www.scangauge.com/support/
And I agree with those who say a turboed engine MUST have a gauge!
#68
The problem, as I see it, with aftermarket gauges is that the sensor is in the wrong place. Correct me if I'm wrong. In the old days of cars with temp gauges the sensor was screwed into the engine block or into the top of the radiator. My understanding of these newer gauges is that they are in a coolant overflow tank or other place where they don't really provide critical coolant temp. I'm very open to correction here if someone has a better handle on this.
#69
The problem, as I see it, with aftermarket gauges is that the sensor is in the wrong place. Correct me if I'm wrong. In the old days of cars with temp gauges the sensor was screwed into the engine block or into the top of the radiator. My understanding of these newer gauges is that they are in a coolant overflow tank or other place where they don't really provide critical coolant temp. I'm very open to correction here if someone has a better handle on this.
#70
On newer BMWs, the temperature gauge is "buffered". That is, the computer adjusts it to read dead-on in the middle of the gauge even if the actual water temperature varies somewhat. Why BMW would do this is known only to the Bavarian engineers who designed it, but I agree that a real gauge showing a real temperature would be best. It's not much help to have an idiot light go off just before your engine overheats. If there's a gradual or intermittent problem, a real gauge would indicate it long before you overheated. Look on the bright side, at least we still get a dipstick!
There are aftermarket gauges that can be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
There are aftermarket gauges that can be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
Last edited by miniclubman; 03-09-2008 at 06:46 PM.
#71
On newer BMWs, the temperature gauge is "buffered". That is, the computer adjusts it to read dead-on in the middle of the gauge even if the actual water temperature varies somewhat. Why BMW would do this is known only to the Bavarian engineers who designed it, but I agree that a real gauge showing a real temperature would be best. It's not much help to have an idiot light go off just before your engine overheats. If there's a gradual or intermittent problem, a real gauge would indicate it long before you overheated. Look on the bright side, at least we still get a dipstick!
There are aftermarket gauges that cna be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
There are aftermarket gauges that cna be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
#72
gauges
On newer BMWs, the temperature gauge is "buffered". That is, the computer adjusts it to read dead-on in the middle of the gauge even if the actual water temperature varies somewhat. Why BMW would do this is known only to the Bavarian engineers who designed it, but I agree that a real gauge showing a real temperature would be best. It's not much help to have an idiot light go off just before your engine overheats. If there's a gradual or intermittent problem, a real gauge would indicate it long before you overheated. Look on the bright side, at least we still get a dipstick!
There are aftermarket gauges that cna be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
There are aftermarket gauges that cna be mounted either side of the tach for an OEM look, but MINI should really offer an optional gauge cluster. I'd like water temp, oil temp, oil pressure, and ammeter, please!
#74
The ScanGaugeII reading of the OBC is not buffered. Once upto temp, it seems to vary between 220 and 225 F with 222 being typical.
#75
Gauges for temp and oil pressure have a long tradition in British sports cars,and for good reason. If you didn't watch your gauges like a hawk in your MGA or MGTD, you were in for nasty surprises. Those cars didn't have idiot lights or warnings, either; so scanning the instrument panel was both a necessity and part of the fun of driving, ..er.. "motoring.."
The Mini is much more reliable and probably doesn't absolutely need them, but needs them if only as a nod to tradition and to give a more complete driving experience.
The Mini is much more reliable and probably doesn't absolutely need them, but needs them if only as a nod to tradition and to give a more complete driving experience.