P3 Digital Interface for 128i

[Zeros and ones]

So I have been looking at the P3 Digital Interface for a while now. They only list it for 135i and for the 1m.

The only thing I think would not work is the boost reading. Everything else would be just fine.

Anybody have any ideas. I am thinking of doing this to see if it works but to absorb a cost of $409 for an experiment that might not work. I am not made out of money.

Now question is:
why wouldn't this work for our cars?

[alvitdk]

Please go ahead

I have the same question and am interested if it works, not sure about oil temperature though.

[JimD]

Easiest way to find out is either to ask the manufacturer or, if that doesn't get you a response, buy one and try it. They have a 14 day return policy and their website suggests they accept email questions.

My guess is it will work. But it is marketed as a boost gauge so I can see where they would not talk about the un-boosted 128i.

The ultra gauge offers some of the same functionality at a lower price but the last time I looked they had not implemented many functions for our cars - they needed more programming.

Jim

[andrey_gta]

Great idea,

But, i also dont see Oil temp in the feature list...

[MikeinAlexandria]

I just emailed them about the 128i. Purely as a coder reader, 0-60 timer, coolant gauge and voltmeter, this thing is cool and cheaper than buying a couple of VDO guages and trying to find a place to put them.

I will post their reply.

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

I just emailed them about the 128i. Purely as a coder reader, 0-60 timer, coolant gauge and voltmeter, this thing is cool and cheaper than buying a couple of VDO guages and trying to find a place to put them.

I will post their reply.

yup.. I e-mail them to after I made this thread.

Curious to see if they e-mail you the same thing the e-mail me.

Here is what I got:
We have never had anyone use it on your car. We have never tested on that platform. We have had some of the 3 series guys use it on NA so I have no reason to believe it would do anything but function properly. You can actually configure the gauge to NOT display boost. SO it would only display your voltage and temps, 0-60 etc. If for any reason you are not satisfied you can return it as long as you do so within 5 days of receipt.


Thanks so much for your interest in our product.

Cheers,
Tim

[bimmer74]

It looks like a very nice and well integrated product. However, the price is steep for what it is - $500? If I were in the market for something along this line, I would get a high-end OBD2 bluetooth adapter for around $200 and hook it up with a smart phone using Torque or a similar app.

[andrey_gta]

are there other multi function digital guages?

[Killswitch]

Its neat to see the interest for this product by 128 owners. I'm interested myself but never really enough to the point of emailing but glad to know that others have emailed already. I guess for me its the price that makes me hesitant but i must admit the unit looks pretty cool integrated in the vent. I was looking at ScangaugeII as a alternative . Used to own one when I drove a truck and it worked fine but haven't really thought about it until this thread. Might get it again and if i do would I'll do a review.

[JimD]

One of the guys in the local club bought the ultra gauge but was disappointed that it did not provide much new information. It is the cheapest, I think. The same guy and another member were comparing notes on the "torque" product mentioned already. It is a phone app that works when you put a bluetooth adapter on the OBDII port. You'd need a mount for your phone where you could see it but the cost for this seems to be quite low. They were also getting more useful information than with the ultragauge.

The OBDII port has essentially every measurement the car is taking but requires software for it to be displayed. That software is different for different manufacturers so the digital gauge guys spend their time where it will get them the most money. Phone apps seem to be a different source of software where personal use may be a big driver.

Jim

[dorkdog]

Originally Posted by MikeinAlexandria

I just emailed them about the 128i. Purely as a coder reader, 0-60 timer, coolant gauge and voltmeter, this thing is cool and cheaper than buying a couple of VDO guages and trying to find a place to put them.

I will post their reply.

I'm using a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs ito my OBD port - sends all the data to my droid - I can display all that stuff and more wirelessly on my Android phone... why do I need a dedicated gauge?

BTW the cost was $20 for the bluetooth dongle and $5 for the app. So for $25 I am able to see all these things.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

I'm using a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs ito my OBD port - sends all the data to my droid - I can display all that stuff and more wirelessly on my Android phone... why do I need a dedicated gauge?

BTW the cost was $20 for the bluetooth dongle and $5 for the app. So for $25 I am able to see all these things.

What adapter did you use?

Im looking at
http://plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=GSSTBLUETOOTH

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

I'm using a Bluetooth transmitter that plugs ito my OBD port - sends all the data to my droid - I can display all that stuff and more wirelessly on my Android phone... why do I need a dedicated gauge?

BTW the cost was $20 for the bluetooth dongle and $5 for the app. So for $25 I am able to see all these things.

Interesting... I am still playing around with this idea. But there are these other options. You are not the only one to suggest going this router as it is soooo much cheaper.

What module are you using?
How did it turn out with your SSK?

[Zeros and ones]

soo... I went ahead and ordered the gauge. I am very excited about this. I am pretty sure it will work... and I'll keep you guys updated with the results.

[chrisN]

cool! interested

[MikeinAlexandria]

I have a KIWI devices PLXwifi with my IPhone and can do the same things in terms of what the guage does. But I really like the integration of this. It looks nice, and there are no wires exposed or cables or the need to set something up every time you want to use it.

Sure, the cost is not cheap, but given most 1 series cars were $35,000 or more depending on options, so what?

Zeros and Ones, let us know when you get this and how tricky it is to install. I might undertake the project this fall once I get my new car sorted. (the 128i is my practical car... After selling the Elise I found myself short a roadster, so... New Porsche Boxster is on the way from Germany!)

[Rikx1M]

I have the P3 installed on my 1M and love it...especially monitoring my air intake temps as I drive on the road...and I like how it integrates so well into the dash.

Install was about an hour total but I had to run a boost line to my engine...you won't be doing that.

But the best thing is that it closes up my OBDII port so some a-hole trying to steal my car via the handheld key coder will have a harder time freeing up my OBD port

That being said, you can't beat $25 for a bluetooth transmitter and smartphone app...to each his own as I don't own a smartphone...

And the 0-60 is fun...real time capture...good luck with your project.

[Zeros and ones]

Originally Posted by Rikx1M

I have the P3 installed on my 1M and love it...especially monitoring my air intake temps as I drive on the road...and I like how it integrates so well into the dash.

Install was about an hour total but I had to run a boost line to my engine...you won't be doing that.

But the best thing is that it closes up my OBDII port so some a-hole trying to steal my car via the handheld key coder will have a harder time freeing up my OBD port

That being said, you can't beat $25 for a bluetooth transmitter and smartphone app...to each his own as I don't own a smartphone...

And the 0-60 is fun...real time capture...good luck with your project.

thanks man... I am really excited about it... I am waiting for it to arrive at my door and get it installed asap. The installation does not look at that difficult and should be a breeze.

[Zeros and ones]

I know it has been almost a week but here is an update:

should be getting it on Monday. Get it early enough in the day and it will be install and will get a nay or yay if it work.

[Zeros and ones]

Ok everyone... got the gauge and installed it already in my e82. This install was super easy and I had it done in like 20 minutes.

So the question on every bodies mind is... does the gauge work with e82 128i?

I can say that it does without any issues. I will post some picture when I have a bit of time and a video showing that it works and the options that it displays.

Not to mention this thing looks really good.

[andrey_gta]

Originally Posted by Zeros and ones

Not to mention this thing looks really good.

Awesome. Can you list the working features.

[chrisN]

very cool. in for pics for working features