REVIEW: P3 Vent Integrated Digital Interface

[escobar929]

what i would like to see, is one done for the center vents

the way i drive, my left arm and hand will block the view and since the tachometer is on the right, it would only make sense to have both on the right, maybe its just me

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by escobar929

what i would like to see, is one done for the center vents

the way i drive, my left arm and hand will block the view and since the tachometer is on the right, it would only make sense to have both on the right, maybe its just me

I drive the exact same way. Occasionally my arm will end up in a position where it blocks part of the display, but it's not terrible since the gauge has the "Recall" feature. Either way, if it wasn't too expensive to make, I think this could be a great option for Rick to offer (the install would just be a fair bit more complex).

[BahamaBart]

Originally Posted by escobar929

what i would like to see, is one done for the center vents

the way i drive, my left arm and hand will block the view and since the tachometer is on the right, it would only make sense to have both on the right, maybe its just me

The line of sight is not bad but its not great. You'd probably would have the same issue but I had suggested mounting in the center a/c vent with a sister gauge option next to it. No doubt the install would be much harder. Note: it would have worked for our UK friends as well.

Bear mind I consider this a very small criticism of what is a great gauge, great vendor and for me "the" interior mod.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by BahamaBart

Bear mind I consider this a very small criticism of what is a great gauge, great vendor and for me "the" interior mod.

x1,000,000

[FazerBoy]

Originally Posted by BahamaBart

The line of sight is not bad but its not great. You'd probably would have the same issue but I had suggested mounting in the center a/c vent with a sister gauge option next to it. No doubt the install would be much harder. Note: it would have worked for our UK friends as well.

Yeah, thinking about it, placement of the gauge within one of the centre vents would have solved both the line of sight issue and eliminated the need to produce both a LHD and RHD version.

What do you think Rick? Is it too late for a re-design?

Jack

[RiXst3r]

I asked around a bit early on and everyone agreed this location was best for install reasons, and a good comprimise compared to anything else on the market right now that is WAY further out of sight...

it would be like starting over to do that now. The center location was decided against for various reasons, some of which nobody is considering here...

-Rick

[theanhdy]

Any special deal on price for PNP in the future?

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

I asked around a bit early on and everyone agreed this location was best for install reasons, and a good comprimise compared to anything else on the market right now that is WAY further out of sight...

it would be like starting over to do that now. The center location was decided against for various reasons, some of which nobody is considering here...

-Rick

I wouldn't want it simply because the install is SO easy as-is. I wouldn't want to take it on in the other location... Wayyy too much to take apart in that location!

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by FazerBoy

Come on Rick - get the RHD version done!

Originally Posted by BMW86

We've been saying this for ages but still nothing...

Every time you ask, I delay it another week.

In all seriousness... we should have a Right hand drive prototype in about 2-3 weeks time.

[clutchcargo]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

Every time you ask, I delay it another week.

In all seriousness... we should have a Right hand drive prototype in about 2-3 weeks time.

Woot! Wheres my banana emoticon!!!!!

Rixster, my offer to run the group buy still stands

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by clutchcargo

Woot! Wheres my banana emoticon!!!!!

Rixster, my offer to run the group buy still stands

Yeh let's get this group buy started...

[///M1]

Just installed mine last night and loving it. Quality product, absolute OE (and better!!!) execution, highly recommended. A few notes:

1. Install is definitely not 30-45 mins if you are doing it for the first time, especially if you want to run the map switching function for JB3/Procede. Even without the latter, this holds true if you are diligent, cautious and anal as me, when you take your time prying open the various trim pieces (and I highly recommend the plastic trim removal kit from BavAuto, this is the N+7th time I am using it and def worth the $20). I doubt even my second time around would be 45 min job knowing what I already know, simply because I don't rush things. Be sure you allow yourself time and take it leisurely. Don’t do this if it is on a day where you have time commitments/constraints so you can allow yourself some slack.
2. The toughest part for me at least was snaking the rubber hose through the firewall, and def would help if you have a friend to assist and grab it from the engine bay end while you snake it through. Ditto for snaking the JB3 control wires through there, and most importantly across the car all the way to the ECU box on the passenger side.
3. Speaking of which, what I did was run those boost control/switching wires through the rubber seal that goes vertically across the engine bay. That way they are hidden, and most importantly protected. A bit tough to snake them through it all the way, as they are very light and thus flexible wires (i.e. you can pull on a string but not push on it!), so would be best if you tape something heavy to the end of them and just ‘drop’ it through the rubber strip and let gravity be your friend (best done with a small piece of lead from your fishing gear!) In other words, take the entire rubber strip out and just drop the wires through it.

Now I just have to figure out how to connect the wires to my JB3. Will look up Terry for that.

PS: As far as positioning it on the center vent, it will be a lot more complicated snaking wires, finding power for the unit, etc. etc. Nothing wrong with where it is.

[RiXst3r]

Originally Posted by ///M1

Just installed mine last night and loving it. Quality product, absolute OE (and better!!!) execution, highly recommended. A few notes:

1. Install is definitely not 30-45 mins if you are doing it for the first time, especially if you want to run the map switching function for JB3/Procede. Even without the latter, this holds true if you are diligent, cautious and anal as me, when you take your time prying open the various trim pieces (and I highly recommend the plastic trim removal kit from BavAuto, this is the N+7th time I am using it and def worth the $20). I doubt even my second time around would be 45 min job knowing what I already know, simply because I don't rush things. Be sure you allow yourself time and take it leisurely. Don’t do this if it is on a day where you have time commitments/constraints so you can allow yourself some slack.
2. The toughest part for me at least was snaking the rubber hose through the firewall, and def would help if you have a friend to assist and grab it from the engine bay end while you snake it through. Ditto for snaking the JB3 control wires through there, and most importantly across the car all the way to the ECU box on the passenger side.
3. Speaking of which, what I did was run those boost control/switching wires through the rubber seal that goes vertically across the engine bay. That way they are hidden, and most importantly protected. A bit tough to snake them through it all the way, as they are very light and thus flexible wires (i.e. you can pull on a string but not push on it!), so would be best if you tape something heavy to the end of them and just ‘drop’ it through the rubber strip and let gravity be your friend (best done with a small piece of lead from your fishing gear!) In other words, take the entire rubber strip out and just drop the wires through it.

Now I just have to figure out how to connect the wires to my JB3. Will look up Terry for that.

PS: As far as positioning it on the center vent, it will be a lot more complicated snaking wires, finding power for the unit, etc. etc. Nothing wrong with where it is.

Glad you like it!

I am really surprised the boost tubing was hard to run for you... I did an install on a 2010 135i last week and that part literally took me 30 seconds by myself... shove the tube on a piece of coathanger and tape it, shove the coathanger through the rubber grommet bmw provided for us, grab it on the other side... done!

As for the wires to your jb3, check this out:
http://www.n54tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5951

and this:
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...81&postcount=3

Congrats man!! enjoy the gauge!

[ESC OFF]

Finally put mine in yesterday as well. The install was pretty easy except for the tubing for me too, I had a hard time punching through the grommet. Beyond that it was pretty easy and straightforward, it took me about 50 minutes. Love the gauge, it really works well and looks like it should have been part of the car to begin with

[jtsherri]

Damn... I seriously though the tubing was one of the easiest parts too. I had the hardest time feeding the power line through the console, personally, but that was still pretty easy.

[mineo77]

I just cant wait to get my boost gauge! ordered last week, your review was perfect and definitely sold me 100% on this thing!

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by mineo77

I just cant wait to get my boost gauge! ordered last week, your review was perfect and definitely sold me 100% on this thing!

Thanks, man - I appreciate the feedback! You're gonna love it!

[FazerBoy]

Originally Posted by RiXst3r

I asked around a bit early on and everyone agreed this location was best for install reasons, and a good comprimise compared to anything else on the market right now that is WAY further out of sight...

it would be like starting over to do that now. The center location was decided against for various reasons, some of which nobody is considering here...

-Rick

Rick,

^ Fully understood and accepted!

We're really not trying to make you mad but these reviews are just making us so eager to get our hands on your gauge.

Thanks

Jack

[mineo77]

Install my P3 Boost gauge today! The packaging was perfect, the detail and fine work as described by OP. The install was pretty straight forward and took about an hour. Now time to go drive!!! Thanks P3!!!

[0002s]

Come to FL and we can team install. You need a break from the cold.

[jtsherri]

Originally Posted by 0002s

Come to FL and we can team install. You need a break from the cold.

Did you order one?? I need to figure out when Kristen's mid-winter break is so we can plan a trip...

[0002s]

No, you haven't given me a date.

How long did the install take you? We need to update jb.