gauge pod for center console?

[solid77]

i have a plastic piece on the center console that does nothing, and wondering if anyone makes a gauge pod replacement for it? i'm not sure if this is a 2010 change? i noticed the heated seat controls on other people pics use to be there...

[Feyd]

not for there (yet), but there are a couple out there for the ash-tray location.

[untouchableE82]

if you find a shop that does custom work they can design it for you. it just depends who is will to do it. and i have to know what exactly is behind that plastic before you want to put something there .

[Das Ein]

Originally Posted by solid77

i have a plastic piece on the center console that does nothing, and wondering if anyone makes a gauge pod replacement for it? i'm not sure if this is a 2010 change? i noticed the heated seat controls on other people pics use to be there...

I think this would be the best location for gauges. Its a little higher up than the ashtray pods out there, so it would be easier to see while driving.

I swear, if someone would make this, I would be first to buy it, and could FINALLY get tuning done. No boost gauge, no engine tuning on my car.

[anthony @ eas]

The Macht Schnell ashtray cluster is clearly visible from the driver's position.

[Das Ein]

Originally Posted by anthony @ eas

The Macht Schnell ashtray cluster is clearly visible from the driver's position.

I agree, it is nice and visible, and looks great too! But, how sweet would it be to not have to give up the ash-tray and power outlet, and make use of that blank panel that most 1er owners have?

If there is room behind it, you could just cut holes to fit gauges in there...I think?

[ThumpersM3]

http://leatherz.com/Merchant5/mercha...y_Code=all_E82

Check these guys out.. I've purchased from them before and been real happy with there products.

Ray

[solid77]

the ashtray pods are ok, but i think it will look a lot better using up that empty space on the center console.

[bradford]

I think anything put on that black plastic panel is going to look *really* tacked on and tacky. It's not the right angle to be flush mounted; you'd have to angle it up toward the driver. It wouldn't be very clean IMHO.

[solid77]

i had gauges in the same area on my e46 (leatherZ), thought it looked great, but ya that area on the 1 series does have a slight curve to it.

[bradford]

It might not show in the pic, but the Z3 gauges are angled up. The 135i ones are either straight down or almost kind of curving away.

[solid77]

ya if someone makes the center console pod, they would have to address the angle, but i still like that area better than the tray area.

[AndyM]

I looked at that location before deciding to go with the ashtray location. The 2 big issues is the angle and the size. You would need to angle the gauges up and left to be able to see them and even then you would run into the question of how accurate your read would be. The other issue is size. The panel would need a small gauge, something smaller than a standard 52mm gauge. You would need something like the HKS 40mm gauges which may no longer be available. Even then, you may run into issues when you tried to angle the gauges.

[bradford]

That's a pretty nice looking solution.

I think I'm partial to the electronic vent-mount one, though I realize it is Boost-only.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Das Ein

I agree, it is nice and visible, and looks great too! But, how sweet would it be to not have to give up the ash-tray and power outlet, and make use of that blank panel that most 1er owners have?

If there is room behind it, you could just cut holes to fit gauges in there...I think?

The Radio module is directly behind the panel you are referring to - there is no room.

The Macht Schnell panel is very high quality and ABS injection-molded to look 100% stock and ensure perfect fitment.

[Das Ein]

Originally Posted by tom @ eas

The Radio module is directly behind the panel you are referring to - there is no room.

The Macht Schnell panel is very high quality and ABS injection-molded to look 100% stock and ensure perfect fitment.

I call ... jk


But seriously, if Tom is correct, that makes sense. I'd really like to take the panel off and have a look myself. Does it just pull off? And I still think 3, 52mm gauges would fit.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by Das Ein

I call ... jk


But seriously, if Tom is correct, that makes sense. I'd really like to take the panel off and have a look myself. Does it just pull off? And I still think 3, 52mm gauges would fit.

It just pulls off - check it out, the radio module is a bit bigger than you think.

[Mikee82]

Holy thread bump... I'd like to get some old school gauges into my 128. Looks like LeatherZ is out of this game, so I've found the Schnell gauge pod, and the 3D Design pod on the EAS website. They fit into the ashtray spot, I prefer this to the P3 vent gauge. The price difference in the two is ridiculous, does anyone have any experience with the two? Fit and finish? If the Schnell looks and works just as well as the 3D unit, I cannot understand the $300 price difference... For those who have gone this route, thoughts on ease of install and gauge preference that best match the interior are appreciated. Thanks.

[kevin @ eas]

Originally Posted by Mikee82

Holy thread bump... I'd like to get some old school gauges into my 128. Looks like LeatherZ is out of this game, so I've found the Schnell gauge pod, and the 3D Design pod on the EAS website. They fit into the ashtray spot, I prefer this to the P3 vent gauge. The price difference in the two is ridiculous, does anyone have any experience with the two? Fit and finish? If the Schnell looks and works just as well as the 3D unit, I cannot understand the $300 price difference... For those who have gone this route, thoughts on ease of install and gauge preference that best match the interior are appreciated. Thanks.

PM coming your way

[Willortiz]

Another bump. Im looking to get a boost gauge but p3 too expensive and i want it on my right not left any ideas???