Want more info on gauges

dorkdog · 05-24-2012, 10:53 AM

I want to put oil temp/pressure gauges in my car. I see a DIY for the ashtray panel and might go that route, but also a couple questions:

1. Are there any other options other than the ashtray? I prefer my instrumentation on the dash if possible. The MINI had a 'gauge pod' you caould replace the column with that allowed 2 gauges - any good for BMW?

2. Specifically, which 52mm gauges have you had luck with? I understand dimming the lighting is an issue - how have you dealt with that? I prefer the gauges to match the other dash display color.

Thanks for any help or experience you'd be willing to share. I'm not satisfied with idiot lights.

peeti · 05-24-2012, 12:41 PM

You want a truly clean look (and tons of functionality), check out p3cars.com

1speedbike · 05-24-2012, 12:47 PM

^ P3 only offers a boost gauge for 135/1M. It says only works on n54/n55 cars.

I think an ashtray kit like this seems to be the only way to really go...

BrokenVert · 05-24-2012, 12:49 PM

Here you go.

http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...9x-3-series-m3

Also you could put a gauge pod dead center on the dash if you dont have iDrive. Similar to the STi pods.

JimD · 05-24-2012, 01:53 PM

That ATI kit looks bad to me - but it does put the gauges where they'd be easy to see. For some cars they sell A-pillar replacement trim that will take gauges. I've looked and not found it for 1 series cars, however. If you're willing to have a body shop paint it to match the interior you could fab something.

There is also the "ultra-gauge" that ties into the OBD-II port. It is a little box something like a GPS you put on the dash, however. It also only displays water temperature and maybe a few more things on a bimmer. It needs better programming and it could show a lot more.

Jim

ragingpanda · 05-24-2012, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

^ P3 only offers a boost gauge for 135/1M. It says only works on n54/n55 cars.

Not really true. The new ones sold now are capable of reading boost/vacuum, intake air temperatures, coolant temps, battery voltage, ignition timing, rpms, actual speed etc.

JYohay · 05-24-2012, 01:59 PM

i have the ATI pod on my 335 and love it.
Im using 52mm gauges from Podi.ca (boost), and the VIE valentine 1 display gauge

i will admit it does block the gas guage and oil temp (gas i cannot see below the half full line) and the opposite side on the oil gauge

1speedbike · 05-24-2012, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

Not really true. The new ones sold now are capable of reading boost/vacuum, intake air temperatures, coolant temps, battery voltage, ignition timing, rpms, actual speed etc.

You might be right, but since on their website it says:

"Specifically designed to support the 2008+ model year e8x platform cars including 135 and 1M coupe and convertible. Works for n54, n55, and supercharged M3 engines."

I would still at least call and ask. Still, I don't own the product or represent the company, so as I said you could very well be right, and it's compatible with N51/52 engines.

ragingpanda · 05-24-2012, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

You might be right, but since on their website it says:

"Specifically designed to support the 2008+ model year e8x platform cars including 135 and 1M coupe and convertible. Works for n54, n55, and supercharged M3 engines."

I would still at least call and ask. Still, I don't own the product or represent the company, so as I said you could very well be right, and it's compatible with N51/52 engines.

Failure on my part in not seeing that the original poster has a 128i.

I do not know if it will work on a N51/N52, but I do know that it reads more than just boost alone on the n54/n55.

dorkdog · 05-24-2012, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JYohay

i have the ATI pod on my 335 and love it.
Im using 52mm gauges from Podi.ca (boost), and the VIE valentine 1 display gauge

i will admit it does block the gas guage and oil temp (gas i cannot see below the half full line) and the opposite side on the oil gauge

It looks like they are adjustable - I am hoping they are adjustable to where I can move them to cover up the high end of the RPM scale (I never go above 5-6) and the lower part of the speedo (I don't care if I'm going 5-20 MPH. Being that you have one, is that possible?

JYohay · 05-24-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorkdog

It looks like they are adjustable - I am hoping they are adjustable to where I can move them to cover up the high end of the RPM scale (I never go above 5-6) and the lower part of the speedo (I don't care if I'm going 5-20 MPH. Being that you have one, is that possible?

Yup
Look at my threads
I had one for sale but it I decided to keep it

New21er · 05-25-2012, 10:19 AM

I read somewhere that the paddle shifters interfere with those pod gauges???

Ash83 · 05-25-2012, 05:39 PM

this is a Beammer!!! the dash has to be clean

Eyeman · 05-25-2012, 05:56 PM

The ashtray guage setup looks great to me, but it would be hard to see them. I had planned to go that way but went broke from modding..lol.

1speedbike · 05-25-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ragingpanda

Failure on my part in not seeing that the original poster has a 128i.

I do not know if it will work on a N51/N52, but I do know that it reads more than just boost alone on the n54/n55.

It's all good

Theoretically it should work because as you said it reads parameters other than just boost, but I guess it depends on if the p3 gauge can read into the N52 ECU's programming in addition to the N54/N55.

Everfly · 05-25-2012, 09:10 PM

The P3 will read everything from OBD 2 port, you won't able to see boost but everything else. Also the other option is performance steering wheel will give you more than what you need, and for the price is great. If you getting gauge pods and gauges will ad up about almost the same as performance steering wheel V2. If money is not really an issue I say drop the $ on the steering wheel. It has a lot of cool feature like 1/4 miles time and really bling bling the shift light

newnmpr0ved · 05-25-2012, 09:24 PM

*looks at sig*

You have a 128i, why bother ?

LOL jk. Yes, you may want to check out the P3 gauge.

05-24-2012, 10:53 AM	#1
dorkdog Big Mouth No Filter 49 Rep 586 Posts Drives: 128i Montego Blue 6MT Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Puyallup WA iTrader: (0)	Want more info on gauges I want to put oil temp/pressure gauges in my car. I see a DIY for the ashtray panel and might go that route, but also a couple questions: 1. Are there any other options other than the ashtray? I prefer my instrumentation on the dash if possible. The MINI had a 'gauge pod' you caould replace the column with that allowed 2 gauges - any good for BMW? 2. Specifically, which 52mm gauges have you had luck with? I understand dimming the lighting is an issue - how have you dealt with that? I prefer the gauges to match the other dash display color. Thanks for any help or experience you'd be willing to share. I'm not satisfied with idiot lights. __________________ We do not inherit the Earth from our parents; we borrow it from our children
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05-24-2012, 12:41 PM	#2
peeti Second Lieutenant 15 Rep 232 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 e90 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (1)	You want a truly clean look (and tons of functionality), check out p3cars.com
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05-24-2012, 12:47 PM	#3
1speedbike Brigadier General 732 Rep 3,274 Posts Drives: 2022 X4 M40i, 2008 135i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MKE iTrader: (15)	^ P3 only offers a boost gauge for 135/1M. It says only works on n54/n55 cars. I think an ashtray kit like this seems to be the only way to really go... __________________ 2022 X4 M40i - 2008 135i - 2015 F700GS On Order - 2024 i4 M50 Scruffy's gonna die the way he lived... Mmhm.
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05-24-2012, 12:49 PM	#4
BrokenVert Resident Kerbalnaut 477 Rep 10,703 Posts Drives: Topless Brute/Hybrid Boogaloo Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Fahrvergnügen/NY iTrader: (0)	Here you go. http://www.europeanautosource.com/pr...9x-3-series-m3 Also you could put a gauge pod dead center on the dash if you dont have iDrive. Similar to the STi pods. __________________
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05-24-2012, 01:53 PM	#5
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	That ATI kit looks bad to me - but it does put the gauges where they'd be easy to see. For some cars they sell A-pillar replacement trim that will take gauges. I've looked and not found it for 1 series cars, however. If you're willing to have a body shop paint it to match the interior you could fab something. There is also the "ultra-gauge" that ties into the OBD-II port. It is a little box something like a GPS you put on the dash, however. It also only displays water temperature and maybe a few more things on a bimmer. It needs better programming and it could show a lot more. Jim __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
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05-24-2012, 01:59 PM	#7
JYohay Banned 42 Rep 2,009 Posts Drives: 2011 X5 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	i have the ATI pod on my 335 and love it. Im using 52mm gauges from Podi.ca (boost), and the VIE valentine 1 display gauge i will admit it does block the gas guage and oil temp (gas i cannot see below the half full line) and the opposite side on the oil gauge
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-25-2012, 10:19 AM	#12
New21er Lieutenant 35 Rep 550 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Stanwood, wa. iTrader: (2)	I read somewhere that the paddle shifters interfere with those pod gauges???
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05-25-2012, 05:39 PM	#13
Ash83 Major 41 Rep 1,177 Posts Drives: 135i & RS5 (SOLD)/ 18 CTS-V Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (1)	this is a Beammer!!! the dash has to be clean __________________ Alpine White, Coral RED , Glacier Silver Aluminum trim, M sport, 6MT, NAV, HiFi, USB-iPod, Bluetooth Performance: JB4\|BMW PE\|DP Cosmetics: BMW Sport Pedals\|Black Kidney Grill
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05-25-2012, 05:56 PM	#14
Eyeman Colonel 121 Rep 2,037 Posts Drives: 2008 135 blk, blk, step Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0) Garage List 1994 Porsche 968 Cab [0.00] 2017 AMG GTS [0.00] 1994 Porsche 968 Coupe [0.00] 1977 Mercedes 450SE ... [0.00] 2008 135 [8.00]	The ashtray guage setup looks great to me, but it would be hard to see them. I had planned to go that way but went broke from modding..lol. __________________ Injen, RR OCC, MadDad Whisper, donut spare, 19x8.5et43fr 19x9.5et45r Volk LE37's, rear fenders rolled/pulled, PSS4S 225/35fr 255/30r, KW V1's, AR coated catless dps, Cross strutbar, CF grills and license plate holder, iCarbon diffuser, ETS black anodized FMIC, M3 control arms, Quaife, ER chargepipe, ForgeDV's, Topspeed Custom Tune, V3sims, Braille, Andrey_GTA rear hub mod, Ebay Mstyle front bumper and performance style side skirts.
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05-25-2012, 09:10 PM	#16
Everfly Brigadier General 154 Rep 3,143 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (51)	The P3 will read everything from OBD 2 port, you won't able to see boost but everything else. Also the other option is performance steering wheel will give you more than what you need, and for the price is great. If you getting gauge pods and gauges will ad up about almost the same as performance steering wheel V2. If money is not really an issue I say drop the $ on the steering wheel. It has a lot of cool feature like 1/4 miles time and really bling bling the shift light
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05-25-2012, 09:24 PM	#17
newnmpr0ved Second Lieutenant 86 Rep 200 Posts Drives: 14 Honda Civic Si, 17 BMW M4 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Cerritos, California iTrader: (2)	looks at sig You have a 128i, why bother ? LOL jk. Yes, you may want to check out the P3 gauge.
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