Gauge advice--what to do?

[Thunderguts]

I really do love my 128i, but there are definitely a few oversights that I need to correct. One is an almost total lack of gauges. Given the 1er's propensity for killing off water pumps, a temperature gauge-either oil or water, is imperative. I'm looking for solutions and would like some advice, pros and cons.

1) I love the Awron center gauge computer, but this is Texas and no way am I giving up the only A/C vent in the car that I can actually direct towards me. Does anyone know of a way to switch it to the passenger vent? Also, why does the 128i version not have a DTC button like the 135i version?

2) OEM BMW HUD display? Does this show anything useful like temperature and does it work with non-iDrive cars?

3) P3 vent gauge - I love the integrated look and it's cost-effective, but it looks like you can only get one reading at a time.

4) BMW Performance Steering Wheel - This is the ultimate in cool factor and it puts the information right there in plain view, with tons of cool stats. The problem, $1,200? Yikes!

5) Run an iPhone with a Bluetooth connection straight to the OBD port. It's cheap, but putting the phone someplace useful where it can be powered won't look attractive. Is there an adapter that will power the phone from the port?

6) Euro gauge cluster - slightly useful, but not really worth the effort/cost when I only get one extra gauge.

7) Macht Schnell ashtray gauges-I don’t know why, I just don’t like these. They sit so low I’d have a hard time paying attention to them.

Are there any other options I missed? Opinions are appreciated. What are you using and why? I'm really thinking about the M Performance Wheel, but that would need to wait until X-mas bonus time and I wanted to use that for a brake upgrade.

[Matticus91]

Get a cheap android tablet, gauge app, and run an OBDII dongle. Mount the phone and you'll have more info you know what to do with. And you can make it look good, there's actually quite a few mounting options that look nice.

[xQx]

Most people use either their primary phone or a dedicated phone/tablet connected to a JB4 piggyback computer or the MHD gauges module.

While slightly clunky, it's a fraction of the price of a performance steering wheel and gives you more than just a couple of gauges.

[blue135]

Other options are the Ultragauge or ScanGauge II though I suspect you will like the tablet or phone possibilities better.

Edit: Forgot to mention, I use Scangauge II in all three of my cars and like it, but it only shows 4 items at a time.

[olds350]

Several of us went this direction with the ultragauge. I have the P3 vent gauge in the wifes e91, but it doesn't have the depth of gauges the ultragauge has and it only displays 1 gauge at time while the ultra gauge will show 6. Ultragauge isn't as clean to install, but I prefer it over the P3.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show...ght=ultragauge

[Stubbie Blue]

If you don't have iDrive you could install an Android headunit and run gauge apps like Torque Pro with a Bluetooth OBD reader.

https://www.1addicts.com/forums/show....php?t=1510420

[rho123]

I am thinking of doing a 135i gauge swap. Chris_flies 128I build... it has a good write up. You would need to do some coding though. You can find a used gauge cluster on ebay.

[E91WAG3N]

135i, 1M, and M3 clusters all have oil temp gauges and can be coded and swapped. It’s a fairly common mod.

[chris_flies]

I can vouch for the 135i cluster swap. I got a cluster for $100, did some soldering, a lot of coding, and then I had an OEM cluster and gauges.

[JimD]

An option that would only work if you want a new radio for other reasons would be to get one that can run Google apps and put Torque or another application that reads the OBDII data via bluetooth and lets you create gauges.

I ran torque on a tablet for awhile and was surprised by the water temperature. BMW deliberately drives the water temperature up on a steady cruise so you get better gas mileage. It drops if you get on it. With that system of control I don't see how monitoring the water temperature can tell you of a water pump issue. Oil is probably more useful. But it should track the water temperature to a significant degree so you could have the same issue. You could be on a steady cruise and see the temperature go up pretty high and think there was a water pump problem. But all that may be happening is the software that controls the water pump is working as designed. Jumping on it could tell you but if it is the water pump, that wouldn't be great for the situation.

I'd still rather have the data - but recognize your bimmer is set up differently.

[fast1eddy]

Carly. You can monitor so many parameters it's mind boggling. Not sure what most of them even mean. Can be configured however you'd like. The gauge view looks cool but harder to read.

[blue135]

Used to think 'analog' gauge was easier to read and the way to go. Have learned that digital recognition by the brain is quicker for me. Old school not always the best it seems.

[Happy Jose]

This post is ridiculous. The warning lights give plenty of notice of impending disaster.

You won't have any problems if you keep an eye on coolant and oil levels!

BTW, I've decided all my valuable response will be given when I'm under the influence of Ezra Brooks! Yea!

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

This post is ridiculous. The warning lights give plenty of notice of impending disaster.

You won't have any problems if you keep an eye on coolant and oil levels!

BTW, I've decided all my valuable response will be given when I'm under the influence of Ezra Brooks! Yea!

Does OP plan to track the car regularly or something?

A 128i used as a daily driver will see what, a single water pump failure in its lifetime if that? Nobody's scrapping N52 based BMW's due to consequences related to water pump failure from what I can see. And you can always replace it proactively if it stresses you.

Source: 2008 128i owner with 125,000 miles and original water pump who reads too many forum posts.

[Thunderguts]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

This post is ridiculous. The warning lights give plenty of notice of impending disaster.

You won't have any problems if you keep an eye on coolant and oil levels!

BTW, I've decided all my valuable response will be given when I'm under the influence of Ezra Brooks! Yea!

LOL! I hope your being facetious!

Warning lights MAY protect your engine if you pull over immediately, but they won't stop it from happening 200 miles from home, on a bridge, in traffic, etc. A gauge will usually help you spot trouble before a component actually fails.

Originally Posted by Lucky1

A 128i used as a daily driver will see what, a single water pump failure in its lifetime if that? Nobody's scrapping N52 based BMW's due to consequences related to water pump failure from what I can see. And you can always replace it proactively if it stresses you.

I can think of at least three possible issues that are usually detectable by a real-time gauge.

voltmeter - failing alternator
oil pressure - failing seal
oil/water temperature - failing water pump

More real-time information wouldn't hurt anyone on a track or a daily drive.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

This post is ridiculous. The warning lights give plenty of notice of impending disaster.

You won't have any problems if you keep an eye on coolant and oil levels!

BTW, I've decided all my valuable response will be given when I'm under the influence of Ezra Brooks! Yea!

Unhappy Jose, spreading the joy again!

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

LOL! I hope your being facetious!

Warning lights MAY protect your engine if you pull over immediately, but they won't stop it from happening 200 miles from home, on a bridge, in traffic, etc. A gauge will usually help you spot trouble before a component actually fails.

Nah, just Jose being Jose!

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by rho123

I am thinking of doing a 135i gauge swap. Chris_flies 128I build... it has a good write up. You would need to do some coding though. You can find a used gauge cluster on ebay.

That is what i did, 135i gauges purchased used, sent it off to a coder and done.

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by Happy Jose

This post is ridiculous. The warning lights give plenty of notice of impending disaster.

You won't have any problems if you keep an eye on coolant and oil levels!

BTW, I've decided all my valuable response will be given when I'm under the influence of Ezra Brooks! Yea!

Unless you track the car in 42c+ heats like i did, saw 911.1 Turbos, F80 M3s and AMG C63s all come in after just 3-4 laps due to "engine warning" light.

I stayed out all day, just touching 120c oil temps, if my NA touched 120c with 5w40, imagine those super heated turbos with 0w30.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Head

Unless you track the car in 42c+ heats like i did, saw 911.1 Turbos, F80 M3s and AMG C63s all come in after just 3-4 laps due to "engine warning" light.

I stayed out all day, just touching 120c oil temps, if my NA touched 120c with 5w40, imagine those super heated turbos with 0w30.

Same with my car, it's wonderful. Hot days, long straights, high revs, I've never seen higher than 250F. Cruising on the highway it slowly goes between 190F (thinner oil, better economy) and 220F (to burn off water accumulation), it's an interesting system. Back road blasts generally send it to 230F.

As much as people complain about the techno gizmos and the electric water pumps in these cars, they do a great job at optimizing.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Thunderguts

I really do love my 128i, but there are definitely a few oversights that I need to correct. One is an almost total lack of gauges. Given the 1er's propensity for killing off water pumps, a temperature gauge-either oil or water, is imperative. I'm looking for solutions and would like some advice, pros and cons.

1) I love the Awron center gauge computer, but this is Texas and no way am I giving up the only A/C vent in the car that I can actually direct towards me. Does anyone know of a way to switch it to the passenger vent? Also, why does the 128i version not have a DTC button like the 135i version?

2) OEM BMW HUD display? Does this show anything useful like temperature and does it work with non-iDrive cars?

3) P3 vent gauge - I love the integrated look and it's cost-effective, but it looks like you can only get one reading at a time.

4) BMW Performance Steering Wheel - This is the ultimate in cool factor and it puts the information right there in plain view, with tons of cool stats. The problem, $1,200? Yikes!

5) Run an iPhone with a Bluetooth connection straight to the OBD port. It's cheap, but putting the phone someplace useful where it can be powered won't look attractive. Is there an adapter that will power the phone from the port?

6) Euro gauge cluster - slightly useful, but not really worth the effort/cost when I only get one extra gauge.

7) Macht Schnell ashtray gauges-I don't know why, I just don't like these. They sit so low I'd have a hard time paying attention to them.

Are there any other options I missed? Opinions are appreciated. What are you using and why? I'm really thinking about the M Performance Wheel, but that would need to wait until X-mas bonus time and I wanted to use that for a brake upgrade.

Huh? Change your water pump every 60k-70k miles.

No gauge will help you predict a failure. It's an electronic pump. It will go all of a sudden...