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So I wanted to post this for those people out there looking for gauges that closely match the interior of the MINI. I spent a fair amount of time researching and looking for gauges that matched, however some came close but still lacked what I was looking for. That changed when I came across these Marshall Instruments SCX gauges. They had the right silver color face and the backlighting was almost a perfect match.
So I called up Marshall to order my gauges and struck up a conversation with Paul from Marshall. He asked me what I was looking for and what type of car I was putting them in. When I told him it was a MINI, he indicated that they had previously engaged a company (don’t know name) to help them develop some new gauge faces to match the MINI. However, this engagement never gained any traction.
This sparked my interested, so I volunteered to provide some assistance in their development by providing Paul with some high resolution images of the factory gauges. Paul then took these images and created some mock-ups of the gauges faces for me to review. We went back and forth several times until we came up with what I believe is a very close match to the factory gauges. Notice in the mock-ups below how the numbers are positioned around the gauge just the like the factory gauges. (Note: the color of the numbers and lines was merely to depict how the backlight was going to look. Also note the black outline around the numbers, which match the factory gauges.)
According to Paul they have begun production on the gauge faces and hope to have them completed in the next 3-4 weeks. As soon as I receive the completed gauges I will post them here.
Oil pressure
Water temperature
Boost/Vac
Here are some pictures of the standard Marshall Instruments SCX gauges I mounted in my car earlier this week. Please excuse the crudeness of the images, I was in a hurry last night. I will post some better ones tonight.
I saw these in person yesterday and they are the best OEM match yet. I like the lighted needles. Can't wait to see the finished product, Shane. I'm definitely going to swap out my Stewart Warner gauges for these!
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Larry
'05 Jet Black/White MCS
RMW Tune 214.9whp 187.4lbft/RMW Street Header/RMW Cam/15%/Bosch 380cc/Koni Sport/TSW Springs, Front Camber Plates, Engine Mount, X-brace, 19mm RSB/SPC Rear Camber Arms/M7 SRP
Mykl Milligan Hyper Blue Owners Club #1 MMC #432
'06 MCS Hyper Blue/White :( SOLD '05 MCS JCW DS/W <-- Dad's Car (Currently for Sale!)
Currently driving an '04 Jetta but looking for a PW MC, PST me if you know of one!
One other thing I forgot to note is the center of gauge needle (cap) will be painted silver instead of the current black, to more closely match the OEM gauges.
What size are these? I'd love to replace my OEM Aux gauge (useless to me) voltmeter.
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'04 IB/W MCS w/all the goodies, Ian's auto-up/GDO, MMC#I69/MID CURV169; power folding mirrors
"You can't save the world unless you're willing to make other people sacrifice." - Dogbert, via Pendergast
I want the lighted needles!! I was disappointed after install of my current aftermarket gauges, that the needles aren't lit. If I could swap the SCX in for those without having to change sensors and wiring, I probably will.
I've wondered for a long time why nobody made gauges that looked stock for the MINI. You've finally come up with some! AWESOME!!! I might have to look into these myself! (and I drive an R50)
I'm glad to hear that people are showing interest in these gauges. I personally don't have any affiliation with Marshall, I was just looking for gauges that would as closely as possible match the OEM gauges. It was complete luck on my part to engage with Paul from Marshall and assist in this effort. My hope from this effort beyond getting myself these new gauges, is to assist others who have similar desires attaining matching gauges as well.
Did you ask him about the chrome trim ring ? These would be a perfect match for the R56 as well, except for the apparent need to retrofit the interior chrome line. I'd be down for a boost & a water temp.
electric or mechanical? (which is better for a daily driver BTW?)what is color of the ring around gauge if not chrome?
temp and boost here as well if GB happens
electric or mechanical? (which is better for a daily driver BTW?)what is color of the ring around gauge if not chrome?
temp and boost here as well if GB happens
The gauges out of the box come painted silver as the base. In the box comes a glossy black snap on ring. The gauges that I have (pictured above) have their optional snap on chrome ring.
As far as mechanical vs. electic, I am by no means an expert, but I would tend to stay with electric for both oil and water gauges simply because I don't want to plumb that into the cab. On the boost gauge I went with mechanical because I was told from Paul at Marshall that is responded quicker than the electrical (no lag).
Which Pods and mounts are you using? The ones from Craven speed look good, more so if installing more then 2 gauges (although not sure how cluttered that will look).
The gauges out of the box come painted silver as the base. In the box comes a glossy black snap on ring.
Great to know, I've got the piano black interior, so a glossy black ring will work perfectly. Keep us updated, I'm down for a set as soon as they're available.
It'd be really sweet if someone would package them up as a complete bolt-on kit for the R56 (boost & water temp) and save me some shopping/running around time.
Which Pods and mounts are you using? The ones from Craven speed look good, more so if installing more then 2 gauges (although not sure how cluttered that will look).
2005 MCS Electric Blue White Top & White Bonnet Stripes. Alta V2 15% pulley, Alta V2 CAI, Stratmosphere cat-back exhaust
1 boost and 1 temp here, too. Anybody know how much installation costs would be and if any MINI dealer is willing to do it?
Linear Mode
