I'll be ordering my MCS within the next month or so and I was curious to what you guys think. Do you think that the stock gauges you can add on for a couple of hundred $$$'s are worth it? Such as boost, oil pressure, etc? Is it better to get this stock if there are issues or go aftermarket through like MINIMANIA, or Turner, or Dinan?

Any help would be great.

 

Love the stock look and I think it's better for resale if they came from the factory.

 

The one thing I don't like about them is they close off that space for dropping things like you phone, money clip etc. For me I find the little cubbies are a bit lacking in the MINI interior so I don't have a set. That said to each his own, I tend to keep lots of lose junk in my cars.

 

IMO, its always better to have the parts OEM, otherwise in the interior they are just add-on bits. I have the auxiliary gauges and you got to remember they are they to be looked at once in awhile but how often do you need to see the oil temp? The thing barely moves in normal driving. Voltmeter is nice because you can see battery problems.

 

I used to fly and I like haveing some gauges......at least more than stock.......I like the boost because it has a cool red light that lets you know your dong something. Oil temp is good to know oil pressure is nice. I'm thinking of adding one of those A/F meters for "kicks and giggles"

 

If you mean the gauge pods up by the tach - go for it!! I REALLY wish they had a couple pods for a stock dual cluster already.

 

I've got 'em, but if I was to start over (bought it used) I'd just get the stock gauge panel and do either oil pressure or water temp. vs. voltmeter. The stock gauges are ridiculously expensive as installed by the dealer.

If you don't have Nav/chrono the aftermarket guage pods are nice, and more in the line of sight.

 

Check out MSFITOY's post on the gauges thread

If I knew how to give you the post I would

 

I wanted to get the stock boost + voltmeter up by the tach, but the dealer wanted $650 installed. That's too rich for me, especially since the boost, from what I understand, is just a mechanical boost gauge.

 

I always consult the oil temp - tells me when its sufficiently warmed up to really rev it safely. The voltmeter on the other hand seems questionable, however, given that the Mini is prone to running out the battery on its own, its not a bad thing to be able to check on the status of the voltage easily.

It is possible to DIY so you may want to consider that to cut the price, and be sure to buy the gauges discounted from Classic. If you don't want to do the install you can shop the install price around and let them know that you will be supplying the parts or expect them to match the Classic price.

 

I don't think most people realize how long it takes the MINI to warm up its oil. When I start my car in the morning, I run it for a minute or two and take off very slow down a 2 1/2 mile road at about 30 MPH not counting stops. The oil is not fully warm when I get to the turn on the highway

 

I should have said in "normal" driving

 

for the information everyone, but as some of you have mentioned - do you have to pay to have the dealer install the gauges if you are equipping them when building a new MINI? I guess what I mean is some of the gauges say $100, is that total and already installed when the MINI is shipped? or do I have to pay the dealer to install that?

 

i think its worth it.. dont forget aftermarket gauge pod with supercharge pressure and oil pressure.. (oil pressure might could be swapped with something else sence the IS a oil pressure idiot light)

have a good one

 

In a word, yes.
If you go back to the online configurator, when you get to #5, there is a bunch of verbage that you probably just click through - it is a disclaimer that states that accessory prices may change, and do not include installation.

 

Just check out the outrageous prices that alta and such charge for their gauge bracket + guages there just isn't a large diffrence in price. And for that small diffrence you are better off with factory setup because you will fully retain factory warranty.

I would really hate it if all those window motors that are going out were on your dime because the dealer refuses waranty claim because you have tampered with the car's electronics adding aftermarket guages

$149 alta pod + guage cost = $225
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...36&SortOrder=1

$199 package by cobalt
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...64&SortOrder=1

miniusa aux gages
cubby $250 + install
tach mounted $325 + install
But you can actually negotiate the cost of these items and likely get install free if you are good!

So, The diffrecnce just isnt great egnough.....But If you think that it is, just be sure to put that money you saved in a special place so that you will be able to pay for a denied warranty claim or a lawyer....which ever is cheaper