Ok this has been done before but I found it difficult to find with the search and different threads left out small details. This shows both the speedo and tach face removal as well as the attachment points for the speedo trim ring if one wants to change it out.

Tach:
The tach is held to the top of the steering column by two T-20 torx screws directly behind the tach (picture coming) there are small flat washers there try not to lose them. There is a green plug connecting the tach to the harness, the release is on the bottom. Push it up and gently pull the plug out while holding the tach side of the green plug. (you don't want to stress the attachment on the tach itself after all)

Once you have it out of the car turn it over and remove the two phillips screws on the back:


Then slice through and peel back the label on the bottom of the tach to reveal the clip holding it all together. Lift this clip and the tach will now swing apart. It is also held at the top so swing it open like a clamshell.


When you have the tach in your hand you will see 3 clips holding the trim ring to the tach unclip 2 at the same time and the ring will come free.


The clear lens is held on in a similar fashion:


The black ring will likely come off with the lens. This image shows how it is "keyed" for reinstallation:


If you have them some splinter tweezers will be handy for needle removal:


Pop off the plastic cap on the needle you can do this by hand easily the picture shows the tweezers lifting the edge.


Now you can go paint this so it dries while you do the face.

Back view:

Needle without its cap:


Use the tweezers as a lever to lift the needle straight up off the pin it is on:



The needle once off, you can see the tube that slides over the pin:

The previously mentioned pin:


At this point you can peel off the old face and you will be left with this:


For the OutMotoring faces the additional hash marks will be unlit on the face because of Mini diesel red line area unless you do the following.

Flip the tach over and release the two clips circled:

be careful not to drop your tach at this (or any) point

This image shows where the problem is:


Problem solved via dremel: (you can also use a utility knife but that's slower.)


Now put the white part back on the tach, place your new gauge face in place pick up the needle and go back to your car. Plug in the tach, turn the ignition to the accessory position. You will hear the tach needle motor move. Put the needle on at this point with the pointer at zero. Turn off the car, unplug the tach and go put it the rest of the way back together.


Reinstall in the car and enjoy.

Speedo.
There are a lot of ways people say to do this one. My car is an '05 I have done this on two '05 cars and both were exactly the same.

Open the glove box and pull the panel below the steering wheel down to access the lower portion of the dash panels.


Check the bottom edge of the center panel for screws just inward of the seams. (my cars did not have them)

This picture shows where the top two T-20 torx screws are that need to be removed:

While you are there pull off the two trims around the dash light and hazard button and twist off the air vent trims. Its a short 1/8" rotation at most for the vents.

The next step is the slightly scary part. Once you have the screws out the center dash is basically just clipped in place. Tug the bottom edges of the side dash parts out a bit then tug the bottom of the center panel out and up a bit. Pull the top edge of the black center section down to release the parts that clip into the dash top. The dash is primarily held in by 2 large clips on either side so once the top and bottom are freed a bit give it a yank. The pictures below show the clip locations:




Once you have that out you can start on the speedo.

The Speedo ring (if you are changing it out) is attached at 5 points with clips and a minute amount of adhesive. I used a flat bladed screwdriver to gently pop the clips from behind, the adhesive really didn't put up a fight at all.



For the speedo some things to remember:
DO NOT UNPLUG IT. (Apparently this will lead to reprogramming at the dealer)
the fuel and temp needles point directly at each other when off perfectly flat (you'll need to remember this when reinstalling them.

The speedo carrier is held in by 4 T-20 screws. These need to come out.


Now you can take off the clear lens. The black plastic cover is held in place by 6 clips. I find its easier to do a top and a side then the bottom on the same side then go to the other top and side.
Clip pictures:
top

side

bottom



Pull off the needles in the same manner as the tach above. (paint the center if desired)
Pull off the rubber boot on the reset.
Peel off the old speedo face.
You will see this:


If you are installing an Out Motoring gauge face you will need to carefully remove it with a utility or exacto blade to have all the tic marks lit fully. It should look like this when done:


Install the new face.
Install the temp and fuel needles flat and pointing at each other with the ignition switch in the OFF position.
Turn the ignition to the accessory position and install the speedo needle to the 0 mark just like with the tach.

Put everything back together in reverse order.

 

Does the new face still let the warning lights to come on? Looks like the warning areas are gone. Like in the tach.

 

I added the stripes and they do slightly cover some of the warning lights. The faces themselves are designed to show all warning lights normally.

This is my wifes car:

 

very nice post man, thanks alot this was exactly wut i was looking for

 

very nice tutorial. Good job and the out come looks amazing. just wondering if you have an example of the why you have to dremel..what causes the light not to shine since you are using same gauges just a different screen..i dont understand why you would have to dremel away at parts..also can you ad a night pic with lights on that would be helpful thanks..

 

had to dig around my iphoto for these:
This one shows it well


Look closely at the spot between 70 and 80

 

Thanks for the pictorial guide. I really like the replacement speedo gauge because of the additional numerals on the face. On my stock 06 MCS I have trouble telling the speed at a single glance (unless I've got the OBC on).

 

As a noob but soon to install a set of gauge faces from outmotoring, are there any screws holding the painted cover in place or is it just clips that pop out with trim tools? Thanks.