i have been looking at these for a while and they don't require all kinds of wiring and what not to hook up. it really cracks me up because this is the first car i've ever owed which doesn't come with some kind of gauge package.

http://autometer.com/cat_gaugeop.aspx?sid=42

 

What do they require to hook up? They don't look like they use the OBDII interface. The website doesn't list Mini as an option.

 

here are some of the links for the OBDII device and what not. definitely watch the demo video's they have. really cool.

http://autometer.com/cat_gaugelist.a...opid=1&szid=15

http://autometer.com/demos/nexus/

 

Those look slick! Thanks for the links.

 

so most of us say get a "water temp" and "oil pressure" gauge but what do the "water temp" and "oil pressure" readings help you with/prevent from happening?

 

Water temp lets you know when your car is at optimum operating temp. In my case, mine reads about 230 degrees nominal. Seems hot, but this is how it's engineered (2010 MCS). Much hotter than that and you are having cooling problems ( check and find out why), your's may vary.
Oil pressure, IMO, is the most important. Engine first started, probably reads about 75-80 lbs. under load, and will settle down to about 50 lbs. under load when it's warmed up. Will read about 25-30 at idle. If it goes away when you are driving, your engine will go away as well. Oil pressure is good, none is bad unless your engine is off.
Both guages just give you a visual on the health of your engine. More guages give you a better idea of what is going on. It's up to you to decide what is important to you. There is not a lot of room for aftermarket guages in a MINI.
A boost guage is a fun guage, and if you really learn how to read the vacuum side, it will tell much about how your engine performing. Good luck and have fun.

 

how are the "water temp" and "oil pressure temp" installed?do there have to be any drillings of any sort on the engine? tell me more about this please!

 

You can get adapters from Craven speed, (check the vendors section).
Oil adapter is spendy, depends on what year MINI you may have also.
There is no drilling required on the engine and there should be some DIY threads to get an idea on how to install things. Good luck.

 

Until you have boost problems and then need to monitor activity...


We could say the same about oil pressure... the vehicle is equipped with a warning light incase of low oil presure which will notify you to shut down.



Maugre is right, the vacuum side is really helpful if leaks are present. Also, boost varies in different stages once you begin to run higher boost. What you get is dependant on what you want to monitor.


Point made any gauge is good. You use them to help you monitor and avoide further damage. Just make sure you get high quality gauges, low quality will read wrong.

 

back again on my quest to find the most important but also best looking gauges for the R56, anything new out?

 

Have you seen the Marshall Instruments - MINI Cooper line?
* http://www.marshallinstruments.com/c...per_gauges.cfm

- Erik

 

hmm where have those been all this time? they look good!!!
but i dont see an "engine oil level" gauge, anything around for that?

 

Marshall Gauges water and oil pressure.

 

wow they look neat, but since you have the JCW how come you didnt get the JCWgauges that mini has?
and is it possible to mount three gauges?

 

Exactly what OEM gauges are you referring to?
The non-matching Coolant Temp, Lateral-G, and Torque reserve gauges?
* http://www.motoringfile.com/2009/03/...retro-fit-kit/

If you use CravenSpeed's gauge pod attachments, you can have up to four around the tachometer.

- Erik

 

These look much better and I was able to pick what I wanted.

They have either white or amber lighting.

The lighting on the gauges match perfectly.

 

Pick what you wanted in what way?

 

Well i dont know what gauges mini has but the black/dark ones that are for the JCW. They dont look so good btw.
Regarding the CravenSpeed's gauge pod do you have any pics with it and mostly any pics with all four gauges on?

 

I was looking at the Glow shift Gauges, any opinions on them I saw their advertisement her on NAM and they are a great price but I'm not sure about quality. I was thinking about getting one of the with the Alta pod?

 

http://www.cravenspeed.com/mini-complete-gauge-kit/Got the black face gauges

Got the black face gauges here:

http://www.customminishop.com/misc.htm

 

Where did you get those Marshall gauges from in black face? I've found them on outmotoring's site, but only in white, and where'd you get the black face for the tach? Lookin good man!!

 

Look one post above you.

 

I went to the custom mini shop site and misc items bought up nothing. Almost as if the site wasn't finished. I clicked on various menus and only like two worked. Thanks though.

 

Call him, he can get the gauges.

Steve Tech
Custom Mini Shop
559.320.000

 

Is anyone running 4 gauges? 2 gauges look good but I was thinking 4 gauges might look a little crowded. Anyone have pics?