I have decided "no more suction cup mounts". My planned solution is to destroy the dash panel behind the tach by permanently attaching a mount through/on/in it. Since I have an R57 the mount would be behind the Openmeter. In fact, my plan is for the Openmeter to hide almost the entire mount. At last a use for that embarrassing toy.

It appears sturdy enough to hold the mount and GPS with little if any vibration. I've collected a big box of various mounts over the years and I know I can piece together something to hold the GPS a little above and to the left of the Openmeter where it will block nothing. I am left handed so maybe that's why I like that position.

I have not yet tried to remove the panel but I have read somewhere here that it is just a matter of grab and pull hard.

I assume someone out there has removed it to install a Carbon Fiber or Black Jack dash, so can you tell me, Is it as strong as it looks? Is there any room at all behind it? What's the back look like? Thought I would ask before I rip the dash apart in case there is some reason I shouldn't even try this.

I have posted in 2nd Gen Parts Wanted a request to buy one to play around with from someone that did upgrade their dash but so far no responses. Guess I will attack mine and buy a new one when it is time to sell the car.

 

It should be plenty strong enough. It will pop off with a pull from both ends but you'll need to lower your steering column as far as it will go and once you pop it loose you'll need to flip it around backwards to get it out from behind the tach.

 

Why not just go with a Craven Speed Flex Pod Mount. They attach to the rear of the Tachometer and this way when you do go to sell/upgrade the car and take the mount out there are no holes or damages to the dash panels.

I agree these are not cheap but then there is no worry about having to by a new dash panel when the time come to make a move to another MINI. And in the long run the dash part will cost you more when you go to sell the car.

Here are some links to some of the different options they have:

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=209

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=211

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=115

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=207

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=212

http://www.cravenspeed.com/index.php?productID=221

 

The brackets definitely look like a good answer - except I don't think they will work for me.

1. Attaching to the tach may not work as the despicable (IMHO) Openmeter is in the way. The pictures of exactly how the brackets attach and work are not very easy to understand. It looks like they could go to either right or left of tach, but I am not sure. Besides I definitely want it on the left.
2. I use a TomTom 910 that takes a powered mount, not a ball so the TomTom kit won't work with my TomTom. Add in a few hundred for a comparable current model TomTom and it doesn't look very attractive.

Dealer has offered to sell me a panel for $96 (regular $132) so I might just buy one.

 

Good Price.

I would go with that.

BTW the mounts shown on their site are reversible or a double one does both sides and work very well. They also have a very good customer service dept that will answer any questions you may have on how the Openometer would affect their mount an what the best way to mount your Tom Tom mount to theirs.