If no, do you like it better than regular speedometers?

 

In the begining I thought it was strange and an awkward placement..but know I really quite like it.
Its large and easy to read.

 

I like it, the numbers are larger then usual so its easy to see. I actually like having the tach on the steering wheel then the speedo...

 

So it's just a matter of getting used to it? That's great.

 

I think it looks good too, just because it is different. Being somewhat race minded, I don't usually pay attention to the speedo more than the tach anyway. Of course it is nice to have a digital speed read out on the tach, just in case ....

 

It didn't take long to get used to. The '04s w/OBC are supposed to have a digital speed readout in the tach. The graduations in the speedo are pretty large and its a little difficult to guage 5mph increments so the digital readout would be nice. Lastly you'll learn the rpm/mph relationships for the upper gears and watch the tach as often as the speedo.

Don't worry about it. The car is too much fun.

 

>>If no, do you like it better than regular speedometers?





but I did turn down the Nav because I want the traditional center speedo - so I will have as many of the signature features of the MINI racers as I can.

 

Yes, it really is a cool design feature.

 

Just FYI, you do not need to get the OBC to get the digital speed read out in the tach. That comes standard with the '04 models, which is what I have.

 

I like the speedometer right where it is. At first when I got my MCS I did look at the speedometer alot, but now I watch the tach because after a while, you pretty much learn how fast you are going by knowing what the tach is reading in certain gears.

 

I love the central speedo! It's one of the best parts about the MINI interior and even the MINI in general. It really only takes a few days to get used to. Now I even find myself glancing over there when i drive a "normal" car!

i actually find the MINI speedo much easier and QUICKER to read than normal car's speedos. That's b/c since it's large and set further away from you since it's in the center of the dash, your eyes don't have to refocus like they would for a speedo behind the wheel. I find my eyes refocus a bit for the tach - almost like I was reading versus looking far. Yet to glance at the big MINI central speedo, my eyes are still quite relaxed as though I was looing at something a moderate distance away. It's not only cool but quite easy on the eyes. And once you get used to it, I think it's actually faster (b/c of the whole eye focus thing) to glance at than a normal speedometer.

 

Sorry to go against the grain, but it is one of the main reasons I went with the Navigation.

 

I think it's actually hard to see, believe it or not because it's not right in front of you. It took some getting used to, but to be honest with you I just use the Tach to know how fast I'm going:

5th gear @ 3000 rpms=about 60 mph

6th gear @ 3000 rpms=about 70 mph

 

I love the center speedometer. Looking at any gauge only takes on eye-movement vector, so wherever it is, you can see it.

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I like it and it was easy to get used to.......but, I'd like to have speed programmed into the tach OBC readout on my 03 if that's possible.

 

From a design persepective the centrally mounted speedo is great and looks fabulous, not to mention it helps bridge the gap between the original Mini's and the new Mini's. However, if you are driving hard, racing on the track or worse, racing someone down the highway, having to look over at the speedo when you are doing 120+ is very downright dangerous. The central location for racing is not a good thing

 

NAV system baby!!!

Though mine is hard to see through the wheel sometimes.

 

LOVE the central speedo. One of the MINI's many charms.

 

Definately one of the reasons I didn't get the navigation as well, I love the big speedo in the middle, only bad thing is backseat driver's probably won't shutup if you're carrying a brisk pace. I'm used to the tach in the middle behind the wheel from driving my 911 and as mentioned earlier you really never look at the speedo much after getting used to figuring it out in your head from revs/gear your in and to double check once you see a cop to make sure you're not leaving him behind

 

I love it

 

It's great for showing your passengers how fast you can take a hairpin turn.

 

GThe only problem I have with the speedo is that my wife can see exactly how fast I'm taking the corners. She nags me to slow down.

 

I love the speedo in the center because I don’t use it You could take the speedo out as far as I care except for the whole it would leave.

 

I too like the position and size of the speedo. If Mini PR is to be believed, it is not only homage to original design but functional because horizontal eye movement is less distracting from the road than looking down. As far as the tach., my only disappointment is that I have anthracite interior and the tach is silver. Wish they'd "gone all the way" with anthracite so it matched too. That's a small thing though.

 

Only downside of the central speedo is that whoever is in passenger compartment can see your speed. Not fun when the wife catches you going 85 in a 55, or the kids see that you're doing 30 in a school zone. (Not that I would ever do any of those illegal acts, mind you). If this is a big negative for you, get the Navegation system and have a couple o' ***** mounted atop your steering column: one tach, one speedo. Then turn your nav. into an ICE with a DVD player, and let the others watch TIJ while you rock through the twisties. YEA!

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BLUBELLE - 2003 MCS IB /W Premium, Sport, Cold pkgs, Lapis blue interior, Magnecor wires, Alta Pulley, Moss Skid Plate, Chrome Trim Interior