Category: Interior
Price: $1
Private or Vendor Listing: Private Listing
Part fits (you may select multiples): R50, R52, R53
Location (Region): NorthEast
Item Condition: Used

Gents,

I'm looking to buy a gauge pod (52mm) for my boost gauge. I refuse to pay the hilarious $100 that Cravenspeed charges for a single pod. Let me know if you have anything.

PS: Alta and Autometer pods need not apply (unless the Autometer pod / mount has already been modified to fit properly). I don't feel like tinkering.

 

why not buy a generic one on amazon for $20? I mounted it to the back of my tach and it looks great. Bought a screw from Ace hardware for $0.12 and a spacer for around the same..

 

Yup, the Autometer gauge mounting cups on Amazon are the cheaper route to go and still look good. I picked up a pair of Amazon warehouse ones for around $30 I think. I agree, $100 for the Cravenspeed mount seems excessive. The $60 oil pressure adapter is outrageous too.

No modification necessary except a longer bolt to screw it in on the back of the tach....

 

I do appreciate the response, gents.

However, I already used the Autometer set-up, and for whatever reason, the 52mm set-up needed modifying to even come close to fitting properly (in my mind). I had to grind two corners of the mounting base, so that it could swivel fully perpendicular to the gauge cup. Additionally, the gauge cup is barely grasped by the clamping ring when mounted, due to the depth of the pod and dash-to-steering column interference. In other words: Been there, done that; didn't like it. I've heard of folks using the "extended bracket", but I really don't feel like making this a project. A quality and affordable aftermarket solution should exist.

I don't understand why somebody hasn't made a decent and affordable gauge pod for these cars yet:

-The Alta is chintzy junk, and so shallow that it can only accommodate shallow bodied electrical gauges (mechanical gauges are too deep).

-The Cravenspeed is grossly overpriced (I can buy a device that communicates with outer-space for $100....), and frankly, doesn't even look that good.

-The ATI swivel pod is awful looking and requires two gauges.

That leaves making a vent pod (which I'm about to try, with hesitance). Going the Autometer route, which barely fits properly, or hunting down a factory piece (albeit, dual) which is the best looking piece out there:


Someone with molding / glassing skills should make a single-sided version of the OEM pod.

 

Fair enough. Certainly interested to see what you come up with...

 

Thanks again for the input.

The sick part is, I'm an Engineering Technician by trade and have fabrication tools at my disposal, but just don't feel like spending a couple of hours making something that should, in my mind, already exist...

EDIT: Someone is making these: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2008-Mini-Cooper-Custom-Gauge-Pod-52mm-Dual-Pod-Steering-Column-Trim-OEM-/251528785239?not
These mount atop the factory steering column cover, and put a gauge in front of the factory Tach. While I'm not thrilled about this design, it shows that someone could easily make a single pod mount, integrated into the factory column cover, to the left of the Tach. I sent him a message.


The other one I'm going to try is this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/52mm-Universal-Single-Black-Metal-Gauge-Pod-GS-U01B-/350605932079?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51a1bdf62f&vxp=mtr
It looks like it'll fit quite well in respect to clearing the dash (due to the mounting bracket being at the far rear of the pod), and if I can bend the bracket straight for mounting behind the Tach without fatiguing the metal too much, I think it'll work quite well.

 

I have a 52 mm craven I'm selling? Pm me if your interested!

 

Bumping this up. Someone has to have one lying around.