Modern cars do this all the time now....but it is a signature Mini thing from way back, possibly in part for the reason you mentioned. I seem to recall it also had something to do with how Minis moved down the produciton line, but I could be wrong on that.

 

hmm if you were going to take the bezel apart to lay that gauge you should have put your radar detector wire behind it!

 

Yea.....it's called a Mazda.

 

The only trouble I have with the center speedo is being able to quickly read my speed. I like the looks of it in the R56 and its definately a unique touch, but its not the easiest to read.

I've just set the screen above the steering wheel to display the digital speed readout. Problem solved, motor on!

 

Going from an GEN1 to a GEN2 I was a little puzzled by their decision to change to the larger speedometer and blah center console in general. A bit more Fisher Price IMHO. The over sized center speedometer is totally traditional and groovy! I wouldn't change it if I could and I couldn't imagine a mini without one... blech

It would be cool to add a new low profile faceplate to the speedo but it looks like it's a lot of work...

 

This large speedo doesnt faze me.Heck,I don't even use it.I just use the digital readout on the OBC

 

NO, tell me it ain't so!!! YOU say something brazen????

Nooooo waaaaaaaaaaaay


Back to the OP. I LOVE the big speedo. It's obnoxious and definitely a large part of what makes a mini, a mini.

A few weeks ago, I got pulled over doing triple digits. The state trooper leaned into my car, looked at the speedo and said "DAMN, as large as that thing is, you didn't know how fast you were going????"

It's coooool.


Mark

 

....what speedometer, I don't see... wait a minute, there it is!

Hey, that is big!

I guess I just didn't notice it before.

 

Seriously? If someone dislikes one part of the car by your logic they should pass on buying it? I enjoy our MCS but agree the speedo is far too big, the r53 version would have done just fine. If there were some options out there for replacing it with a different cluster I think there would be quite a bit of interest. You know, from those of us who missed it during the test drive.

 

I was so excited on my first mini test drive, I probably did miss the size of the speedo.

Mark

 

umm so you haven't elaborated yet.....ticket or no ticket?

 

ticket.....


BUT, he reduced it to 69 in a 60...

 

69 in a 60 after he caught you doing triple digits??? Wow he must have really like your speedo...and by speedo I mean speedometer

 

You sure got lucky on that one. Over a hundred in some states would cost you your license.
Ronnie948

 

That story is so awesome, you get one of these:

 

To me, the center speedo is just decoration. I use the digital one in the tachometer.

As decoration, I think it's fine. I don't love it and wouldn't mind it a tad smaller, but it does add to the "MINI-ness" of the car.

Can you imagine the MINI with this center console:



It's nice, but... yawn, much?

 

That's a nice interior!

But not for a Mini.

I don't care for the HUGE speedo either. I thought it wasy big in my R53.

 

i think the big speedo is a signature asset of the mini and should be loved, not hated. i never knew how big it was until i test drove my car, and i liked it. it needs to be big because its centered (for those of us with bad eye sight) it makes it easy to glance at how fast you're going without having to take your eyes off the road for too long. besides, i just like it. i think its a cherry on top of the already uniqueness of the mini. when all my friends/random strangers say "wow is that your spedometer?? its BIG!" i just chuckle and say "yeah".

 

I agree, as a speedo its not that much use, I don't object to it though. I used the digital speed in the tach until I got a scan gauge and that tells me real speed (not the over optimistic version the speedo tells you).

 

I like brownMINI's comment after he bought his R56:

 

get a fiat. lol.
i was just reading the fiat thread.
it does look like a mini with normal speedo

 

Y purchase the car or even think abt purchasing it if you hate the main attraction of the interior!

Thats like saying i hate red minis but i bought one anyway!

 

go sell your car

 

There is an aftermarket for a reason. I've seen MK 1 vehicles with the central speedo replaced with other indicators. I asked a simple question to narrow my choice before purchase. What a bunch of unfriendly $(XOD+@ jerks. I'm buying a TTS to avoid this group of "enthusiasts." It's just a car people. An overpriced car with a cheap plastic interior that has a terribly service record, but that has appeal in other ways in the JCW version.

Ken

 

But if it ends at 140 you'll never know how fast you're going when you top it out.

I rarely ever look at the speedo to determine my speed. The OBC in the tach is just better placed. That said there is no way I'd want the tach bigger to accommodate a traditional speedo in addtion. At least we have an OBC that is right in front of the driver that even allows you to see the speed, most cars that have a central speedo are stuck with the speedo only.

Things look "right" the way they are. I agree with gokartride, sometimes you just have to change your perceptions.