is there an aftermarket guage cluster that can replace it?

Thanks,

Ken

 

That's MINI at it's finest!

 

I didn't like the Mickey Mouse cartoon speedometer, either. So I went for the Star Trek NAV.

A ScanGaugeII will give you a digital readout of the speed, but a bit small. The info is available at the OBDII port. So, there should be other gauges that will give you that data. What would you do to hide the MINI speedo?

 

If you don't like it then don't buy it and if you have you should have though about that before you purchased.

But IMHO I like it.

 

NAV is it... you could custom make a spot for a bunch of Autometer gauges but then you sill have a huge round thing around them

 

That's part of the MINI's retro quirk. People around here tend to like the first gen speedo better, but I've never heard anyone say that they hate it so much that the Nav couldn't fix their complaints with it.

If you're just considering a MINI and really hate the speedo that much maybe... this isn't the car for you. The MINI is all about retro styling and for people who don't like that... IMO, they really need to skip this car and move on to something else because you'll never be happy.

 

There is large (R50,53) and then there is LARGE (R56). Yes, it is retro but MINI went way overboard with the current design, IMHO.

 

I'm not saying I disagree... I just think that's one of those dealbreaker things with this car.

If you seriously hate that speedo... you're never going to be happy with the car because it's in your face every day when you drive it. That's all I'm trying to point out.

Most ppl that hate the center speedo say the nav really improves it. Personally, I don't mind it. I like the first gen speedo better, but the second gen one doesn't make my skin crawl.

 

didnt you take a test drive

 

I test drove a Mini S and at first I said to myself. " Do I really like that big giant speedometer?""
I did not dislike it enough not to buy my JCW. Now that I got used to it I think I really like it. It adds a lot of class to the interior of the car and it is retro.
It is part of what makes a Mini A Mini.
Schatzy62 said it all.
Ronnie948

 

I am expecting delivery of my justa probably next week. I agree the speedo is way overboard but there are too many pluses for the MINI to let the jumbo speedo kill the deal. I do hope that in the future someone makes a new radio/speedo thing that can replace it.

PS-I don't care for the radio controls either!! But I may get used to them once I start driving around. I do have multi function steering wheel so that may make life easy.

 

MFSW will make your life LOADS easier, and you do get used to the stereo after a while. It's kind of fun to have to tell people where the volume **** is... especially since my rule is "Driver controls the stereo, shot gun shuts his _______."

And if you are a Supernatural fan, you will be able to fill in the blank without my help.

 

Having both a Gen 1 and a Gen 2, I have to say I like the old speedo better. When MINI gets around to a redo, I think they should go back toward the size of Gen 1. The Gen 2 should end at 140mph and spread the numbers out with more hash marks. I really like both cars though. I could go on and on about things I like about one over the other (both ways).

 

Maybe you could remove the glass, put a picture of a loved one in there, trimmed to the proper diameter circular shape first, and then reinstall the glass. If its not printed on too-thick paper, the lighting at night should make the picture really cool.

 

WTF did you buy it for then? Something you missed during the test drive?

 

The big speedo is just fine! I can't say I love it, but I have no problem with it and certainly don't hate it. It works well, looks retro, and reminds me I'm driving a mini. The Navi looks nice too, but I like the full speedo needle on the non-Nav better compared to the smaller Navi system needle. I didn't want to pay 2 grand just to look better. If it was a great Navigation system, maybe then, but it seems overpriced and somewhat of an under-preformer. I will probably buy another Garmin (someday). I also like the LED gas gauge, which works just great. I could stand for a better sounding stereo though!

 

To answer your question, no there is not. You can always go the custom route but the fit and finish won't even be close to factory, system integration would be...lets just say "fun," and all the electrical fiddling would most likely void your warranty.

You would spend less money by selling the Mini, taking the hit, and buying something else with a "normal" speedo.

 

haha it is big i wanted to put an avic d3 but it will be too low

 

2009, Might you obstruct it with a houseplant? Perhaps a hanging pothos from the rearview-?

 

The rationale behind the large center speedo is not just retro, but tradition. MINI is all about tradition, and the interior details in today's MINIs are no different. In classic MINIs, the speedo was large and placed center so the "co-pilot" in endurance races and rallies could monitor the speed and distance of the vehicle, thus leaving the pilot to focus only on driving/winning.

 

A confession.......I have spent more time extensively modding the equipment located between my ears than on changing anything the car. Seems a brazen thing to say, but I think my expectations, my perspective on a lot of the controls needed some major tweaking moving from one MINI to the next. Spending time w/ the car, getting used to the controls (turn signals, wipers, audio, OBC and the rest), appreciating the really useful info offered in the larger speedo, really helped me "get" what the designers were after and, in time, I really prefer the refinements. The old speedo looked fine given the first gen car dash setup...the 2nd gen looks right at home in the 2nd gen dash setup. Imagine a first gen speedo in the more stongly-horizontal dash of the 2nd gen car. The fact that the speedo cowling breaks this horizontality is perfection. That the larger speedo actually houses all the great audio and OBC controls (and puts it in a great location) seals the deal in terms of function, imo. Direct comparisons of the two cars is almost an exercise in futility....enjoying each on it's own merits (once one finds them) is more productive I think.

That's not to say that someone like the OP might actually need a place to house a set of gauges....then I can see seeking a different configuration. I'd love to see an option package (probably software only) where lots of info can be toggled back and forth on the speedo OBC display, more than what is there now. It's be like building a Scan Gauge into the speedo readout. You'd have to be able to toggle it easily from the steering wheel though. Ooooo....or voice recognition!!!

 

You can downplay the in-your-face look with a dial overlay.
http://www.lylesvinylstyles.net/R56/gauge_overlay.html

 

how hard is it to install the overlay?

 

There is some discussion of the process in this thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...done-this.html

 

I always thought that the reason for the middle speedo was the car was offered in left & right hand drive versions. That keeps production cost down. Dont need two different dashes.