That's what I'm talking about...no gas gauge on my bike...it's an 04 also, LOL

 

I wonder if all the tradionalists changed to 10" wheels?:smile:

 

The chrono pack is all right. I personally like additional gauges but for an extra $250 I am not so sure it is really worth it to me, so I passed up on it. I really like the big center speedo. I can still get the speed readout in the Tachmoter OBC screen right in front of me.


To bad you can't get the other set of MINI gauges (Down in the center console) as a factory install. I like those better and you don't have to move the speedo from its intended location.

I personally find the steering wheel mounted speedo much harder to read and see than the centrally mounted one. (I have driven 2 MINIs equipped with NAV).

 

That sums it up for me. Same here with just about every spec for the car. By the time it comes to ordering I will have 12 different MINIs stored in the configurator--especially after the nearly daily visits to NAM.

At present I am keen on the Chrono Pack (what makes it a chrono?) because it puts the speedo closer to my usual line of sight (having not driven a MINI I can only assume that is what would happen).

Its design was off-putting at first, but it reminds me of the well-crafted Lange 1 watch with everything off-center in a traditional round case. I admit the MINI speedo is gorgeous and its size is perfect for exhibiting the clever details, but I worry about speeding tickets.

From hereon I too will think of Mickey Mouse when looking at the Chrono although could it also be his gal pal Mini?

 

Never considered the Chrono pack. The center speedo reminds me of my '67 Austin mini. Great look. But, I miss the shelf that ran across the entire dash. Very useful for storing lotsa stuff.

 

If there's one thing I ordered that I have second thoughts about, it's the Chrono Pack. I think I would probably still order it if I had it to do over again, but I'm not sure. Yes, the speedo is right in front of you (the main reason I ordered it), but it's difficult to read (tiny!) even so. Yes, you get some more info (oil temp and pressure) but how important are those gauges, really? (I have taken Tillie to the track, and may do so again, so it's kinda nice having them.) As far as the appearance goes, chacun a son gout! (I sort of like the way the Chrono pack looks.) And there's the whole "tradition" arguement, which does carry some weight with me, even though I did ultimately order the Chrono Pack...

If I hadn't ordered the Chrono Pack, I could have ordered an aftermarket gauge mount, with a boost gauge and a oil pressure gauge to straddle the tach. In the end, that probably would have cost me more than the Chrono Pack, even if I installed it myself.

What I really would have liked was the Chrono Pack, but with boost where the oil temperature gauge is located. Now that would have been very cool! I think this is one of the few places I can think of where it seems to me like MINI missed out. They should have offered a boost gauge!

And FWIW, the one thing I didn't order which I wish I had was the heated seats. Not for me, but my wife would have liked them a lot. Oh, and an auto-dimming mirror! Jeez, the headlights on those SUVs are high!

 

When i first heard of the Chrono pack i was set on getting it on my 05 MCS. But once i found out it didn't have more instruments and especially no boost gauge i passed.

I've also lately seen how it would be against the history of the MINI to move the speedo...

 

I got it because of the oil temp. Boost shmoost.

 

I've owned a lot of cars with oil press. gauges (Jaguar sedan, two Triumphs, MGA, big Healey), but as far as I can recall, my MINI with Chrono is the first one to have an oil TEMP gauge. I'm wondering how important is it, really? I mean, if your oil is heating up, isn't the water likely to be getting really hot, too? I mean, sure, I can see the argument for having gauges for everything, but aside from that, I wonder how often an oil temp gauge is going to tell you something critical that you aren't also going to get from the water temp or oil press. gauges.

Tillie and I went to Laguna Seca on Monday, and despite some "pretty hard" driving (I'm a rank novice, so I was getting passed fairly often), the oil temp never seemed to get any warmer than it does on the street.

AND WHY DO THEY CALL IT A "CHRONO" PACK, WHEN THE CLOCK IS OVER IN THE SPEEDOMETER???

 

I don't dislike the chrono, but I LOVE the speedo in the center...

 

Well the oil temperature takes much longer to heat up then we think. In most cars, the engine temp is not a direct correlation of the oil temp. So, when I let the car warm up for 1 - 3 mins before departing, I can watch the oil temp rise, knowing when the engine is "truely" warm and ready to be used/abused. In most cars the engine temp guage is going to register a normal operating temperature much sooner then when the oil is actually at optimal operating temperature. So I appreciate it for that benefit, not the benefit of overheating per se.

 

The water heats up faster than the oil, so oil temp is a better indicator of when the engine is truely warmed up.

I was unsure of the Chrono at first, but I do like it now. Though I'm not sure why they gave the gas gauge so much real estate. Much better to put a boost gauge in that spot, and squeeze in the gas gauge somewhere.

I just picked up an '04 w/Nav and the factory auxillary gauges. Someone above mentioned a voltage gauge was needed - I'd much rather have a water temp gauge! (and will probably swap out for one.)

 

I would have liked a voltage gauge. There is certainly plenty of room for one in the pack. As to the oil temp - I never had one before and was very surprised how long it took to get the oil temp up. On an 8 below morning it was probably 4 miles before it even began to move!

 

I like the look of the center Speedometer. Even if it is easier to read from the backseat
It is a classic look for the MINI (useless or not) and I would not want to see it changed. If you want to know your oil temp then get the chrono pack. Sounds as if there are some pretty strong ideas on how it should be so do what you want. there is only one right way... your way
(you had just better agree to me)

 

No one has yet mentioned the main reason I'm ordering the chrono pack:

It moves the speedo away from the prying eyes of the co-pilot(s)!

To paraphrase the HHGTTG entry for the ravenous bugblatter beast of Traal: "...if you can't see it, it can't hurt you..."

...Or something along those lines...

_Dave_

 

No.

 

I ordered an MC with the chrono because I like having gauges. I'm used to having ammeter, water temp, oil pressure.
It never occurred to me there wouldn't be an ammeter included with a gauge pack. Everything runs off the battery and there's no electricity meter?
The computer might be fun, I guess, but will probably get old before long.
I think it's good to have an analog speedo where I can see it without looking away from the road.
When the price increase came through the Chrono was the first thing I was ready to ditch.
Maybe I ought to get rid of it and get me an engine heater, instead, since it doesn't come as part of the cold weather package. (??)

 

I think oil temp and pressure gauges are a must but not in that spot. It's part of the MINI's heritage and character to have the speedometer in the center so no chrono pack for me.....but I can't wait to add some oil temp and pressure gauges.

my 0.02