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P3cars Mini Cooper R56 Review
9 Attachment(s)
Since I first purchased my 2013 Mini Cooper S R56, I have been wanting a boost gauge. I wanted an integrated setup that didn't look like a pod sitting on my dash at the time. My boyfriend has the P3cars Vent Integrated Gauge for his 335i and I've always liked the design of the product. When I heard that P3cars was coming out with a version for the Mini Cooper, I was immediately interested. The P3Cars Mini Cooper Integrated Digital Interface was the perfect solution. It is sleek, has an OEM+ design, ingenious position, and is very stealthy! It uses CAN data and displays it for the user. Things like EGT, RPMS, shift light, throttle, ignition advance, and most importantly OIL TEMP can all be displayed! This review will focus on:
Experience with P3 / Shipping Tim at P3 was a pleasure to deal with. Just by talking to him, you know that he is a fellow enthusiast! P3 has offered friendly customer service with up-front info throughout the process. My order was shipped the day after my order was confirmed and the tracking number was emailed to me. The product was packaged nicely and everything was received as ordered. Attachment 150825 http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ps06c60b26.jpg Package Contents: Each item was packaged separately and neatly. Attachment 150826 P3cars gauge(display), control box(the "brain"), and low profile OBDII plug(connection). Attachment 150827 I purchased the additional Analog Boost Sensor which is shown on the top left with the Boost tubing and the "T" splitter on the bottom right. These two are not required, but I purchased it anyway in case I decide to upgrade more parts such as the turbos or other performance upgrades in the future. Attachment 150828 Up-close shot of the P3 logo on top of the display. Attachment 150829 Installation / DIY The installation video from P3cars was the only instructions I used to guide my install, it is an excellent demonstration. Keep in mind that only basic tools are required and everything is plug and play. I used a flat head screw driver to assist with removing the trim behind the steering wheel. I wrapped a few layers of painters tape (not too thick) to cover the tip of the screw driver to prevent it from scratching the trim. Be patient with the trim piece, it was easy for me because I had previously removed it when I replaced my trip to chrome-line. Take your time and be careful not to break it. Like in the video, push the piece up with one hand, slide the Flathead in, and pop it out. The hardest part of the install was getting the OBDII connection from the side of dash down to the foot-well.. and being a girl with small hands, I'm not sure how a guy would do it. :lol: Lastly, the video states to remove the weatherstripping along the door. For me, I did not find this necessary and it actually got in the way of the process. You will see once you watch the video. Results / Finished Photos / Videos Before (Apologies, all photos/videos were taken on my iPhone 5s) Attachment 150830 Attachment 150831 Here are pictures of it installed :thumbsup::eek: Attachment 150832 Illuminates orange, just like all the OEM Mini display lights. Attachment 150833 Here are a few videos: :popcorn: Scrolling through display options Boost demo Now that I have had the P3cars gauge on my Mini Cooper S R56 for about 1 week, I am very happy with the product! The design is simple yet sleek, it doesn't take away from the original Mini interior, and it has multiple useful functions. I never understood why Mini chose not to include gauges for oil temp, boost, etc. so I am very happy to have the option now. I also have the BMS JB+ Cooper S N18 installed on my Mini at the default setting and am now able to see the boost increase that I am getting. So far, the highest recorded boost was 15.1psi on 91 Octane. :thumbsup: For those of you that may be interested to what I have done to my 2013 Mini Cooper S so far, here is a link to a blog post about my car. Feel free to ask any questions! |
Sweat boost gauge and you don't void your warranty since you're not splitting wires to make a connection, I like the fact that it matches the color of the orange LED lights instruments. :thumbsup:
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I have been drooling over these for awhile now, really want to get one for my R55
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Its a pretty cool all in one gauge, very easy to install as it fits on the dash trim. I like the rev bars and the number counter that work together in the screen. Also in the orange-ish color to match
Nice write up . :thumbsup: |
Originally Posted by Systemlord
(Post 3928040)
Sweat boost gauge and you don't void your warranty since you're not splitting wires to make a connection, I like the fact that it matches the color of the orange LED lights instruments. :thumbsup:
Originally Posted by ice.berg
(Post 3928170)
I have been drooling over these for awhile now, really want to get one for my R55
Originally Posted by ECSTuning
(Post 3928398)
Its a pretty cool all in one gauge, very easy to install as it fits on the dash trim. I like the rev bars and the number counter that work together in the screen. Also in the orange-ish color to match
Nice write up . :thumbsup: |
I installed my yesterday. I'm not sure if it's in the video but the plastic knee trim below the steering wheel removes with three screws (remove the screws and pull) and this makes routing the wires much easier. There is actually a little cubby hole to put the controller box in.
I do wish that they included more parameters (PIDs) to monitor such as AFR, maybe with a software/firmware update. Overall I'm very happy. https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s...o/IMG_4487.jpg |
Thank you so much for this write-up! I've been looking at installing something similar and the P3Cars device is at the top of my list.
Question - does it have a feature that allows it to cycle through the parameters every few seconds without you having to manually push a button? Do you find it annoying to have to manually cycle through everything? Thanks again! |
Originally Posted by cerenkov
(Post 3929139)
I installed my yesterday. I'm not sure if it's in the video but the plastic knee trim below the steering wheel removes with three screws (remove the screws and pull) and this makes routing the wires much easier. There is actually a little cubby hole to put the controller box in.
I do wish that they included more parameters (PIDs) to monitor such as AFR, maybe with a software/firmware update. Overall I'm very happy.
Originally Posted by Bananer
(Post 3931506)
Thank you so much for this write-up! I've been looking at installing something similar and the P3Cars device is at the top of my list.
Question - does it have a feature that allows it to cycle through the parameters every few seconds without you having to manually push a button? Do you find it annoying to have to manually cycle through everything? Thanks again! |
Thank you! I must sound so lazy (i.e., "omg, pushing a button takes too much energy!") but what you said makes complete sense.
I am so going to order this. Thanks again! :) |
Have you used the 0-60 function? Are you using the analog boost option? Thanks.
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I have not used the 0-60 timer (I have used the 0-60 timer on DashCommand and consistently got 6.5 seconds which I thought to be somewhat optimistic) I'll see if I can test it tomorrow night.
I'm not using any of the auxiliary gauge options. |
I am parting out my car and this item will be for sale shortly. Please PM me if interested thanks!
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