I want to add a bank of gauges (Volts, Oil Pressure, Coolant Temperature) to my 2009 Mini S, R56/N14 while the engine is out and in pieces getting a partial rebuild. Any ideas?
Jeff

 

Marshall gauges have ones that look like factory. I’ve read good and bad things on it. I have the AEM boost gauge and like it, I would like to add their temp and pressure gauges at some point. Can’t go wrong with Autometer in my opinion

 

I believe Autometer makes great gauges. I run an ES series mechanical boost gauge, and the reddish orange backlight matches the OEM orange pretty good, too.

However, the biggest issue I have with aftermarket gauges is where to mount them, and the Autometer gauges have a relatively deep mounting depth. Prosport gauges are slightly thinner, but I’m not sold on their quality….

Since you are looking at 3 different gauges, have you considered adding a Scangauge? It plugs into the OBD port and displays almost anything you’d want to see.
https://www.scangauge.com

 

Scanguage sounds like the way to go. Thanks!

 

I added oil pressure, water temp, and vac/boost. Marshall. Here's what I found. Wiring is back-breaking. Oil pressure worked well, water temp and vac/boost were a pain in the ***:
1) Water temp needed to be sensored in the heater inlet hose to work. If sensored in the radiator hose it would only read temp if the water was too hot. Otherwise no temp at all.
2) Vac/boost. Vacuum works but boost is inaccurate. 10 lbs max on the gauge and much higher reading on the scan gauge. Can't figure this out and Marshall won't return my calls. The wiring was a bit confusing and difficult to hide.
Tip - bring all wiring through the port on the dirvers side. Remove front seats to work under the dash.
That's all I can contribute


Gauges installed.

 

They look good! Yeah, I really want to get this done while the engine is out. Thanks for the response, good luck with this. I'll let you know what I come up with.

 

Here's my gauges. Two on the sides are ProSport, boost and coolant temp. On top is a HFS4 WMI gauge --- not an option if using WMI. Wiring and mounting is probably the hardest part, regardless of mfgr. I've had these ProSport gauges in use since about 2011. Only problem was when the coolant temp sensor wore out, causing faulty readings. It's mounted in the radiator inlet hose and monitors temp from cold startup. Both gauges have been verified as accurate by comparing to data logs and real-time monitoring at ODB connector. Choice of sensor mounting is critical for proper gauge operation, choose wisely.

Pic shows electronics on, engine off, and my elevation at 4400'

 

these gauges look good what pods were used for mounting and can other gauges from other brands fit in it in there and still Mount the same way?

 

I believe the pods and mounting brackets in that picture are from CravenSpeed.

 

I am not sure about the mounting bracket but the pods look like Alta brand.