I was checking the dash instruments of the R56 and besides the gas gauge I could not detect any other gauges besides the gas. This was done in the dealer showroom so the car was not started. I would at least expect water temp. gauge.

 

You might expect it but unfortunately you won't find it. You might try some of the options highlighted in this thread:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ad.php?t=95749

You can get the gauge pod and go that route or get one of the OBDII scan devices too. Both options are highlighted in that thread.

 

I believe that Craven Speed's gauge pod doesnt fit the R56 yet but they are working on one. Hopefully Kellen will see this and let us know how its coming.

 

Or you can still by an 06 off the lot which has a water temp guage.

 

D'oh. Forgot to check on that, thanks for the catch.

 

The water temp gauge on the R53 was more of an idiot gauge -- once the operating temp was reached, it was software controlled to point to the dead center of the range no matter what the actual temp was, as long as the temp stayed within an acceptable range.

It wasn't a true water temp gauge...

 

I can't vouch for the behaviour of the standard water temp gauge on the R53, since both of our cars have the Chrono pack, and the temp gauges (both water and oil) on the Chrono pack behave like normal temp gauges.

But, all of the claims that the standard water temp gauge is software-controlled to point to dead center at normal operating temps seem to trace back to a statement from Ian Cull to that effect - I haven't seen any independent verification from anyone else.

I *have* heard from several R53 owners that have said that their temp gauges do *not* stay at dead-center, though. After the engine's warmed up, they have reported different "normal" temperatures depending on whether they're in-town or on the freeway, hot day or cold day, A/C on versus A/C off, etecetera.

I still prefer gauges, but at least the R56 idiot light is a two-colour light, so it gives you a little warning before the engine actually overheats. The owner's manual doesn't say at what temperatures the light goes from off to yellow, or from yellow to red - only that yellow means "engine too hot" and red means "engine overheating". Better than nothing, I suppose.

 

That's interesting -- I've owned two MCSs and both behaved as I described earlier. Nothing short of turning the engine off would budge the needle once the operating temp was reached.

I've owned many other cars which had true water (and oil) temp gauges and those gauges behaved as one would expect under varying loads -- nothing like my MCSs'!