M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
DISCUSSION => Interior => Topic started by: Cobra Jet on March 08, 2008, 12:04:05 PM
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Have any of you installed any aftermarket VDO gauges? If so, did you use an aftermarket gauge panel or create one yourself? Where did you chose to install it?
Are you using any mechanical gauges or all electric?
How did you go about routing any of the wiring or if mechanical Stainless Steel braided lines?
I've seen some aftermarket panels available for the E30's, but am not too overly thrilled with the design or placement (it seems they usually get installed "behind" the shifter under the HVAC control head).
Post 'em up fellas!
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Say what you will about the ricer look, I honestly prefer my gauges where I can see them without taking my eyes off the road, and since I use my AC occasionally:
(http://lh6.google.com/2006TopBanana/R9LshIXDoVI/AAAAAAAADL8/HkLbc5qAL4I/s800/A-Pillar%20Pod%20in%20car.jpg)
This is the Lotek gauge pod for the M3, picked it up several years ago. Only fitment issue is at the very top, it doesn't quite match the contour of the original:
(http://lh3.google.com/2006TopBanana/R9LsnYXDoWI/AAAAAAAADME/VPd2yI_fCRY/s800/A-Pillar%20Pod%20Trim%20fitment.jpg)
It's close enough that it's not all that noticable unless you are looking for it.
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Wow that looks good!
I have an ashtray pod that will accept three gauges, but now that I look at the pillar pod, I'm really digging it.
How much did it cost ya?
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I think it was around $40, but again, that was several years ago, and now I can't seem to find one on the 'Net.... I picked mine up on Fleabay.
EDIT: A-ha! http://www.gaugepods.com, although the webpage does not seem to be responding.
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Yeah ! I purchased one of the ashtray pods with the volt, oil pressure and oil temp. Man I must have some electrical problems I can't find. I tried wiring it up about a year ago and with no resolve none of my gauges work. All three gauges peg out as soon as I hook up the positive lead. I have changed all the grounds and just recently replaced the Alternator. It was the original Alt after 232K. I have read the instructions thoroughly, that I got from BMP Design and still can't get any of them to work. HELP! Anyhow, at least they look cool where they are at.
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I'm going to be wiring oil temp and pressure pretty soon; I'm considering drilling holes in the rear center console where the flat area is for the gauges or putting them under the lid of the ashtray (although mine is modified for storage and it is a great place for change and the cig lighter when the Ipod is charging). I don't smoke and never will, but I hate having the emty hole in the dash.
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Yeah ! I purchased one of the ashtray pods with the volt, oil pressure and oil temp. Man I must have some electrical problems I can't find. I tried wiring it up about a year ago and with no resolve none of my gauges work. All three gauges peg out as soon as I hook up the positive lead. I have changed all the grounds and just recently replaced the Alternator. It was the original Alt after 232K. I have read the instructions thoroughly, that I got from BMP Design and still can't get any of them to work. HELP! Anyhow, at least they look cool where they are at.
Do you have any links or pics to see this "ash tray pod" style of gauge holder?
As far as the help you need - all of the black wires will be going to a good ground. Find a good ground within the interior of the car, it has to be cleaned of any painted surface and make sure all of the wires are contacted evenly against the metal when screwing them down to secure them. As far as your positive leads - depending on which gauges you are running, you will want to find a good fuse in your fuse block to tap into for each functional gauge (ie: volts, lighting, etc). Again, make sure that each wire is secured properly and is making proper contact.
For instance, for the gauge lights - ground the ground (-) lead. There should also be a lead (+) that will come off the back of the gauge housing. Take this lead and tap it into the proper fuse for your interior lighting. If you have properly tapped into the correct fuse, the gauge lights will only illuminate when you turn on/off your parking lights, will also work when turning on/off all lights and they will also "dim" when using the dimming function.
Now for volts gauge, you need to tap the positive lead (+) into either a fuse or wire harness that will get power once the ignition will be turned on w/ engine running (KOER) and of course you ground the black (-) lead again.
Coolant temp, oil temp, oil pressure, trans temp, etc - all of these other gauges should come w/ specific instructions as for tapping the gauge leads into the proper senders for the engine.
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Hey thanks for the help. I got the voltmeter and the oil temp working but the oil pressure is not. I think the gauge bmp design sent me was bad. I will change it later for somthing else like eng coolant temp. Thank for all your info.
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Here are some pictures of my gauges in the center consol.
I got oil pressure, oil temperature and air/fuel ratio.
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1964/p9020016ya4.jpg)
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6992/p9020020vf4.jpg)
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Here are some pictures of my gauges in the center consol.
I got oil pressure, oil temperature and air/fuel ratio.
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1964/p9020016ya4.jpg)
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6992/p9020020vf4.jpg)
DAmnnnnnn I'm jealous!! Where and how much! If thats the bavauto one thats worth 200 to have it look that flush
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I installed three VDO's on the dashboard. I used BMW factory panel, which was readliy available back in 1989 when i did it! Do not know if this panel is still available.
I just scanned from old Hartge & Schinzer cataloques pictures from where you can see what was available back in 1990.
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/olli951/Hartgepanel.jpg)
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y170/olli951/Scnitzerpanel.jpg)
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Those gauges above the heater vents kinda bothers me but i most defiantly like the other one! I wouldn't know what to do with my change if i had gauges there though
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How much clearanced do you have between the front of the console and the heater equipment? I may install VDO gauges in the same spot with angle dimmer rings pointed at the driver.
DAmnnnnnn I'm jealous!! Where and how much! If thats the bavauto one thats worth 200 to have it look that flush
Here are some pictures of my gauges in the center consol.
I got oil pressure, oil temperature and air/fuel ratio.
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1964/p9020016ya4.jpg)
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6992/p9020020vf4.jpg)
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Here are some pictures of my gauges in the center consol.
I got oil pressure, oil temperature and air/fuel ratio.
(http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/1964/p9020016ya4.jpg)
(http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6992/p9020020vf4.jpg)
What brand or type of gauges are those and where did you purchase them from? Are they all electric gauges or are some of them mechanical?
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ose30, a friend of mine has the gauge housing that mounts on top of the dash over the vents. it actually looks a lot better in real life, although I've never seen that for sale and he isn't interested in selling. ;) He's also got a full ACS kit on the car.
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I bought my car with glowing M guages. I'll post pics up tonight!!
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I like the 3 flush mount gauges above the ashtray. i've got an oil pressure gauge in where the OBC was. I'm going to need a couple more gauges though... for boost and such:)
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http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq358/vatos_ip/06092007027.jpg
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I bought my car with glowing M guages. I'll post pics up tonight!!
Cool - please do post up some pics of your gauges!
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(http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq334/ponchiz318/01223122971843000000167657_0.jpg)
That's the interior shot on my way out the door one night
(http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/qq334/ponchiz318/01223122971797000000167657_0.jpg)
Up close to the glowing ///M gauges.
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those aren't very "m" like...
but whatever floats your boat!
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IMHO those new gauges does not fit so well to these classic vechiles. I prefer old-skool VDO's. I just found from my "junk-box" some nice old Porsche 924 volt/oilpress/klock. I am going to install volt & oil pressure gauges to my "classic". Still need to find old original VDO outside temp gauge, then i have excatley the same setup i hade back in 1989 ;)
Porsche 924 version of these gauges fits nice because they have red needles (have to paint needles of tacho/speedo/water/gas to red as well. Did that also back in 1989)compared to Porsche 944 ones which has black/yellow face with yellow needles.
I have also this kind of set up, but my eldest son is going to install them into his '92 VR6 Golf.
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Well, in my defense, because I noticed I was indirectly called a ricer, lol, that's how I bought the car and I really don't want to get in there and rip them out. I have an e36 by the way. What I don't like about them is that they are too bright for driving. I got used to it, but I wish I could turn it down sometimes. I hate it when civics pull up next to me and begin to rev their engines because they see this glowing dashboard of mine and consider me a fellow ricer. Also, I think whoever installed the gauges did not do it properly. In cold weather, the speedometer jumps 10 Mph at a time. Meaning that when I accelerate it will go from 10 - 20 - 30 etc. It will not be a constant flow. The tach has gotten stuck on a certain RPM a couple of times while driving.
Also, sometimes, the gauges flicker on and off while driving. Or dim themselves down. Rarely turn off but it has happened. The last thing I need is a light show in my face while doing some spirited driving.
The most ricer thing that the car had when I bought it was the 6 lesabre grills it had installed. I removed them the day after I purchased it. It still has Mercedes replicated chrome mirrors and chrome overlay door handles. Followed by chrome wipers. All things I plan on removing and replacing. But the Lesabre grills had to go.
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Sounds like the PO went into Pep Boys and said "give me one of everything". :D The portholes look great on old Buicks, but other than that...
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I agree. Old Buicks. But they were functional. I'll do a thread and maybe a DIY on how to remove Lesabre grills. I did it on Bavspeed.com which is the local Houston BMW enthusiast forum. Anyway, these were the carbon fiber look grills. The outer ring was chrome with a carbon fiber sticker on a piece of plastic. Luckily they were just stuck on with the sticky foam and not bolted down.
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Lund8200 you have yourself a winner in those gauges :D I sure would like to have a set of those in mine!
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I have another gauge in the car, but cant find a picture, I'll post it later
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I've got gauges for ya!!
:)
Purely function.
All electrical.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2731671381_67b3591f80.jpg?v=0)
I'll be adding more in the future.
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I've got gauges for ya!!
:)
Purely function.
All electrical.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2731671381_67b3591f80.jpg?v=0)
I'll be adding more in the future.
Nice battery location. helps get rid of the 20 pounds of battery cable that gos to the trunk. Kinda pointless to have more weight in cable than battery, is that the 9 pound one
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I think it's the 6 lbs version.
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the girlfriend in the photo is looking lonely.
Here's my triple VDO gauge install (http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=1284603#post1284603) in the console. Not optimal placement for track duty, but fine my DD.
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the girlfriend in the photo is looking lonely.
Here's my triple VDO gauge install (http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?p=1284603#post1284603) in the console. Not optimal placement for track duty, but fine my DD.
HAHA! She's not lonely, she's got a beer! Maybe she's not my girlfriend? Could be my sister?? Or my grandmother??
Actually she's neither, she's dating a guy I work with. :D:D
I like the location of the gauges. It's different.
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I'm trying to figure out how hard it will be to install a second tachometer. Our Sparco wheel and Corbeau seat makes it hard to see the top part of the original tach and speedo. Since it's a trackcar we don't really need a very visually accessible speedo, but the tach is important. I'm thinking about a Autometer to mount on top of the dash with a small shift light. Can I find the necessary wires behind the cluster to hook in to? Or do I run wires all over? Not too happy about custom wiring you see.. :)
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I'm trying to figure out how hard it will be to install a second tachometer. Our Sparco wheel and Corbeau seat makes it hard to see the top part of the original tach and speedo. Since it's a trackcar we don't really need a very visually accessible speedo, but the tach is important. I'm thinking about a Autometer to mount on top of the dash with a small shift light. Can I find the necessary wires behind the cluster to hook in to? Or do I run wires all over? Not too happy about custom wiring you see.. :)
I got fairly lucky with my install. The harness had already been cut and made for this type of setup. Four wires to make it run. What you need to do is find a wiring diagram that shown which wire is the tach signal. Mine was black if that helps... Look for the right pin in the harness and just run it to the aftermarket tach. It is simple I just don't know the right wire off the top of my head. Make sure you get a fairly descent tach and not one of those cheap narrow ones on ebay.
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how do you get an oil pressure reading from the M42? Where can i buy a plug or something else, or do I need to make it myself, drilling holes etc?
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(http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq358/vatos_ip/06092007027-1.jpg)
all my gauges , air vent - gauge holder ( i made it ) with leather cover ( same as the interior ) and my video monitor with rear view camera !
i got !
1 boost gauge on the left and on the right
1 hallmeter , 1 exhaust gas temp meter , oil temp meter and oil press meter on the air vent gauge holder...
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(http://i463.photobucket.com/albums/qq358/vatos_ip/19042008104.jpg)
later added - Rpm meter
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how do you get an oil pressure reading from the M42? Where can i buy a plug or something else, or do I need to make it myself, drilling holes etc?
The easiest way is to get the uuc oil filter cover thingy. It has provisions for the oil pressure and oil temp senders. I used the factory cover and drilled and tapped a hole in it. It isn't deep enough to fit the temp sender, but the pressure is fine. I haven't had any problems yet with mine. Them it's just a simple wire to the gauge.
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is anyone running an interior electric fuel pressure gauge? If so, what brand or make of gauge is it that you are using? I tried looking for the gauge in VDO's Vision Series, but it seems they do not make such a gauge.
I know Auto Meter makes the gauge (it's $189) and I do have one in my Cobra, but I was looking for one for the 318 that had a similar font as the VDO gauges... The AM font is way off and would look silly next to the aftermarket VDO's...
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What brand or type of gauges are those and where did you purchase them from? Are they all electric gauges or are some of them mechanical?
They are all electrical and the brand is something called Prosport, bought them here in Denmark at a local car aftermerket dealer, they where not that expensive.
Sure they look cool, but should I do it again would I go for the classic look instead.
Now I still got my E30 318iS, but recent years it has been my wifes car.
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(http://www.m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=951)(http://www.m42club.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=158&pictureid=950)