Let's see some aftermarket gauge installs

[Cobra Jet]

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!

[ak96ss]

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.

[dude8383]

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?

[ak96ss]

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! www.gaugepods.com, although the webpage does not seem to be responding.

[quinn11m20]

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.

[gearheadE30]

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.

[Cobra Jet]

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.

[quinn11m20]

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.