Extra Gauges in the 318ti, where to put them

[e28forever]

in my car i have a boost gauge, but if im runnin a DASC i wanna know my oil pressure and temp, a lil light in my cluster just doesnt make me happy. so then i got to thinking....where would/could i put all my gauges (boost included)? A-Pillar? too ricer for me, then i thought: how bout putting them in the console where my boost gauge is now? I then did a google search and came up with this write up for gauge install and cig lighter relocation and thought i would share it.

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/int...ges_part1.html

good luck to those attempting it, im gonna do it soon myself!

[1996 328ti]

The problem with the above install is you can't see them easily.
Do you really want to look down and take your eyes off the road?
That being said, I have one of those built by Ron sitting in my garage.

What's it worth to ya?

[Mr.Squeelerz]

I saw somewhere someone had custom made a vent pod for the Ti but I forget where I found it. Basically they designed the pod using the frame for the vents as part of the structure and probably cut up one of those cheap pillar pods and formed it in. If you're crafty maybe you could make one. The downside.....bye bye vent.

[e28forever]

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

The problem with the above install is you can't see them easily.
Do you really want to look down and take your eyes off the road?
That being said, I have one of those built by Ron sitting in my garage.

What's it worth to ya?

so you already have the gauge mount for the console? id like to see a pic if u have one, and maybe we could figure something out, id like to not have to build my own .

as far as looking down, its not like you really use it a bunch, just if u think/feel your car is running funny then u can check, and the Z3 M coupe had gauges with similar placement in the car so i dont see why not.

squeelerz, i could never get rid of my middle vent..i would die in the summer, i have a black car with black leather interior (well leather front seats anyway o.O )

[eurohb]

I used to have them on the ash tray area.. bad idea. I could never see them since they were so low. I moved them up onto my steering column with some cheap little ebay gauge mods I got for $2 and they look good to me.

[1996 328ti]

Originally Posted by e28forever

so you already have the gauge mount for the console? id like to see a pic if u have one, and maybe we could figure something out, id like to not have to build my own .

The previous owner gave it to me. I never installed it.
I'd do A pillar or where the radio is before sticking them down that low.

I wouldn't care if it like ricey. I have a 3" exhaust.

[e28forever]

i cant give up my AC vent above the stereo head unit is, and i cant give up ma radio, and having my boost gauge down there doesnt bother me now, if u email a pic to 318tiforever@gmail.com or post a pic id talk price with you on ur bezel

[620 Garage]

The M coupe gauges are not that challenging to glance when needed because the seating position is lower and the tunnel is higher. This reduces the distance your eyes have to travel. E36 variants with the gauges down there are makes them useless and almost invisible. You can keep the gauges down there and mount a warning light for the oil pressure and temp. Make them different colors as your reaction to either or would be different. I built an E36 M3 race car recently and used a combination of lights and gauges to keep the driver informed. I'll dig up a picture and post it. I hope this helps.

Cheers,
Ricky

[macilona]

if you are still evaluating the options for placement, bimmerworld.com sells a mounging kit for 2 gauges that fits over the steering column, between the steering wheel and the dashboard, with a similar setup to the photo by eurohb above.