After market gauges

[Goldsmithy]

I have a 2005 R52 S convertible. I want to install a vacuum/boost gauge and an oil pressure gauge. I want the installation to be as simple as possible.

Is the vacuum/boost gauge viable for a supercharged engine, or is another type of gauge better?

Does anyone have experience using an oil pressure sending unit adapter?

Anyone have any tips, tricks, or advice for installation?

After reading the horror stories about trying to install factory gauges, I want no part of that. I'm very electrically challenged.

As always, TIA for any help.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Caveat: Most of my experience is on 1970s-vintage cars, with a little on my 2nd-gen MINI. There may be options for a 1st-gen MINI that I don't know about.

If you are "very electrically challenged", you might want to get help installing the gauges. There are two options that I know of for basic gauge types.

One is to use mechanical gauges, which require running hoses from the engine into the cockpit, to connect directly to the gauges. I don't like this approach, even though it is probably the simplest way to go. For the boost/vacuum gauge, it means extra potential places to leak. For the oil pressure gauge, it means running HOT oil (often over 250F!!) into the cabin, right next to our fairly non-heat-resistant bodies. It also means putting sizeable holes in the firewall to run the hoses, and routing them and trying to protect them from fraying and damage.

The other option is to run electrical gauges. These put the electrical senders on the engine, and only run wires (which are pretty small!) into the cockpit. Fewer chances of anything leaking, and much less chance of causing third-degree burns. But you need to tap into a wire to power them, you need to ground the sender and gauge, and you need to run at least one signal wire from each sender to its gauge. (Some need more than one wire; it depends on the actual gauge.)

I far prefer the electrical gauges, for the reasons stated above. But that means doing some electrical work. If you are very challenged on that front, you might want to enlist help.

--DD

[Goldsmithy]

Thanks Dave. I am planning on electric gauges as you mentioned. Coming from an air-cooled VW background, I have installed many VDO gauges. It's when I try to modify/tap into the stock setup, with the da#@$d codes, that I get into trouble.