So I've had my M Coupe a few weeks now and was browsing the internet one evening and came across a trick looking bit of kit, a vent integrated gauge which allows you to monitor OBD data such as raw speed, 0-60 timer, shift-light, rpm, Air, Coolant, Throttle position and more real time engine parameters including displaying fault codes.
The install itself was very easy- undo the drivers side vent, pop the bottom couple of slats out (can be replaced as they just push into place) and the only slightly tricky bit was cutting through a protruding bit of plastic behind the gauge to make sure it doesn't press against it when you're moving the angle of the vent. But even taking your sweet time it's about a half hour job.
Then you basically plug the unit into the OBD port (cable tucked out of the way along the trim underneath the steering wheel without having to remove it) and away you go.
I'm a big fan of OEM+ looking mods and the screen fits perfectly flush and the screen colour is a great match to the orange BMW lighting and although I don't know how useful it will really be, although the fault code functionality may come in handy should anything start playing up, it's a neat little gadget (read- 'boy's toy') and the digital speedo readout is handy for someone like myself used to driving cars with that function as standard.
I've ordered a OBD splitter so thinking that I will plug the unit into that and either leave the port empty (for security purposes) but allow garage diagnostics without having to unplug the screen or perhaps fit the second part of the splitter out of the normal hole which will mean that all the cabling for the interface will be in the vast space behind the vent and I won't need to have an ugly plug permanently on show- which is the only real downside to the design.
So onto the pics:
Display off:
On:
Nightime shot:
The install itself was very easy- undo the drivers side vent, pop the bottom couple of slats out (can be replaced as they just push into place) and the only slightly tricky bit was cutting through a protruding bit of plastic behind the gauge to make sure it doesn't press against it when you're moving the angle of the vent. But even taking your sweet time it's about a half hour job.
Then you basically plug the unit into the OBD port (cable tucked out of the way along the trim underneath the steering wheel without having to remove it) and away you go.
I'm a big fan of OEM+ looking mods and the screen fits perfectly flush and the screen colour is a great match to the orange BMW lighting and although I don't know how useful it will really be, although the fault code functionality may come in handy should anything start playing up, it's a neat little gadget (read- 'boy's toy') and the digital speedo readout is handy for someone like myself used to driving cars with that function as standard.
I've ordered a OBD splitter so thinking that I will plug the unit into that and either leave the port empty (for security purposes) but allow garage diagnostics without having to unplug the screen or perhaps fit the second part of the splitter out of the normal hole which will mean that all the cabling for the interface will be in the vast space behind the vent and I won't need to have an ugly plug permanently on show- which is the only real downside to the design.
So onto the pics:
Display off:
On:
Nightime shot:
1066 Country
