Review: P3Cars Vent Gauge AutoCouture Motoring Edition - Exclusive Features 60-130 +

[NikB316]

Hey everyone,
So about a month ago I sold my beloved P3 V2 gauge after having my blower off for a few months. As soon as I sold it I really started to miss it. I had bought it originally to monitor boost but I was also looking for a device that could record 60-130 times. Now this became as task as the P3 gauge did not offer this, nor did the electronic M performance steering wheel. I went out and bought a Vbox Sport for $500+ and although its a really cool toy, I found myself never bothering to use it due to convenience.

Well I found myself at ACM a few weeks ago getting my new Mode Carbon front lip put on and was talking to Sal about my P3 dilemma and seeing if he wanted to buy my Vbox Sport. That is when he told me that their ACM P3 units are customized with the 60-130 feature! Not only that but also:
Air to Fuel Ratio
60-0 Timer
100-0 Timer
0-100 Timer

P3 should have included these features out of the box as it will save you a good $500 from having to buy a VBox...not to mention it's much more convenient to use as it's always there.

I've had a P3 unit in my car now for 6+ months and it's such a nice product for $400 (ACM sale price: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=867898). Fitment and quality is top notch, very easy to use and blends in so well with the interior. I highly recommend it for any M3 owner - boosted or not. Reads everything you would want to know and it also clears error codes easily.

I REALLY like the shift light feature of the vent. With my seating position, I find it hard to see the shift lights on the RPM gauge and if looking straight ahead they don't really catch my eye. The P3 vent flashes brightly at whatever RPM you set it to and it's very easy to see while looking straight. Really a lot of bang for your buck...

Turner Motorsports also has a customized P3 gauge but it's still missing 60-130 and some other features of the ACM unit.

Here are a couple pics of the unit...there is a small AutoCouture text on the bottom of the unit. Nice and subtle...the only cosmetic difference.

[Irishace]

I had one on my old 135i and loved it. I am very interested in one for my M. Thanks for the review!

[regular guy]

So awesome Nik! Any idea how the P3 gauge picks up AFR?

[VCP]

Originally Posted by regular guy

So awesome Nik! Any idea how the P3 gauge picks up AFR?

OBD2 the before cat o2's are wide band

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by regular guy

So awesome Nik! Any idea how the P3 gauge picks up AFR?

It converts oxygen sensor voltage into AFR. I've had this gauge since AC released their version with the new goodies, and it's been great. I love being able to monitor the IAT and ignition advance in realtime. It's also nice to see the AFR. It stopped working a few days ago, so I will have to call P3 and find out what to do. They have always been supportive in the past.

Glad you're enjoying it Nik! Hope you're enjoying the tune as well.

PS: Your check engine light is on

[AlteredBe4st]

Not to go off topic but why did you pull the AA charger off the car if you are keeping it?

[regular guy]

Originally Posted by VCP

OBD2 the before cat o2's are wide band

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

It converts oxygen sensor voltage into AFR. I've had this gauge since AC released their version with the new goodies, and it's been great. I love being able to monitor the IAT and ignition advance in realtime. It's also nice to see the AFR. It stopped working a few days ago, so I will have to call P3 and find out what to do. They have always been supportive in the past.

Glad you're enjoying it Nik! Hope you're enjoying the tune as well.

PS: Your check engine light is on

Two different versions. VCP capturing it from OBD2 would be very complicated but not undoable. The device would need to establish a connection with the ECU, then send a series of commands and wait for data responses. I would probably require an embedded microcontroller and firmware to do it. The P3 gauge definitely has a uController and firmware; just not sure if this is what they're doing.

I'll ask Sal and the guys at P3. They've answered these types of questions for me before.

[dfjaws]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

It converts oxygen sensor voltage into AFR. I've had this gauge since AC released their version with the new goodies, and it's been great. I love being able to monitor the IAT and ignition advance in realtime. It's also nice to see the AFR. It stopped working a few days ago, so I will have to call P3 and find out what to do. They have always been supportive in the past.

Glad you're enjoying it Nik! Hope you're enjoying the tune as well.

PS: Your check engine light is on

FWIW, I had a P3Cars gauge on my 335i for about a year until one day it just stopped working. I took it out and looked it over and it looked fine, so I put it back in and then it worked just fine. I'd try just unplugging it before looking for a replacement or anything.

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by dfjaws

FWIW, I had a P3Cars gauge on my 335i for about a year until one day it just stopped working. I took it out and looked it over and it looked fine, so I put it back in and then it worked just fine. I'd try just unplugging it before looking for a replacement or anything.

Good idea. Time to take some stuff apart and unplug.. Hopefully that does the trick. Sometimes my Generic OBDII scanner causes it to wake up too. Thanks for the advise!

[NikB316]

Lenz,
I was dead set on parting out my car and getting into something a bit more comfortable. X6M mainly. I got rid of my wheels, blower, brembos, trunk but then had a change of heart. I got a chance to drive a tuned X6M and it was fun but the lack of DCT is a deal breaker. I'm going to go put down a deposit on the new M3/4 hopefully this week

Mike,
The tune is so sweet! Wow I was not expecting such a big difference. I don't know why the car doesn't come like this from the factory. A+ man. While I'm in review mode I'll type up something tomorrow. Oh yeah the light is from this stupid o2 sensor I've been meaning to replace. Good eye!

Off topic,
I also had the GTS DCT software done and it's a must have for DCT guys IMO. Again, I was expecting a small difference but the DCT feels a lot quicker, much more like a 997.2 PDK on the 911T. I'll write up something tomorrow.

Always fun modding!

[AlteredBe4st]

[BillLee]

i got the update on my P3 gauge, but they sent me the wrong one and wont respond to my emails.