P3cars VIDI installation?

[thekurgan]

Has anyone looked into, or have installed one of these vent gauges?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-22...i-335i-m3.aspx

I'm considering one, but I figured someone here would have done it already since these have been out a while.

Thanks in advance.

[WayneM3]

I bought one and installed it a few weeks ago. Overall I think it is pretty cool and I plan on using it mostly for a boost gauge but I don't have the S/C installed yet. The install isn't too bad - I did it during my lunch hour at work. I mostly leave it on coolant temperature but am going to try another 0-60 one of these days with my summer tires - it did 4.81 with my snow tires not using launch control. I also like that it has the recall feature even if it is only for the past 15 seconds. It is a little bit annoying that the display reflects in my side view mirror at night when the mirror is in the auto-dim mode but nothing that I would remove the unit for.

[Longbow64]

I installed one this weekend and ran the vacuum line to my supercharger. Great way to monitor your car's performance without having a bunch of gauges that you can't even see while driving. This one is in a great position, looks OEM, has cool features, and is easy to install. I'd recommend ordering the kit without the pre installation on the vent. It adds about 3 min to the install and will save you $60.

[thekurgan]

Thanks for the feedback. I think I'll order one. Looks like a solid unit.

[Chriskm3]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

I installed one this weekend and ran the vacuum line to my supercharger. Great way to monitor your car's performance without having a bunch of gauges that you can't even see while driving. This one is in a great position, looks OEM, has cool features, and is easy to install. I'd recommend ordering the kit without the pre installation on the vent. It adds about 3 min to the install and will save you $60.

I'm glad you finally got a boost gauge. What are you boosting ? Pm me the numbers thanks

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Has anyone looked into, or have installed one of these vent gauges?

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-22...i-335i-m3.aspx

I'm considering one, but I figured someone here would have done it already since these have been out a while.

Thanks in advance.

A shitload of people have these, especially the 3-series crowd. *VERY* instrumental in helping me resolve some battery issues. The 0-60 timer isn't exclusive to Turner, as I have it on the unit I picked up in Dec.

If you can do w/out the 60-0 timer, I'd suggest picking up the regular P3 unit that isn't pre-installed in the vent from eBay user "garthvadermotorsports". Like all other companies, he's asking for $409. I simply told him that the price point at which he's trying to sell isn't what the market supports, and after some discussion, we agreed on $335 shipped, BNIB. Got here in a timely manner, transaction was excellent.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by whats77inaname

A shitload of people have these, especially the 3-series crowd. *VERY* instrumental in helping me resolve some battery issues. The 0-60 timer isn't exclusive to Turner, as I have it on the unit I picked up in Dec.

If you can do w/out the 60-0 timer, I'd suggest picking up the regular P3 unit that isn't pre-installed in the vent from eBay user "garthvadermotorsports". Like all other companies, he's asking for $409. I simply told him that the price point at which he's trying to sell isn't what the market supports, and after some discussion, we agreed on $335 shipped, BNIB. Got here in a timely manner, transaction was excellent.

Nice tip! Yes, I can go without the timers. Thanks, man.

[WayneM3]

I wish I knew this a few weeks ago too - I would have saved a lot of money.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Nice tip! Yes, I can go without the timers. Thanks, man.

Not a problem.

Originally Posted by WayneM3

I wish I knew this a few weeks ago too - I would have saved a lot of money.

Sorry about that :-( It was around Christmas time, and I was meaning to post it, but didn't as I wanted to make sure everything functioned correctly prior to blasting it out on the forum. I didn't get around to installing it until a couple months ago.

Like you, I get a little miffed about the reflection in the side mirror. I mean it is DEAD ON in the middle of the mirror. I've been meaning to figure out how to address that, but haven't quite yet.

Another tip to share is that the connector *can* be removed without removing the kick panel every time. If you undo the door gasket in that area, you can push the panel towards the transmission tunnel enough so that you can slip it by the white fastener closest to the door. It'll be a better visual once you have the unit. Handy when you have to plug in an OBDII cable for programming and such, or when you have to get your inspection sticker. The fit is still very tight with this method, but it's doable, as I've done it a few times now.

[Longbow64]

That's funny you mention the reflection on the driver mirror. That's the first thing I noticed too. At first I skipped the optional wire tap into the dimmer wire. I tried the manual function for a day and then went back in and tapped the wire. It's better but still reflects. I've been looking at getting an OBD-II Y-cable so I can keep the gauge connected and run data logs or just have general access to a connection.

[thekurgan]

So can the unit be dimmed very low or completely off like the nav unit? I don't think it will be a problem, if it is, I'll attach a small velcro "patch" at night.

[Longbow64]

Originally Posted by thekurgan

So can the unit be dimmed very low or completely off like the nav unit? I don't think it will be a problem, if it is, I'll attach a small velcro "patch" at night.

Yes. The unit can be wired (optional; but very simple; comes with the wire tap) then in the settings you can set the display to automatically dim. You can also select persistant dimming which remembers your last setting. Without wiring manual dimming is enabled by holding button 2 down for a couple seconds. You can also turn the display off completely.

[thekurgan]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

Yes. The unit can be wired (optional; but very simple; comes with the wire tap) and in the settings you can set the display to automatically dim. You can also select persistant dimming which remembers your last setting. Manual dimming is enabled by holding button 2 down for a couple seconds. You can also turn the display off completely.

Perfect ... it has all the options I'd need. Spending $ now ... thanks everyone.

[whats77inaname]

Originally Posted by Longbow64

That's funny you mention the reflection on the driver mirror. That's the first thing I noticed too. At first I skipped the optional wire tap into the dimmer wire. I tried the manual function for a day and then went back in and tapped the wire. It's better but still reflects. I've been looking at getting an OBD-II Y-cable so I can keep the gauge connected and run data logs or just have general access to a connection.

*lol*, funny you mentioned having a Y in there, it's on my to-do list. If you look at how the OBD II access port is mounted, it looks like you can unscrew the 2 mounting screws and slide it back a bit. The only problem I've been having is finding a low profile Y that will work. The part that plugs into the OBD II in all the units I've seen are LONG and the plastic inflexible. Everything I've seen would require unmounting the OBD II port from the original mounting location and stuffing it in the kick panel, then using some alum. strapping to attach the open side of the Y. I've also read some posts in the not-too-distant past on other forums that indicate some people have issues with the Y not relaying data/not working. The search continues...

[WarrantyTracker]

If it gave oil pressure, I would be much more interested. I don't understand why Chrysler gives me oil temp and oil pressure in a 185 horsepower 1997 4L Jeep GC with a 5k redline, and BMW doesn't give it to me in an M3. Oh well. VDO to the rescue.

[Longbow64]

The gauge has two expansion connections on the controller to add additional readings.

[bishop4142]

I installed this a few weeks ago and find it adds another dimension to the car. Bought mine from Turner and had it within a day at a reasonable price. I went with the vent pre-installed to save a hassle. While I was at it I enabled the rear fog light