Speedometer Replacement
Printed From: Puget Sound MINI Motoring Club
Category: Technical Discussions
Forum Name: How To Do It
Forum Description: Post your how to do questions and answers.
URL: http://www.psmini.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=8954
Printed Date: April/19/24 at 10:28am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Speedometer Replacement
Posted By: SMOG
Subject: Speedometer Replacement
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 7:40am
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Does anyone have tips on replacing the speedometer and tachometer? The tach seems pretty straight forward but the speedometer generates questions. Please chime in if you have thoughts on this. Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Replies:
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 8:31am
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Why are you replacing them? The speedometer and odometer modules are coded /encrypted to your car. Unless you are buying a brand new module from the dealer, it won't be able to communicate with the rest of the car. Certain features may not work, and the odometer reading may be incorrect. -------------  Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 8:35am
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BLACK FACE GAUGES are the reason. I wonder if the dealer would recode them? I can get JCW speedo & tach from a wrecking yard and then I would have at least the black gauges without buying the entire car JCW  ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 8:56am
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I don't know about R56, but we had a discussion on PSMINI here about a year ago -- the conclusion we reached then was that only way to get them coded is to use new parts. Replacement faces are available for R53 but can't seem to find anything for R56 other than the following. http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/interior-exterior-products/127758-r56-and-r53-custom-gauge-faces.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/interior-exterior-products/127758-r56-and-r53-custom-gauge-faces.html This post is from a few years ago but he may be still doing this, and probably for a lot cheaper than buying a new set of gauges. This is the guy who wrapped my headlight rings in body color. ------------- Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 8:57am
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Also - if you get a set of gauges from a junkyard, you would just need to take apart your current gauges and replace the face plate but keep your current electronics. ------------- Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 9:04am
Good point! I will see what is less $$$$ I have an email into vinylestyles to see if they ever produced an overlay. I know there is a European company(I think it was) that sells gauge faces but they are $410 plus tax and shipping!!! So I dutifully forgot that path. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
CORNERS wrote:Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 12:09pm
How hard is it removing the indicator needles? Are there things attached to the back of the face plate? ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 2:42pm
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I will get you some info tonight S. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 2:42pm
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On the R53 it is really easy, but sounds tougher on the R56. Sounds like you just need to pull consistently hard, straight out. And be careful to not turn while pulling, or else the needle position might get off... ------------- Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 2:57pm
Maybe make a puller? I have read everything I can find on NAM and Vinylstyles has a "How To" just using fingers, but I suspect his is for the R-53. That was why I was curious about just changing the entire unit as a plug N play. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 4:20pm
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Yes but have you been to mini torque or mini 2 this is a very popular mod in Europe . ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 4:25pm
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Seattle MINI said tey cannot recode a used Speedo and Tach so a used one will not work. They will however code a new unit sold by them for a unit price of $560 for the Tach and $900 for the Speedo PLUS installation. NOT going in that direction!! J: Tell me more about the European stuff. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 4:34pm
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That sounds right for recoding, but I know the Europeans are doing overlays ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 4:52pm
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Here is one of the sources, http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R56-MPH-to-KMH" rel="nofollow - http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R56-MPH-to-KMH I thought I saw something about popping the dark gauge faces off like a JCW and using them to replace he white ones. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 5:19pm
They WILL NOT recode the used instrument clusters (Tach & Speedo). That cost was for the parts alone plus another many hundreds of dollars to install in the dash (I know I can swap them both in an afternoon). I checked out that site for the overlays and they only change faces from MPH to KPH and I could find nothing about removing the needles, other than what I found on NAM. I can get a used JCW set of faces for $325 with a cracked lens and $375 for a perfect pair of instruments from a wrecker. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 5:54pm
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I have more info at home it is hard to work from. Real on my phone. I understand the whole thing with the dealer. But the auto wreaker on crack. The displays are useless and can't be reprogrammed to a new VIN. By chance did you tell them they were useless and can't be used with other cars because of coding and mileage. ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/14/12 at 7:30pm
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I will tell the wrecker and see what he says. Told him and he did not say he would reduce the price accordingly. Oh well... I thought it was interesting that the web site you sent me, from Germany I believe, was converting speedo faces from MPH to KPH, meaning that they were getting cars from the USA??? From England or does England use KPH? ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 11:59am
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S; You can pick what you want on the Gauge face MPH or KPH or both. http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R56-MPH-to-KMH" rel="nofollow - http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R56-MPH-to-KMH its at the bottom when you pick the colors and stuff. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 12:08pm
That is curious. I sent them an email and they said that they could not do it! Must be something lost in the translation. It looks like a 90 euro test. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 12:16pm
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S; You did whatch the You Tube stuff right? There is also Duell AG http://www.duell.jp/products/meter_gauge_faces/index.html" rel="nofollow - http://www.duell.jp/products/meter_gauge_faces/index.html J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 12:50pm
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I had not seen it. Will do now. This web site you just sent is different. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 12:53pm
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S: You have the YouTube links right? J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 12:57pm
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S; Maybe we can get Kurt to translate it for us. J ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 1:00pm
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I looked at a few videos but did not see anything specific to gauge face replacement. Interesting that they do not have an English version. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Dave's not here
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 1:02pm
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Stephen, there is a button in the upper right hand corner that will translate it into English. ------------- 5 race wins, 2 in the rain. 2nd in ICSCC G Production Championship 2005 and 2006. Now I'm just gonna drive the MINI. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 1:09pm
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Dave: I found the Heiler web site translator but not for the Duell site. Since I like the straight forward way the Heiler site works I will order a face from them. Now to figure out the best method of needle removal/replacement. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Kirby11
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 4:34pm
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Ooh I hope you get the Heiler faces. I've had my eye on those for a while and I'd love to see how they are. Does anyone happen to know if the http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R55-MPH-to-KMH" rel="nofollow - R55 speedo face is the same as the 2011 R56? Heiler's R56 is only for <2011 Gen2's (0-150mph) and I'm not sure if the R55 (0-160mph) is also the 2011 R56 face. Saw an old post over on NAM suggesting that instead of taking the needle off, cut a slit in the gauge face between the holes for the radio face and the needle and slide it over the needle. (not sure if links to there are taboo) -Steph ------------- 2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*) |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 5:01pm
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No taboos on those post Steph we like to see links that help. But they had R55 face plates http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R55-MPH-to-KMH" rel="nofollow - http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R55-MPH-to-KMH ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 5:19pm
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J: The R-55 should be the same size as the R-56 shouldn't it? If so then it fits the 2011 which goes to 160mph. Steph: These Heiler faces are machined out of a thick substance, like acrylic or aluminum, to be 1mm thick (1/16") and only if they are pliable could you cut them to slide them over the needle. I like the concept though! ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Kirby11
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 7:44pm
Dang! I thought that sounded too easy.  Would putting the tint film on the faceplate instead of the lens cut down the glare problem? Could you put film on the back of the faceplate to reduce the display lights? -Steph ------------- 2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*) |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/15/12 at 8:28pm
All possibilities and I won't know until I get it apart. Stay tuned. S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/16/12 at 9:50am
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J: Did you ever see any reference to removing an R-56 Speedo & Tach needle other than pulling them off with your fingers? S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 6:56am
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Kurt: Does this site have an English version? I can see the Categories are in English but the rest is in Kanji. Did I miss a toggle to take me to an English site translation? http://www.duell.jp/index.html Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 7:08am
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J: The tach needle would NOT budge by pulling straight up. I tried everything except a slide hammer! I did manage to get it off by putting the needle at the end of its rotation (up against its stops) and rotating it as I pulled up. It came off without breaking that part of it but when I went to put it back on the needle was not as free rotating as it was prior to removal. So, taking that tach needle off is a no no! Before I tried taking the needle off I used an exacto knife (dull blade) and slit the gauge face below the needle so I could bend and lift the face off without messing up the needle, or the face. It worked! If I had used a new exato knife blade the cut would have been cleaner. Since it was on the silver gauge face from the junkyard tach I thought it would be a good test, and it was. Double sided sticky tape to hold the slit pieces together once the new face goes into the unit would help the face lay flat in the center. With the junkyard tach I cut it while on the tach so the pressure from the knife might have deformed the plastic a bit making it want to not lay flat. The new face will get slit with a new exacto blade and be done on a flat surface insuring it will stay flat! Now to waite for the new faces to arrive... ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 8:27am
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Hi. No English version. What are you interested in? I can translate or paraphrase for you... ------------- Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 8:49am
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I was interested in thickness of the gauge faces. Are they a vinyl overlay? What do they cost? Do they make them for the R-56 2011+?? Thanks! ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: CORNERS
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 10:31am
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Having a look at the web site. First of all, the price is $500 per gauge face. Secondly, they are set up for km/h. It doesn't say anything about thickness. Let me know if you want to ask anything. ------------- Kurt/04 R53 http://youtube.com/user/khammo01" rel="nofollow - Check out My MOD MINI repair videos channel @ YouTube |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: March/30/12 at 10:33am
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Thanks Kurt. That is way to spendy for me. I am taking a leap of faith and getting the http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R55-MPH-to-KMH" rel="nofollow - http://www.heiler-tachodesign.de/Speedometer-Disc-Mini-R55-MPH-to-KMH faces. Thanks again for checking! ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/10/12 at 1:04pm
John: I have tried several times to work with these people and their inability to deal in English is evident. I have had to use Google translator to understand what they are saying. I have contacted "Customer Support" and I get emails returned signed "Mfg." I tried using their PayPal option and got nothing. So, I asked them why I had received nothing and their response said: Heiler-Tachodesign Bernauer-Chaussee 11a 16356 Ahrensfelde OT Blumberg E-Mail: Support@Heiler-Tachodesign.de Internet: www.heiler-tachodesign.de Hallo! Wir werden nicht auf Ihre Links klicken und uns schon gar nicht anmelden. Mfg. -------Originalmeldung------- Von: S.S. Datum: 10.04.2012 14:56:51 An: Heiler-Tachodesign Betreff: Re: Betreff: Re: Betreff: Question Shipping: von Stephen Sweeney Mfg: This transaction shows up in my PayPal account as "Unclaimed". Check out the below information I have in regards to this matter. Stephen Sweeney -------- Transaction ID: 55S947755W754811V Dear Stephen Sweeney, You sent a payment for €132.50 EUR to Support@heiler-tachodesign.de. Please note that it may take a little while for this payment to appear in the Recent Activity list on your Account Overview. View the details of this transaction online This payment was sent using your credit card. For your future payments, try using Instant Transfer instead! - Pay instantly and securely - Faster than paying with checks - Pay directly from your bank account - purchases won't show up on bills at the end of the month. Your monthly account statement is available anytime; just log in to your account athttps://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_history. To correct any errors, please contact us through our Help Center at https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_contact_us. Amount: €132.50 EUR Sent on: April 3, 2012 Payment method: Credit Card Payment Subject line of your payment email: This is a Payment Message in your payment email: This is payment for Order # 11227 for Stephen Sweeneyovrthhl@me.com email for answers to questions. Sincerely, PayPal So if this transaction is a "FAKE" as you claim then how do you do business??? Stephen On Apr 10, 2012, at 5:15 AM, Heiler-Tachodesign wrote: <Heiler-Tachodesign_logo_claim_final2_versioin1.gif> Heiler-Tachodesign Bernauer-Chaussee 11a 16356 Ahrensfelde OT Blumberg E-Mail: Support@Heiler-Tachodesign.de Internet: www.heiler-tachodesign.de Hallo! PayPal hat uns mitgeteilt das Ihre Zahlung eine Fälschung ist. Wir werden erst die Ware liefern wenn das Geld auf unserem Konto ist. Mfg. -------Originalmeldung------- Von: S.S. Datum: 03.04.2012 19:46:41 An: Heiler-Tachodesign Betreff: Re: Betreff: Question Shipping: von Stephen Sweeney Hello! The funds were just sent. I do not know why they did not get sent when the order was placed!??!!!?? I used PayPal so it should have gone through. Do the gauge faces come with installation instructions?? Stephen On Apr 3, 2012, at 8:54 AM, Heiler-Tachodesign wrote: Heiler-Tachodesign Bernauer-Chaussee 11a 16356 Ahrensfelde OT Blumberg E-Mail: Support@Heiler-Tachodesign.de Internet: www.heiler-tachodesign.de Hallo! Leider ist bis heute noch kein Geld bei uns eingegangen. Mfg. -------Originalmeldung------- Von: Heiler-Tachodesign Datum: 02.04.2012 22:57:50 An: Autozubehör Online-Shop Betreff: Question Shipping: von Stephen Sweeney Nachricht: The below product was ordered. What is the status of it? Thank you for order at Autozubehör Online-Shop. Your order with the order number 11227 consists of the following items: Speedometer Disc Mini R55 MPH to KMH Shipping time: ca.7-10 Business days after Payment Color of the Disc: Color of the Disc - Carbon Look - Black Color of the Numbers and Scale: Color of the Numbers and Scale - Silver Metallic Kph or Mph: Mph 1 120,00 EUR 120,00 EUR Registered Letter 1 8,90 EUR 8,90 EUR Fee +3.00% 1 3,60 EUR 3,60 EUR including 19% VAT.: 21,16 EUR Gesamtsumme: 132,50 EUR Your billing address: Herr Stephen Sweeney 446 Perry Ave. N. 98366-5157 Port Orchard WA. United States Tel: 360-2xxxxxx Email: ovrthhl@me.com You have chosen the following payment option: PayPal Yours sincerely, Heiler-Tachodesign Heiler-Tachodesign Bernauer-Chaussee 11a 16356 Ahrensfelde OT Blumberg Deutschland Tel.: Heiler-Tachodesign.de DE262868424 Anfrage von: Mr Stephen Sweeney Email: ovrthhl@me.com Tel: 360-2xxxxxxx Basically they said the site was a fake and they would not click on anything in it!! I spoke with PayPal and also received notification from PayPal that the funds were that the funds were not retrieved by the seller and that the seller was "Unregistered". It appears that they do not know what in the H%#* they are doing in The Fatherland. Either they are lying or PayPal is lying and since I have never had any difficulties with PayPal I suspect The Fatherland. I cancelled the order and told them I would be Posting my not so pleasant experience on as many web sites as possible. Sooooo, back to square one on the speedo and tack faces. I will probably just put a layer of tint BEHIND the instrument faces to darken the night lighting. The color of the faces is another story/challenger. The good thing is I am getting pretty comfortable in ripping the dash apart!! S. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: April/10/12 at 1:31pm
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Sorry about the Bad Luck S. My UK contacts trust all there work to this guy you might try emailing him. http://www.facebook.com/EssentialMINI" rel="nofollow - http://www.facebook.com/EssentialMINI http://www.facebook.com/pages/EssentialMINI/209481102416967" rel="nofollow - http://www.facebook.com/pages/EssentialMINI/209481102416967 http://essentialmini.co.uk/" rel="nofollow - http://essentialmini.co.uk/ ------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/10/12 at 1:34pm
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A real English speaking web site!!! WOW, I was beginning to lose faith. Do we (Americans) buy enough MINI's to have companies produce products like these?? Thanks John!! Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: johnf36
Date Posted: April/10/12 at 1:39pm
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Your welcome , my friends say he has been doing speedo mods for almost 10 years.
------------- If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 4:42am
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I got email contact going and as of yesterday he has not produced the Gen 2 face plates. He said "Very soon" he will have them. Stay tuned... ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Kirby11
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 8:43am
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Do you know which version of the Gen2s they're producing (<2011 or 2011+)? Have you checked these guys out? http://www.usspeedo.com/" rel="nofollow - http://www.usspeedo.com/ Since there's apparently no one in the US doing Mini faces maybe they'd like to fill the void? Or if you're feeling crafty, here's instructions on how to make your own that looks interesting. If I get a big chunk of free time I might try it with the tach. http://www.revlimiter.net/mods/gauges.php" rel="nofollow - http://www.revlimiter.net/mods/gauges.php -Steph ------------- 2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*) |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 9:03am
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It appears that the Revlimiter guys have an application process for overlay faces. I sent an email to usspeedo to ask if they do MINI's. Overlays could easily get in the way of needle movement. After dismantling that tach I could see what was involved in swapping faces and the rather tight clearances involved. I cut this face to remove from under the needle. If it was a black face gauge face you never would see the slit, particularly if I have used a new Exacto blade!   
------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Kirby11
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 10:01am
If you already have the tach apart would you be willing to scan the face and email it to me? It would save me the step of tearing into my daily driver.  How does the face look if you put tint film directly on the front of it? Or maybe that impede the needle too. Hmmm. Dang this project is a thinker!  ------------- 2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*) |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 10:40am
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Scanning things and printing them to scale is tricky at best. And since I do not own a scanner I would be entrusting the scanning to someone who has no such skills in getting an exact match. I worked for a few engineering firms that did exactly that, they scanned drawings to exact scaled dimensions. If I had a scanner I would be happy to do it for you but I do not own one. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: Kirby11
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 10:50am
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No worries. Now I have a project for the next rainy weekend. ------------- 2011 LB/W MCS "PINTSZE" (*SOLD*) |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: April/12/12 at 11:28am
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Kirby11: I could mail you the face plate and you could scan it and then return the plate? PM me with your contact information and I will send it, if you wish. Stephen ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |
Posted By: SMOG
Date Posted: June/01/12 at 5:11pm
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This was Posted on MA so I thought it would fit in here. These folks make the faces for Duell. http://www.minimax-design.net/" rel="nofollow - http://www.minimax-design.net/ Their site shows how they get the faces onto the oem faceplate. ------------- I wish there was a local MINI Dealership, like our Honda, Subaru, Mazada and VW. |