VDO 3 gauge console

[bimmer630]

I pulled this vdo gauge "pod" out of my old car and wanna use it in my "new" E30.

From what I can find online, It was made by BavAuto. Their site no longer lists this part. (unless I just dont see it)

I was just wondering if anybody else had this in their car, and if so, how did they mount it to the console? the pod is blocking one of the console mounting screws too, on the right side.

The PO of my old car had this thing mounted by jamming a sheetrock screw through, inside the left side guage hole, and into the cars console. i think there has to be a better way

[reelizmpro]

Hmmm this doesn't mount to anything. You push it in and it sits perfectly. Kind of the point of it being soft and thick. I don't even see how or why you'd want to secure it with a screw. There are no provisions for it. Once you get the cig lighter trim in it's secured.

[bimmer630]

But the cigarette lighter trim screws in before this goes in. If you put the guages in with no screws you can pull it right out

[EthirtyIS]

3M double sided tape, automotive grade is your friend..

[reelizmpro]

But the cigarette lighter trim screws in before this goes in. If you put the guages in with no screws you can pull it right out

Don't know about yours but mine fits really tight with the cig lighter trim in. What I do is remove the cig lighter trim, install the gauge pod then install the trim back in. No screws in the pods or the cig lighter trim (unless you really want to bend the foam back to get those 2 screws in) I didn't want to modify it in any way in case I were to remove the gauge pod later so no screw holes or cutouts in the center console. You worried about theft or something?

[bimmer630]

No, not worried about theft.

I just thought it would really suck to be able to just touch the thing and basically have it pop out of the console.

You said you didnt modify your console in any way... How did you run the guage wires?

[nando]

I say this every time these threads come up - gauges in the ash tray location are pretty. And pretty useless to boot. You can't really see them if you're paying attention to the road. and I have a set of 3 gauges there - useless.

[reelizmpro]

No, not worried about theft.

I just thought it would really suck to be able to just touch the thing and basically have it pop out of the console.

You said you didnt modify your console in any way... How did you run the guage wires?

There are gaps underneath the center dash where you can run your wires. You can pull your dimmer wire from the cigarette lighter.

Nando, you're right but these are in the storage area, a little bit higher and offset towards the driver than the ashtray mounted gauges that face up and are blocked by the shifter. There really isn't another elegant solution IMO besides the alpina style digital gauges or vent mounted gauges and even then you sacrifice a vent.

[bimmer630]

I just jammed it in there like you guys suggested and it fits fine. I dont know why the PO had screws jammed through it. kinda lame.


Im happy with the way the interior came out. This car is a '90 and had an airbag. Some might say im retarded to remove an airbag system, but I wanted the E36 rack and read that there can be issues lining up the airbag column with it.
Plus I had this cool Momo wheel I wanted to use.

Also there was a fitment issue with the knee bolster stuff which I didnt expect. this center console came from the '89 non airbag car and the bolster/under dash trim doesnt quite fit up against it. I should have saved the non airbag lower dash trim but its gone. this peice looks a bit better anyway and I just had to bend the side up a tad to make it fit flush with the center console

Grainy pic, took it last night

I really dont see an issue with the guage placement. Its not like a tach or something that has to be right in your periphial view. oil temp and batt volts are kinda silly to have anyway.. not super important..
the oil pressure though might be better to have in direct view. I still have the oil Idiot light hooked up though

[nando]

I don't know who would really give you crap. it's a 22 year old, 1st gen airbag system. How would you feel about that exploding in your face? Not to mention, if it even still works.

[bimmer630]

Yeah and if I ever fix up my Scheel seats im gonna put 5 point belts in there anyway