Oil Temperature Gauge

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JungleGus
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:38 pm

What sort of solutions exist for a factory looking oil temp gauge? The E30 M3 clusters are megabucks these days - is there any way of swapping the fuel ecomomy meter with an after market part and wiring in an oil temperature gauge?

I've also seen the Alpina-copy ones on ebay that take up the centre vents - anything else?

Cheers,
Gus
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:19 pm

As far as I know you can't swap the economy part for the oil guage, you would need the whole tacho part from the m3 clocks.

I quite like the look of this.
https://turbozentrum.co.uk/CANchecked-M ... UeEALw_wcB
JungleGus
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:38 pm

The whole cluster or just the tacho + oil temp gauge part?

I was thinking along these lines as a factory-ish alternative: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ALPINA-DGA-R ... 3784343795
MrBenn
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:21 pm

Just the Tacho and Oil temp part.

Quite similar looking units, but I think the one I linked is a lot more sophisticated and cheaper.
steve_k
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:51 pm

There was a guy on the zone fb page (& a few others) who made a small oil temp gauge that fitted into one of the blanks on the dash above the radio & looked like a switch,

Also you can get a "pod" that replaces the air vent next to the door.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
MrBenn
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:52 pm

I have been looking for that Steve, I wasn't sure if it was oil temp or battery voltage. looks like a standard hazard switch if my memory is right?
steve_k
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:57 pm

MrBenn wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 10:52 pm
I have been looking for that Steve, I wasn't sure if it was oil temp or battery voltage. looks like a standard hazard switch if my memory is right?
I can't seem to find it either,

I think the guy had an advert on ebay, & there was a choice,

There's been a few places doing them based on switches, there's been a few on r3vlimited.

If I cam find the ad I'll post it up.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
steve_k
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:00 pm

Just found one on ebay, item number

124170396004

Cant post a link as I'm on my phone.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
MrBenn
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:02 pm

MrBenn
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Post Mon Mar 15, 2021 11:03 pm

Good work dude!!
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flybynite
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Post Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:58 am

JungleGus wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 3:38 pm
I've also seen the Alpina-copy ones on ebay that take up the centre vents - anything else?
There are 2 people making replica Alpina vent gauges, cheap one without the control box, expensive one with control box. Tried both and you get what you pay for.

There is another made by Awron (who made the later vent gauges, E90 etc, for Alpina) the E30 ones are not made anymore but do come up now and again. They are a the proper job.

There are a couple of other 3D printed ones as well

There was a guy on FB (Poland I think) doing replica clusters and could get a working oil temp gauge. There is also Bavrest in the USA who will do most things.

Easiest and cheapest way is the switch gauge above
steve_k
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Post Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:10 am

having seen the price the alpina type vent gauges go for i point blank refuse to pay that price,
yes they are period correct, are they worth it? no in my opinion,

the are easier (cheaper) options out there but it all comes down to personal choice & budget.

i'll stick with my VDO gauges in front of the ashtray in the centre console.
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
twenty
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:02 pm

You really want to get the LED versions of the gauge from George Graves. He's in states but he's the guy who originally did it.
The eBay stuff linked above looks like a replica of his original work and the quality doesn't look too good.
Only problem George is based state side but he does ship to the UK as I recently got in touch for OBC air sensor. He's at george.graves@gmail.com.

Over in the UK, Liam Ellis also makes a similar gauge. See
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:43 pm

steve_k
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:56 pm

liam ellis was the uk seller i was thinking of,

i know geoge graves did it originally but i wonder if he is still doing the service indicator shift lights?
if it's got t*ts or wheels it's bound to be trouble...............prove me wrong.
getting oral sex off an ugly person is like rock climbing.....don't look down ;)
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flybynite
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:25 pm

steve_k wrote:
Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:56 pm
liam ellis was the uk seller i was thinking of,
I thought he only did voltmeters? Can't remember him doing any others.

The Alpina ones are moon money but TBH so is everything else Alpina. Have you seen what an Alpina goes for these days? spoils the effect if the gauge is dead and does not glow red any more.

Original ones are going for more than you could have bought the car for not that many years back. :eek:
MrBenn
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 7:56 pm

steve_k wrote:
Wed Mar 17, 2021 6:56 pm
liam ellis was the uk seller i was thinking of,

i know geoge graves did it originally but i wonder if he is still doing the service indicator shift lights?
Do you mean these ones?



They have a few cool products over at https://www.e30ig.com, the one touch window buttons look a nice touch.
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lellis
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Post Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:14 pm

Hi, I’m the guy who sells both voltage and temperature displays! Thanks guys for mentioning me

If you’re interested please message me, I can explain more. I’m on instagram as @bad_bmws for more business page
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