[cstavaru]

So in my preparation for a future engine tune, I figured the first thing I need is a boost gauge. Rixster ran a $250 group buy and I thought that finally the gauge has a fair price. So I oredered it.

Ordering and shipping was not all roses. The package was delivered to my country 12 days after it was sent. It was also shipped 120 miles from where I currently live, to an old address of mine. Oh, and I had to pay $60 in duty taxes because the package had some kind of invoice on it with the price I paid. Just great

The gauge is probably the most OEM-like part I have ever seen. You can tell that considerable effort has been made in order to ensure OEM-like fitting and functioning. The front panel containing the smoked glass is a little thin for my tastes though. Also, the boost sensor is hanging freely inside the dash after installation. I think I will glue it to the inside of the dash somehow.

Installation was moderately easy. If you can't install this gauge, forget about tuning your car It is a very good first exercise into modding a car. Not too easy, not too hard. All the needed parts are included and this is a good thing, but you need some "tools" in order to do all the work, like a very long screwdriver in order to poke a hole in a rubber seal in order to feed the boost tubing from the cabin to the engine bay.

There are no printed instructions in the box (only the menu functions are printed) but the website documentation gets the job done. I wish the install video was on YouTube so that I could download it offline and access it from my laptop while I was installing the gauge (I do not have internet access near the car). Since it is using an unknown Flash player for playback, I couldn't download it so I printed the instructions.

Removing the car's trim by pulling hard is not for the faint of heart...but it was fun nonetheless

On the road...well, the boost gauge is very nice, the startup animation will amaze your friends and I suppose it measures boost with enough accuracy being a VEI gauge. But the gauge placement is distracting because it is not in the field of view. You will end up using the peak recall function which is the single most useful feature of the gauge.

In my short 15 mile test drive with the gauge I recorded a maximum of 9.2psi in a 2nd gear redline acceleration but I am not sure it is the max. I have the BMW Performance Power Kit which adds a little more boost over stock.

Conclusion This is not a must have gauge but a very nice one.An ATI e-pod for the e90/e92 with an ordinary boost gauge (with peak recall) would be significantly more practical because it would be in the field of view. However the vent gauge does the job and it looks like it came with the car from the factory.

One suggestion to the manufacturers would be to transform this design into a multi-gauge design displaying boost, IAT, EGT and AFR. Now that would be a killer vent gauge

Next up: intercooler and downpipes.

[IlChengis]

Glad you're enjoying the gauge Sir.

Originally Posted by cstavaru

I wish the install video was on YouTube so that I could download it offline and access it from my laptop while I was installing the gauge (I do not have internet access near the car). Since it is using an unknown Flash player for playback, I couldn't download it so I printed the instructions.

From the page source: http://www.p3cars.com/video/video2.flv



-Walter

[IN54NITY]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

One suggestion to the manufacturers would be to transform this design into a multi-gauge design displaying boost, IAT, EGT and AFR. Now that would be a killer vent gauge

I'd order it tomorrow if it had that.

Thanks for the review.

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by Treppiede

Glad you're enjoying the gauge Sir.

From the page source: http://www.p3cars.com/video/video2.flv



-Walter

Thanks ! I thought it was streaming from a media server...I feel ashamed now

[IlChengis]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

Thanks ! I thought it was streaming from a media server...I feel ashamed now

Nah no need to feel ashamed Sir, you were reserving brain cycles for the actual gauge install.

-Walter

[marvel48]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

You will end up using the peak recall function which is the single most useful feature of the gauge.

When used with a tune, I think the ability to switch between 4 Maps is the most useful function of the Rixxster Gauge. I used my 4 slots for: Map 0, 5, 7, and Map 9 (used w/ MS109). A feature that came in handy when needing to let my girlfriend drive my drunk a$$.