Gauges

[tenach]

I love my 03' NB Turbo. One thing is that i would like to see more gauges. Idiot lights are just well, too late to let you know if there is a problem. I have seen full 3 and 4 gauge pods in trucks installed on their "A" arms. anything similar for a NB? All I have found is a 3 gauge cluster that sits on the dash. very cheesy and unprofessional looking.

[Oyveychris]

Just my 2 cents, but the a pillar guage pods make that blind spot even bigger. I would try the Berndt pod that puts three guages across the top middle portion of your dash closest to the windshield

[r0nd3L]

You are nuts if you think the gauges on top of the dash are cheesy and unprofessional. They look like they came with the car when put together correctly and in my opinion look much nicer than A-Pillar ones. I suggest you look for Bernt 3-Gauge pod rather than Autometer one since Bernt looks much much better. You can get it at ABD Racing. I just ordered one myself and can't wait to get it and start my install with Stewart Warner gauges.

Here are two links to Bill's Vert which has Bernt 3-Gauge pod installed. As you can see it looks sweet!





Hope you don't mind, Bill

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

Well I agree that anything can look cheesy and unprofessional as you say but that always depends on how one goes about designing and refinishing the particular setup, preparation and installation are usually at least 50% of the final results achieved.

I own the Autometer and Burnt three gauge center dash pods and I have customized both to fit my interior dash design scheem, I have received endless compliments on my dash setup with either pod but I prefer my customized Burnt pod because to me it looks more low profile, it also flows much better with my interior in a factor like way.

Although I agree that these pods do not come with a finish that matches the stock dash finish, I have to say that I have found very few cosmetic car parts that are pleasing to the eye right out of the box, they usually need some level of messaging in order to make them look attractive and blend well in the intended setup.

[Turboboy]

Originally Posted by r0nd3L

You are nuts if you think the gauges on top of the dash are cheesy and unprofessional. They look like they came with the car when put together correctly and in my opinion look much nicer than A-Pillar ones. I suggest you look for Bernt 3-Gauge pod rather than Autometer one since Bernt looks much much better. You can get it at ABD Racing. I just ordered one myself and can't wait to get it and start my install with Stewart Warner gauges.

Here are two links to Bill's Vert which has Bernt 3-Gauge pod installed. As you can see it looks sweet!





Hope you don't mind, Bill

Is that Wolfsburg logo on the steering wheel an emblem
or a sticker?

[Oyveychris]

Emblem all the way. Bill only has top notch stuff!

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by Too Cold NB1.8T

Well I agree that anything can look cheesy and unprofessional as you say but that always depends on how one goes about designing and refinishing the particular setup, preparation and installation are usually at least 50% of the final results achieved.

I own the Autometer and Burnt three gauge center dash pods and I have customized both to fit my interior dash design scheem, I have received endless compliments on my dash setup with either pod but I prefer my customized Burnt pod because to me it looks more low profile, it also flows much better with my interior in a factor like way.

Although I agree that these pods do not come with a finish that matches the stock dash finish, I have to say that I have found very few cosmetic car parts that are pleasing to the eye right out of the box, they usually need some level of messaging in order to make them look attractive and blend well in the intended setup.

Well said, unlike me with my immaturity

Do you by any chance know where to get that ruberized paint/coating that stock dash is painted with? I really don't want to paint it any different because then I'd need to paint the whole center dash piece and in my opinion it wouldn't look good. I prefer stock look in the interior.

[tenach]

Thanks everyone, the comments were well received.

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I've searched extensively for a dash paint that matches that used by VW, including speaking with VW parts departments and custom automotive paint shops but I've come up empty handed.

I don't know why VW or anyone else would choose to use such an unstable interior finishing material, you people have most certainly noticed the peeling on your door interior trim panel handles, the chemicals from your hands is enough to cause this.

I proceeded to peel all of that coating off the interior door handles in my car because the color in the actual handle underneath is the same plus it has a more desirable smooth texture.

The only apparent options for the center dash pods is to live with the difference in color/texture which I refused to do, or create your own interior dash color scheem as I did.

[tenach]

I think I'm going to paint the center dash pieces, speaker sides of the dash, my guages and a few other trim pieces the same color of the car. It's silver and should look great against the black.

[Sambeaux]

Too Cold.. When are we gonna see pics of your beetle??

[r0nd3L]

Originally Posted by Sambeaux

Too Cold.. When are we gonna see pics of your beetle??

I can't wait!!!!

[Too Cold NB1.8T]

I'm still trying to get the dash panel and speaker grill integrations together, some work under the hood and a few other areas I'm trying to complete.

Can't give a timeline on pic's but hopefully pretty soon.

[SilverShadow]

Cheesy and unprofessional???

Hogwash!
__________

SS