MPG oval gauge cluster - option or year specific

[Peter Empson]

I need to clear some of the odds and sods I've aquired over the years, and one of them is a set of clocks - I'd like to clarify exactly what they are from (part number 945.641.311.00) before listing them for sale. This particular one has the MPG readout where the boost gauge would be if it were a turbo. Was this an option or did it appear on certain late model years? I presume the MPG read out will only work on cars with it specified originally, does that sound right?

 

[bmnelsc]

I would say those gauges with MPG are option/delivery area specific. My 1991 S2 (Japan delivery) does not have such a gauge and I have not seen it on USA or Canada delivery 944s so might have been GB specific ???

 

[944 man]

Worldwide 1986 model year Pete. Not an option and not available for '87>.

They will work on a later car though.

 

[944 man]

At least, I have read over the years that they will work on later cars. I havent ever fitted one.

 

[Peter Empson]

Thanks ever so much. What a bizarre fact, I knew I hadn't seen many of them (which as far as I'm concerned is a good thing - I've had them in various BMWs over the years and they are utterly useless).

 

[944 man]

A carry over from the economy meter in the series one, I think.

 

[scam75]

Yes rare and yes useless. It must do some calculations from revs and speed and not have any idea about actual fuel use or economy. However should somebody need one then fair enough.

 

[bmnelsc]

Yes rare and yes useless. It must do some calculations from revs and speed and not have any idea about actual fuel use or economy. However should somebody need one then fair enough.

Many North American cars of mid Seventies vintage had "fuel economy" meters/guages. Several Chrysler products actually had the "meter" connected to the indicator lights mounted on top of the front fenders (wings?) so if you were accelerating too quickly the drivers side indicator would glare at you. Most of these gizmos were vacuum driven...if vacuum is low you must have the throttle open ergo "wasting fuel".

 

[944Turbo]

I had one in my 86 2.5na it behaved like a vacuum guage,
Tony

 

[944 man]

They do. The figures arent 'accurate' because the needle constantly moves, but the gauge works well if you endeavour to drive with the needle as up as possible for as much of the time as possible.

 

[vitesse]

Quite useful for fine tuning-had one on our "hot" 850 Mini,& my Rover Vitesse SD1-You do need a good gauge with a damping control to minimise needle swing.
I find the "economy" gauge on the BMW very useful -helps to determine when or whether to switch between manual or automatic mode in conjunction with the revcounter,gear indicator.