MarkL

Fellow 6-speeders, have you found yourself wishing the tach was larger and more centrally located? I know on the coupe it looks like a bigger dial because the needle is exposed from the center unlike the "hidden" pivot on the sedans, but in reality I think it's the same size. Twice in the last 2 weeks I had cases where I accelerated hard "unexpectedly", and before I knew it, I glanced over and I was near 6K (in 2nd)! When I'm driving normally, I'm paying attention to the tach if I'm accelerating "with gusto". On these two occasions though, I was making evasive maneuvers. Also, the position of my left arm on the wheel can sometimes hide the tach if I'm not thinking about it. I guess there's no substitute for the classic design of 2 large gauges smack in the center. Oh well, in the worst case I guess the rev limiter will kick in...

Flashman

I think it's fine. I don't really need an oversized tach. You get a good feel for the car after a while.

columbus

Tsk, tsk - I think you need to turn down the stereo :p
Arm position? 10 and 2 o'clock, right?

Just kidding...I wouldn't mind a large center tach like on the Porsches, but it don't make a big difference.

I drive by ear. Doesn't the Kompressor sound cool?

avlis

I like the guage pod just the way it is. I sometimes wish the computer display screen was dimmer.

An adjustable, aftermarket shift light (that you can switch off) might be nice on those hard acceleration days...

Has anyone "proven" the rev limiter's fuction?

revstriker

When I first saw the inside of the new C class, I didn't like the instrument cluster. The speedometer kind of reminded me of the older american cars with the loooong speedometers, where you only see the tip of the needle. I really liked the design in the older Cs better. However, now that I'm getting used to it, I don't mind it as much. My car is automatic, so I don't look at the tach as much as I would on a stick, so maybe it would bother me more if I had the stick.

Gary

Yep, the rev limiter really works, have bumped into it several times - weird feeling

vadim

I'd prefer the tachometer on the right. That way I find it easier to keep the eyes on the road.

MarkL

Yeah, that might do it. Reverse the tach and fuel gauge.

JZMD1

IMHO, the dash binnacle of the W203 models is vastly inferior to the previous generation C-Class. If the objective is to transmit information to the driver, our dash simply cannot compare to the gauge arrangement previously installed in the 190, C and E classes. Function should be placed ahead of form.

Oneslip

I have to agree with Revstriker, at first when I saw the instrument cluster did not like it. I was used to my BMW and Porsche's bigger round tachs. I must admit that the cluster in my C has really grown on me. It seems much more elegantly refined. I have the automatic 320 and I'm not really a person that has to pay attention to the cluster unless there's a problem, I drive more on feel. My C is a luxury car not a racer where I need the tach to redline. Enjoy your toy

otmal

The speedo should be replaced with the tach --> big and central.

Use the center digital display for speedo.

Use the left space for a temp gauge.

VoyagerDude

I second that motion. All in favor?

dasMafia

I've never thought about the tach almost always being to the right of the speedo.... interesting. my acura was that way, my bavarian is that way... hell, my moms ML320 is that way! very odd that the C-class is the exception... how that I think of it... it would make more sense to have the tach on the right (in LHD cars) as you will be dropping your right hand to shift the car, and as such it will not be present to block your line of sight... interesting insight.

oddly, my wife's CR-V has the tach on the left... could be because it was originally a JDM design adapted to the US???

trench

Personally, I think that the tach should be at least as big as the speedo. I guess the tach is such a little thing to do the fact that the instrument cluster was originally designed for the sedans, where I would imagine about 90% are sold as automatics.

I wish there were some more choices available in the central digital instrument readout. Maybe one displaying water temperature, oil pressure, and manifold (boost) pressure as simply numbers or smaller versions of the water temp readout (so that many engine conditions could be monitored from a single screen).

What do you think?

BT

benzomonterey

Saab is also on the left

revstriker

Wouldn't mind having a larger tach, but I would NOT want to get rid of the regular speedo. I really don't like digital display only for this.

MB-BOB

I'm sorry officer. I was monitoring the selection numbers for my 6-Disc CD changer in my Multifunction display, so my digital speedometer wasn't visible. Was I speeding? :o :o :o

revstriker

LOL! This would be the same for me

Another reason that I don't like a digital speedometer only is because I like to be able to "see" where my speed is without really looking at the numbers. I know this sounds weird, but it's the same reason I don't like digital watches. When I look at my watch during the day, I can "see" how close I am to 5pm, instead of my mind having to take the 3pm, and figure out that it's two more hours. Pretty weird?? Normal?? Anyone else like this??

otmal

Hope everyone can program their favorite personal layout soon!

columbus

Absolutely! Analog = Visual = Intuitive. Took a while longer to learn when I was little, but it was worth it. Nowadays, kids can tell the time by a digital watch, but an analog one gives them pause.

revstriker

What is this?!?

trench

Whatever it is the motor only revs to 2500 rpm, I'm guessing either a boat or a riding lawn mower.

BT