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BMW 3-Series Speedometer Inaccuracy

19 messages,  Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 12:05 PM

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#1 of 19
Speedometer innacuracy by 330cic
Feb 05, 2008 (9:29 am)
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I've noted that my speedometer is reading 3-4 mph faster than my indicated speed on my GPS. Anyone else noted this descrepancy? If the speedo isn't tracking accurately, especially reading faster and putting miles on the odometer faster, this will make my warranty expire faster. At best it'll keep me from going over the posted speed limit, if I fix my speed, via the speedo, at the posted speed limit.
#2 of 19
Re: Speedometer innacuracy [330cic] by kominsky
Feb 05, 2008 (12:01 pm)
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Replying to: 330cic (Feb 05, 2008 9:29 am)

That is very common. I'm pretty sure that it's done for liability purposes, but don't quote me on it.
 
I see it with my 330Ci, my wife's current Odyssey, and her previous Odyssey.
 
To the best of my knowledge, most/all auto and motorcycle manufacturers build in some amount of slop. Some motorcycle magazines quote actual speed at an indicated 60mph in their stats (ALWAYS lower than 60mph). I believe auto mags used to do it too, but stopped some time ago for whatever reason.
 
I have no idea if it racks up miles faster than what is real or not.
#3 of 19
Re: Speedometer innacuracy [kominsky] by 330cic
Feb 05, 2008 (12:58 pm)
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Replying to: kominsky (Feb 05, 2008 12:01 pm)

I've found that in my Toyota 4Runner that the speedometer tracks right along with the GPS.
 
The problem with a speedometer reading inaccuratly is that the number of miles on the odometer would be directly affected as well. For example, if the speedo is 3 mph too fast, the number of miles on the odomenter would be accululating at that rate as well. This will affect the length of your warranty (it would run out faster). Not a good thing at all. If BMW has built in a fudge factor of the speedo registering fasr than one is really going, and piling on mileage on the odomenter at a faster rate, that smacks of consumer fraud,
#4 of 19
Re: Speedometer innacuracy [330cic] by shipo
Feb 05, 2008 (1:14 pm)
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Replying to: 330cic (Feb 05, 2008 12:58 pm)

While BMW speedometers typically register high, their odometers are usually dead-on-balls-accurate (it's an industry term).
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#5 of 19
Re: Speedometer innacuracy [shipo] by 330cic
Feb 05, 2008 (1:42 pm)
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Replying to: shipo (Feb 05, 2008 1:14 pm)

Well damn. That stinks that they'd register higher than actual speed. While I know that on boats that's pretty well a known "problem", that's typically because of factors such as waves, etc., interfering with accuracy. On an auto, I'd think it shouldn't be.
 
I did take the car in to have that looked at, so I guess I'll have some kind of response from the dealer when I pick it up.
#6 of 19
Re: Speedometer innacuracy [330cic] by idoc2
Feb 06, 2008 (6:49 am)
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Replying to: 330cic (Feb 05, 2008 9:29 am)

I drive a 2007 328xi. The speedometer reads about 6% faster than either of two Garmin GPS units I own. As were you I was concerned about the odometer and the implications this has for the warranty. As you undoubtedly know there was class action law suit against Honda for this. Nevertheless, I did check my odometer against one of my GPS units over about a 100 mile highway drive. As Shipo noted the odometer was absolutely accurate. It is a mystery as to why BMW (obviously knowingly) miscalibrates their speedometers. One forum member has suggested it was to get drivers to effectively drive slower, thus make speeding tickets less likely thus lower insurance premiums for their cars. Who knows?
#7 of 19
check this out... by kominsky
Feb 07, 2008 (11:25 am)
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http://www.caranddriver.com/features/1906/speedometer-scandal.html
#8 of 19
Re: check this out... [kominsky] by cinquanti
Mar 01, 2008 (7:01 am)
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Replying to: kominsky (Feb 07, 2008 11:25 am)

(Kominsky's article) So I guess that based on our 160mph speedo, mine reading 59 while actually traveling 65 is acceptable. This was the response from my service department:
 
THIS IS A FACTORY ACCEPTABLE CONDITION DUE TO THE MANY DIFFERENT TIRE AND WHEEL PACKAGES. THE STANDARD IS 10% PLUS 2.4 MPH IT SEEMS YOU ARE IN THE ACCEPTABLE RANGE ALSO BUT IF YOU GO MILE MARKER TO MILE MARKER THE ODOMETER IS RIGHT ON
 
All these years driving economy grade cars the speedo was so close I never noticed. Now I spring for a finely tuned precision German car and it doesn't know how fast it's going? Wow.
#9 of 19
Re: check this out... [cinquanti] by roadburner
Mar 01, 2008 (7:40 am)
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Replying to: cinquanti (Mar 01, 2008 7:01 am)

All these years driving economy grade cars the speedo was so close I never noticed. Now I spring for a finely tuned precision German car and it doesn't know how fast it's going? Wow.
 
Yeah, it's kept me awake at night since 1983...

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