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BMW 3-Series Speedometer Inaccuracy

26 messages,  Last post on Dec 29, 2012 at 11:47 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series

Messages Page 2 of 3

#11 of 26 Re: check this out... [roadburner] by idoc2

Mar 02, 2008 (11:45 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 01, 2008 8:40 am)
Its a good thing you're such a light sleeper so you won't be inconvenienced by the expensive Swiss alarm clock you just bought that doesn't keep accurate time.
 
Let's not be apologists for BMW's shortcomings of which there are several (speedo inaccuracies, RFT's, no dipstick, no temp gauge ...). We should not be dismissive when members of this discussion group level legitimate criticisms. Its really totally unacceptable that my BMW's speedometer is far less accurate than my wife's Honda minivan or my 1998 Maxima. Using two GPS units my BMW consistently indicates a speed about 7% faster than true speed whereas the speedometers in the other two cars are dead on. Despite BMW justification there is really no excuse for such a basic inadequacy.

#12 of 26 Re: check this out... [idoc2] by kdshapiro

Mar 02, 2008 (11:54 am)

Replying to: idoc2 (Mar 02, 2008 11:45 am)
But when you swap the tires on your Honda for a different size..the ending will be different.

#13 of 26 Re: check this out... [idoc2] by roadburner

Mar 02, 2008 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (Mar 02, 2008 11:45 am)
Its(sic) really totally unacceptable that my BMW's speedometer is far less accurate than my wife's Honda minivan or my 1998 Maxima. Using two GPS units my BMW consistently indicates a speed about 7% faster than true speed whereas the speedometers in the other two cars are dead on. Despite BMW justification there is really no excuse for such a basic inadequacy.
 
It's good to know that you don't sweat the small stuff.
Your last name isn't Monk, is it?

#14 of 26 Re: check this out... [kdshapiro] by idoc2

Mar 02, 2008 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: kdshapiro (Mar 02, 2008 11:54 am)
Of course you're correct, but I always have the choice of replacing with OEM's. Nevertheless, on my wife's minivan and obviously on my 1998 Maxima I've gone thru several sets of tires (and use snow tires in the winter) and it hasn't made a noticeable difference in the speedo accuracy. I suspect that tire manufactures have industry standards with regards to dimensions when they produce tires of a specific size. Even if they don't, with my BMW I have no idea which if any available tires would exactly offset the poor calibration of the speedo as it came from the factory.

#15 of 26 Re: check this out... [roadburner] by idoc2

Mar 02, 2008 (6:32 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 02, 2008 2:02 pm)
No, but as always Dr. House we plebeian members greatly appreciate your concern for our well being and your beneficent sharing of automotive wisdom. Nevertheless, trivial to the apologists as it may be I still expect an accurate speedo.

#16 of 26 Well. . . by cdnpinhead

Mar 02, 2008 (6:50 pm)

I'm going to have to throw in with the anal-retentive here (big surprise -- look at my moniker). I've also noticed that my various rental cars, as well as the one I drive every day (and have for 127K miles), display a speed that is dead-on in agreement with my Garmin. Even better, at the end of a 753 mile day, the Garmin and the odometer are within a fraction of a percent. I'm a happy camper.
 
Now, when I get my BMW, I'm led to believe that the speed itself can be all over the map but the odometer will be dead-on. Well, I expect (demand, actually) the odometer to be right, but wonder why the "logic" that applies to the speedometer doesn't to the odometer. Those tire changes will affect the odometer as well.
 
What's up?

#17 of 26 Re: check this out... [idoc2] by widriver2

Apr 16, 2008 (1:53 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (Mar 02, 2008 11:45 am)
If that is the case it probably saved me some major $ on speeding tickets.

#18 of 26 Re: check this out... [widriver2] by 330cic

Apr 16, 2008 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: widriver2 (Apr 16, 2008 1:53 pm)
I am in agreement that Bimmers should not register inaccurate speeds on the speedometer. The tires that I have on the car are the Conti RFT's and are the correct size for the car. They are not custom. If I had larger or smaller diameter tires and wheels on the car, the yes, I would expect for the speedo to read inacurrately. My '03 4Runner is dead on with the GPS. Don't know why BMW would think it's acceptable to not have an accurate gauge.

#19 of 26 Speedo by upstatedoc

Oct 26, 2009 (1:05 pm)

hate to beat a dead horse here, but has anyone found a solution to the speedo inaccuracies? Mine reads 4 mph over the real speed at highway speeds. Is there something to adjust w/ the cars computer? I think I know why the 3-series didn't make the "Top 10 Most Ticketed Cars" list, everyone is doing under the speed limit.

#20 of 26 odometer by bmwlemon

Dec 10, 2009 (4:26 pm)

my wife's BMW 328i speedometer is off as well. When actually traveling 70mph it reads 75. The odometer is off too. The dealership assured me the two are not connected, but I doesn't matter. According to BMW customer service I can travel 45,000 miles and my odometer will read 50,000 thus ending my warranty. They refuse to correct this problem.

Messages Page 2 of 3

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