I checked my speedometer against a GPS unit. I believe the GPS unit to be accurate. The speedo reads 60 and the GPS reads 59. At 75, the GPS reads 73.

Is there an easy way to have this corrected? If I bring a table of speedo speed vs actual speed can the dealer change this? I have an 07 MCS with stock wheels and tires of the sport package variety.

Paul

 

Let's try that again, you moved this thread on me!

Ultimately, the CW may be that it is purposely programmed, but there is a question to GPS accuracy too...

https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/for...t=speedo+error

 

Thanks for the reply. I don't question the relative accuracy of the GPS vs the car's speedo. I will ask my dealership if the computer can be adjusted to reflect the accurate speed.

Paul

 

There are multiple other posts/threads on this subject. I'm on my 2nd MINI (first was a 2005 Cooper, new one is a 2007 MCS) and both speedos are high about 3%. This means speedo reads 60 when your actual speed is 58. Your GPS is extremely accurate when monitoring speed as long as you're not accellerating/decellerating and you have relatively good satellite reception.

The other posts seem to indicate this is a common problem, not only with MINI's but with some other manufacturers as well. I discussed this with my dealer and they know the speedos are inaccurate and say it is a design issue. The problem I have with this is that the odometer is registering more miles on the car than you've actually driven, which could affect the warranty service.

 

Thanks, I have gone through just about all the threads now. The question that I have yet to get a bead on is if the situation can be fixed with software at the dealership. Anyone know the answer to this?

Paul

 

I doubt it. If they were going to adjust yours, they would probably make read 5% optimistic instead of the less than 2% you repored in the first post. I believe the law says a car's speedo can read as much as +10%, but cannot read < than actual speed. So, mfgs. typically make speedos about 5% optimistic. Consider yourself lucky that yours is so close to perfect.

 

Get use to it. All of them are off by some amount depending on your actual wheel and tire size. I think all of the '02-'06 Minis read higher than actual by 2-8%

 

I noticed my 04 MCS was reading 33 when I went through one of those radar trailer things and it was reading 30. (You know the little radar guns they mount on a trailer to tell you how fast you are going)
I can only remember a couple cars I've ever had that were dead on, most have been over by a little.

 

Same for me, 27 on the radar 30 on the speedo

 

This is common with BMW's...every one of the 10 that I have owned had a similar error.

 

Attached is explanation from Produce Engineering in Woodcliff Lake, NJ.

Sounds like BS to me that one would have to do the math. Why can't one of the best automobile manufacturers in the world solve this problem?

Mini Speedometer.pdf

 

It doesn't seem to be a problem to me. I consider it BMW's way of saving me some speeding ticket cash as I'm actually travelling slower than I think.

 

lol

 

Most of the cars I've owned over the years have had optimistic readings - the MINI is the same. Just enjoy it and MOTOR.

 

A couple mph off is not that bad. My non-Mini daily driver is off by 5-7 mph at 70 indicated!