Crazy BMW speedo error
 

I took my X5 in today because the Speedo is registering about 5 mph above what i am actually traveling, kinda wierd.
BMW prints out a paper showing that actually speedometer error can be as much as 10% plus 2.5mph. however,it does say that only higher then actual speed, and it says that odometer wont be effected by it.
this is crazy. so when my speedo says 90mpg I could possible be going 79.5 how rediculous is that?

Rediculous but common.

The town where I work has those mobile radar things set up in a 25 mph zone. It always shows I'm doing roughly 5 mph less than my speedo does.

Its common for speedos on all BMW's to be optimistic about the speed you are travelling at.

Don't know if it is an intentional safety related 'error', but it is better than having it the other way around, right? ;)

Agree with all here regarding optimistic BMW speedos..

Also see this: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...ht=speedometer

Read this for an explanation from BMW of the speedo variance and the effect on the odometer.

Compared to the speed displayed on the GPS my X5 is about 3mph optimistic. Not bad, I have seen much worse

BMW just wants to make sure they are in no way liable for your speeding tickets. ;)

I was working on this over the w/e ... I have a ~+4% margin of error.

I think its marketing.

It's about 5 more mph on top of the 5-10 mph threshold police officers give you... not that bad:driver: