how accurate is the speedo in a MINI,tried to ask this on land speed thread but it got locked,I agree with NAM on this though

 

The MINI's that I have driven and compared the speedo with the GPS calculated speed on my Streetpilot have shown that the MINI speedometer tends to display a higher speed than the MINI is actually travelling. My MINI and MINIclo's both display speeds about 3-4% faster than actual speed.

 

>>The MINI's that I have driven and compared the speedo with the GPS calculated speed on my Streetpilot have shown that the MINI speedometer tends to display a higher speed than the MINI is actually travelling. My MINI and MINIclo's both display speeds about 3-4% faster than actual speed.
>>
>>thanks I kind of figured that,,, went through a citizen run radar trap[locals getting people to slow down near playground,beach area,and they were within 4% of my speedo,no I was not speeding

 

I’ve gotten results similar to YuccaPatrol with non-critical checks using a StreetPilot III - - reads about 3 mph fast at 70. One day soon I’ll do some accurate measuring over the 25-90 mph range. (Of course the higher speeds will NOT be done in violation of any local, state, or federal laws!)

I’ve calibrated several speedos in the past couple of years, and they’ve all (with one exception) read fast. Usually a 2-6% error and often with an additional 2-3 mph offset. The exception was my wife’s ‘03 Mercedes, but it had a lot of ongoing and incurable electronic problems.

 

Whatever "error" there is probably saved me from a speeding ticket on Sunday. It was REAL close.

 

My father was driving my mini and said that the speedo was 7mph off because he compared the speed to one of those free standing police displays on the highway. It doesn't seem that far off to me, but then again any speed between 60 and 90 feels the same.

 

Speedos on most cars report faster than actual. They are required by law to report the exact or higher speed than actual.

 

There was a magazine article regarding this topic. BMW is notorious for "pumping" up their speedo substantially comparing to other auto manufatures. I've found that to be true in my MINI as well, according to my GPS as verified by other members. :smile:

_________________

 

>>There was an magazine article regarding this topic. BMW is notorious for "pumping" up their speedo substantially comparing to other auto manufatures. I've found that to be true in my MINI as well, according to my GPS as verified by other members.

Yep, I was just about to say the same thing. BMW / Porsche were some of the worst as far as accuracy. Oddly enough, GM had the most accurate speedos.

Doug

 

Most German cars I've ridden/driven in seem to be dialed up 2-3 MPH. I think it's a feature, those free standing radar things always show me 2 mph over in my Jetta, and my wife's golf. My brother's BMW is the same. My brother (BMW tech) says they do this on purpose, but he could be pulling my chain.

The couple times I got a speeding ticket I've been saved by this overage from a higher fine. Was going 77 or so in a 60 and only got a ticket for 75.

 

My MCS reads 3 mph faster at 70 and about 5 mph faster at 80. Interestingly, the average speed function (thats' part of the drive computer option) reads accurately. Have not checked my odometer to see if it reads the inflated speed off the speedo or the computer.

 

>>My MCS reads 3 mph faster at 70 and about 5 mph faster at 80.
>>Interestingly, the average speed function (thats' part of the drive
>>computer option) reads accurately.

Very common experience. I don't know of a single Mini owner that hasn't noticed it. GPS instantaneous speeds and the computer's average speed (just after a reset) always seem in good agreement. For me the difference is always 4-5 MPH with the odometer too fast.

It has been reported that European laws require that the Speedo read to high to force people to drive more conservatively.

Tom

 

Mine seems to be reading about 3 - 5 MPH than I am going according to the various GPS units I have had in the car. I think of it this way.... it builds a buffer for me when I go shooting past a police cruiser without seeing him before hand.

 

>>Mine seems to be reading about 3 - 5 MPH than I am going according to the various GPS units I have had in the car. I think of it this way.... it builds a buffer for me when I go shooting past a police cruiser without seeing him before hand.
>>
>>nice pic

 

The 2004 MINIs have digital displays so that would be easy to compare to highway radar displays that show your speed. I have noticed that the difference with my MCS and the radar displays to be about 2-3 mph faster on my dash than I am really going.

Next I'll try some small 15" wheels with a wheel diameter 1.8 inches less than my 17" wheels and see what happens.

 

I have checked two sources for accuracy-
1.) Garmin Street Pilot III
2.) Street radar job unit (2 passes, clear weather)-

At 80MPH indicated on speedo, I am actually going 77.2MPH on the GPS,
77 on the radar unit. So I'm +3 at 80

My friends VW Golf (2004) is +2MPH @ 80MPH.

Tire pressures were also factory suggested...

 

3 miles off at 70mph... well, had to do the translation as my speedo is in km/h as we have the metric system here in Mexico. Compared it against the computer's average speed on a flat long stretch of the beautiful Sierra Highway between Guadalajara and Tepic Mexico, about 2700 feet above sea level.

 

I remember this same discussion a couple of years ago on a Boxster forum. From what I remember supposedly Germany levys heavy fines on auto manufacturers if their speedos are incorrect (reading too slow).