I have an 04 with central speedo and do not have OBC. I can toggle between the current speed and the outside temperature.

 

If your into gadgets and like constant info when you want it then get it. I think it is very well worth it. I click that think constantly to see the temp, see what supposed mpg I'm getting etc. It can almost be distracting, especially in a brand new car.

My OBS in my 05 also displays current speed. The progression I think is: average mpg, constant mpg, average speed, current speed, temp, range. Or close to that.

 

At least mine is consistent; 15% optimistic. I guess they want us to feel good.

But I still think it's worth it.

regards,
Red

 

I want to know why someone thought or was told that the 05 didnt have current speed. According to the sales brochere and my MA all 05's with the center speedo have temp and current speed displays. OBC or not. The OBC gives you the avg speed, fuel consup. and those things. I drove a EB/W MCS hardtop that was build March 05 and it was a dealer demo car that DID NOT have the OBC and it did display outside temp and current speed but thats all that the button on the light stalk would let me select between. Its important that it has it cause its one of the reasons i like the center speedo

 

Irish,

I'm the one who was mistaken. I thought that was the case because my new '05 didn't have it, and I had heard that others (who happened to have previous year models) had it. So I deducted that it was removed from '05s.

I had no idea (before this thread) that it was a question of center speedo or not. I think it's stupid that they took it out for non-center speedos!

 

Odd. I'm not aware of an indicator for current speed on my computer display.....Aug. '02 build.....and there's no reference to it in the owner's manual. The OBC shows avg. mph, avg. speed, temp., and range....... nothing else.

 

Not sure...but I think this was added sometime during the '03 build. My '04 MCS (9/03 build) has it.

Theo

 

If you're a gadget person you gotta spring for the Nav system IMHO, it has 2 modes , the most popular of course is your map where you are going but the second is OBC where it will show all your OBC stats on the screen at once, including 2 sets of MPG which can be reset independently. When I am on my daily commute I like to leave OBC up, and when I venture on trips or off course the Nav is on. I love seeing lakes, ponds and other water features I didn't even know were there. I live on Tampa Bay and the most fun is motoring along the shore and finding all the little roads and stuff that take you to surprise views. We discovered a nature park in a bad neighborghood near the town dump yesterday, who woulda thought.

I know many of you scoff at $1700 but it just makes my day plus I was never a fan of that big central speedometer.

I am concerned about people's comments re: MPG inaccuracy. I mean right now with AC on in FL it tells me I am doing about 22 mpg, are you suggesting I may actually be getting under 20? It seems like a lot of gas for such a small car, my old Saab 9-3 Turbo was equally fast, got 19-20 mpg city and much roomier. Doesnt make sense.

 

After reading everyone's replies in this thread and giving it some thought, I decided to cancel the OBC and get the Anthracite Headliner instead. They were the same price so it was an even trade.

I just don't think the OBC is enough "bang for the buck" for $200. I can definitely appreciate the features of it, but I know that I'll be content with just the current speed and outside temp displays.

Thanks for all of your replies!

 

The OBC actual speed readout was added for the 2004 model year. Pre-2004 MINIs do not have this option from factory.

 

I wonder if there is a way to enable the OBC features on an '05. As stated before, '05s currently get Outside Temp and Current Speed. I sounds like it would be a programming job at the dealer....
Just Wondering....

 

i get the obc becuase my wife wants the cockpit chrono package.
i would rather put the $200 toward aftermarket exhaust...