I ordered one on my Cooper S, but now I'm debating with myself as to whether or not it's worth $200.

Those of you that have it, do you use it that often or is it money better spent on another option? I'm trying to decide if I should delete it from my order or not.

Thanks. :smile:

 

I like mine for three reasons:

1. I generally watch the mph/kph readout on the OBC rather than the analog speedometer;

2. I like to track kpl/mpg tank-to-tank AND constant kpl/mpg to "stretch" my fuel while on road trips;

3. I record average speed along with tank-to-tank mpg/kpl to provide me with additional consumption information (I reset both after filling up).

Oh yeah...I've a fondness for the temperature readout in the middle of January here in the NE.

Theo

 

How do you reset the average speed? Holding down on the button seems to reset everything but the average speed.

 

Kevin,

Koopah's reasons are good, but be aware - for some stupid reason, MINI has removed the "current speed" reading from the computer on '05s. It will display "average" speed, but it won't take the place of the speedometer any more.

 

I thought it only shows current speed if you do not have the nav or chrono package - i.e. only if you HAVE the central speedo.


I love mine, they are all functions I have been used to on cars for many years, and that should be standard equipment by now.

 

I like having the option although most of the time I just look at the Temp..

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven - burned up)
05' Cool Blue MCSC "Ariel"
05' HB/W MCS

 

Kaelaria,

That's a good question, I don't know if it makes any difference whether or not you have Nav/chrono. I have nav, so if your theory is true, that explains it for me. I still don't know WHY they take it out at all - very stupid IMO.
Are there any other owners of an '05 model, without Nav or chrono pack, that can confirm that the digital speedo is available in the on-board computer?

 

Well I would imagine that the whole point of offering it there is so you have a speedo to glance down at rather than over at the dash. Many people report they use the digital rather than the central. Since our Speedos are in front of us to begin with, it's pretty pointless to have another right next to it.

 

I have the chrono pack so mine doesn't have it, but I remember my MA saying that the digital speedo isn't there if you have the speedo on the column. I really wish I could find a way to change that, I would really like to know exactly where 55 (ok 65) is on the highway.

 

It's 1/2 way between the 60 mark and the next line

 

Sure and 64 would be 4/10 of the way between 60 and 70.


"I'm terribly sorry officer I thought I was going 60 plus .4 of the way to 70 when in reality I was going 60 plus .6 of the way to 70. My mistake."

 

I don't have the Chrono Pack and mine, (10/04 build 05) displays the current speed.

 

I'll second that. I rarely look at the center speedo, and I really haven't tried using any of the other functions of the OBC.

 

I do have the Chrono Pack and mine, (12/04 build 05) also displays the current speed.

 

I'm assuming you're not ordering the Premium package?

The functions are pretty limited for $200. That said, I like bells and whistles. Lots of 'em! My OBC reads ~10% high on MPG, but the range function is nice.


Add me to the list of folks with analog speedo that would like the digital option. I mean, they've got the computer there, right - how much effort could it be to add/maintain that option?

 

My OBC is overly optimistic on MPG and I don't trust the range

 

Huh, I wonder how that happened. I don't have Chrono or Nav, so I have the current speed, but right now I have a loaner MINI (Bruno's getting a weird paint spot fixed on teh boot) and it displays everything but current speed (has Chrono). I wonder if they put the wrong OBC in your MINI or if there is some way to reprogram it to show the current speed

 

I went back and forth about whether to order the OBC on my first Cooper, but ended up getting it. Now I love it, and I didn't hesitate to order it on my second Cooper. I leave it on temperature most of the time, but I also really like the fuel economy function, however inaccurate it may be - I use it more in a relative way than in a literal way. I generally try not to use the range on remaining fuel function; it's too easy to get out of the habit of checking the actual fuel gauge. The trust some people put in the range is absurd. "I ran out of gas, but the computer said I still had 9 miles to go!"

I don't have my '05 yet, but honestly I'm fairly indifferent as to whether or not the OBC displays current speed. I've never understood what the big deal is about looking to central speedo versus looking straight down. You're "taking your eyes off of the road" either way, and I don't think averting my eyes diagonally takes any more time than averting them vertically, now that I'm used to it.

 

From my calculations, my OBC is spot on You should never assume that b/c your computer tells you that you have 20 miles to go, that you actually have that though. It can be pretty accurate. I can usually come in close to what it predicts, just don't let your tank get too low as even a small change in elevation can starve your fuel pump. I always try to fill up before I get to a 1/4 of a tank.

 

For me, it isn't so much looking over as it is reading it. With the gredations 20mph apart as opposed to 10mph as on others, I would always look over and see the needle on a large gredation past 60 and I would think I'm going 65, but no I'm going 70. I'm sure if I was forced to use it I would be used to it, but since I'm not forced, I still get a bit confused when glancing over at it

 

I went to the Owner's Lounge and this is what the 2005 Cooper S Manual states on page 66:

So this tells me that if I dont get the OBC it will still give me outside temp and current speed. Is this correct?

Thanks for all of the replies.

 

I would bet you're wrong, and thinking of AVG speed.

 

My 05 build date 04/05 has the OBC, no nav, no chrono, and will display current speed. As for the original question, I had an OBC in my last car and got so used to it that I figured 200 bucks for a 25K car really didnt matter much so what the heck. Is it incredibly useful... sorta. I like it for keeping stats on long trips and for deciding if I should stop at the next service station or motor on to the next one 40-70 miles away. And for laughing at my current consumption when Im really hammering the throttle (single digits are funny ) but around town I usually keep it set on outside temp or current speed.

 

Although I do the same thing a Koopah does, I would not get the OBC again.

The MPG is terribly optimistic, and the Ranget screen is terrible inaccurate.

For example, I've seen the range read over 680 miles on my modded MCS!! That means I'd have to get 51+ MPG. I've also seen where it shows a higher number of miles left at a position well below a half tank of fuel, yet my miles travelled to get to well below half tank was well under what's being shown as on range!!

MINIUSA, I want my money back.

 

I like it and have had it both MINIs. I'm a stats freak, though.