I kind of hate the speedo on the 2-series...

Canaletto · 05-23-2014, 07:03 AM

Am I the only one?

Sure, it's great that it goes up to 160 mph, but the fact that it's missing clear marks for common USA speed limits (i.e. 25, 35, 45, 55, & 65) makes it kind of annoying.

Compare it, for example, to the speedometer on the Ford Focus, which is much better designed in that regard.

Is there a way to get a digital readout of the speed on a 2 series? Maybe with the tech package or the M performance electronic steering wheel?

qballis · 05-23-2014, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canaletto

Am I the only one?

Sure, it's great that it goes up to 160 mph, but the fact that it's missing clear marks for common USA speed limits (i.e. 25, 35, 45, 55, & 65) makes it kind of annoying.

Compare it, for example, to the speedometer on the Ford Focus, which is much better designed in that regard.

Is there a way to get a digital readout of the speed on a 2 series? Maybe with the tech package or the M performance electronic steering wheel?

It takes coding. You can enable digital speedometer in the BC display, as well as get rid of the +4 speed over estimation.

K99 · 05-23-2014, 07:17 AM

Same in the UK, most speedos are marked at 20 40 60 80, when the important speeds are 30 50 and 70 ):-?

basiluf · 05-23-2014, 08:24 AM

It's the standard BMW speedometer design. I thought the A5/S5 has the worst speedometer design.

Killramos · 05-23-2014, 08:32 AM

Honestly it's not THAT hard to see. But I do get what you mean.

I love mine (Canadian speed limits rarely deviate from multiples of 10). Probably typical German afterthought of the imperial system. The only caveat I have is Canadian speedo's are kph only. Not even an inner dial for mph. Which is going to be infinitely irritating when I make jaunts into Montana or go on an extended road trip.

The speedo on my old vw gti was pretty bad. Went up to 300 kph and wasn't that big. Subsequently it was impossible to read or dial in your speed properly hahahaha. At least it had mph...

williewonkerz · 05-23-2014, 09:20 AM

My mother-in-laws A4 Allroad is horrid, unreadable in my opinion.

I like the 2 series speedo, but I'm a canuck.

DanG · 05-23-2014, 10:41 AM

Looks like any other BMW Speedo. Maybe I am just use to it but it is no problem for me.

Ramos · 05-23-2014, 11:00 AM

I hate how it has KM/h as well as MPH. Ideally for the US, it should just be MPH in 10 MPH increments

hyperzulu · 05-23-2014, 11:45 AM

There are people that point there speedo needle at the posted speed limit and just ride it out?? You guys know the speedo is around 5mph faster than actual speed, so you guys are all out there driving everyone else mad going 5mph under the speed limit? What a gripe to have! You want to go 25, point at midway between 20 and 40, your actual speed will be 25. Want to go 35, point it at 40, you're going 35. *smh* you folks sometimes... I swear.

Canaletto · 05-23-2014, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperzulu

There are people that point there speedo needle at the posted speed limit and just ride it out?? You guys know the speedo is around 5mph faster than actual speed, so you guys are all out there driving everyone else mad going 5mph under the speed limit? What a gripe to have! You want to go 25, point at midway between 20 and 40, your actual speed will be 25. Want to go 35, point it at 40, you're going 35. *smh* you folks sometimes... I swear.

I don't think expecting the speedometer to actually display the correct speed is too much to ask.

hyperzulu · 05-23-2014, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canaletto

I don't think expecting the speedometer to actually display the correct speed is too much to ask.

It isn't. But that's not the reality. Speedo is faster than the car for whatever reason. You want to do 55mph, point to 60mph.

furii · 05-23-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperzulu

It isn't. But that's not the reality. Speedo is faster than the car for whatever reason. You want to do 55mph, point to 60mph.

is that true when you code it to show on the extended cluster and/or when you're setting the cruise? or is it just the dial that is off?

hyperzulu · 05-23-2014, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furii

is that true when you code it to show on the extended cluster and/or when you're setting the cruise? or is it just the dial that is off?

Dunno. If the digital readout is pulling actual speed that the odometer would use to calculate mileage, then it should read differently.

The dial itself is getting an electronic readout of speed which is programmed to read faster than it really is.

SuitedUp · 05-23-2014, 07:29 PM

Agreed it's not ideal. My biggest issue is that I can't find a good location where the wheel is comfortable but allows me to see the speedometer. I like the wheel low, but it completely blocks the upper half of the speedo.

JJS · 05-23-2014, 09:46 PM

I don't look at my speedo. I have HUD.

Oh wait, the 2-series doesn't.

Dang it, I'm in the wrong forum again.

SuitedUp · 05-23-2014, 11:28 PM

Must be reading this forum cause you're jealous.

dreamspeed · 05-24-2014, 01:49 AM

The speeds that are indicated are fine to me but the cheap crappy looking gauges seem like they belong in an early 90s Hyundai

JJS · 05-24-2014, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuitedUp

Must be reading this forum cause you're jealous.

No, not at all. Just curious about how happy 2-series owners are.

ba83 · 05-24-2014, 07:01 PM

Try driving a gtr where all if the daily speeds which are from 25-65 take 20% of the speedo, hard to read
Corvette is a little better with the c7
Audi s line cars are not very clear either

BenWM · 05-24-2014, 09:42 PM

I think the US should just covert to the metric system, LOL

Cripple · 05-24-2014, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenWM

I think the US should just covert to the metric system, LOL

They should have almost 10 years ago. They for some reason believe a proven to be less adequate system should be in place.

pruettfan · 05-25-2014, 12:07 AM

OP, I think this is a case where you are used to the Focus speedo and are transitioning to the 2 series not so much a case of one being better than the other. Recently I was given a work car to drive (2014 Malibu) it is not a great car by any stretch but I do like the fact that you can use the center display to show a digital speed. I am surprised BMW didn't do this as it would not really take much to let that be a user defined configuration

05-23-2014, 07:03 AM	#1
Canaletto Private First Class 34 Rep 192 Posts Drives: 4 Wheels Join Date: May 2014 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	I kind of hate the speedo on the 2-series... Am I the only one? Sure, it's great that it goes up to 160 mph, but the fact that it's missing clear marks for common USA speed limits (i.e. 25, 35, 45, 55, & 65) makes it kind of annoying. Compare it, for example, to the speedometer on the Ford Focus, which is much better designed in that regard. Is there a way to get a digital readout of the speed on a 2 series? Maybe with the tech package or the M performance electronic steering wheel?
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05-23-2014, 07:17 AM	#3
K99 New Member 2 Rep 27 Posts Drives: M235i M Grey C Red auto Join Date: May 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Same in the UK, most speedos are marked at 20 40 60 80, when the important speeds are 30 50 and 70 ):-?
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05-23-2014, 08:24 AM	#4
basiluf Lieutenant 77 Rep 408 Posts Drives: 2019 S450 2018 S90 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: DTLA iTrader: (0)	It's the standard BMW speedometer design. I thought the A5/S5 has the worst speedometer design. __________________ '14 M235i(current)ED '11 E93 M3(past)ED '08 E90 328i(past)Local
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05-23-2014, 08:32 AM	#5
Killramos Captain 312 Rep 862 Posts Drives: '19 M2 '21 X5 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Calgary iTrader: (1) Garage List 2021 BMW X5 40i [0.00] 2019 BMW M2 Competi ... [0.00]	Honestly it's not THAT hard to see. But I do get what you mean. I love mine (Canadian speed limits rarely deviate from multiples of 10). Probably typical German afterthought of the imperial system. The only caveat I have is Canadian speedo's are kph only. Not even an inner dial for mph. Which is going to be infinitely irritating when I make jaunts into Montana or go on an extended road trip. The speedo on my old vw gti was pretty bad. Went up to 300 kph and wasn't that big. Subsequently it was impossible to read or dial in your speed properly hahahaha. At least it had mph...
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05-23-2014, 09:20 AM	#6
williewonkerz Lieutenant 60 Rep 438 Posts Drives: M235i Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Winnipeg iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 M235i [0.00]	My mother-in-laws A4 Allroad is horrid, unreadable in my opinion. I like the 2 series speedo, but I'm a canuck.
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05-23-2014, 10:41 AM	#7
DanG Major General 10616 Rep 6,925 Posts Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 BMW M2 [7.68]	Looks like any other BMW Speedo. Maybe I am just use to it but it is no problem for me.
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05-23-2014, 11:00 AM	#8
Ramos Colonel 861 Rep 2,897 Posts Drives: G20 2020 M340 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: So-Cal iTrader: (6)	I hate how it has KM/h as well as MPH. Ideally for the US, it should just be MPH in 10 MPH increments
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05-23-2014, 11:45 AM	#9
hyperzulu Colonel 701 Rep 2,337 Posts Drives: 2015 M235i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	There are people that point there speedo needle at the posted speed limit and just ride it out?? You guys know the speedo is around 5mph faster than actual speed, so you guys are all out there driving everyone else mad going 5mph under the speed limit? What a gripe to have! You want to go 25, point at midway between 20 and 40, your actual speed will be 25. Want to go 35, point it at 40, you're going 35. smh you folks sometimes... I swear.
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05-23-2014, 07:29 PM	#14
SuitedUp Private First Class 16 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 228i MSport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Agreed it's not ideal. My biggest issue is that I can't find a good location where the wheel is comfortable but allows me to see the speedometer. I like the wheel low, but it completely blocks the upper half of the speedo.
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05-23-2014, 09:46 PM	#15
JJS Lieutenant 123 Rep 441 Posts Drives: BMW F31 335i 6MT M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Wellington, NZ iTrader: (0)	I don't look at my speedo. I have HUD. Oh wait, the 2-series doesn't. Dang it, I'm in the wrong forum again. __________________ EBII 335i Touring M-Sport (Munich built July 2013) \| 6 Speed Manual \| 2VF Adaptive M Suspension \| 2VL Variable Sports Steering \| 403M wheels \| M-Sport brakes \| 688 Harman Kardon \| 494 Heated Seats \| 610 HUD \| 322 Comfort Access \| 5AC High-Beam Assist \| 609 Navigation Professional \|
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05-23-2014, 11:28 PM	#16
SuitedUp Private First Class 16 Rep 145 Posts Drives: 228i MSport Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Must be reading this forum cause you're jealous.
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05-24-2014, 01:49 AM	#17
dreamspeed Lieutenant Colonel 260 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	The speeds that are indicated are fine to me but the cheap crappy looking gauges seem like they belong in an early 90s Hyundai __________________
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05-24-2014, 07:01 PM	#19
ba83 Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 266 Posts Drives: 135i 6MT Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Fairfax, VA iTrader: (2)	Try driving a gtr where all if the daily speeds which are from 25-65 take 20% of the speedo, hard to read Corvette is a little better with the c7 Audi s line cars are not very clear either __________________ Current: 11 , 135i 6MT Past- Boss 302, LS6 Z06,GTI- APR stg2, LS2 GTO
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05-24-2014, 09:42 PM	#20
BenWM Private 10 Rep 90 Posts Drives: 2014 F22 M235i Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	I think the US should just covert to the metric system, LOL
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05-25-2014, 12:07 AM	#22
pruettfan Brigadier General 1622 Rep 3,402 Posts Drives: 2017 M2, LBB, DCT, Exec Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	OP, I think this is a case where you are used to the Focus speedo and are transitioning to the 2 series not so much a case of one being better than the other. Recently I was given a work car to drive (2014 Malibu) it is not a great car by any stretch but I do like the fact that you can use the center display to show a digital speed. I am surprised BMW didn't do this as it would not really take much to let that be a user defined configuration
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