85 MPH - It just can't be.
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Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Massachusetts
2007 BMW 328xi sedan
85 MPH - It just can't be.
On highways with 65 mph speed limit, I frequently find myself amazed at how fast I am going all the time. I look down and see that I have to hit 85 mph to slowly pass centerlane cars. This means that they are all doing around 80, which I am having a hard time believing. To me it feels like I am only doing around 70 at a reading of 85, this is way off. Is it just me or does anyone else notice this. It could be that the speedo is not calibrated, or it could be just my perception. Also, It could be that the speedo is calibrated for the stock 16 wheels regardless if the car gets C7, which I have.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere where that up to 5 or maybe even 10 mph is an allowable deviance by law. Any suggestions on how to test the speedo accuracy? At 35 mph it is pretty close (based on those radar speed reminders that police put up in school zones) but the variance does get greater as speed increases.
I'm pretty sure I read somewhere where that up to 5 or maybe even 10 mph is an allowable deviance by law. Any suggestions on how to test the speedo accuracy? At 35 mph it is pretty close (based on those radar speed reminders that police put up in school zones) but the variance does get greater as speed increases.
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From: Los Angeles
2002 c230k
The C7 is almost spot on w/ the stock set. You are going that fast! Remember cars are greatly improved over the past 10 years and fast then does not feel fast in a modern car. Even good older cars are a lot less rigid than a lesser new one, so they dont have that 'I'm going really fast feel'.
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To check the accuracy of your speedometer, go onto an flat portion an Interstate or the Turnpike and set the cruise control to 60mph. Use a watch or stopwatch to time the mile marker posts. Time 5 or miles and take the average.
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From: Albany NY
99 ml320, 2002 C230K
I actually had my wife follow me to make sure that the speedo was correct. The coupe is so damn quiet and stable that 85 feels like 60 in a lesser car. When you're on the highway it's quite easy to accellerate to 85 or 90 in just a couple of seconds.
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From: Orlando, FL
2002 Mercedes-Benz C230 Kompressor Sports Coupe
Here in Orlando average traffic speed is 75, on a posted 55. If you go 80, you 's-l-o-w-l-y' pass the average traffic. Cops are cool though and really look out for the sole-gunman speeding past average traffic, making going 80 pretty safe.
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From: Ashburn, VA
'19 GLC 300, '19 TM3SR+
Originally posted by Flashman
Here in Orlando average traffic speed is 75, on a posted 55. If you go 80, you 's-l-o-w-l-y' pass the average traffic. Cops are cool though and really look out for the sole-gunman speeding past average traffic, making going 80 pretty safe.
Here in Orlando average traffic speed is 75, on a posted 55. If you go 80, you 's-l-o-w-l-y' pass the average traffic. Cops are cool though and really look out for the sole-gunman speeding past average traffic, making going 80 pretty safe.
And yes, I also noticed that perception of speed in the Coupe is "non-linear", so to speak. It feels rather fast at 40mph, but doesn't feel too fast at 85, feels just "right"
Which makes perfect sense - German cars are meant to be driven fast and are designed that way.
Last edited by vadim; Feb 15, 2002 at 12:46 AM.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 112
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From: LA Area
2002 C230K Sports Coupe
So when my spedo hit 129 mph last week 
(I had to try it...long, straight and open freeway in the desert) I can tell my wife it's the wheels!
I like!
Btw, 129 scared the ***T out of me! Big difference from the Jammed 405!
(I had to try it...long, straight and open freeway in the desert) I can tell my wife it's the wheels! I like!
Btw, 129 scared the ***T out of me! Big difference from the Jammed 405!
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From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
Originally posted by jay
So when my spedo hit 129 mph last week (I had to try it...long, straight and open freeway in the desert) I can tell my wife it's the wheels!
I like!
Btw, 129 scared the ***T out of me! Big difference from the Jammed 405!
So when my spedo hit 129 mph last week
(I had to try it...long, straight and open freeway in the desert) I can tell my wife it's the wheels! I like!
Btw, 129 scared the ***T out of me! Big difference from the Jammed 405!
back on-topic, if 85 feels like 60, its probably just the car being that much smoother and quieter. I am very guilty of going 80 in the Z3 when I assumed I was going 65 or so, just due to the sound levels.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
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From: NYC
C32 AMG, C300 Sport
I know what you mean
You need to see the look on my face everytime I look down and see the speedo at 100! It has happened more than once. But I dont think anything is wrong.... Im just flyin. The road is usually pretty empty but I rarely if ever see anyone passing me.
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Measured Mile Formula
Howdy Folks:
This is the formula for average speed over a measured mile:
average speed(mph)=3600 divided by the number of seconds it took to go the measured mile. It helps to time the start and finish from the the same point on the car. (I use the passenger A pillar)
This is the formula for average speed over a measured mile:
average speed(mph)=3600 divided by the number of seconds it took to go the measured mile. It helps to time the start and finish from the the same point on the car. (I use the passenger A pillar)
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From: Los Angeles
GL450, Sienna SE
Talkin about your Z3, I used to have a 95 3 series BMW, the speed limiter sucks so I was on a very steep hill and I put it in neutral after I hit the limiter. After going a few miles past the limiter due to the momentium the engine shut off on me. Still had power steering and brakes which shut off as I came down to 80mph, then I just turned my key and started everything up. I havent tried this on my MB but I really dont want to either... Very scary experience...
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally posted by BrabusCClass
Talkin about your Z3, I used to have a 95 3 series BMW, the speed limiter sucks so I was on a very steep hill and I put it in neutral after I hit the limiter. After going a few miles past the limiter due to the momentium the engine shut off on me. Still had power steering and brakes which shut off as I came down to 80mph, then I just turned my key and started everything up. I havent tried this on my MB but I really dont want to either... Very scary experience...
Talkin about your Z3, I used to have a 95 3 series BMW, the speed limiter sucks so I was on a very steep hill and I put it in neutral after I hit the limiter. After going a few miles past the limiter due to the momentium the engine shut off on me. Still had power steering and brakes which shut off as I came down to 80mph, then I just turned my key and started everything up. I havent tried this on my MB but I really dont want to either... Very scary experience...
I had a 95 318i automatic and i got it to go about 5kmh over the speed limiter.. which was about 187kmh. I hit it out of momentum i guess.. going downhill.. but after that, just no power, but not a TOTAL engine shutoff.
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From: Lincoln, NE
2000 BMW Z3 2.3 Roadster (hardtop current ly attached)
I've never heard of the engine shutting off, but I suspect it had to do with the fact that it was out of gear... I can imagine the fault codes screaming through the computer...
I experienced the same thing as pokerFACE... was VERY predictable! (thats good)... when I can afford the $1000 to move up to 17-inch wheels and a good set of michelin Pilot Sports, I'll get a chip to conveniently remove that limiter... I just wish they made a chip that was only compliant in the lase faire agricultural midwest... none of this 50-state stuff, as long as its legal in Nebraska, its good with me!
I experienced the same thing as pokerFACE... was VERY predictable! (thats good)... when I can afford the $1000 to move up to 17-inch wheels and a good set of michelin Pilot Sports, I'll get a chip to conveniently remove that limiter... I just wish they made a chip that was only compliant in the lase faire agricultural midwest... none of this 50-state stuff, as long as its legal in Nebraska, its good with me!
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From: Oro Valley, AZ
2001 C240 6spd
It seems that with all the refinements to the cars, you seem isolated from the road....you cant tell if you are going that fast since everything is so quiet and smooth....90 seems like 60....but I tell you...I had my C240 top out at 132 and you can see real estate go by very quickly.....the car kept going (I kept up that speed for about 5 miles) and the motor did not shut down to slow down....but it is very easy to go fast and not realize it....I am always checking the speedo....
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From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Okay, so according to shahtc,
when the w203s hit their max speed, they just *sit there, correct? no unwanted cut-offs, engine shut downs, bouncing needles, etc etc...
I've never taken mine above 165 kmh.
when the w203s hit their max speed, they just *sit there, correct? no unwanted cut-offs, engine shut downs, bouncing needles, etc etc...
I've never taken mine above 165 kmh.
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From: LA Area
2002 C230K Sports Coupe
Well, I can't answer the question about a limiter specifically, but like I posted earlier, I've taken my coupe to 129, and I had to let up.... Mostly due to the fact that any faster, and I'm changing my shorts, or a rabbit crosses the road and I get turned into road kill. You definately notice the speed at that rate.
The car felt as if it wanted more speed too! What a ride!
The car felt as if it wanted more speed too! What a ride!
