Are we being overcharged on leases? Interesting article on Speedometer errors...
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Are we being overcharged on leases? Interesting article on Speedometer errors...
Anyone see this month's C&D? There is an article discussing speedometer error among various makes. GM has the most accurate speedometers, and guess whose are the least accurate? BMW.
According to CD the European car makers follow more stringent guidelines regarding speedometer error than the Americans. The key component of the European guidelines is that the speedometer must NEVER read lower than the actual speed.
Speedometer readings may be between x% over actual speed (I forget exactly but I think it was 2%), and up to x% + 4 kmh. To account for treadwear and underinflation, add another 2-3%, if the alternator has been subject to extreme temps, add another 1%, etc... When all is said and done, an actual speed of 70 mph could read as high as 79.5 mph on a BMW.
But before you go increasing your speed by 10 mph, keep this in mind. On 19 BMW's, the C&D observed speedometer reading was just over 73 mph when actual speed was 70 mph.
C&D concludes that BMW (and Porsche) are the biggest exaggerators among European car makers because their owners are more likely to fiddle with wheel and tire sizes.
hmmm 4% X 36,000 (lease) = 1,140 miles or $288 @ .20/mi
So are we being over charged in our leases?
Car and driver article
According to CD the European car makers follow more stringent guidelines regarding speedometer error than the Americans. The key component of the European guidelines is that the speedometer must NEVER read lower than the actual speed.
Speedometer readings may be between x% over actual speed (I forget exactly but I think it was 2%), and up to x% + 4 kmh. To account for treadwear and underinflation, add another 2-3%, if the alternator has been subject to extreme temps, add another 1%, etc... When all is said and done, an actual speed of 70 mph could read as high as 79.5 mph on a BMW.
But before you go increasing your speed by 10 mph, keep this in mind. On 19 BMW's, the C&D observed speedometer reading was just over 73 mph when actual speed was 70 mph.
C&D concludes that BMW (and Porsche) are the biggest exaggerators among European car makers because their owners are more likely to fiddle with wheel and tire sizes.
hmmm 4% X 36,000 (lease) = 1,140 miles or $288 @ .20/mi
So are we being over charged in our leases?
Car and driver article
