Haven't seen this issue raised in any thread, so here goes. Everyone knows that the ML63 speedometer registers up to 200 mph, but how many have noticed the "trick" associated with the speedo? Any takers?

Hint: it's right there for anyone to see.

 

Need a bigger hint! It's been a long day...

 

Look at the face of the speedo dial carefully, and it will jump out at you.

Hint #2: It's a sort of tricky optical illusion.

 

Interesting observation. Are you referring to the speedometer increments increasing by 20 mph instead of 10 mph after 120 mph?

Isn't that common practice though?

On my E60 M5, the speedo increment change happens after 80 mph and is not subtle at all. They make it obvious that the increments change as you get to higher speeds. Interesting though that with the speed limiter removed, the M5 is one of the cars actually capable of the 200 mph top speed that its speedo claims so it's not that bmw is actually trying to 'trick' anyone.


I do find it strange that another AMG car I used to own had very uniform increments all the way to 200 mph. This old pic I found of my SLK55 shows how the increments of 20 mph are maintained all the way. I just checked and it turns out my RS4's speedo also maintains uniform increments all the way to 200, and that is a car that's known to top out at less than 190mph due to gearing/aerodynamics.

 

Masmole gets the prize! Good detective work.

I suspect that the speedo in the ML63 is the very same one as in the ML350, with only the face changed out. MB would know that none of us would ever have the capability of accurately testing the speedo in an ML at 130mph+, so there is really no concern that the speedo might be out of calibration at those speeds. In other words, if you're going 140-150mph, does it really matter what the speedometer says?

 

Yeah, for bragging rights.

 

In the words of the inimitable Nigel Tufnel: "This one goes to eleven."