Euro Spec Speedometer on US Spec Car

Big Windy · 10-09-2008, 03:45 PM

Guys,

I posed the question a long time ago whether it would be possible to install a euro spec speedometer on a us spec car...I finally got the answer today from BMW today: maybe.

According to munich, you have to buy the entire front instrument display. This part costs 600 euro. The dealer will install it for two hours worth of labor. But, there is a huge disclaimer that it might not be able to sync with the system and they won't be able to change the scale of the speedometer (so you'll end up with a needle that is working off of mph while the display has only kph). My service tech told me directly that I am the only one that has ever asked something like this and, frankly, BMW doesn't really care whether it will work. Haha. So, given the fact that it is a 600 euro risk, I'm going to pass. If anyone else was considering this, hopefully this information helps. If anyone has money to burn and tries it out, please let me know if it works...then I might reconsider.

Atny286 · 10-10-2008, 01:22 PM

Isn't there an aftermarket Speedo from Hamann, ACS, etc?

montreal red · 10-12-2008, 02:06 AM

maybe a stupid question but why would you want the euro speedo instead of the US one? i mean besides the mph/kmh difference.

Big Windy · 10-12-2008, 02:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montreal jet black

maybe a stupid question but why would you want the euro speedo instead of the US one? i mean besides the mph/kmh difference.

i live in germany and everything is posted in kilometers per hour...it is minor, but after two years it is a pain to have to always look on the inner ring of the speedometer. i'm going to be here for another 3 years at least, so i was hoping it would be an easy swap for the euro spec speedometer. guess i'll have to live with the US one though because i'm not about to waste 600 euro on something that might or might not work.

rzm3 · 10-12-2008, 07:35 PM

can't you just read from the electornic speed indicator by pressing the BC button?

dar2008 · 10-13-2008, 10:42 AM

I'm surprised you find this a problem...

Whenever I drive in mainland Europe, I switch the iDrive display to KM's. This way the digital speedo reads KM's as does all the SatNav distances etc. Makes it much easier to relate my speed to the pervailing speed limit.

Atny286 · 10-13-2008, 07:08 PM

I actually do find it a bit of a problem and will change to km/h when I get to Germany (in Spring).
Imagine just using BC for miles and not the Speedo. And I like the "km/h look" better, is not so busy...
So, if any solutions... I just contacted the BMW Kundenbetreuung to see what they can do. I'll keep you posted.

Atny286 · 04-03-2009, 04:12 AM

Not sure if anyone tried this, since BMW AG keeps telling me that nothing is possible with a US Specs car in Europe.

I find that BS already, since I have managed to get my US Specs car Dutch approved and resetting the computer is all I needed after changing the taillights and removing the orange leds in the headlights.

Anyway, I am still in for a KMS Speedo...
I might go try a smaller dealer as smaller dealer might have more crisis issues than larger ones...

A.

Big Windy · 04-03-2009, 06:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atny286

Not sure if anyone tried this, since BMW AG keeps telling me that nothing is possible with a US Specs car in Europe.

I find that BS already, since I have managed to get my US Specs car Dutch approved and resetting the computer is all I needed after changing the taillights and removing the orange leds in the headlights.

Anyway, I am still in for a KMS Speedo...
I might go try a smaller dealer as smaller dealer might have more crisis issues than larger ones...

A.

I ran around with BMW AG with this for a little bit, then finally conceded (and I'm glad I did, because I ended up back in the States when I didn't expect it!). Anyway, you are looking at 700-800 euro for a new gauge assembly, but the biggest thing is that they will not guarantee that they will be capable of reprogramming it for KMs only. I wasn't willing to take the risk, but maybe you have a lot of money and don't care if it doesn't work out...good luck!

Atny286 · 04-05-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Windy

I ran around with BMW AG with this for a little bit, then finally conceded (and I'm glad I did, because I ended up back in the States when I didn't expect it!). Anyway, you are looking at 700-800 euro for a new gauge assembly, but the biggest thing is that they will not guarantee that they will be capable of reprogramming it for KMs only. I wasn't willing to take the risk, but maybe you have a lot of money and don't care if it doesn't work out...good luck!

So they say, for example, the 100mph spot is on a different location on the US speedo than the 160kmh spot on a EU Speedo?

I would think it is swapable...

wuxi28 · 04-09-2009, 11:47 PM

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10-09-2008, 03:45 PM	#1
Big Windy Major General 152 Rep 5,124 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (0)	Euro Spec Speedometer on US Spec Car Guys, I posed the question a long time ago whether it would be possible to install a euro spec speedometer on a us spec car...I finally got the answer today from BMW today: maybe. According to munich, you have to buy the entire front instrument display. This part costs 600 euro. The dealer will install it for two hours worth of labor. But, there is a huge disclaimer that it might not be able to sync with the system and they won't be able to change the scale of the speedometer (so you'll end up with a needle that is working off of mph while the display has only kph). My service tech told me directly that I am the only one that has ever asked something like this and, frankly, BMW doesn't really care whether it will work. Haha. So, given the fact that it is a 600 euro risk, I'm going to pass. If anyone else was considering this, hopefully this information helps. If anyone has money to burn and tries it out, please let me know if it works...then I might reconsider.
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10-10-2008, 01:22 PM	#2
Atny286 First Lieutenant 34 Rep 360 Posts Drives: M3/E90/SSII/19s Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 M3 E90 [0.00]	Isn't there an aftermarket Speedo from Hamann, ACS, etc? __________________ 2008 M3 E90/SSII/Black/6MT/19s/chip=456PS
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10-12-2008, 02:06 AM	#3
montreal red chris 278 Rep 12,144 Posts Drives: White Boat Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Toronto iTrader: (31)	maybe a stupid question but why would you want the euro speedo instead of the US one? i mean besides the mph/kmh difference. __________________ Current: 2013 F10 M5 & 2016 Mini JCW 2013 GLK350 (gone), 997.1 GT3RS (gone), 2009 WRX STI (gone), e92 M3 (gone)
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10-12-2008, 07:35 PM	#5
rzm3 Moderator 673 Rep 4,737 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: USA iTrader: (18)	can't you just read from the electornic speed indicator by pressing the BC button?
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10-13-2008, 10:42 AM	#6
dar2008 Major 303 Rep 1,171 Posts Drives: E93 M3 and E92 M3 Comp Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I'm surprised you find this a problem... Whenever I drive in mainland Europe, I switch the iDrive display to KM's. This way the digital speedo reads KM's as does all the SatNav distances etc. Makes it much easier to relate my speed to the pervailing speed limit. __________________
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10-13-2008, 07:08 PM	#7
Atny286 First Lieutenant 34 Rep 360 Posts Drives: M3/E90/SSII/19s Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 M3 E90 [0.00]	I actually do find it a bit of a problem and will change to km/h when I get to Germany (in Spring). Imagine just using BC for miles and not the Speedo. And I like the "km/h look" better, is not so busy... So, if any solutions... I just contacted the BMW Kundenbetreuung to see what they can do. I'll keep you posted. __________________ 2008 M3 E90/SSII/Black/6MT/19s/chip=456PS
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04-03-2009, 04:12 AM	#8
Atny286 First Lieutenant 34 Rep 360 Posts Drives: M3/E90/SSII/19s Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 M3 E90 [0.00]	Not sure if anyone tried this, since BMW AG keeps telling me that nothing is possible with a US Specs car in Europe. I find that BS already, since I have managed to get my US Specs car Dutch approved and resetting the computer is all I needed after changing the taillights and removing the orange leds in the headlights. Anyway, I am still in for a KMS Speedo... I might go try a smaller dealer as smaller dealer might have more crisis issues than larger ones... A. __________________ 2008 M3 E90/SSII/Black/6MT/19s/chip=456PS
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04-09-2009, 11:47 PM	#11
wuxi28 Registered 0 Rep 4 Posts Drives: 1 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: 1 iTrader: (0)	good http://www.travelwestchina.com tibet travel tibet tour tibet tours tibet permit
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