BMW why do they?

Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
do thier, IIRC 205mph?.

wrote:
> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.

Is that also true in Europe? I thought they limited the speed limit in
USA due to some federal traffic laws?

"DaLoverhino" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
>
> wrote:
>> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
>> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
>> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
>
> Is that also true in Europe? I thought they limited the speed limit in
> USA due to some federal traffic laws?

My understanding is that it has been a "gentleman's agreement", between BMW
and Mercedes, along with Audi to a lesser extent. I don't actually remember
the reasons but I suspect if they opened these cars up to their potential
speeds the OMC cost for tires would escalate significantly. So I am not
certain their agreement was not about the consumer as much as it was about
limiting their costs for cars they knew weren't ever gonna be driven faster
than that anyway. Most of these makers have gone above and beyond the limit
in certain "special" models...Audi in particular with their RS and S models
and Merc with some of their AMGs.

I believe each is still offering to program these limits out of your car,
after your have taken possession of it, for a small fee and a number of
signed waivers and disclaimers.

wrote:
> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
>
It's the OEM tires that are the limiting factor.

"JimV" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
>> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
>> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
>>
> It's the OEM tires that are the limiting factor.
>
>
Hmm. My 328i is limited to 128 mph and my Z4 to 155. Both came with OEM W
rated tires (168 mph).

Tom

"JimV" > wrote in message
...
> wrote:
>> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
>> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
>> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
>>
> It's the OEM tires that are the limiting factor.

Rarely if ever. Although BMW limits some of its US cars the 128 in
anticipation of owners replacing their tires with lesser equipment.

R / John

"John Carrier" > wrote
> "JimV" > wrote
>> wrote:
>>> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
>>> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
>>> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
>>>
>> It's the OEM tires that are the limiting factor.
>
> Rarely if ever. Although BMW limits some of its US cars the 128 in
> anticipation of owners replacing their tires with lesser equipment.

That is not true - you've got it backward.
Most BMWs in the US without the sport packages are limited to 128,
because they come with H-rated tires from the factory. For instance
my '01 330xi came with Conti Sport Contact 91H, and is limited to 128.

Floyd

It might be that they are trying to help you from smearing yourself
across the road. 99% of drivers cannont handle a car over 100 mph. I've
learned this at a few driving schools including Skip Barber. You may be
able to drive you car in a strait line at 150 or so, and maybe even
some light corners, but try and execute an emergency manuver or hit a
pothole in the road at 100mph and its a whole different story.

"Corey Shuman" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> It might be that they are trying to help you from smearing yourself
> across the road. 99% of drivers cannont handle a car over 100 mph. I've
> learned this at a few driving schools including Skip Barber. You may be
> able to drive you car in a strait line at 150 or so, and maybe even
> some light corners, but try and execute an emergency manuver or hit a
> pothole in the road at 100mph and its a whole different story.
>


.... or have the motor blow.

"fbloogyudsr" > wrote in message
...
> "John Carrier" > wrote
> > "JimV" > wrote
> >> wrote:
> >>> Why do BMW limit thier cars to 155mph? Whats the point? Especally on
> >>> the M5 and the M3? They would be even better if they were unlimited to
> >>> do thier, IIRC 205mph?.
> >>>
> >> It's the OEM tires that are the limiting factor.
> >
> > Rarely if ever. Although BMW limits some of its US cars the 128 in
> > anticipation of owners replacing their tires with lesser equipment.
>
> That is not true - you've got it backward.
> Most BMWs in the US without the sport packages are limited to 128,
> because they come with H-rated tires from the factory. For instance
> my '01 330xi came with Conti Sport Contact 91H, and is limited to 128.
>


My '94 325i with the Sport Package One came with 92V tires, and a 128 mph
speed limit.

I don't think the tires have anything to do with the speed limit in the
computer. Indeed, it appears to me that my car will reach the red line at
about 145 (if there was no limiter), so I have to assume that an engine
failure at that speed - both ground speed and engine speed - would be at
best mildly problematic for most drivers, and at worst hugely problematic
for everybody else that was anywhere nearby. I prefer to think that the
limiter will keep the car well below redline at its maximum speed, and this
is the only reason to have the limiter.

I can hear some moron now, "your honor, they never told me to not go that
fast ..."