[Hunter399]

I MUCH rather have the temp gauge!

[brian32e]

yeah no kidding -- gotta know when it's ok to start revving up

[billgti]

Originally Posted by G35_2_330

It's useless. Have you noticed that when you come to a complete stop that is maxes out at 50+ MPG? If the engine's running and I'm not moving, how exactly does that work?

i think the reason for that is because the original design was to suit the liters/km measure (which is the common fuel economy measurement in almost every other country). when u are stopped, you are using x amount of fuel divided by 0 which equals infinity.

[E30M3Driver]

Ok, while I think we would all agree we would rather have an oil pressure/temp and/or water temp gauge, I just completed a lengthy trip and actually found this the most useful gauge on the trip.

I used it primarily, and in conjunction with the ave. fuel mileage, ave. mph and the speedometer to ave. 84 mph over 335 miles and get 33 mpg. On that same trip, I also hit 120 mph 2x and spent at least 10 min. at or over 105 mph. (Interstate in the middle of New Mexico.)

I was able to use the fuel gauge to back out of the throttle at times when it wasn't really needed . . . and it reminded me whenever I was falling under 30 mpg. It became a game to see how much speed I could buildup/maintain while maintaining the highest fuel mileage possible.

[croaker]

Originally Posted by bmq

The evil geniuses of Bavaria are trying to simplify the dash, but left this gauge in. What is the point of having this there? Anyone actually use it? Is anything other than an interesting statistic? Does it affect your style of driving if you know what the mpg is at any given point? Am I missing something?

I find I use it more and more. For example, I now know that when I am doing 120mph down the autobahn I’m only getting about 12 mpg. Plus you have to remember that the U.S. is not the only place were these cars are sold. In Europe gas is like $5-7 per gallon, so keeping track of fuel economy is kinda important to them. Which is also why they have a diesel version of everything and we don’t.

-Croaker

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by vladinecko

and it looks cool going the opposite direction of the RPM needle when you accelerate... other than that though, yeah, pretty much useless. bring the temp gauge back!

Exactly how I think!!! It kind of gives a satisfying rhythm to accelerating...

I was initially bent out of shape for having no temp gauge, but I got over it, and as Fleet has said in many posts, the engine managment system constantly changes the engine temp via the electric coolant pump, so the temp gauge would be more freaky than useful...

I go through periods of watching it or not. It has certainly helped me drive in a more environmentally conscious manner - my fuel is paid for by my company so I don't really care about the cost of fuel, but I do care about wasting precious resources. I want to conserve fuel so that enthusiasts like us can continue to drive internal combustion engines, somehow no one has come up with a satisfying alternative yet - somehow I don't want to end up driving an anemic hybrid and having to strap one of these puppies on

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by bmq

The evil geniuses of Bavaria are trying to simplify the dash, but left this gauge in. What is the point of having this there? Anyone actually use it? Is anything other than an interesting statistic? Does it affect your style of driving if you know what the mpg is at any given point? Am I missing something?

Yep. I use mine all the time. It works via vacum and it's fairly accurate. You'd be surprised how much gas you save.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by deutsch100

I honestly use the mpg needle, every day. My 2000 SL500 had it also, and it keeps me in check when I see I am getting 12mpg (my enviornmental conscience kicks in). I would rather honestly have a temp gauge like my M3 had...now that's a very useful gauge.

Me 2, when gas price goes up, I depend on this needle to remind me to take it easy. When gas price drop, I let if rip...

[gdnyc]

I don't mind the mpg guage, but like everyone else on here, at least BMW could have gave us an oil temp or water temp gauge. I also take it easy on the car until it gets to normal operating temps.

[txusa03]

Originally Posted by JamieA

I was initially bent out of shape for having no temp gauge, but I got over it, and as Fleet has said in many posts, the engine managment system constantly changes the engine temp via the electric coolant pump, so the temp gauge would be more freaky than useful...

I second that, I experienced this engine managment first hand when my e90 water pump broke (sound like my e90 is delivering a baby -- water broke).

[JamieA]

Originally Posted by gdnyc

I don't mind the mpg guage, but like everyone else on here, at least BMW could have gave us an oil temp or water temp gauge. I also take it easy on the car until it gets to normal operating temps.

What I don't understand is that oil temp appears to be in the hidden menus, but they don't put the info on a trip-computer screen, or on the "service" screen on iDrive - should be part of the oil level display... this would make me a very happy clam.

[ic]

Water temp or fuel mileage guage? Doesn't matter. But Oil temp guage pleaseeeeeeeeeee.

[espo]

Originally Posted by brian32e

yeah no kidding -- gotta know when it's ok to start revving up

Totally agree with this... The MPG gauge just doesn't do it for me (esp in a "sport" sedan)..

[dkizerian]

I'd like an HONEST oil or water temp gauge (not a dumb gauge that will stay at teh same spot as long as the temp is within spec)

[ward]

guarantee everyone bitching about it is new to BMW and young while people who like it have driven BMW's for a few years

the thing has been in most BMW's since the early 80's, why change 20 years of tradition. If I got in a BMW without one, i'd wonder where it was AND I would miss it

[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by ward

guarantee everyone bitching about it is new to BMW and young while people who like it have driven BMW's for a few years

the thing has been in most BMW's since the early 80's, why change 20 years of tradition. If I got in a BMW without one, i'd wonder where it was AND I would miss it

I have nothing against traditions per se, but keeping a nearly-useless gauge instead of one that is widely regarded as more important (temp) in the name of tradition is lame.

(And yes, I'm new to BMW )

[ward]

Originally Posted by G35_2_330

I have nothing against traditions per se, but keeping a nearly-useless gauge instead of one that is widely regarded as more important (temp) in the name of tradition is lame.

(And yes, I'm new to BMW )

and that's the problem with all you new owners

you have no idea how useless the temp gauge is in any modern car, much less the E90 which operates at different temps for different conditions.

A temp gauge could easily be considered LESS usefull than the MPG gauge

[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by ward

and that's the problem with all you new owners

you have no idea how useless the temp gauge is in any modern car, much less the E90 which operates at different temps for different conditions.

A temp gauge could easily be considered LESS usefull than the MPG gauge

I never argued the technical merits of a temp gauge. I simply said it was widely regarded as more important.

[ward]

I don't mean to pick on you personally G35, but I just don't understand the obsession with people on needing a water temp gauge.

the days of getting actual info from the water temp gauge are long gone, and these kids just don't understand it

[GoBonesGo]

Originally Posted by ward

I don't mean to pick on you personally G35, but I just don't understand the obsession with people on needing a water temp gauge.

the days of getting actual info from the water temp gauge are long gone, and these kids just don't understand it

You're not picking on me at all; I don't have any sort of obsession with a temp gauge.

My position is that the MPG gauge is rather useless. The mention of the temp gauge was simply restating a preference that most people here seem to share. I never said I wanted one myself.

[poldim]

Some people say it makes them drive more effciently. Meanwhile I like it when I see that needlego from cruise of 30 to the far right in an instant...

[bmq]

Originally Posted by ward

the thing has been in most BMW's since the early 80's, why change 20 years of tradition. If I got in a BMW without one, i'd wonder where it was AND I would miss it

I can respect tradition when it comes to family and Thanksgiving dinner, but just because it has always been there is not a good enough reason to keep it intact. If something has outgrown its usefulness, it should be replaced by something more appropriate....