Limiting the top speed

decaturdad · 07-17-2015, 08:01 AM

I know most of us want to remove the factory governor, but I have the opposite problem. A teenage son with a lead foot. Is there a way to lower the top speed on the car? This is a 2007 328i

Thanks

DZ153 · 07-17-2015, 08:12 AM

There you go

Bimmer.335i. · 07-17-2015, 08:13 AM

yea, don't give him the keys

BreathLess · 07-17-2015, 09:00 AM

You can code in a speed limit warning. If he passes over xx miles per hours the annoying sound will come on similar like when you don't have your seat belt on.

I think if you have idrive you can also enable it from the menu.

csu87 · 07-17-2015, 09:03 AM

its a 328 so youll be fine

but seriously, you can enable the chime through iDrive if you have it. It will make it extremely annoying to go faster, but Im sure he'll figure out how to remove that. There are also tons of speed limiter modules you can install. Not sure which ones will work with BMW, but we used to put these on all of our work trucks, and it wouldnt get you go over a set speed.

floydarogers · 07-17-2015, 09:38 AM

1) Don't let him have other teens/friends in the car with him
2) Don't let him drive at night (or some early time.)
3) etc - some states (WA for instance) have implemented these and other rules for young drivers. See page 5: http://leg.wa.gov/JTC/Documents/Stud...20June%204.pdf

Most teen accidents are "loss of control" accidents due to "too fast for conditions" which setting a limiter is not going to prevent. Think about driving 60 mph on a road with a 35mph limit.

Good luck on the education part. One thing to consider STRONGLY is to go to https://www.bmwcca.org/events/trss and see if you can find a street survival school. Tirerack sponsors it (Google "street survival")

The0pportunist · 07-17-2015, 10:12 AM

Agree with above, code in the chime when you go over a certain speed.

In terms of actually limiting the speed, i dont think this is good idea. He may be in an emergency situation where he needs to get away as fast as he can. By law (in UK anyway) you can drive as fast as you like whilst being as drunk as you like, if you feel your life is in danger and you need to get away.

csu87 · 07-17-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The0pportunist

Agree with above, code in the chime when you go over a certain speed.

In terms of actually limiting the speed, i dont think this is good idea. He may be in an emergency situation where he needs to get away as fast as he can. By law (in UK anyway) you can drive as fast as you like whilst being as drunk as you like, if you feel your life is in danger and you need to get away.

Sounds like i need to move to the UK.

feuer · 07-17-2015, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ153

There you go

I did this on my car once because was misfiring past 5.5k rpm's since I suffer from a heavy right foot too. Have the issue solved since. It was bad injector.

bomorgan123 · 07-17-2015, 10:45 AM

Your son could just as easily wreck a Toyota tercel as he could a 328i. Probably easier.

The top speed limiter is a good idea though. I have yet to be in a situation where it was necessary to go above 80 mph. Good luck with your search.

Dann · 07-17-2015, 11:08 AM

Get a gps tracker installed that you can monitor he speed on and tell him if he speeds he doesn't get to use the car.
If he speeds you will know

Sambonjo · 07-17-2015, 12:59 PM

I like the GPS tracker idea. Also, making him pay for any tickets and having his own insurance will probably help curb the speeding.

techwhiz · 07-17-2015, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by decaturdad

I know most of us want to remove the factory governor, but I have the opposite problem. A teenage son with a lead foot. Is there a way to lower the top speed on the car? This is a 2007 328i

Thanks

Do what I did.
My daughter has a leased Fiat 500e, not a BMW.

CantCatchMe · 07-17-2015, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csu87

its a 328 so youll be fine

but seriously, you can enable the chime through iDrive if you have it. It will make it extremely annoying to go faster, but Im sure he'll figure out how to remove that. There are also tons of speed limiter modules you can install. Not sure which ones will work with BMW, but we used to put these on all of our work trucks, and it wouldnt get you go over a set speed.

I know you're joking but last year some teenage kid in Sterling Heights, MI died because he was racing in his 328i. His buddy died too, it was a horrific scene. I met his girlfriend a couple months ago and she just seems weird of course because of the incident.

IMO, don't give him the keys. Buy your son a Geo Prism manual and you'll never have to worry about him speeding. Best car I learned manual in and it was super slow.

lug · 07-17-2015, 10:25 PM

As someone who also learned to drive with a 10 year old 3 series like your son (although a few generations ago now...), the best you can do as the father is trust your son, but trust him only after you lay out all your state's specific rules about how easy it is to lose your license for speeding when you're under 18 (or 21) and that the car he has is the only one he'll get so don't let anything happen to it.

If you know how to work on cars, even basic maintenance, showing your son how to maintain his own car will in turn make him care for it much more.

There's a great top gear episode about this:

thkfast · 07-18-2015, 02:26 AM

Put a 1/4" or 3/8" spacer under the accelerator pedal, it will only allow 50% throttle opening. Enough to get out of his own way, but might limit power somewhat. You'll have to experiment a little. GPS is a good option too, but in the end, you'll have to trust him. Good luck!

Seattlesquash · 07-18-2015, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZ153

There you go

Lol, more than I have done in a long time! Brilliant!

Eddien123 · 07-19-2015, 10:34 AM

I don't believe there is a way to actually code the vehicle to restrict a speed below the factory 135/155. You can add the chime but he probably won't care. Buy him something less enticing?

Rollo` · 07-19-2015, 11:35 AM

My son is only 14 and I have been lecturing about how he will have to drive since he was 10. I gave his older sister my old 330i when she was 16 so he knew then he would likely get my car when he was 16.

I couldn't make it a surprise so I went ahead and started lecturing him about how he had to have good grades and he had to make good decisions or he wouldn't get the car. I have also continually discussed safe driving methods while we are driving--especially when it is just the two of us. Also how it will be immensely tempting to try to race other kids and how people will try to bait him into it.

So far he has been a straight A student and a very good kid but I will be nervous when he starts to drive. I might put one of those telematics things on just to make sure he is doing ok and also to provide him a good excuse not to drive fast.

If I were you I would definitely get the GPS telematics thing and check his driving, then take the car away if he didn't act responsibly.

NEFARIOUS · 07-19-2015, 12:24 PM

Get him a Tesla and put it in Valet Mode...

http://www.teslarati.com/depth-look-...tesla-model-s/

Maximum speed is limited to 70 MPH (113 kmh)
Maximum performance is limited to 80kW, which 80kW = 107 hp, but that's just strictly math since there's no equivalent RPM posted anywhere, nor am I 100% sure how it works... I'm still singing the praise of the P85D when I did the Insane Mode on Tuesday.

fredcase · 07-19-2015, 02:03 PM

Its never too late for an abortion in my books.

GMe90 · 07-19-2015, 04:12 PM

Let's face it. If you try to reprogram the software to limit the speed, your teenage son will probably crack the software in a couple of hours and then reprogram your car, so that you won't be able to drive faster than 30 mph. The only difference will be that you won't be able to unlock the governor on your car without your son's help.

07-17-2015, 08:01 AM	#1
decaturdad Private First Class 24 Rep 121 Posts Drives: 2012 M3, 07 e90, 2012 135i RIP Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Limiting the top speed I know most of us want to remove the factory governor, but I have the opposite problem. A teenage son with a lead foot. Is there a way to lower the top speed on the car? This is a 2007 328i Thanks
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07-17-2015, 08:12 AM	#2
DZ153 Private First Class 32 Rep 103 Posts Drives: 2012 E92 335i xDrive Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: NJ - NY - PA iTrader: (0)	There you go Attached Images __________________ BSM/Coral Red '12 E92 335i xDrive
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07-17-2015, 08:13 AM	#3
Bimmer.335i. Private First Class 12 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW335i [0.00]	yea, don't give him the keys __________________ E92 335i // Space Grey on Coral Red // Muffler Delete // Blackline Trim // BMS DCI // JB4 // VRSF 7'' Intercooler // H&R Sport springs // Matte Grill // Michelin Pilot Super Sports
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07-17-2015, 09:00 AM	#4
BreathLess Private First Class 3 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 11' E90 328xi 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	You can code in a speed limit warning. If he passes over xx miles per hours the annoying sound will come on similar like when you don't have your seat belt on. I think if you have idrive you can also enable it from the menu.
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07-17-2015, 09:03 AM	#5
csu87 Banned 2134 Rep 3,554 Posts Drives: 09 335xi Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Northern Colorado iTrader: (0)	its a 328 so youll be fine but seriously, you can enable the chime through iDrive if you have it. It will make it extremely annoying to go faster, but Im sure he'll figure out how to remove that. There are also tons of speed limiter modules you can install. Not sure which ones will work with BMW, but we used to put these on all of our work trucks, and it wouldnt get you go over a set speed.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-17-2015, 09:38 AM	#6
floydarogers Curmudgeon and Pedant 690 Rep 3,489 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2014 328d Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Bellevue, WA iTrader: (0)	1) Don't let him have other teens/friends in the car with him 2) Don't let him drive at night (or some early time.) 3) etc - some states (WA for instance) have implemented these and other rules for young drivers. See page 5: http://leg.wa.gov/JTC/Documents/Stud...20June%204.pdf Most teen accidents are "loss of control" accidents due to "too fast for conditions" which setting a limiter is not going to prevent. Think about driving 60 mph on a road with a 35mph limit. Good luck on the education part. One thing to consider STRONGLY is to go to https://www.bmwcca.org/events/trss and see if you can find a street survival school. Tirerack sponsors it (Google "street survival")
	Appreciate 1 Quote

07-17-2015, 10:12 AM	#7
The0pportunist Major 471 Rep 1,268 Posts Drives: F30 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Agree with above, code in the chime when you go over a certain speed. In terms of actually limiting the speed, i dont think this is good idea. He may be in an emergency situation where he needs to get away as fast as he can. By law (in UK anyway) you can drive as fast as you like whilst being as drunk as you like, if you feel your life is in danger and you need to get away.
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07-17-2015, 10:45 AM	#10
bomorgan123 Second Lieutenant 17 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 330xi Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: MD iTrader: (4)	Your son could just as easily wreck a Toyota tercel as he could a 328i. Probably easier. The top speed limiter is a good idea though. I have yet to be in a situation where it was necessary to go above 80 mph. Good luck with your search.
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07-17-2015, 11:08 AM	#11
Dann Major 133 Rep 1,381 Posts Drives: E90 LCi 335i Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Portsmouth, United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Get a gps tracker installed that you can monitor he speed on and tell him if he speeds he doesn't get to use the car. If he speeds you will know
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07-17-2015, 12:59 PM	#12
Sambonjo Private First Class 20 Rep 115 Posts Drives: 2011 E90 335 Xdrive 6MT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Calgary iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335 Xdrive [0.00]	I like the GPS tracker idea. Also, making him pay for any tickets and having his own insurance will probably help curb the speeding.
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07-17-2015, 10:25 PM	#15
lug New Member 3 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: May 2015 Location: Augusta, GA iTrader: (0)	As someone who also learned to drive with a 10 year old 3 series like your son (although a few generations ago now...), the best you can do as the father is trust your son, but trust him only after you lay out all your state's specific rules about how easy it is to lose your license for speeding when you're under 18 (or 21) and that the car he has is the only one he'll get so don't let anything happen to it. If you know how to work on cars, even basic maintenance, showing your son how to maintain his own car will in turn make him care for it much more. There's a great top gear episode about this:
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07-18-2015, 02:26 AM	#16
thkfast Major 261 Rep 1,029 Posts Drives: 2015 F82 M4 Sakhir Orange DCT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA iTrader: (1)	Put a 1/4" or 3/8" spacer under the accelerator pedal, it will only allow 50% throttle opening. Enough to get out of his own way, but might limit power somewhat. You'll have to experiment a little. GPS is a good option too, but in the end, you'll have to trust him. Good luck! __________________ "The likelihood of one individual being right increases in direct proportion to the intensity with which others attempt to prove him wrong." 2015 F82 M4 - Sakhir Orange Metallic 2013 E92 M3 / 2013 E92 335is / 2010 E90 335i / 2007 E90 335i
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07-19-2015, 10:34 AM	#18
Eddien123 Colonel 1861 Rep 2,554 Posts Drives: F30 335 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0)	I don't believe there is a way to actually code the vehicle to restrict a speed below the factory 135/155. You can add the chime but he probably won't care. Buy him something less enticing?
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07-19-2015, 11:35 AM	#19
Rollo` Captain 124 Rep 611 Posts Drives: 2018 230i Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: US iTrader: (2)	My son is only 14 and I have been lecturing about how he will have to drive since he was 10. I gave his older sister my old 330i when she was 16 so he knew then he would likely get my car when he was 16. I couldn't make it a surprise so I went ahead and started lecturing him about how he had to have good grades and he had to make good decisions or he wouldn't get the car. I have also continually discussed safe driving methods while we are driving--especially when it is just the two of us. Also how it will be immensely tempting to try to race other kids and how people will try to bait him into it. So far he has been a straight A student and a very good kid but I will be nervous when he starts to drive. I might put one of those telematics things on just to make sure he is doing ok and also to provide him a good excuse not to drive fast. If I were you I would definitely get the GPS telematics thing and check his driving, then take the car away if he didn't act responsibly.
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07-19-2015, 02:03 PM	#21
fredcase Captain 261 Rep 776 Posts Drives: Bmw=trash Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Noyb iTrader: (1)	Its never too late for an abortion in my books.
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07-19-2015, 04:12 PM	#22
GMe90 Captain 356 Rep 928 Posts Drives: 2007 328i Coupe, ZSP, Premium Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Knoxville iTrader: (0) Garage List 2003 BMW Z4 3.0i [6.00] 2007 BMW 328i [10.00]	Let's face it. If you try to reprogram the software to limit the speed, your teenage son will probably crack the software in a couple of hours and then reprogram your car, so that you won't be able to drive faster than 30 mph. The only difference will be that you won't be able to unlock the governor on your car without your son's help.
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