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Converting a UK imported speedo to kmh?

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  • 26-05-2008 9:30am
    #1
    SuprSi
    Registered Users Posts: 6,939 ✭✭✭


    If I import a car from the UK, is it possible to get the original mph/kph speedo replaced with a kph one?


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    #2
    Run_to_da_hills
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20,009 ✭✭✭✭Run_to_da_hills


    Depends on the model, you might be able to locate a "calibration engineer" (the guys that dock clocks for notorious car dealerships) and get him to change the clock or clock face for a metric one from a scrap yard. On some bikes you can get a metric sticker to cover the dials you might be lucky and get one for cars.


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    #3
    SuprSi
    Registered Users Posts: 6,939 ✭✭✭SuprSi


    Thanks - I thought it would be easier seeing as kmh are already mapped out on the speedo, and it would just be a matter of 'stretching' the figures a little further. Thanks though, I'll check it out.


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    #4
    E92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    Leave it be. Mph speedos already show km/h anyway, and changing it is only going to arouse peoples' suspicions when you want to trade in the car at a later date.

    It will also be expensive being a dash in/dash out job, and the cost is probably more than buying an Irish spec car in the first place, which will be worth more come resale time anyway.


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    #5
    craichoe
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,706 ✭✭✭craichoe


    SuprSi wrote: »
    If I import a car from the UK, is it possible to get the original mph/kph speedo replaced with a kph one?

    Why :) ? ???

    I'd look at your car and get suspicious .. is it a jap import etc etc


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    #6
    -Chris-
    Closed Accounts Posts: 12,035 ✭✭✭✭-Chris-


    +1

    I don't see any benefit in doing it and it'll make many, many bells ring in the minds of any potential buyers when you come to sell it.


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    #7
    S.I.R
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,837 ✭✭✭S.I.R


    its only a cardboard facial plate over the clocks. simple job to do.


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    #8
    Cmar-Ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 2,340 ✭✭✭Cmar-Ireland


    I did it recently on an bmw I brought in. I bought a km/h speedo from ebay.de and fitted it in place of the mph. Easy job, took about 20mins to remove clocks and swap them over.

    The speedo from germany didn't have mph on it at all.


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    #9
    horse7
    Registered Users Posts: 3,714 ✭✭✭horse7


    could you tell me the key words to search for on e bay,and would that work for e bay uk,or e bay .com,or as you say ebay .de:o


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    #10
    Stephen
    Registered Users Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    You can search ebay.ie for items located in the european union, which should do the trick. They seem to treat the UK as not in the EU when you do that 0_o


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    #11
    horse7
    Registered Users Posts: 3,714 ✭✭✭horse7


    stephen,did you buy a complete kmh speedo,roughly how much.


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    #12
    Cmar-Ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 2,340 ✭✭✭Cmar-Ireland


    horse7 wrote: »
    could you tell me the key words to search for on e bay,and would that work for e bay uk,or e bay .com,or as you say ebay .de:o

    I searched on ebay.de (German ebay) for the speedo. I think it was called tacho. What make of car is it and I'll have a look for ya...


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    #13
    G-Money
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,199 ✭✭✭G-Money


    If I was going to bother changing stuff like that, I'd rather slap on a digital speedometer, seems more worth it :)


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    #14
    horse7
    Registered Users Posts: 3,714 ✭✭✭horse7


    its a golf 1.9 tdi,ta:D


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    #15
    Cmar-Ireland
    Registered Users Posts: 2,340 ✭✭✭Cmar-Ireland


    horse7 wrote: »
    its a golf 1.9 tdi,ta:D

    Try these...


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    #16
    Stephen
    Registered Users Posts: 18,484 ✭✭✭✭Stephen


    horse7 wrote: »
    stephen,did you buy a complete kmh speedo,roughly how much.

    No, my speedo is digital so it changes from km to miles at the push of a button :pac:


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    #17
    horse7
    Registered Users Posts: 3,714 ✭✭✭horse7


    ta,will check it out


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    #18
    E92
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,147 ✭✭✭E92


    There's really no good reason to switch the speedo - it will make everyone suspicious when you want to sell it for a start, and if the car is new enough you will invalidate the warranty.

    Just put up with it in miles.


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    #19
    Type 17
    Registered Users Posts: 2,730 ✭✭✭Type 17


    Be aware that some cars won't run if you change the speedo without getting the ECU reset to work with it. This is to stop people changing speedos for ones with lower mileage. You might want to confirm if applies to your Golf before starting the swap.

    It won't stop you changing it, but you may need the services of a VAG dealer, or someone else with suitable software, to do the necessary resetting for you.

    If you plan on selling the car in the future, you might take a dated photo of the mileage on the MPH speedo just before you take it out, and another same-date photo of the new speedo in place, with the same distance in KM showing (you will be setting the new speedo to the same distance, won't you? ;) )


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