Outside temp gauge slow to respond to temperature change

[mhaghighi]

On my 1400 miles. Love it. Have other Bmw cars. But in my M3 notice outside temp changes very slow in its readings. For example coming out of garage it takes a while after driving for the actual reading go up or down it seems. Anyone else?

[dinonz]

Personally, have always considered OAT gauges in cars as useful as pissing into the wind. I never trust their accuracy.

[ChipB]

What do you mean by "takes a while?" On a typical winter's day if I back out of my 55 F garage into, say, 20F weather it might take a bit over 5 minutes for the temp reading to get down that low. Not much different from earlier BMWs I've owned, or Audi, Porsche, etc.

[jailonacs99]

Reviving this thread because I'm having the same issue. Noticed it primarily when the temp is higher outside. Left my garage at 71, outside temp was 86 and my dash gauge hadn't adjusted after over 20 minutes of driving. After I parked and came back to the car an hour later, it was finally reading the proper outside temp.

Is the thermometer easily accessible? Maybe just needs to be cleaned off? On my old E46 I could get to it through the wheel well without having to uninstall anything.

[DBACE]

I found it to be pretty accurate when I have cared enough to look, usually in the colder moments of the year.

Is this really an issue though?? The most important time of the OAT gauge is to warn you when the temperature reach's a point of affecting your ability to drive, usually when its freezing outside.

I mean do you bring a change of clothes with you and change up based on what the car tells you?

[jailonacs99]

Well obviously. I won't even get out of the car unless I know the outside temperature is perfectly suited to my tastes. Don't even get me started on this "rolling down the window" nonsense to be sure either.