I'm a recent 545i owner. I noticed that the tachometer has a "white line" area that moves depending on engine conditions. It drops down to about 4K or 4.5K RPM when the engine is first started and within a few minutes works its way back up to what appears to be its final resting place around 6.5 to 7K RPMs, which is about 500RPM below the red line.

What exactly does the "white line" mean and do you see the same thing?

I'm assuming its an apprpriate warning to keep the RPMs in check until we're warm enough to tolerate and if this is the case I really like this feature-- it shows a lot of intelligence on the part of BMW to put in a dynamic, "thinking", red line.

 

The following thread will explain things for you. Keep in mind that you have to read the entire thing before you get to the facts...

http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=4798

 

Thanks-- very helpful link. So it sounds like my experience is typical, that the white lines are not an RPM limiter, but that the car has a seperate controler which keeps RPMs below levels that would be dangerous (not that I'm likely to find those levels the way I drive.)

 

Yup, the limiter kicks in at redline no matter how hot or cold the motor is. The variable white line is simply a suggested limit but nothing will stop you from exceeding it...

 

The little white lines mean it's time to shift...

 

Nah, that's what the red one is for...