Launch control useage

[Simon H]

Hello Chaps,
Could i ask the serial launch control protagonists, how many times, they think they have actually used this feature, and if they have encountered any problems from doing so ?, thankyou, SIMON.

[boots]

Tried it twice when I had first service. Never again afterwards. No problems. I just don't see a need to use it. But that's just me.

[wisesoul]

In practice, 2 times. One for the hell of it, and one when a ZL1 gave me the head nod at a stop light. That was both fun and ridiculously stupid of me, but I had a laugh. Hooked up both times to my surprise and no problems (yet).

[Pazzo009]

This feature is a big disappoint to me. I have heard many mixed reviews on it and most are negative. I have tried it several times and I think it actually engaged correctly once. I have read and followed the extensive list of parameters that must be met in order for it to work. What continues to happen on mine is; the "Launch Control Active" lights up, it sits at 3000, foot lightly on brake...let go of the shifter keep gas down...it chirps, and then almost dies and bogs out. I give up.

[mainly]

Originally Posted by aculeg87

This feature is a big disappoint to me. I have heard many mixed reviews on it and most are negative. I have tried it several times and I think it actually engaged correctly once. I have read and followed the extensive list of parameters that must be met in order for it to work. What continues to happen on mine is; the "Launch Control Active" lights up, it sits at 3000, foot lightly on brake...let go of the shifter keep gas down...it chirps, and then almost dies and bogs out. I give up.

theres something definitly wrong there. it should launch every time once the launch active message appears.

[mainly]

i used it couple of occasions 7 - 8 times in a row at the dragstrip. ran an 11.9 using it.

no issues.

hard to get used to seting it up though, but once you get the hang of it. its like anything else.

[Protious]

I've used it 5 times within an hour a few weeks back, but be warned.. You really need good tires to actually retain traction during LC, otherwise you end up drifting to the side.

[mindlessmark07]

Originally Posted by Protious

I've used it 5 times within an hour a few weeks back, but be warned.. You really need good tires to actually retain traction during LC, otherwise you end up drifting to the side.

Absolutely true plus tires need to be up to temp or you get this:

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by mindlessmark07

Absolutely true plus tires need to be up to temp or you get this:

Yup. Routinely my experience...when it works that is. Real PITA. Been driving some Carreras lately.

1. Push "Spot Plus"
2. Left foot on brake
3. Right foot on accelerator
4. Go!

Beats the dog and pony show you need to do the M5. "You put your right foot in...you take your right foot out"-lol!

[Niko1414]

Originally Posted by Protious

I've used it 5 times within an hour a few weeks back, but be warned.. You really need good tires to actually retain traction during LC, otherwise you end up drifting to the side.

So true about the tires... Tried LC last month with 17.5k miles and not much tread left. I scared the crap out of myself going sideways...

[(H)]

I am still experimenting with LC. Took me at least 10 tries to really figure it out and I am not sure if it didn't work that well initially because I insistend on trying it just prior to 1.2K check ;-) Now it works perfectly fine every single time. My problem: I can't take out the difference to regular go with left foot on the break and right foot on the gas. I think a drag strp test is due to teach me.
Real life application: Almost none. At least here in NJ, I have yet to meet any Z0X or other driver that wan't to battle at a stop light. And just for the heck of it if you ever make it to be the first at the line at an intersection on Rt.1, it's just too embarrassing to ref up to 3K and then take off like a rocket when all the Priuses and Siennas disappear quickly in the rear view mirror. Where are all the Shelbys and AMGs in this pseudo-intellectual neck of the woods???

[singularity]

Originally Posted by aculeg87

This feature is a big disappoint to me. I have heard many mixed reviews on it and most are negative. I have tried it several times and I think it actually engaged correctly once. I have read and followed the extensive list of parameters that must be met in order for it to work. What continues to happen on mine is; the "Launch Control Active" lights up, it sits at 3000, foot lightly on brake...let go of the shifter keep gas down...it chirps, and then almost dies and bogs out. I give up.

Let shifter go after you release the brake. As long as the shifter is pushed forward the car won't move. Shifter forward, floor the gas, let go of the shifter.

[Pazzo009]

Originally Posted by singularity

Let shifter go after you release the brake. As long as the shifter is pushed forward the car won't move. Shifter forward, floor the gas, let go of the shifter.

I have been doing tha all along. There could be something wrong with the car because it has chirped and then bogged down.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by aculeg87

I have been doing tha all along. There could be something wrong with the car because it has chirped and then bogged down.

Nah. It's just very quirky. You have to do it just right. BMW could have made it a lot simpler.

[singularity]

Originally Posted by aculeg87

I have been doing tha all along. There could be something wrong with the car because it has chirped and then bogged down.

Or maybe you have a manual transmission

[Pazzo009]

Originally Posted by singularity

Or maybe you have a manual transmission

LOL...Is that why theres 3 pedals? I had no idea

[mindlessmark07]

In my experience...LC works. I have activated it more that a few dozen times. When I was still running the stock wheels and tires, it worked. My first set of aftermarket rims with Falkens were absolutely useless with LC. I would lay down rubber through 1st and 2nd gear. My current wheels are running 21 inch PSS's and LC works a bit better once the tires are really up to temp. In my experience, anything 100 degrees or higher will hookup. Hope this helps.

As far as activating it...All you have to do is:

Turn Traction control complete off, Trans to S3, depress brake, hold shift knob forward, gas pedal all the way down, let go of shifter and your gone.

Engine in Sport+...all other settings don't matter.

Pretty basic.

[ColdList]

Originally Posted by mindlessmark07

In my experience...LC works. I have activated it more that a few dozen times. When I was still running the stock wheels and tires, it worked. My first set of aftermarket rims with Falkens were absolutely useless with LC. I would lay down rubber through 1st and 2nd gear. My current wheels are running 21 inch PSS's and LC works a bit better once the tires are really up to temp. In my experience, anything 100 degrees or higher will hookup. Hope this helps.

As far as activating it...All you have to do is:

Turn Traction control complete off, Trans to S3, depress brake, hold shift knob forward, gas pedal all the way down, let go of shifter and your gone.

Engine in Sport+...all other settings don't matter.

Pretty basic.

Yup. Know how to do it. And by comparison, it is a lot of steps compared to the Porsche.

Sport+, left foot brake, right foot gas, go.

It is always quirky for me, especially if you try to adjust the RPMs via the wheel controls. Mine rarely hooks with Michelin PSS 21" 305s. Could be the tune and DPS.

[mindlessmark07]

Originally Posted by ColdList

Yup. Know how to do it. And by comparison, it is a lot of steps compared to the Porsche.

Sport+, left foot brake, right foot gas, go.

It is always quirky for me, especially if you try to adjust the RPMS via the wheel controls. Mine rarely hooks with Michelin PSS 21" 305s. Coild be the tune and DPS.

Totally agree...Porsche has it right.

[stealth.pilot]

I find it very difficult to use. The few times I tried it, I got creep the moment I took my foot of the brake. So I gave up.

I can get a quarter mile in 11.9 with DSC ON. So I don't really see the need for launch control.