Launch control

[handymanuk]

Has anyone tried it? I can’t seem to get it to work. It just spins the rear wheels rather.

I put the car into sport plus, set the gear selector to the left, pressed the traction control button so it showed dynamic traction. Foot hard on the brake and then when I touch the accelerator all that happens is the wheels spin.

The car is at temperature and has been run in.

Any ideas?

 

[Swiftly]

Not sure why it's not working for you. I use Sport+, sport shift (to left), press DSC (but don’t hold), dash should say “Sport+ Traction”. Then brake to floor, then accelerator to floor, dash should say “Launch Control Active” then release brake and hold on tight :lol: .

“Traction” can also be activated in any of the 4 driving modes.

Comfort with Traction allows minimal wheel spin and minimal angle of slide.
Sport with Traction allows little more wheel spin
Sport+ with Traction will allow about 10-15 degree of angle.
Sport+ with DSC off (hold button) and sport shift (again pushed to the left) will give you a nice Smokey burnout, as well as donuts.

 

[handymanuk]

Well I had another go after my supermarket run. The trick is to really mash the brake as hard as you can, then it will activate.

 

[handymanuk]

Thank you. I saw your post after I replied to my own.

I do wish it was a bit more forceful though. I had a TTS before and that really did knock you back in your seat!

 

[ori]

Not sure why it's not working for you. I use Sport+, sport shift (to left), press DSC (but don’t hold), dash should say “Sport+ Traction”. Then brake to floor, then accelerator to floor, dash should say “Launch Control Active” then release brake and hold on tight :lol: .

“Traction” can also be activated in any of the 4 driving modes.

Comfort with Traction allows minimal wheel spin and minimal angle of slide.
Sport with Traction allows little more wheel spin
Sport+ with Traction will allow about 10-15 degree of angle.
Sport+ with DSC off (hold button) and sport shift (again pushed to the left) will give you a nice Smokey burnout, as well as donuts.

I haven’t tried it yet, but it doesn’t need to be in sports plus?

Just move gear to left and press traction button?

 

[ori]

Am I the only one that worries about the strain launch control puts on the car?

 

[Argyll Andy]

Am I the only one that worries about the strain launch control puts on the car?

Ori, I was just going post asking if this puts any additional strain or causes and damage to the cars components

 

[ori]

Andy, I think it must do. How much is the question though?

If you’re leasing or pcp and plan to change your car then who cares, but if your keeping it longer then it worries you.
Reality is I enjoy the pull of the car in the mid range more than flooring it off the lights.
Still want to launch it….at least once.

 

[Wyldie85]

Once isn’t going to kill it. Look at the YouTube car review guys. They’re forever using the launch control function on cars.
I’m sure a couple of times isn’t going to upset it too much. I’m still to try it on mine.

 

[Obs-Com]

Never used it and probably never will TBH. M40i more than quick enough for me without it. Plus, I like looking after my tyres and cherish my old paper driving licence :roll:

 

[Darkangelv2]

Using this in friend's TTRS and an R8 V10 made me want to throw up in not too much time :rofl:

 

[ronk]

I tried it in a friends company car and it’s wild - a real hoot. The engineer in me says no, no, no!

However as Wyldie85 says, a couple of times isn’t going to upset it much.

 

[Zed Baron]

I wonder if launch control effects your warranty if something goes wrong? The car must store thats its been activated and if there's a limit on how many times it can be activated before BMW say you've had too much fun!

 

[Argyll Andy]

I wonder if launch control effects your warranty if something goes wrong? The car must store thats its been activated and if there's a limit on how many times it can be activated before BMW say you've had too much fun!

I know a different marque obviously but when I was looking at a newish GTR recently in the sales blurb it said “launch control only used once and can be backed up by car’s computer system”

So obviously Nissan has a way of recording so would imagine BMW will have the same. In the event of something going wrong I’m not sure if they could say anything unless there’s some sort of disclaimer buried in the small print saying it’s only for occasional use or something like that

 

[Anonymous]

For the F48 launch control was limited to 100 events over the life of the car..

https://f48.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?s=d80cacddf70e3ec0c33036265325a57b&attachmentid=1287020&d=1443221524

Not the same box but still can’t see that it’s a recommended practice…

 

[Nictrix]

You could argue the fact that if the car is sold with a function to be able to do this then it should be able to cope.
If the instructions on this are in the manual does it also tell you how many times you can do it or if it voids warranty?

 

[Zed Baron]

You could argue the fact that if the car is sold with a function to be able to do this then it should be able to cope.
If the instructions on this are in the manual does it also tell you how many times you can do it or if it voids warranty?

In the manual for the E89 28i all it says is: 'Do not use Launch Control too often. Do not use Launch Control too often (yes its says it twice), as the higher loads on the vehicle lead to premature component wear'. So say you were buying a used M40i for example, I wonder if BMW (if asked) would tell you how many times its been used (if it is recorded). It would be a bit disappointing to find Maverick and Goose had shortened the life of some of the key components launching it off the flight deck once a week and now its become your pride and joy. :cpilot:

 

[Anonymous]

The G29 manual says much the same…

 

[Nictrix]

Very open to interpretation.
Often for one person is completely different to somebody else.
I like the bit where it says do not steer the steering wheel with launch control. :lol:
And although it says it causes premature component wear it doesnt actually advise you not to do it.

 

[tiglon]

All common sense, isn't it? Drive your car really hard and some parts may wear out quicker.