How to use F8X M3/M4 Launch Control - Facts and Fiction

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Revartr

I think you mean EVERY time. Maybe I should just set the RPMs lower, but I can't catch any traction until 3rd gear.

You need to have a clean surface with good traction to use LC. Further, ensure you tires are clean and properly warmed up before using LC. A good way to do this is to do a burn out before using LC. Also, reduce the launch RPM with the cruise control button to the lowest allowable (2500RPM I believe).

[M3SSY]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Do keep it mashed; if you don't, you will de-activate launch control.

Launch control will remain engaged as long as you have the throttle pedal depressed all the way to the floor with the "kick-down" button engaged and you don't shift manually.

If you de-activate launch control during a launch (checkered flag disappears), you may get even more wheel spin. The transmission will also no longer upshift automatically and you will bounce off the limiter.

I clearly dont know what I am doing with this car then..

I have been controlling wheels spin and shifting it myself...

i should of got the manual...

[TheDiddy]

Originally Posted by Art_da_Fart

Hello Guys and Gals-

During my 1200 service on my M4 (DCT), I asked the service advisor if they activated launch control. He repeated several times that it does not apply to the DCT. After looking at the manual and scrubbing through this forum I could not find out how I can confirm whether or not launch control is activated. How do I simply confirm this for those who have DCT?

Thanks in advance-
ART Da FArt

Time to find a new SA. How does can you trust them with advice on the car if they dont understand the car itself.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by M3SSY

I clearly dont know what I am doing with this car then..

I have been controlling wheels spin and shifting it myself...

i should of got the manual...

It's all there .

I'll steal a quote from someone else :

"Real men don't read manuals, they drive them"

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

Make sure you do it without any cars in the lanes beside you. Sometimes it gets a little tail happy and kicks the rear loose if you launch it hard enough. ask me how I know.

How do you know?

[rr006rbc]

Originally Posted by Dethsupp0rt

How do you know?

Well then. Let me tell you a story of how I almost put the rear quarter panel of a brand new M4 into the side of a pick up truck..lol. I've launch controlled the F10 M5, E92 M3 and the F06 M6GC but NONE of them pitched the car sideways like the S55 engine in the M4 did lol. It's ridiculous and I definitely wasn't expecting that.

[M3SSY]

"Real men don't read manuals, they drive them"

old vs new...

[Revartr]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

You need to have a clean surface with good traction to use LC. Further, ensure you tires are clean and properly warmed up before using LC. A good way to do this is to do a burn out before using LC. Also, reduce the launch RPM with the cruise control button to the lowest allowable (2500RPM I believe).

I would imagine that switching the EDC to "Comfort" and reducing tire pressure would help, as well.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by Revartr

I would imagine that switching the EDC to "Comfort" and reducing tire pressure would help, as well.

Yup, that's what I wrote regarding EDC in post #6

As for tire pressures, sure; but a bit more complex. All the other things I mentioned can be done on the fly without getting out of the car.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by M3SSY

old vs new...

[M3SSY]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Do keep it mashed; if you don't, you will de-activate launch control.

Launch control will remain engaged as long as you have the throttle pedal depressed all the way to the floor with the "kick-down" button engaged and you don't shift manually.

If you de-activate launch control during a launch (checkered flag disappears), you may get even more wheel spin. The transmission will also no longer upshift automatically and you will bounce off the limiter.

so I left my foot in it, god was that hard... my brain was like lift! lift! wheelspin wheelspin catch second, more slip for a second then hard acceleration and the shift to 3rd with a chirp wow DCT.. color me impressed

she is tail happy, but nothing crazy are you guys in comfort or sport + for steering... in comfort its pretty easy to keep the tail tame.

[mul1gan]

can using launch control too many times really void your warranty? My SA just mentioned it to me. This sounds so ridiculous, why even give us the ability to use launch control.

So the service guy said he turned on launch control, is that even possible with a manual? Is there anything I need to do to activate in a manual besides controlling my left and right legs?


thanks

[Dethsupp0rt]

Originally Posted by rr006rbc

Well then. Let me tell you a story of how I almost put the rear quarter panel of a brand new M4 into the side of a pick up truck..lol. I've launch controlled the F10 M5, E92 M3 and the F06 M6GC but NONE of them pitched the car sideways like the S55 engine in the M4 did lol. It's ridiculous and I definitely wasn't expecting that.

Eesh, glad it didn't go worse. I've taken it pretty easy on mine so far (still in break-in) . . . and I've heard and seen a few stories like yours to know to be careful about launching the beast.

[mul1gan]

Originally Posted by mul1gan

can using launch control too many times really void your warranty? My SA just mentioned it to me. This sounds so ridiculous, why even give us the ability to use launch control.

So the service guy said he turned on launch control, is that even possible with a manual? Is there anything I need to do to activate in a manual besides controlling my left and right legs?


thanks

Did my SA give me the wrong info?

[Revartr]

Originally Posted by mul1gan

Did my SA give me the wrong info?

To my knowledge, you can use it however much you like without voiding the warranty.

[YasM3]

Just do not use it repeatedly back to back. Just like anything. It will start to overheat clutches and stuff. Overheating parts=Broken parts. BMW can see this as well. So do not use launch control.Wait 10 secs, use it again. Wait 10 more seconds and use it again. That would be a big NO NO, not just in the eyes of BMW, but also the parts of your car hating you lol.

[YasM3]

Also for the guys wondering if the dealer "activated" launch control on their DCT cars. When you bring your car in for your 1200 mile service. If your 1200 mile service indicator is now gone. It is activated

[minn19]

I finally got a sunny 80 degree day and a semi private stretch of decent pavement to try launch control out again. In another thread, I explained how my first try resulted in a long smokey burnout. Thanks to advice from others, especially CanAutM3 the second time was much more successful.

I drove around for 30-45 doing some fairly aggressive cornering to warm up/clean off the tires. I set up the car and then turned the RPMs down as low as they would go via the cruise control scroll wheel. I believe it was below 2500 and closer to 2300. It squawked a little bit off the line, but hooked up really nice and took off like it is supposed to.

OP, sorry to here about your misinformed SA. I would try another dealer as the break in service does take off the restrictions and allows for launch control to be active. Others have talked about how it got missed during their service and had to take it back to get it done right. FYI, my car is DCT as well.

[nicknaz]

I tried the LC today and it was not at all useful. First gear went up in big spoke, car started to fishtail in second gear so i rolled off the throttle before it got into a tank slapper situation.

Anyone have good luck with LC? Maybe with sticky tires and lower the launch rpm via cruise control toggle?

[MaX PL]

Just keep your foot on the throttle, you won't lose it.

I've been launching at 3k and i find its better than the lower rpm launches.

When the tires were new I'd get less fishtail, but even now, its minimal and if you keep your foot down it fully grabs midway thru 2nd.

[Andrew115]

Same here - if you let off the throttle results can be varied depending on where your pointed and how aggressive you slow down.

Stay on the gas and it will be easier to control IMO.

[MaynardZed]

Burn outs are cool but "spinning ain't winning". I think most members that have had good 1/4 mile times have not used LC.