Launch Control on the new Z4

[Ur_Up]

Found the article again.. Tells you how to use Launch Control too, but everyone here has got it right.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._usable_page_2

[dcs2k]

Just tried it last night. Awesome. With a JB3 tune, it still work flawlessly.

[ymdd]

Can someone please make a video of the Steps for activatin launch control ? I have tried everything, Help please.

[Mayhem]

Launch control works for me just fine, but I'm not really sure if it is all that different than just putting the DCT into manual mode and just punching it through all the gears. When I am in manual mode, and I punch it, the transmission will shift at redline automatically through all the gears. It won't let you over-rev.

Putting it into launch control mode is easy. Make sure you are in sport + and with the DCT in manual mode. Then simultaneously floor the throttle with your foot on the brake. When you take your foot off the brake, the car will launch.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ymdd

Can someone please make a video of the Steps for activatin launch control ? I have tried everything, Help please.

The computer won't allow it to activate if the odometer has less than 1200 miles or if the car hasn't been driven for a certain number of minutes or miles since the engine was switched on (the actual numbers escape me but it is all detailed in the owner's manual)

[Dr Stig 2]

I've used mine a couple of times in the past...
Too much wheel spin for my liking.

Tried to use it a few times lately... It just won't switch on. Weird.

It's simple to do. Warm it up. Stop. Foot on brake. Sports plus. Into manual, into M1. Foot on brake while flooring it, flag on dash, go.

Only in my case, no flag, and revs just drop.

Lucky I prefer to just floor it.

[redhot]

Tried the Sport+ setting for the first time. The car holds up the revs for a much longer time ...good for getting some great sound from the TP's but I was not happy with the ride. I prefer the Sport setting as it gives a shot of red bull to the tranny as compared to the granny mode of Normal / Comfort. Never tried LC and not intend to unless I am in a dire situation - no matter what the manufacturer says. The GT-R forum is laden with premature deaths of their DCT's from trying out the LC on early 09's.

So unless you can perform a burnout and the tires get warm to grab the pavement, LC will not benefit.

[mstevens]

Originally Posted by redhot

Never tried LC and not intend to unless I am in a dire situation

With what sort of dire situation could Launch Control conceivably help? If I need to go to get out of the path of the tornado or whatever, I do NOT want to be faffing about with the steps to initiate Launch Control.

Originally Posted by redhot

The GT-R forum is laden with premature deaths of their DCT's from trying out the LC on early 09's.

1) Not a GT-R
2) No longer the early 90's

[redhot]

Originally Posted by mstevens

With what sort of dire situation could Launch Control conceivably help? If I need to go to get out of the path of the tornado or whatever, I do NOT want to be faffing about with the steps to initiate Launch Control.



1) Not a GT-R
2) No longer the early 90's

That's my point exactly. In a normal driving situation, putting the car in Sport or Sport+ is plenty enough to get the most out of our cars.

Though I have not checked the Manual, I would assume that BMW would try to avoid frying the tranny and expensive litigations by building a safety mechanism by not allowing the LC mode after certain tries.

[javol]

Originally Posted by Dr Stig 2

I've used mine a couple of times in the past...
Too much wheel spin for my liking... Lucky I prefer to just floor it.

+1

Launch control is almost useless in our cars (at least for those ones equipped with the N54) and, in my experience, do not improve drag times: toooooo much wheel spin. And the "sense of guilt" towards the DCT is remarkable...

[Vintage]

It is really cool to try once or twice on your own or at a track - you feel like the front wheels are about to come off the ground. Then it is useless. I just drive around it Sport or Sport+ with Manual mode DCT most of the time.

[oldkingdom]

Originally Posted by Vintage

It is really cool to try once or twice on your own or at a track - you feels like the front wheels are about to come off the ground. Then it is useless. I just drive around it Sport or Sport+ with Manual mode DCT most of the time.

Sounds right. It's neat, but not necessary.

[SCOTT123]

That was awesome! I knew it was on my 2009 M3 but I did not think it was on my 2012 Z4. I almost got sideways since it was a little damp. Chirped 2ng gear and third gear! Happy happy.

[hyper1]

Originally Posted by Vintage

me too - no clue how to use it and don't really care

Agree with you.
It was on my previous 135 and I try that maybe 3 times.
Unless you do some race or 1/4 mile, no use for me anyway.

my opinion..

[ymdd]

for those of you saying that the launch control is useless on our cars ill post a video soon showing my Z taking down a challenger srt 392..

[tranquility]

I'd like to try LC one in my life, still a virgin.

[BMWZ4RIDER]

I can't wait to give it a try. I too agree on the reason/need for LC, especially while I drive around in sport + in manual DCT and the performance is fantastic. However I have never done nor been in a car with launch control in full rage and can't wait to find a safe place to try it.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by ymdd

for those of you saying that the launch control is useless on our cars ill post a video soon showing my Z taking down a challenger srt 392..

Are you using drag radials or was it on a prepped surface? it's the wheelspin that we are all complaining about.

[SgtGigglebox]

Remember to avoid using it on road surfaces that have any loose debris on it. Ideally, find the cleanest and smoothest spot to try it.

You may also want a location that will afford you some lateral slipping if your rear end decides to kick out.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by hyper1

1/4 mile,

Hey guys, we have many many pages of conjecture so I wanted to share some 1/8 mile time slips from yesterday which solidified my view that launch control on street tires (at least the OE runflats) is completely useless. I did better just feathering the throttle.

With LC
60' : 2.406
1/8 mile ET: 8.948
1/8 mile MPH: 85.02

Gently rolling on the throttle
60' : 2.296
1/8 mile ET: 8.827
1/8 mile MPH: 84.42

Flooring it past the kickdown switch (revs up to 3000rpm)
60' : 2.347
1/8 mile ET: 9.005
1/8 mile MPH: 83.95


I was having a really hard time launching and couldn't get a better 60' than 2.3. Definitely need to get better tires and some more drag racing skills

Also definitely looking forward to ditching the Z once the lease it up because the Z06 trapping the 1/8 over 105mph really caught my eye

For comparison, here are what some other cars did

E39 M5 with aftermarket headers, pulleys, wider than stock street tires
60' : 2.215
1/8 mile ET: 8.768
1/8 mile MPH: 85.71

pignose STi with street tires and 430awhp
60' : 2.062
1/8 mile ET: 8.426
1/8 mile MPH: 86.70

[SCOTT123]

Originally Posted by Vintage

I may try the launch control just to see the checkered flags waving.

The picture is a little blurry but this was the best I could do prior to launching......it was unbelieveable and a little scary. Don't think my car liked it too much but the wheels spun longer and caught rubber in 2nd and 3rd gear which was a first for my Z. My 2009 M3 had it but it was not as explosive.

[Frank Costanza]

At $700 for a set of rear tires I don't plan on trying it any time soon.

Anyone know if these things have e-diffs or an LSD? Both rears always get lit up?