Launch Control

[TW]Fox · 24 Nov 2016 at 13:43

You don't need to shift into 1st you can leave it in SD

DRZ · 24 Nov 2016 at 13:50

The manual clearly states to select 1st gear. I'm going with what BMW say on this one.

Rainagul · 24 Nov 2016 at 13:51

Mines quite easy

1) Hold down launch switch button & plant it
2) Drop clutch or ease off depending on grip levels.
3) Thanks, have a nice day

GhostWKD · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:05

The classic... Foot on clutch, Revs to x rpm (ideal number depends on grip) bring clutch up and hold on

Conscript · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:09

Does anyone use their launch control feature on a regular basis?

I've always thought that they sound like they might be fun to try once or twice, but surely they must put incredible strain on the drivetrain when used frequently?

oweneades · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:24

Conscript said:
Does anyone use their launch control feature on a regular basis?

I've always thought that they sound like they might be fun to try once or twice, but surely they must put incredible strain on the drivetrain when used frequently?

No, I have used mine precisely once to see what it does (Golf R for reference).

It was fun to try out but I have no use for it day to day.

Firestar_3x · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:26

Nope, can't really see the point on the road.

The couple of times i have tested the system have been quite impressive, 4wd combined with a DSG gearbox means the car really does get off the line rather well and makes a marked difference vs the usual 800rpm and floor it option, feels like it cuts a whole second off the 0-60 time.

Lustral · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:28

Gaygle said:
The lights will have turned green and the aforementioned diesel Audi will have got to their destination by the time you faff around with all of that.

True story

Siliconslave · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:36

Heh, apparently i have it on my dag dag dsg leon... might have to give it a go at some point

Firestar_3x said:
The couple of times i have tested the system have been quite impressive, 4wd combined with a DSG gearbox means the car really does get off the line rather well and makes a marked difference vs the usual 800rpm and floor it option, feels like it cuts a whole second off the 0-60 time.

what are you driving these days Firestar? still got the CC?

Firestar_3x · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:39

Yep CC and a Mk2 TT.

[TW]Fox · 24 Nov 2016 at 14:39

DRZ said:
The manual clearly states to select 1st gear. I'm going with what BMW say on this one.

Are you talking about the F10? You definitely don't need to select first, it works fine in SD.

paradigm · 24 Nov 2016 at 15:16

Conscript said:
Does anyone use their launch control feature on a regular basis?

I've always thought that they sound like they might be fun to try once or twice, but surely they must put incredible strain on the drivetrain when used frequently?

I have used mine all of once as per some in the thread. I can see myself using it again, mainly to show other people.

The strain on the drivetrain is likely nowhere near as bad as you'd think, as the car is getting the whole "thing" absolutely spot on, with minimal slip, and due to the precision, the chance of resonant vibration on components or similar is slim to none.

SDK^ · 24 Nov 2016 at 15:41

Conscript said:
Does anyone use their launch control feature on a regular basis?

I've always thought that they sound like they might be fun to try once or twice, but surely they must put incredible strain on the drivetrain when used frequently?

I've never used the feature - Golf R.
I feel you would look rather silly sitting at the lights at 4k rpm waiting for the green light

pioneer2000 · 24 Nov 2016 at 16:30

Never used mine on the road, little point when you can put your foot flat from standstill without any wheel spin (AWD).

I've never found myself in a situation where a 4K rev launch is needed above and beyond that!

Evo8 · 24 Nov 2016 at 18:01

I could've got it when my Evo was getting mapped but decided against it. I don't really fancy buying a new transfer box etc etc.

Housey · 24 Nov 2016 at 18:19

Never used it on my R8

chaparral · 24 Nov 2016 at 18:21

SDK^ said:
I've never used the feature - Golf R.
I feel you would look rather silly sitting at the lights at 4k rpm waiting for the green light

Green Light :confused:

I thought the idea of putting launch control in road cars so people could jump through the red light quicker

[TW]Fox · 24 Nov 2016 at 18:31

SDK^ said:
I've never used the feature - Golf R.
I feel you would look rather silly sitting at the lights at 4k rpm waiting for the green light

That isnt how it works, it drops out after a few seconds of not going anywhere IIRC.

Will · 24 Nov 2016 at 18:44

Housey said:
Never used it on my R8

Surprised you've not even tried it just once, I imagine its pretty damned mighty on something like that!

It'd be one of the first things I'd try if I had it on a car, just to see what the theoretical 'best' launch would be...

ianh · 24 Nov 2016 at 19:09

Used the "left foot braking" method quite a few times on my old auto gearbox in the last days before it was due to be removed (not on the road, no need) but not tried it with the new uprated GB as first gear was already a wheel-spinning nerve shredding mess before and now with nearly 200hp more it'd just be plain silly

However on my R34 I had an Apexi PowerFC-Pro ECU which came with launch control and when I swapped to the RB26 engine and dropped back to just a PowerFC I bought a Bee-R LC/rev limiter and it was epic. I did hundreds of launches everywhere like a proper little barry-boy hooligan and loved every second of it. The area around Wallingford probably probably still has number 11's dotted all around it