Figuring out Launch control - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Rodster · 25th November 2006, 04:18

O.K. fairly new to this all. But, I really appreciate all the feedback within this website.
I actually was very fortunate to pick up a 06' off the BMW lot from a guy whose wife did not care for all the power and SMG... anyway, got a great deal on the vehicle, has 4000 miles and before trying this so called launch mode I was hoping for some experiences from you all and any tips you might have before trying. I was looking at some of the threads on here refering to the owners manuel for instructions and I just cannot find anything

...whatever. Below I found a simple description of what to do. Is there anything else you could add. Thanks a bunch! My one question is, and it seems obvious, you are in sport mode not drive, right?

Stand By for Take-Off . . .
and then they've added that ultimate option, launch control, which goes like this: Select full, 507-horsepower grunt via the one-touch "M Drive" button on the wheel (which also optimizes the damper and stability settings and turns the effective and clear head-up instrument display into a rev-counter and gearshift indicator. Now disable the Dynamic Stability Control, select the most aggressive of the "S" shift programs, hold the gearshift lever forward and floor the throttle.
The engine builds to optimum launch revs and stays there until you let go of the lever. Then the car catapults forwards with a chirp of tires and a mighty howl of power while you keep the pedal buried in the luxurious carpet. When the revs peak, it slams into the next gear and rides out the wheelspin, and then the same again, and again, and again—with barely describable violence—until it hits the M5's voluntarily restricted 250 kph (155 mph) maximum, or in our case, an indicated 272 kph (170 mph), which the engineers put down to "tolerances."

bernhtp · 25th November 2006, 05:36

Unfotunately you are describing something that does not exist (as stated) in US models. You should do a search on launch control, or just the word "crippled."

rodman31 · 25th November 2006, 17:27

We do have a much watered down version of LC, however, some of things described above are incorrect. Do a search, search is our friend!!

1. P500S
2. DSC off
3. select shift speed S6
4. shifter foward and hold
5. press gas peddle hard and firm to floor, activate kick down
HOLD FOOT ON GAS!!!!
6. Revs will rise to roughly 1500 rpm's and remain

7. Release shifter and hold on!
8. Be prepared for wheel spin and kick out, keep foot planted on gas!!
9. prepare to shift gears quickly, car will not shift gears for you!!!!!!!

If you do not activate kick down this will not work! If you lift foot off gas even a little it will disengage. Make sure you do this in an area will you will not hit anyone else and have fun!

Robert

unfoundhorsepower · 25th November 2006, 19:40

Do yourself a favor, experience it then forget it....

M-bitious · 25th November 2006, 19:53

On the road I find it to be a useless feature.

Frank.

Rodster · 25th November 2006, 20:17

activate kick down...
HOLD FOOT ON GAS!!!! does that activate kick down? I never heard that expression.

Why forget it- bad on tranny

rodman31 · 25th November 2006, 21:11

Look under the gas peddle and you will see a little button sticking up from the floor. This is the kick down button and this must be depressed for LC to work. Do not let up on the gas or the system will disengage.

Robert

paule · 27th November 2006, 10:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by 06M5777

Why forget it- bad on tranny

No, forget it because it is so pathetic it's actually embarrassing it exists and is referred to as launch control.

M-POWER 77 · 27th November 2006, 11:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodman31

9. prepare to shift gears quickly, car will not shift gears for you!!!!!!!

Robert

hmm

, in my car manual it say it will shift automaticlly ( spell cheack ) no need to shift, although i never used lunch control. maybe its another diffrent between usa spec and euro spec M5s.

Fart · 27th November 2006, 11:36

My car changes gears automatically when in LC mode. Only thing you have to do is hold on tight to the wheel and watch the road. Just keep the foot well planted on the funn-pedal.

M-bitious · 27th November 2006, 11:40

USA cars don't shift up, unlike most of the world.

Frank.

rodman31 · 27th November 2006, 19:27

As stated, USA version E60 M5 will not shift for you during launch control!

We also do not get the 4000 rpm launch!

Robert

RussRamz · 27th November 2006, 20:04

Welcome to the world of the 4 year warranty! I am hoping to get the European LC installed at Kelleners Sport via the European ECU program next month or so... I'll let you know how it goes...