I got spanked by E55 AMG - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

M Fahren · 26th August 2008, 23:11

What did I do wrong? 2006 M5 US version and plain stock. We're at the light and he gives me the nod, so I had time to push my M button (which is programed for launch control) and I hold the gear shifter, press the gas, revs go up to the US enforced 1800 rpm. Light turns green and we both drop clutchs. From my view, it seemed like the AMG just took off, no spin, no burn. My M5 seemed a bit slow to engage off the line but launch control is supposed to be the best, right? Wrong! In 1 st gear, he was about a 3/4 hood length ahead, in second gear he had pulled more than half the car length and by 3rd he was a car length where I dropped off. I did not get the feeling i was going to catch up.

So here's the deal, I am admitedly not a drag racer, but I am an experienced track driver with the BMW school. My heartburn is that either he got me on the launch and It's impossible to close a gap with the 2 cars being so even, or simply the AMG launches better than the stupid US launch control, and the AMG has more power to pull it along. Comparing the stats on both cars, power wise, they seem very close. Would I have gained an advantage not using launch control and just stomping the gas in M mode?? Did I shift too early and not at redline? was I just too slow to engage?

After licking my wounds, and feeling spanked, I got over it because I am still driving an M5, not a Merc, and there's not many cars out there that can say they just did what this guy did. However, I never imagined this day would happen. I have had my M5 since April and have been WAITING patiently for this opportunity at the light (to the point where I questioned why the hell am I reserving the M button for something that is likely to never happen). Anyway...I need some counseling and support now.

darren_dallas · 26th August 2008, 23:46

Welcome to humblepieville...population you (and nearly everyone on this board at some point when they first picked up their M5/6

).

Now having tasted the homecooked pastry made by someone else, let me offer a few suggestions and see if it might help.

1. On dry street pavement I love the so-called "crippled" US launch control. In my opinion it is not crippled at all, just limited. You must, I repeat *must* push the gas pedal past the halfway point, yet not to the floor. I usually choose 3/4's down to the floor. Once you let the SMG center console gearshift go, you will take off like a bat out of hell and you will need to modulate throttle. I highly suggest practicing several times and then using it every once in a while so you don't forget how to work the pedal. Here is proof of what our cars can do from a standstill. I don't care who meets me at the line with more torque, there's a strong chance they're going down if they line up against me in my M5.

+ YouTube Video

2. At the drag strip do not try US launch control, it will be worthless. Rather, use the mash and go technique. This will do a drop-clutch launch at 4,000+ RPMs and you'll need to immediately modulate throttle. You could also do this on the street, but it may induce too much wheel spin too soon and there is a slight delay as the ECU revs the engine and drops the clutch. I much prefer option 1 listed above on the street when you have the prep time (otherwise, mash-n-go is all you have).

Bottom line, you just need some practice to launch the car well and hit your shifts perfectly. The E55 has more chance for wheel spin than you do so hang in there.

Regards,

Darren

PMac · 26th August 2008, 23:50

1) US launch control is crap. It's designed to protect the clutch, not get you off the line as quickly as possible. However, others have shown that there are work-arounds, but unless you spend the time, using it as instructed is pretty slow.
2) The E55 may not have been stock.
3) Even if he was stock, the auto transmission and better low-end torque of the E55 gives more consistent launches.
4) Had you run to higher speeds, the M5's power and gearing advantage would have won out, You'd have caught him by 100 or so, and pulled away from there on.

AlpWhiteM5Beast · 27th August 2008, 00:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren_dallas

Welcome to humblepieville...population you (and nearly everyone on this board at some point when they first picked up their M5/6

).

Now having tasted the homecooked pastry made by someone else, let me offer a few suggestions and see if it might help.

1. On dry street pavement I love the so-called "crippled" US launch control. In my opinion it is not crippled at all, just limited. You must, I repeat *must* push the gas pedal past the halfway point, yet not to the floor. I usually choose 3/4's down to the floor. Once you let the SMG center console gearshift go, you will take off like a bat out of hell and you will need to modulate throttle. I highly suggest practicing several times and then using it every once in a while so you don't forget how to work the pedal. Here is proof of what our cars can do from a standstill. I don't care who meets me at the line with more torque, there's a strong chance they're going down if they line up against me in my M5.

+ YouTube Video

2. At the drag strip do not try US launch control, it will be worthless. Rather, use the mash and go technique. This will do a drop-clutch launch at 4,000+ RPMs and you'll need to immediately modulate throttle. You could also do this on the street, but it may induce too much wheel spin too soon and there is a slight delay as the ECU revs the engine and drops the clutch. I much prefer option 1 listed above on the street when you have the prep time (otherwise, mash-n-go is all you have).

Bottom line, you just need some practice to launch the car well and hit your shifts perfectly. The E55 has more chance for wheel spin than you do so hang in there.

Regards,

Darren

Darren, pretty darn quick if you ask me... the guy did not see it coming at all...I bet he was holy(self induced ***)it... why so short video... I think he was gaining ground on ur arse... Did he beat you?

AlpWhiteM5Beast · 27th August 2008, 00:18

Nevermind, I saw the rest of the videos... what have you done to ur car? Headers?

darren_dallas · 27th August 2008, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpWhiteM5Beast

Nevermind, I saw the rest of the videos... what have you done to ur car? Headers?

That's been a while so I can't remember exactly what I had done at the time, but I believe it was headers and ecu with dinan exhaust.

Now I have race cats, Dinan air intake, and ram scoops with stock ecu.

Also, the SL55 was modded with larger pulley and ecu tune. No slouch of a car!

Cheers,

Darren

mosesgolf · 27th August 2008, 01:29

He got you at launch. His 60' times were much better than yours and thus he's going to get a car length or two before you're at optimum power band. By then, it's very difficult to close the gap. There seem to be a few like Darren who've gotten the launch down but it's difficult with our cars. Bad launch no win.

M Fahren · 27th August 2008, 03:52

Ok, now that I have seen this video, and several others on Youtube, my spirits are up again about my baby. I think I lost because of how I launched and couldn't gain it back up in the short distance. So, practice, practice, practice...I will practice the technique advised here for street. Like I said, I am not a NOOB to this hobby, so it will come quick.

BTW, There was an E55 AMG at the track event this past weekend and no chance in hell he was ever going to catch the M5 on a road course.

I can't wait to see this guy again...challenge on, round 2.

hitechjunkie · 27th August 2008, 04:17

What was the condition of your rear tires? Contis? PS2s? or?

US LC may not be as good as its Euro version but it's adequate to come out fast from a dig. Like Darren stated, you should never floor it all the way (unless you have drag radials and superior traction).

Before using LC you need to 1st TAKE UP THE SLACK by gently tap the accelerator (you will hear a slight clunk) BEFORE you start the LC sequence.

If you have very sticky tires, good traction and dry ground you can press the pedal to 3/4 depth like Darren stated, but if not, vary the depth between 1/3 to 3/4 to start. Once the LC starts, you need to slowly depress the pedal to the floor and KEEP IT THERE while changing gears! I would do all the gear changes when the tach reaches the YELLOW zone at 7,250 rpm(remember there is a "delay" within the electronics in addtion to our reaction time). Lots of practice will ensure better success at the drag strip...

Have a better launch next time and you will feel happy again!

PS: you DID turn the AC off, yeah?

M Fahren · 27th August 2008, 06:54

Yes, AC was off, radio off, windows up, HUD on, everything ready. I think it was the launch. Again, this was a street light, not drag strip, so I was on Contis with about 40-50% tread. The theme seems to be around the throttle going only 3/4 instead of to the firewall, which is what I did and thought I had to do for LC to work.

Ok, so next time and for practice:

AC off - check
radio off - check
head clear - check
M button - check
Shifter forward - check
Throttle 3/4 way down and modulated - check
May need to tip throttle 5% first to set system if I have time - check
Release LC and modulate throttle - check
shift at YELLOW - check
Don't let up till you pass the SOB - check

I'm heading up to the warehouses right now to practice a few runs...g'night!

I still love the BEAST . BTW, I filled up on gas in IN for $3.84 Premium. I think we're all getting screwed in the Windy City and the People's Republic of IL. Come to think of it, you may be getting screwed yourselves where you live too. Think before you Vote!