I don't see how anyone can say that we should not be disturbed by the crippling of launch control on US cars. People buy BMW's for their performance, and BMW has reduced the performance of their flagship car for US customers and not given anyone a reason why. Of course we should be upset, and we should demand a satisfactory explanation from BMW.
I must vigorously disagree with those who say this is a 'minor' performance reduction, and we shouldn't get so worked up. BMW marketed the heck out of this feature - it was touted as one of the most entertaining performance features of the car by a number of magazine reviews.
LC is not folding mirrors, or a heated steering wheel. LC directly impacts the M5's ability to achieve optimal acelleration from a standing start. Every car sold in the US will have sub-optimal acelleration because of this. This is not a 'minor' deal for a car that is marketed worldwide as the ultimate performance sedan.
At the very least, BMW owes us an official explanation from someone in a position of authority.
Couldnt have said it better. Everyone in the US was expecting full launch control - I know I was - only to find out that the early deliveries didnt really have it. Thats not good.
They also need to understand that this issue won't die silently as people get tired of it; it will only get worse as more people find out about it. They need to address it now, and satisfactorally so, because it will only get worse for them.
Since I have been one to use legal terminology without a license on this board regarding this topic I finally did enlist some assistance from a legal friend well versed in consumer product litigation. First off, I certainly don't want start a riot and some of you on this board seem like you get personally offended by other peoples opnions, particularly when it comes to strong views on topics such as this. I'm not sure what all of you expect on this board but this is a place to voice your opinions and dissatisfaction.
His quick opinion was that there was a basis for misrepresentation on this issue depending on how you relied on it. I for one was very much looking forward to this feature and it was one of the reasons I ordered the smg instead of waiting for the manual. I researched the magazines, I looked at the boards, I read the product manual, I spoke with my salesman and ultimately this was a factor in my buying decision. Anyone elses opinion on my buying decision and how I rank LC on the totem pole is irrelevant.
My biggest gripe is that I was not informed of the change, and in fact relied on it with other factors to purchase the car. I don't want a refund, I want what was represented and want BMWNA to change their materials so that others are not led to believe this vehicle has a feature it doesn't. The product information brochure is a BMW produced document that highlights data on a number of US specifications (0-60 times for instance). Why on earth wouldn't they be honest about the LC? It was dated September so they obviously knew it would have been used for us that ordered in August/September? Call it what you want but I stand by my fighting words of MISREPRESENTATION. Am I going to sue them? Probably not. Am I going to demand an explanation and what was advertised, yup. Am I going to involve lawyers? Only if they continue to offer pathetic excuses and a continued pattern of non response.
I completely agree that BMWNA has pulled a fast one on us. They need to be held accountable and either corrects their software limiter or face many dissatisfied M5 owners that they have fooled. The part this really annoys me is they have yet to advise of their restrictions to their consumers.
I also called a close friend that is a shop foreman at my Local BMW dealer and he was unaware of the restricted LC and so are his associates. Actually when he asked for advice they said to wait after the ” break in period it will be good” . Obviously we know from this board that is not the truth. Did they tell anyone in NA or did we just have to figure it out for ourselves through this forum??
Where were you informed that the Launch Control should be up to 4000 rpm? There are several hunreds of changes of the European vs US M5 differences, and this seems to be one of them.
BMW have not been dishonest here, where have they stated to you that it should rev up to 4000 rpm? Also, where do you know that the 0-60 mph time is NOT based on the 1800 rpm LC?
Instead of involving lawyers come up with constructive solutions how to "fix" this; sign a waiver that you wonly will use it on track or wahtever, then it is just a software issue. We will only loose by trying to strong arm BMW.
Also, have you tried the LC on your car?
Quote:
Originally Posted by ACB
My biggest gripe is that I was not informed of the change, and in fact relied on it with other factors to purchase the car. I don't want a refund, I want what was represented and want BMWNA to change their materials so that others are not led to believe this vehicle has a feature it doesn't. The product information brochure is a BMW produced document that highlights data on a number of US specifications (0-60 times for instance). Why on earth wouldn't they be honest about the LC? It was dated September so they obviously knew it would have been used for us that ordered in August/September? Call it what you want but I stand by my fighting words of MISREPRESENTATION. Am I going to sue them? Probably not. Am I going to demand an explanation and what was advertised, yup. Am I going to involve lawyers? Only if they continue to offer pathetic excuses and a continued pattern of non response.
Where were you informed that the Launch Control should be up to 4000 rpm? There are several hunreds of changes of the European vs US M5 differences, and this seems to be one of them.
BMW have not been dishonest here, where have they stated to you that it should rev up to 4000 rpm? Also, where do you know that the 0-60 mph time is NOT based on the 1800 rpm LC?
Instead of involving lawyers come up with constructive solutions how to "fix" this; sign a waiver that you wonly will use it on track or wahtever, then it is just a software issue. We will only loose by trying to strong arm BMW.
Also, have you tried the LC on your car?
Would you consider a SA a representitive of BMWNA? Absolutely. So to answer your question to whether they (BMWNA) stated that we would have Launch Control...the answer is, yes.
Where were you informed that the Launch Control should be up to 4000 rpm? There are several hunreds of changes of the European vs US M5 differences, and this seems to be one of them.
Gustav, my friend the product guide says so. It is explicit about this. I have posted a direct quote from the guide above. BMW says 4,000 RPM in that guide.
Yes, but the Product Guide was an internal document. And yes you sitll have Launch Control, but not the ability of 4000 rpm drops. Im sure there is a thought behind this (maybe more LC per clutc, per the "max 25 LC per clutch" theory) or something else.
In anycase, I understand your frustration, I am just advising it to approach it in the correct way. Furthermore, I would be more upset if I got the Comfort seats instead of the Sports seat if I ordered Active seats with ventilation. Now that would have made me upset.
The LC issue is a software issue, maybe something a tuner could "fix". Time will tell.
Also, is LC at 1400 rp,m really that bad? My experience from dropping the clutch at 4000 rpm was wheelspin all the time through 1st gear and into 2nd gear.
Where were you informed that the Launch Control should be up to 4000 rpm? There are several hunreds of changes of the European vs US M5 differences, and this seems to be one of them.
BMW have not been dishonest here, where have they stated to you that it should rev up to 4000 rpm? Also, where do you know that the 0-60 mph time is NOT based on the 1800 rpm LC?
Instead of involving lawyers come up with constructive solutions how to "fix" this; sign a waiver that you wonly will use it on track or wahtever, then it is just a software issue. We will only loose by trying to strong arm BMW.
Also, have you tried the LC on your car?
How about direct from their system.. and from the service manual the technicians have or even the product guide. http://info.skyytek.com/launchcontrol.pdf is such an example.
1Likes
Linear Mode
