I played around with LC and found that if you start with about 60% throttle and finesse the power in after launching you get less wheel spin and a better 60' time. Do a drop clutch start burnout prior to launch for better grip, plus it pleases the hell outta the crowd.
I think the car can do low 12's with a little practice. I left the track with a grin on my face, the beast in S-6 mode. I couldn't resist peeling down another 50 or 60 feet of rubber on the way out. I am going to be starting a tire replacement thread soon.....
Thanks. US LC works at any throttle setting. You don't have to floor it. In fact LC is a misnomer. Really, the only thing the car does when you use it, is to "pop" the clutch at around 1500 to 1800rpm. It is up to us to control wheel spin, rpms, and shifts. So if you dial in power to minimize wheel spin you will get a better time. I guess BMW figures us Americans to be better drivers, up to the challenge of controlling all of these variables by the seats of our pants!
Setup
P500S (it may work in P500 but i've only used it with sport).
DSC Off
S6
Activation
press shift lever forward (not the paddles) hold it forward.
floor the gas rpm's will rise to about 1500-1800
when you are ready let go of the shift lever and off you go.
you MUST shift... do so right at redline. (the HUD will flash at the optimal time).
I hate that in the LC mode it won't auto shift. I though S6 was pretty fast then I realized that I wasn't shifting right on the redline. Too early is still fast but on redline is BRUTALLY FAST. Gustav had told me to shift right when the HUD flashes and that works perfect. If you wait to late to shift the computer cuts the throttle and you are really slow then.
__________________
Mike Williams
2006 M5 Interlagos/Portland Brown/Walnut Maderia -His
Full Leather/M Multifunction Seats/HUD/Sirius/Power Rear Sunshade
Wk 49 Build
48000 miles; awesome above 5500 RPM.
Valentine V1 Hardwire
Blinder Extreme M40
IPOD interface
IPOD Video Hardwire
Thanx, I was wondering about LC setting too. How many times can you do that before you void the warranty? I haven't had my M5 long but they tell me there's some type of letter that BMW will be sending me to outline this.
Thanx:
Ron
I believe what Vroom is saying is that a launch starting with 60% throttle without LC beats the crippled-LC launch.
For those asking about launch control, how to use it, how it works, what is the deal in the US, etc., use the forum search function as there are more posts and information about the subject than just about any other.
US Launch control warranty issues should not be a problem. Releasing a clutch at 1500 rpm (basically the only thing going on with US LC) is not an extreme manuever. I don't think there is any limitations on how many times you can use it.
I don't know about most guys, but when it comes to shifting I like looking at the tachometer, the HUD seems like a distraction. Also I would not be surprised if the computer suggests a shift based on optimal warranty(engine life) issues vs max performance. BMW USA is certainly preocupied with minimizing warranty costs over here. The fact that they put out the LC carrot in front of our noses and then replaced it with a weak substitute has given all of us owners the right to question the company's integrity.
Nope I am saying you can use LC (popping the clutch) at any throttle setting. You don't have to floor the pedal. Set the car up for LC, apply any amount of throttle you want, release shifter and off you go. You can actually "control" your launch better if you don't apply full throttle until the tires start gripping.
1/4 mile times w/ US LC
.
Linear Mode
