[Zandar]

Has anyone tried this? Just curious, I am not planning on it.

[SlickShift]

Yes and it's quite fun. There's a surprising amount of wheelspin, so I'm not convinced it's faster than a standard launch with a little brake torquing. You should try it! They wouldn't have made it a feature if they didn't want you to use it (in moderation).

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by SlickShift

Yes and it's quite fun. There's a surprising amount of wheelspin, so I'm not convinced it's faster than a standard launch with a little brake torquing. You should try it! They wouldn't have made it a feature if they didn't want you to use it (in moderation).

It supposedly learns.... if you do it once and there is wheelspin and you try it right after it cools down and is available again it will hold back a little bit more so there is no wheel spin... kind of trying to learn the surface...

[bimmerfile]

Never really understood the logic of the manufacturer providing LC or the owner using LC.
It puts undue and unnecessary stress on internal components.
Sure, it's supposed to be O.K. if used in "moderation" (whatever the f*** that is), but if you're buying a lightly used pre-owned - who knows.

[bryan_G01]

if you run from a dig, launch control ftw.

Ive done it 100s of times with no issues to the car.

the tires you run will ultimately be the deciding factor.

[3rdcoast228i]

Just so everyone knows, the computer records how many times you use LC. They can and will use that against you come warranty time.

[Zoogleboogle]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Just so everyone knows, the computer records how many times you use LC. They can and will use that against you come warranty time.

IMO the car is for enjoyment. So, Im going to launch mine a few times after the break in. Is launch control like the GTR in that it voids the warranty? Or is it just a "this may cause undue stress warning" kinda deals because they dont want you using it at every possible moment and they have to replace stuff while still in warranty?

[TajoMan]

I have used several times on empty road. It's quite fun.

I wouldn't worry about stressing power train too much unless you use it at every stop light.
Especially with rwd car, traction is always a limiting factor.

BMW allows LC even in xdrive car, which means they have pretty good confidence about drive train reliability. (they do A LOT of testing)

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by Zoogleboogle

IMO the car is for enjoyment. So, Im going to launch mine a few times after the break in. Is launch control like the GTR in that it voids the warranty? Or is it just a "this may cause undue stress warning" kinda deals because they dont want you using it at every possible moment and they have to replace stuff while still in warranty?

I hear you are good for 3 times... after that its kinda iffy... Suggest do some googling and not take my word for it.

[bryan_G01]

It written in the user guide.
If they didn't want you to use it, it wouldn't be written about, or be a feature.

It only revs the car to 3k than allows you to launch, if you hold it for too long or if you spin the tires too much in a AWD, it throws a drive train code.

[3rdcoast228i]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

It written in the user guide.
If they didn't want you to use it, it wouldn't be written about, or be a feature.

It only revs the car to 3k than allows you to launch, if you hold it for too long or if you spin the tires too much in a AWD, it throws a drive train code.

There is something in the warranty about abuse... this is one way they can prove it. I guess it's a use at your own risk thing.

[pz619]

I'm not sure a selling feature of the car could be used to deny warranties. As for the gtr, Nissan was sued and they lost. Launch control is covered and they ended up having to do a software update to lessen the likelihood of failure.

[B58togo]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

if you run from a dig, launch control ftw.

Ive done it 100s of times with no issues to the car.

the tires you run will ultimately be the deciding factor.

I'm sure with X-Drive it's FTW, but with RWD, a 2k brake torque yields better sixty foot times.

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Just so everyone knows, the computer records how many times you use LC. They can and will use that against you come warranty time.

No they cannot.

[Luddy]

I have done it before on a smooth empty back road. Is it hard in the car? Yeah...but it is definitely worth doing at least one time to appreciate what you purchased even more. We bought fun cars, let's enjoy that!

Also unlike what other people said. I don't think this can be used against you from a warranty standpoint. Yes the car remembers how many times you have done it but they also wouldn't put it in the manual and build in various failsafes (car has to be running for so many minutes and driven so many miles before it can be enabled) if they didn't intend for people to use it.

The bigger concern if there should be one is have you put enough wear on parts where you may have to replace something out of warranty.

[Rayscott]

I would rather install a Dinan tuner. I'm thinking it would be safer and not put so much stress on the engine. And, a Dinan tuner won't void the warranty. LC may be a hard habit to break once you try it.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Rayscott

I would rather install a Dinan tuner. I'm thinking it would be safer and not put so much stress on the engine. And, a Dinan tuner won't void the warranty. LC may be a hard habit to break once you try it.

LC is a bit of a gimmick tbh. You use it a couple of times to try it out but the real world times you'd actually want to use it are few and far between.

Def do the Dinan upgrade though totally transforms the car. Fuel economy goes to shit though.

[BMWZ4]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

LC is a bit of a gimmick tbh. You use it a couple of times to try it out but the real world times you'd actually want to use it are few and far between.

Def do the Dinan upgrade though totally transforms the car. Fuel economy goes to shit though.

I have a stage 3 dinan and frankly I haven't noticed a drop in consumption for city - typically get ~10.2 litres or thereabouts. On the highway, I get about 8.2 litres at 135km/hr.

Seem like reasonable figures to me.

[crabu2]

LC... It sounds like a gimmick. Is it just me or is it just power braking with the computer controlling the max throttle to prevent the car from spinning it's tires in place?

[Dylan86]

6MT cars have LC too, it's fun but I don't use it often, unless I'm showing someone the car for the first time.

For MT cars, it has to be in "Sport+", simply press the clutch pedal, mat the gas pedal, and release the clutch, when ready. It'll hook right up and go as the nannies are preventing the car from doing a smoke show.

[bryan_G01]

My SA wouldn't give me any shit about using a feature of the car if it broke. He would go to bat for me if BMW NA had to get involved.

It really all depends on your dealer and your relationship.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

My SA wouldn't give me any shit about using a feature of the car if it broke. He would go to bat for me if BMW NA had to get involved.

It really all depends on your dealer and your relationship.

This. When my 328d needed a new transfer case and rear diff, the computer system was down and they couldn't tell I had coverage through 75K, car had I believe 59K on it so they assumed no warranty. Just as I was about to flip my lid since all of this information was relayed to me after being informed that the work had already been done they told me they were taking care of the bill since it was "the right thing to do."

Do some repeat business and treat the staff reasonably well - i.e. don't act like a caricature bmw douche on steriods - it's amazing what they can grease through the system to help you if they are so inclined.

[Zoogleboogle]

Originally Posted by bryan_f22

My SA wouldn't give me any shit about using a feature of the car if it broke. He would go to bat for me if BMW NA had to get involved.

It really all depends on your dealer and your relationship.

Yup! Depends on the dealer and your relationship with them. I am lucky enough that my father loves BMW's and has been buying from the same dealer for 30 years.

We have a personal relationship with the owner of the dealer I go to... The service manager told me I should get a tune as it "really wakes the car up" (he has an M235 with jb4 and meth) They aren't a dinan installer, so he didnt suggest them specifically and "We'd cover you don't worry, though we never really have issues with JB4 tunes" when I mentioned going with the JB4 unless people try race gas or custom tunes. Always good to have a tune friendly dealer for sure.