There are a bunch of guys going to the drag strip tomorrow and I'm thinking about bringing the 545i along.

Well, dsc will be off of course, but otherwise, I'll rev to around 2500-3000 rpm and slip the clutch. Any other tips? For some reason, I find it somewhat difficult to consistently get a quick start with this car.

This will be my first time at the strip and this particular track has bad conditions, with e46 m3s routinely running in the low 14s. Last week, I was told that E60 M5's were running mid-high 13's at 103-105mph.

BTW, I still have the CDV in there. I bought a modified CDV some two years ago, but never got it installed.

 

Just need to find the right balance - too many revs and the wheels will spin making you slower - too few and you won't get a hard start. But the drag strip is the perfect place to practice

Just make sure you nail the throttle to the floor as soon as you pop the clutch and you'll be away - just need to work on your gear change then - but with a BMW box you can't really go wrong.

 

I would start by trying for minimal wheel spin at first to see what the track is like. To do so, you'll need to ease the clutch out somewhat rapidly without stalling. I'd practice this type of start on a safe street before going to the strip. If this type of start goes well on the strip, then I'd try being more aggressive. Next, I'd try letting the clutch out rapidly, but with minimal RPMS--maybe 1500. And, go from there, depending on how things go. If too much wheel spin is killling everyone's times, then you want to do the opposite. Good luck, and let us know how it goes--compared to others to abstract from the strip conditions.

 

Ditto what everyone else said. Also, turn down the music so you can hear the engine and turn off the AC while running. I have found that slipping the clutch to minimize wheel spin with revs of around 2500 to 3000 seems to work well. I have not been able to time myself though, but it sure feels fast this way. Shift quickly at redline and pop the clutch on your 2nd, 3rd and 4th gear change.

 

What about similar advice for an '06 530? Can this be expected to spin its wheels or are you going to get just a "chirp" at best?

 

I would change the CDV as that adds a delay and I have found it difficult to have the appropriate timing with it. To change it is a pretty quick job by someone who knows what they are doing. As long as they clamp the hydraulic line, they don't need to worry about bleeding the system.

You are going to want a little wheel spin so you don't jolt the drivetrain too much. That is what the CDV is supposed to do solve by slipping the clutch under low RPM drops.

Plus you want your revs high enough so you are not bogging down the engine. The 545i seems to really come to life at 3000 rpm, so if you are starting at 1500 you are going to be a little slow out of the hole. My guess is 2000-2500.

Good luck and let us know what works out.

 

If u can get here within the next three hours I think we could LAUNCH you on a Delta II Rocket

Sorry, man I am stuck with STEP so can't give u any good advice.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I actually won't be able to make it out today, but maybe next time.

Here's an older thread that I forgot about. It has some good info on launching a car for drag racing.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=47538

 

Absolutely hillarious! Thx for the wisdom.

Ray Hull

PS: Polish your Testonis/Guccis BEFORE the race.

 

what's so funny