Hi Guys,

For SMG M3s in the USA, BMWNA officially says Launch Control does not exist, even though the function is still there and owners are using it. By denying it exists, if you surpass the 10 launch limit and damage the clutch, BMWNA won't cover the clutch under warranty and will just say you abused the clutch.

Now, what's the story with launch control in the SMG E60 and the warranty?

Thanks,
Rich

 

I don't know whether or not BMWNA denies the existance of LC, but I read somewhere that in the US, a manufacture is not allowed to limit the use of a function that comes with the car. That's why when they brought the SMG M3 over to NA, they dropped the launch revs from 3500rpm to 1800rpm. In Europe, there IS a set, known limit for how many launches you can do before you void warranty on the clutch. In the US I guess it's only up to a dealer's descretion whether or not they would replace the clutch under warranty.

for the E60 SMG, it seems that procedures for LC is in the owner's manual, but states that it will wear down parts quicker. No limit -- but that's common sense not to do it 459864 times a day.

 

E60 doesn't have Launch Control.... We have "Accelleration Assist".

(yeah, I know, it's the same thing - but that's what the owners manual calls it ).

 

US E60's have it. We use it. We love it!
I think Acceleration Assist is a lot less stressful to the car and its components than a burnout you do with a traditional manual. Also people can't ride the clutch at a traffic light, the clutch engages at lower rev's than I would normally do if my foot was controlling the clutch and since on downshifts the engine matches rev's there is also less stress on the clutch and related components. If anything, SMG will increase the servicable life of the clutch/drivetrain.

 

Nicely said.

 

Is there a thread with the full lowdown on launch control?

 

There have been many threads, the pre-March '04 threads were very negative-mostly because no one drove one yet. I find it works better in Auto/Sport mode, I was told here that the auto part should not matter but coincidently I have had my best experience in auto mode.

 

There have been many threads, the pre-March '04 threads were very negative-mostly because no one drove one yet. I find it works better in Auto/Sport mode, I was told here that the auto part should not matter but coincidently I have had my best experience in auto mode.
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I haven't used it much. But I have used it enough to know that it works either way just as well. It will Shift (HARD and QUICK) either way.