So today I put my car in neutral at a stop sign, keep my left foot on the break. Reved it up to like 3500 rpms or somthing. Then put it drive and took my foot off the break at the same time. As I did this I layed some fat rubber down. Unfortunately the traction control kicked in for a second. But then I was off the line faster then before. A m3 driver who was on the other side actually turned around when he saw this and followed me back in my neighborhood.

Anyways my question is has anyone else tryed this before. So who else does this and how bad is it for your car. Why do some people leave it in drive and rev it up? So thanks for your help!

I dont see how you dropped it into Drive @ 3500 RPMS, I thought it locked it out.

I had my foot on the break. You gotta take your foot off the break the second u shift it into drive. Which I guess is the challenging part :P. I'm going to try it again without traction control this time.

neutral drop = driveline shock = tears when you get a $4K tranny bill

lol. I cant wait to see a thread saying "I need a new tranny" LMAO

Yes I realized they would have to go into the transmision if I kept doing that. It's fine though I only did it twice.

Well I guess having your foot on the brake by passes the lockout by why do it anyway? Really is not good for the car.

My method to launch an automatic car without excessive wear and tear -- lightly hold your brake pedal as you rev the engine in drive/1st until the tires begin to spin, overcoming the brakes...modualte the accelerator and the brake pedals to achieve wheelspin without moving. Release brake on green.

This being said, I only do so on an old Chevy Astrovan that I am unfortunate enough to drive sometimes.

Is there a legitimate way to actually launch off the line without doing excessive damage to the engine. . .Like Launch Control?

Is there a legitimate way to actually launch off the line without doing excessive damage to the engine. . .Like Launch Control?

Yeah. Buy a car with 3 pedals.

Yeah. Buy a car with 3 pedals.
:nono


Not really digging your sarcastic/condescending tone in the last couple threads you've posted in "The Hack". It was a legitimate question. . . didn't really deserve a sarcastic response, thanks though.

Yeah. Buy a car with 3 pedals.

Sarcastic, but true.

Don't be hurt that you only have 2 pedals...if you are into "launching" your car, maybe you should get 3 next time.

Sarcastic, but true.

Don't be hurt that you only have 2 pedals...if you are into "launching" your car, maybe you should get 3 next time.
Or wait for the DCT to be offered on the 335, then you can have amazing launches with just 2 pedals. Maybe they'll also offer launch control as in the e46 M3 (not sure if the e9x M3 has it), but I have doubts since that is very easy to abuse.

Btw, many car magazines report best launches with an auto by either gradually flooring the pedal from a standstill without revving the engine, or starting in drive with the brakes on, revving to ~1500 RPM then releasing the brakes and gradually flooring the pedal (I say gradually since flooring it right away will either cause too much wheel spin with DSC off or the engine to bog down with it on).

Or wait for the DCT to be offered on the 335, then you can have amazing launches with just 2 pedals. Maybe they'll also offer launch control as in the e46 M3 (not sure if the e9x M3 has it), but I have doubts since that is very easy to abuse.

Btw, many car magazines report best launches with an auto by either gradually flooring the pedal from a standstill without revving the engine, or starting in drive with the brakes on, revving to ~1500 RPM then releasing the brakes and gradually flooring the pedal (I say gradually since flooring it right away will either cause too much wheel spin with DSC off or the engine to bog down with it on).

Good advice, I posted my advice for launching with auto above. I test drove the new M3 last weekend. With the most aggressive traction control program activated via the M-button, launching was quite easy. The trick was just to not mash to the floor because keeping traction then became impossible. My friend's Dinan Supercharged E46 M3 is the same way. However, I personally prefer the use of a clutch pedal. Even in racing video games/simulators, I prefer to be able to rev the engine and release the clutch -- just my personal preferences. Something about the tactile nature of this sort of thing is very invigorating.

I also used to own a 325i AT. It was awesome. I personally wish it had been a 5MT, but its new owner loves it. I don't intend to ever buy an automatic again, but I don't look down on those who do. As my knee sometimes swells after a lot of clutch driving (has anyone seen my Acl or MCL?), I also know that some day, I may have to get an automatic.

That is why technology like the M-button and other launch controls and the evolution of paddle shifters and DSG transmissions is particularly interesting to me. My old 325i had a CRAP auto tranny. My father's S4 has an incredibly smooth auto tranny, but it isn't all the way there yet in terms of durability/precision. The 335i/M3 ZF auto is smoother than any auto I have ever driven. It will be exciting to see the next generation.

Any F1 fans out there? The Formula 1 cars use a computer controlled electronic clutch for gear changes at speed, but there is a clutch lever on the rear left side of the steering wheel for stops and starts. I wonder how long it will take this technology to trickle down to an M- car. Hopefully soon - like before i turn 40 and need complete knee repalcement or something.

Aside - Mryakan - Does your signature quote mean something like, "With stupidity, even God toils without effect?"

I need to get that Rosetta stone. My German is weak.

As my knee sometimes swells after a lot of clutch driving (has anyone seen my Acl or MCL?), I also know that some day, I may have to get an automatic.
.
After 3 knee surgeries (2 ACLs, 1 MCL, 1 LCL and a meniscus to boot), my answer to that is lots of Advil and Gym. I am now playing soccer almost like I did before all that (minus all the years of aging and wear/tear). Oh as for the original topic, I'd take an MT with a clutch anytime, just an old fashioned guy that way. I am not a heel and toe-er but still like to give my left foot, right hand and brain (to coordinate and match timing) the daily exercise.

Aside - Mryakan - Does your signature quote mean something like, "With stupidity, even God toils without effect?"

I need to get that Rosetta stone. My German is weak.
Yep very close interpretation, if you didn't Google it, then I'd day your German is better than my French :D.

After 3 knee surgeries (2 ACLs, 1 MCL, 1 LCL and a meniscus to boot), my answer to that is lots of Advil and Gym. I am now playing soccer almost like I did before all that (minus all the years of aging and wear/tear). Oh as for the original topic, I'd take an MT with a clutch anytime, just an old fashioned guy that way. I am not a heel and toe-er but still like to give my left foot, right hand and brain (to coordinate and match timing) the daily exercise.


Yep very close interpretation, if you didn't Google it, then I'd day your German is better than my French :D.

My German is better than my French too.