OK...new owner of a 2004 M3 and although I've searched the archives I can't seem to find the cause of my problem.

Whenever I use launch control I seem to go into burnout mode. I've tried stepping on the gas pedal really slowly and I've tried stepping on it until that point where there's a noticeable increase in stiffness....nothing, just burnouts. What am I doing wrong?

1)Traction Control Off
2) S6 Mode
3) Tip selector forward and hold
4) Slowly depress gas pedal
5) Release selector

Does sport mode need to be engaged? Is there supposed to be wheelspin with launch control?

You'll get wheelspin using the non-burnout mode... but it should only be a small amount. Optimal acceration is achieved with between 5-7% wheel spin.

Have you tried resetting the clutch engagment point? Did you have good tires on the car?

Sounds like your doing everything right. I don't understand what you mean by "there's a noticeable increase in stiffness". After step 3 you should be able to rev the engine freely just like a manual with the clutch fully pressed in.

The launch control will have some wheelspin and if your using it on less grippy tar there can be a lot of wheelspin.

I always have sport mode on if I use launch control, never tried it without.

Hmm...maybe I am getting it to work but I'm just not used to the amount of wheelspin. I have new Michelin PS2's on the OEM 19's so I should have some nice sticky rubber. The roads around here can be a bit slipper, but not too bad. I'll try it with sport mode just to make sure.

How fast do you have to depress the pedal to get the burnout mode? Mash it really quick or does it happen pretty easily?

Sorry, missed your question. When depressing the gas pedal there is a point about 75% of the way where you feel a notch or increased resistance. You can easily go past this point to the floor which is 100% throttle. I'm not sure what that sticking point is there for.

Hmm...maybe I am getting it to work but I'm just not used to the amount of wheelspin. I have new Michelin PS2's on the OEM 19's so I should have some nice sticky rubber. The roads around here can be a bit slipper, but not too bad. I'll try it with sport mode just to make sure.

How fast do you have to depress the pedal to get the burnout mode? Mash it really quick or does it happen pretty easily?

Burnout mode comes from pushing it down quickly... F1 style launches require a gently push to the floor.

Sorry, missed your question. When depressing the gas pedal there is a point about 75% of the way where you feel a notch or increased resistance. You can easily go past this point to the floor which is 100% throttle. I'm not sure what that sticking point is there for.

The deterent you are feeling is more like 90%. It used to be call the kick down switch for automatics. Basically, when you go pedal to the floor and that switch tells the ECU/Transmission that you are really in a hurry and to go down as many gears as possible to give you maximum acceleration.

I have new Michelin PS2's on the OEM 19's so I should have some nice sticky rubber.

New rubber can take a while before it gives a lot of grip. I put on new Bridgestone tyres on my Alpina and I couldn't believe how pathetic the car became. You couldn't take corners anywhere near as fast as before.

I guess the releasing agent should come off after 30km, however it took about 2,000 km (I know it sounds unbelievable) for the Bridgestones to kick in but after that distance they were almost as good as my semi-slicks.

Does sport mode need to be engaged? Is there supposed to be wheelspin with launch control?

You DO need to be in sport mode. Wheel spin is minimal when I try it.

hey KEVLAR...since I'm new at this, is it possible that this guys throttle is not reaching wot? When he goes to sport mode, the tps reference is shortened thus giving the cpu F1 launch info of the wot he was not achieving earlier? I'm asking cause I'm sure I've read there is no difference sport on or off. Thanks in advance, trying to come up to speed with your knowledge. Mike

While it is a posibilty... I don't think it is happening. The only way to truely know would be to hook up a BMW computer to the car to measure the TPS voltage or to check the gas pedal for any physical blockage preventing it from going to the floor.

While it is a posibilty... I don't think it is happening. The only way to truely know would be to hook up a BMW computer to the car to measure the TPS voltage or to check the gas pedal for any physical blockage preventing it from going to the floor.

Thanks for the quick reply...surfing questions from others with your answers really gives out the quick study. Always learning.

FYI, you DO NOT NEED TO BE IN SPORT MODE.
sport mode has nothing to do with the Launce control.
you can have it on or off, and it wont make any difference.

the sport mode is only usefull at less than (aprox) 80% throttle, after that there is no advantage to it.

At WOT there is no difference.

Burnout mode comes from pushing it down quickly... F1 style launches require a gently push to the floor.



The deterent you are feeling is more like 90%. It used to be call the kick down switch for automatics. Basically, when you go pedal to the floor and that switch tells the ECU/Transmission that you are really in a hurry and to go down as many gears as possible to give you maximum acceleration.


i've felt the deterent and always thought that if i go beyond it at 100% it initiates the burnout mode. when i do the launch control and stop at the deterent, the launch worked pretty well.... could you please elaborate on this a little more... i've never done a burnout on the car but the launch is sweet!

On a side note, whats the best way to launch from a stop without using launch control? say your at a light and someone wants to race you... i feel the M3 has a slight slow initial push as compared to 4 cylinder front wheel drive japanese cars... thx for the tip!

i have read and read, i just dont get it, i dont want to burn out just drive it like it is meant to be driven :devillook....is there more info out there? sorry for asking this twice?

i've felt the deterent and always thought that if i go beyond it at 100% it initiates the burnout mode. when i do the launch control and stop at the deterent, the launch worked pretty well.... could you please elaborate on this a little more... i've never done a burnout on the car but the launch is sweet!

Burnout mode is achieved by a quick push of the pedal to the floor. The deterent in the gas pedal is actually WOT. Going past the deterent only tells the SMG computer you are in a hurry forcing a downshift if one didn't already happen.


On a side note, whats the best way to launch from a stop without using launch control? say your at a light and someone wants to race you... i feel the M3 has a slight slow initial push as compared to 4 cylinder front wheel drive japanese cars... thx for the tip!

The faster you want to get moving ... the faster you push the pedal down. The SMG guages throttle input/change and adjusts the "go" accordingly.

i have read and read, i just dont get it, i dont want to burn out just drive it like it is meant to be driven :devillook....is there more info out there? sorry for asking this twice?

If you want to drive it like it was meant to be driven... then drive it and don't worry about the details. SMG will do the clutch work for you. You want to go fast, push the go pedal closer to the floorboard and change gears accordingly.

Just making sure I dont buy this vehicle if it's ever for sale. Burn out's and launch control....yikes!!!

Just making sure I dont buy this vehicle if it's ever for sale. Burn out's and launch control....yikes!!!

I don't understand what makes people so scared and afraid of new tech. It just doesn't make sense...

SMG rocks!