Ok, I have had the 2004 M3 for 2 weeks now and finally decided to try the launch mode. I locked up the bar at 4am and waited for the last car to leave the parking lot then pulled my car out, applied the brake, held the stick forward, gently eased on the gas,the rpm's held @1800, I released the brake and the stick.............................................

AND WOW!!!! There is that power I was missing since moving up to an e46 m3 from my e36 m3...........

super quick.....me like

Do you know if 2003 M3 smg has launch mode?

All e46 m3's with SMG have launch mode. I advise against using it regularly since it can damage your drivetrain.

The brake is unnecessary as the SMG Launch feature will only work if the car is stationary on a level surface.

All e46 m3's with SMG have launch mode. I advise against using it regularly since it can damage your drivetrain.

I thought it was just the clutch and pump that took the beating :dunno

It may be. I never owned SMG so I don't follow it too well. After taking one for a test drive I decided to stick with the stick. But I know something takes a beating from using it repeatedly.

The entire driveline takes a beating... not necessarily the pump because it's always at pressure anyway, it's more the clutch/driveline that take the beating.

Launching any car SMG or regular manual is bad.

I have smg... never tried the launch mode but I was always told just giving it gas quicker then normal from a stop was quicker because you wouldn't get the wheel spin from launch mode.

Launch mode?

I've only had my M3 SMG 'vert for 3 days so forgive my ignorance. What the heck are you guys talking about? I don't remember reading about a Launch Mode in my manual. How is it done?

Launch mode?

I've only had my M3 SMG 'vert for 3 days so forgive my ignorance. What the heck are you guys talking about? I don't remember reading about a Launch Mode in my manual. How is it done?

See 1st post
From standstill, press SMG lever up(towards negative), ease down on the gas (the RPM's will hold at 2000 rpm's as you press the gas allthe way to the floor and hold it), when you are ready to launch, release the SMG shifter and be prepared to shift because you are gonna launch like a rocket.

I think there is also a burnout mode, instead of easing the gas down while smg is in negative, you press it down quickly and goes into burnout mode.

Neither obviously are good for your car....I am 36 and know better, but everyone tries it once....and it be fun

I tried it once and it was no big deal. EU car's launch mode revs the car to 4500 and launches. That might be a bit more exciting.

GuapOh -
One important piece of info missing here, you have to have the S6 drivelogic program selected.
So, from a stop on a level surface with no traffic around, SMG in manual (S), first gear, click your drive program selector up to 6, push the shift lever forward (-) and hold, gas to the floor and release the stick. Be ready to shift soon.

Yeah, I had to try it once too. Seems to me it is no worse on the car than dumping the clutch on a 6mt but then I wouldn't do that on a regular basis either.

Hmmmmmm. sounds fun and potentially very expensive. Maybe once.

I've had mine for about 3 months and have yet to try this either. Sounds fun, but I'm a little too busy to spend my time replacing stuff right now, so I'll wait till my work load lightens up a little before I beat on my car any.