Tips on Launching with the Manual Transmission

BMW GENIUS · 11-25-2015, 10:24 AM

Alright so I have had my 2er now since this past January and I opted for the 6 speed Manual and for the life of me I cant seem to do any 0-60's in sub 5 seconds and I'm FBO so clearly its driver error. I have practiced on Maps 0,2,5, and 7 and I just can't seem to get a great launch without wheel spin. It also should be noted that sadly I do still have the open differential. All in all, does anyone have any advice on how to launch a manual really well? I'm tired of my coworkers 228i walking me off the line.

Cyberdemon · 11-25-2015, 12:35 PM

The answer if you're getting wheelspin is to get less wheel spin.

The 235 has so much low end torque that trying to to an aggressive launch won't help you.

The first thing is you can try to experiment with the factory launch control and see if that does what you're looking for.

The second thing is stop trying to launch and just go like you normally would. You do not need to rev the engine and dump the clutch, just pop the clutch quickly at a low enough RPM you don't stall and then ease onto the power to give the wheels a chance to hook up. Once you hook up you should be gone long past a 228.

If you are doing a burnout completely through first gear, then that's what you should avoid. You can experiment with just leaving the car in sport + (sport and comfort will intervene too much) or try with DSC off or DTC off.

Lastly, lower tire pressure in the rear will help get more traction, but isn't advised if you're trying to do this while at a street light. Do you both have summer tires, or are you using all seasons?

BMW GENIUS · 11-25-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The answer if you're getting wheelspin is to get less wheel spin.

The 235 has so much low end torque that trying to to an aggressive launch won't help you.

The first thing is you can try to experiment with the factory launch control and see if that does what you're looking for.

The second thing is stop trying to launch and just go like you normally would. You do not need to rev the engine and dump the clutch, just pop the clutch quickly at a low enough RPM you don't stall and then ease onto the power to give the wheels a chance to hook up. Once you hook up you should be gone long past a 228.

If you are doing a burnout completely through first gear, then that's what you should avoid. You can experiment with just leaving the car in sport + (sport and comfort will intervene too much) or try with DSC off or DTC off.

Lastly, lower tire pressure in the rear will help get more traction, but isn't advised if you're trying to do this while at a street light. Do you both have summer tires, or are you using all seasons?

Alright I will definitely try lowering the rpm at which I launch at. I have been trying it recently with holding the revs @ around 1600 - 1800 RPM so I'll try 1200 and see what that does for me.

It just seems like it cant accelerate very fast from 0-40 without a bunch of wheel spin. I have been practicing launches in Sport+ but I will also experiment with DTC off too.

Currently I'm running the Michelin PSS. If only there was a way to run 265's in the rear!

Cyberdemon · 11-26-2015, 10:34 AM

A little bit of wheel spin is fine, but you don't want to smoke the tires. Just work on rolling onto the power rather than trying to go straight to mashing the gas. Once the tires have had a chance to hook up you'll put the power down very quickly.

Remember the car does have launch control built in, you can see other threads for how to use it.

Sportstick · 11-26-2015, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW GENIUS

I'm tired of my coworkers 228i walking me off the line.

Or....just get a 228i and smoke someone else in a M235i!

Wheelwright · 11-26-2015, 10:47 AM

Unless you are a good driver any automatic 228 X-Drive will smoke a manual M235i in 0-60mph acceleration contest.

nike001 · 11-26-2015, 10:55 AM

Depending on how well you like your drivetrain, if you're at a standstill, in first gear, clutch in.. pin it and revs will hold at ~3500(?)RPM and just smoothly let the clutch out. DSC/DTC will sort it out.

BMW GENIUS · 11-27-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

Or....just get a 228i and smoke someone else in a M235i!

Dude its baaaaad lol. 0 to 40 isn't too quick honestly due to wheel spin, however, 3rd gear pulls like an ox on Map 7

GioM2Comp · 11-27-2015, 11:15 PM

What kind of 0-60 do you get? How are you testing it?
I use them Mlap timer and it works great.
I also have a rwd 6mt and the best I got is 5.0 stock. I can pull a 5.1-5.3 easy all day.
If you are Fbo, you should easily be in the mid 4's.

BMW GENIUS · 11-28-2015, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioM235

What kind of 0-60 do you get? How are you testing it?
I use them Mlap timer and it works great.
I also have a rwd 6mt and the best I got is 5.0 stock. I can pull a 5.1-5.3 easy all day.
If you are Fbo, you should easily be in the mid 4's.

I use the application called "Dash Command" and I get like consistent 5.1's and stuff. I HAVE to get the LSD now. Open diff is straight trash

mattc1176 · 11-28-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Remember the car does have launch control built in, you can see other threads for how to use it.

How does a 6MT have launch control?

overcoil · 11-28-2015, 10:30 AM

To the original poster ditch the 0-60 for the 40-140mph run.

BMW GENIUS · 11-28-2015, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

To the original poster ditch the 0-60 for the 40-140mph run.

That's where it runs fastest by far. Map 7 gave a Camaro RS some tail lights to look at

Cyberdemon · 11-28-2015, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattc1176

How does a 6MT have launch control?

It doesn't...but when you're drunk on red wine and turkey anything goes.

#fail

Sportstick · 11-28-2015, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattc1176

How does a 6MT have launch control?

A really good left foot!

nike001 · 11-28-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattc1176

How does a 6MT have launch control?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

It doesn't...but when you're drunk on red wine and turkey anything goes.

#fail

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sportstick

A really good left foot!

Put the car in gear with the clutch in, and floor it. The revs will hold in the 3500 range. If you have the car in Sport+ the car will sort out traction issues for you when you let the clutch out. Seems kind of like a "launch control" but I don't know if that's what it's officially called or not.

boba8523 · 11-28-2015, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nike001

Put the car in gear with the clutch in, and floor it. The revs will hold in the 3500 range. If you have the car in Sport+ the car will sort out traction issues for you when you let the clutch out. Seems kind of like a "launch control" but I don't know if that's what it's officially called or not.

my 6mt doesn't hold the rev at 3500 but rather to redline when i floor it with clutch in and in 1st gear?........

nike001 · 11-28-2015, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boba8523

my 6mt doesn't hold the rev at 3500 but rather to redline when i floor it with clutch in and in 1st gear?........

I don't know, I mean my car does it.. lol

Any difference with Comfort/Sport/Sport+? I don't recall exactly how/when it does it.. but mine definitely does it.

BMW GENIUS · 12-03-2015, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nike001

I don't know, I mean my car does it.. lol

Any difference with Comfort/Sport/Sport+? I don't recall exactly how/when it does it.. but mine definitely does it.

Mine definitely holds the revs @ 3000-3500 when clutch is open and in 1st gear. I care for my clutch too much to steadily engage it at 3500 RPM and i dont think a clutch is included in the standard maintenance plan lol.

delvec03 · 12-05-2015, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nike001

Depending on how well you like your drivetrain, if you're at a standstill, in first gear, clutch in.. pin it and revs will hold at ~3500(?)RPM and just smoothly let the clutch out. DSC/DTC will sort it out.

I thought this guys was full of it till I tried it myself! it works! is this some weird version of launch control for 6mt? totally surprised.

EBf22 · 12-05-2015, 10:54 PM

Can't wait to try this tomorrow, woooott!!!!! 228i 6mt here.

mattc1176 · 12-06-2015, 11:46 AM

I stand corrected, we do have launch control! Just tried it and it worked too, thanks for the tip.

11-25-2015, 10:24 AM	#1
BMW GENIUS First Lieutenant 153 Rep 397 Posts Drives: 2015 AW M235i 6MT Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Manly, NSW, Australia iTrader: (0)	Tips on Launching with the Manual Transmission Alright so I have had my 2er now since this past January and I opted for the 6 speed Manual and for the life of me I cant seem to do any 0-60's in sub 5 seconds and I'm FBO so clearly its driver error. I have practiced on Maps 0,2,5, and 7 and I just can't seem to get a great launch without wheel spin. It also should be noted that sadly I do still have the open differential. All in all, does anyone have any advice on how to launch a manual really well? I'm tired of my coworkers 228i walking me off the line.
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11-25-2015, 12:35 PM	#2
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	The answer if you're getting wheelspin is to get less wheel spin. The 235 has so much low end torque that trying to to an aggressive launch won't help you. The first thing is you can try to experiment with the factory launch control and see if that does what you're looking for. The second thing is stop trying to launch and just go like you normally would. You do not need to rev the engine and dump the clutch, just pop the clutch quickly at a low enough RPM you don't stall and then ease onto the power to give the wheels a chance to hook up. Once you hook up you should be gone long past a 228. If you are doing a burnout completely through first gear, then that's what you should avoid. You can experiment with just leaving the car in sport + (sport and comfort will intervene too much) or try with DSC off or DTC off. Lastly, lower tire pressure in the rear will help get more traction, but isn't advised if you're trying to do this while at a street light. Do you both have summer tires, or are you using all seasons? __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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11-26-2015, 10:34 AM	#4
Cyberdemon Brigadier General 1538 Rep 3,331 Posts Drives: 2020 X5 40i, 2018 M3 Comp Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Long Island NY iTrader: (3)	A little bit of wheel spin is fine, but you don't want to smoke the tires. Just work on rolling onto the power rather than trying to go straight to mashing the gas. Once the tires have had a chance to hook up you'll put the power down very quickly. Remember the car does have launch control built in, you can see other threads for how to use it. __________________ Current: '20 X5, '18 M3 ZCP Previous: '11 E90 335i, '11 E90 M3, '16 VW GTI, '15 M235i, '13 335i, '08 TL-S, '00 Corvette
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11-26-2015, 10:47 AM	#6
Wheelwright Captain 463 Rep 778 Posts Drives: M235i (6MT fakerich edition) Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Canada, Oak Ridges iTrader: (0)	Unless you are a good driver any automatic 228 X-Drive will smoke a manual M235i in 0-60mph acceleration contest.
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11-26-2015, 10:55 AM	#7
nike001 Captain 312 Rep 818 Posts Drives: 2018 718 Cayman Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: US iTrader: (2)	Depending on how well you like your drivetrain, if you're at a standstill, in first gear, clutch in.. pin it and revs will hold at ~3500(?)RPM and just smoothly let the clutch out. DSC/DTC will sort it out.
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11-27-2015, 11:15 PM	#9
GioM2Comp Private 37 Rep 62 Posts Drives: 2021 BMW M2C ZED 6MT Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (0)	What kind of 0-60 do you get? How are you testing it? I use them Mlap timer and it works great. I also have a rwd 6mt and the best I got is 5.0 stock. I can pull a 5.1-5.3 easy all day. If you are Fbo, you should easily be in the mid 4's.
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11-28-2015, 10:30 AM	#12
overcoil Major General 3074 Rep 5,577 Posts Drives: M235i 6spd Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Mid-Atlantic iTrader: (0)	To the original poster ditch the 0-60 for the 40-140mph run.
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12-05-2015, 10:54 PM	#21
EBf22 Private 12 Rep 50 Posts Drives: 2014 228i m sport Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Can't wait to try this tomorrow, woooott!!!!! 228i 6mt here.
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12-06-2015, 11:46 AM	#22
mattc1176 Private First Class 74 Rep 177 Posts Drives: 2018 m240i Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Matawan, NJ iTrader: (0)	I stand corrected, we do have launch control! Just tried it and it worked too, thanks for the tip.
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