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      12-04-2017, 12:54 PM   #1
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X3 M40i Launch Control



Anyone try this yet? Is it even available in the US/Canada? Notice that the display clearly says "Launch Control active.". This is obviously not a US X3 M40i. I haven't had a chance to try this yet but a little research and I came across these instructions from the X4 forums from a post by SnowTurtle:

Tap the DSC button.
Move gear lever left.
Hold brakes
Step on the accelerator activating the kick-down function.
Release brakes to launch.

Not tapping the DSC button and holding it down will deactivate DTC (Dynamic Traction Control). I have only messed with this on an airfield in snow so there was little chance of killing myself.
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      12-04-2017, 02:42 PM   #2
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Don’t have enough mileage on it yet to even consider flogging it like that.
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      12-04-2017, 03:40 PM   #3
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Don’t have enough mileage on it yet to even consider flogging it like that.
Same here. I should have the mileage needed after Xmas to give it a try.
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      12-04-2017, 03:42 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
Same here. I should have the mileage needed after Xmas to give it a try.
isnt this kind of a myth ? just wondering
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      12-04-2017, 03:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaz View Post
isnt this kind of a myth ? just wondering
What is? The launch control or the break-in period? IMO, they are both real.
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      12-05-2017, 01:54 AM   #6
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Quote:
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
Same here. I should have the mileage needed after Xmas to give it a try.
isnt this kind of a myth ? just wondering
Its not activated as a mode you can use until the first service on M cars (which is really early at 1200 oil change). On a regular model I can t recall now...
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      12-05-2017, 10:46 AM   #7
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I feel like an idiot but is there anything specific I should be doing during the break in period? I just received my m40i and have heard very little about break on periods and what shouldnor shouldn't be done. I've also heard people talking about changing the oil early I'm a rookie but just want to make sure I do it right. Thanks for any help
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      12-05-2017, 11:12 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CalBaseball View Post
I feel like an idiot but is there anything specific I should be doing during the break in period? I just received my m40i and have heard very little about break on periods and what shouldnor shouldn't be done. I've also heard people talking about changing the oil early I'm a rookie but just want to make sure I do it right. Thanks for any help
The only tips that I've read are:
1) don't rev higher than 3k or so
2) drive in varying speeds and conditions - for example, a long trip using cruise control for the first 500 miles may ruin your engine
3) change oil/filter at 1200 miles or so, or after one month, also consider changing diff and transfer case fluids


I bought a new 2013 535 and think I probably failed to follow all of these tips. *shrug* Right after my purchase I went on a trip to visit friends and put 300 miles on it at highway speeds with cruise... During that trip I may have raced a few people on the highway and also gunned it a bit for fun. It ran great up to when I traded it 3 years later. Absolutely no problems. So take it as you will.

My 2018 x3 M40i will be here by xmas. I will probably try to be a bit more gentle with it.
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      12-05-2017, 11:19 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWDude2018 View Post
The only tips that I've read are:
1) don't rev higher than 3k or so
2) drive in varying speeds and conditions - for example, a long trip using cruise control for the first 500 miles may ruin your engine
3) change oil/filter at 1200 miles or so, or after one month, also consider changing diff and transfer case fluids


I bought a new 2013 535 and think I probably failed to follow all of these tips. *shrug* Right after my purchase I went on a trip to visit friends and put 300 miles on it at highway speeds with cruise... During that trip I may have raced a few people on the highway and also gunned it a bit for fun. It ran great up to when I traded it 3 years later. Absolutely no problems. So take it as you will.

My 2018 x3 M40i will be here by xmas. I will probably try to be a bit more gentle with it.
^This.

I tend to stay under 5k and that is difficult enough. Play around with the different modes and don't sit in the same RPM range for too long. I am staying away from ECO pro until after break-in. Changing your fluids at 1200 miles is as important IMO.
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      12-05-2017, 12:10 PM   #10
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Thanks for the help I'm at 1,000 miles so I will get that oil changed shortly
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      12-07-2017, 08:18 AM   #11
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I literally hit 1,200 miles this morning pulling up to my office. I plan to try it out this afternoon. Yes, the M40i has Launch Control:
Quote:
8-speed Sport Automatic transmission with Sport and Manual shift modes and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and Launch Control
from http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...s/default.aspx

FYI: For a non-///M vehicle, there is no 1,200 mile service. The dealership simply suggests that you "take it easy" until you hit 1,200 miles on a new BMW.
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      12-07-2017, 09:03 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17 View Post
I literally hit 1,200 miles this morning pulling up to my office. I plan to try it out this afternoon. Yes, the M40i has Launch Control:
from http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...s/default.aspx

FYI: For a non-///M vehicle, there is no 1,200 mile service. The dealership simply suggests that you "take it easy" until you hit 1,200 miles on a new BMW.
Let us know how it goes and if the procedure is the same as the X4 M40i. A video wouldn't hurt either.

I got about 400 miles to go.
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      12-07-2017, 01:26 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17 View Post
I literally hit 1,200 miles this morning pulling up to my office. I plan to try it out this afternoon. Yes, the M40i has Launch Control:
from http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...s/default.aspx

FYI: For a non-///M vehicle, there is no 1,200 mile service. The dealership simply suggests that you "take it easy" until you hit 1,200 miles on a new BMW.
Are you going to do a break-in oil change? Just in case there are particles floating about.
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      12-08-2017, 08:30 AM   #14
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Didn't get a chance to use Launch Control yesterday. Temperature dropped and we got 1/4" of snow... wait a second, that would have been the *perfect* time!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slalom View Post
Are you going to do a break-in oil change? Just in case there are particles floating about.
Nope, I'm just gonna drive it until the computer says it's time.

This is my long-term commuter and I opted for the extended warranty+maintenance. Fingers crossed I made the right decision, but this transmission is widely used in the industry, and while the B58 motor is fairly new, the optimist in me believes BMW have learned from their previous failures... hah!
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      02-10-2018, 08:04 AM   #15
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Can't figure out how to use launch control, anyone figure this out in a US vehicle? Does the 1200 mile apply to all cars?
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      02-10-2018, 08:14 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pskdude View Post
Can't figure out how to use launch control, anyone figure this out in a US vehicle? Does the 1200 mile apply to all cars?
1200 miles is advisory, afaik.

Step 1) Sport+ mode. ie. Sport mode then push Traction Control off
Step 2) Shifter into "S" (not "M")
Step 3) Mash the brake hard with your left foot
Step 4) Mash the fun pedal

At this point it'll pop-up a flag and something like "Launch Control Active"

Step 5) Release the brake

Just remember to be careful and sensible. Also, I believe the manual recommends driving around normally for 6 miles after using Launch Control, to help everything cool down.

If that doesn't work for you, there's plenty of Youtube videos on it.
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      04-30-2018, 07:11 PM   #17
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I have 2018 US version of the x3 m40i. I have read the instructions, read numerous posts, watched countless youtube videos (for different model BMWs bc there are no x3 specific tutorial that i was able to find). It all seems very simple and straight forward but i too can not get Launch Control to activate for me. I have 2000 miles and when i asked the dealer if i should bring my car in for the 1200 mile check up, they told me it was not necessary for this car. Any advice on why i'm struggling with this??? And yes I only try it after the car is warmed up with 6+ miles driven since start. Thanks!
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      04-30-2018, 09:01 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SniBBz View Post
I have 2018 US version of the x3 m40i. I have read the instructions, read numerous posts, watched countless youtube videos (for different model BMWs bc there are no x3 specific tutorial that i was able to find). It all seems very simple and straight forward but i too can not get Launch Control to activate for me. I have 2000 miles and when i asked the dealer if i should bring my car in for the 1200 mile check up, they told me it was not necessary for this car. Any advice on why i'm struggling with this??? And yes I only try it after the car is warmed up with 6+ miles driven since start. Thanks!
It's not "6 miles driven since start". It's "drive 6+ miles less aggressively after using Launch Control" to let everything cool down. As in, don't use Launch Control and then immediately put it into the garage and turn it off.

If you can't get the checkered flag to come up:
* you don't have one of the steps correct, or
* you haven't driven long enough to let the car fully warm up

Remember: that gauge in the bottom-right is just your coolant temp (which comes up fairly quickly), not your oil temp (which takes longer) and is actually more important for this process.

Here's a video where someone uses Launch Control on an X3 M40i:
. Make sure your gauges look exactly the same when you attempt it. However, I wouldn't recommend pulling over on the highway to try this.

Another option: have a passenger take a video of you trying the steps and we'll see what's not working correctly for ya.
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      05-01-2018, 02:26 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pskdude View Post
Can't figure out how to use launch control, anyone figure this out in a US vehicle? Does the 1200 mile apply to all cars?
Yes, I have done it quite a few times testing different maps with the JB4. Its quick but nothing amazingly different than just flooring it from the start.

Make sure you come to a stop, put in sport +, shifter left into sport transmission, dtc off, left foot hard on brake, and then floor it past the kick down and the flag will appear in the HUD. You have about 3 seconds to let go of the brake and take off.
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      05-01-2018, 11:29 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seaz View Post
isnt this kind of a myth ? just wondering
Quote:
Originally Posted by CalBaseball View Post
I feel like an idiot but is there anything specific I should be doing during the break in period? I just received my m40i and have heard very little about break on periods and what shouldnor shouldn't be done. I've also heard people talking about changing the oil early I'm a rookie but just want to make sure I do it right. Thanks for any help
Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWDude2018 View Post
The only tips that I've read are:
1) don't rev higher than 3k or so
2) drive in varying speeds and conditions - for example, a long trip using cruise control for the first 500 miles may ruin your engine
3) change oil/filter at 1200 miles or so, or after one month, also consider changing diff and transfer case fluids


I bought a new 2013 535 and think I probably failed to follow all of these tips. *shrug* Right after my purchase I went on a trip to visit friends and put 300 miles on it at highway speeds with cruise... During that trip I may have raced a few people on the highway and also gunned it a bit for fun. It ran great up to when I traded it 3 years later. Absolutely no problems. So take it as you will.

My 2018 x3 M40i will be here by xmas. I will probably try to be a bit more gentle with it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kozzi View Post
^This.

I tend to stay under 5k and that is difficult enough. Play around with the different modes and don't sit in the same RPM range for too long. I am staying away from ECO pro until after break-in. Changing your fluids at 1200 miles is as important IMO.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CalBaseball View Post
Thanks for the help I'm at 1,000 miles so I will get that oil changed shortly
Quote:
Originally Posted by Slalom View Post
Are you going to do a break-in oil change? Just in case there are particles floating about.
Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17 View Post
Didn't get a chance to use Launch Control yesterday. Temperature dropped and we got 1/4" of snow... wait a second, that would have been the *perfect* time!



Nope, I'm just gonna drive it until the computer says it's time.

This is my long-term commuter and I opted for the extended warranty+maintenance. Fingers crossed I made the right decision, but this transmission is widely used in the industry, and while the B58 motor is fairly new, the optimist in me believes BMW have learned from their previous failures... hah!
Quote:
Originally Posted by malacai17 View Post
1200 miles is advisory, afaik.

Step 1) Sport+ mode. ie. Sport mode then push Traction Control off
Step 2) Shifter into "S" (not "M")
Step 3) Mash the brake hard with your left foot
Step 4) Mash the fun pedal

At this point it'll pop-up a flag and something like "Launch Control Active"

Step 5) Release the brake

Just remember to be careful and sensible. Also, I believe the manual recommends driving around normally for 6 miles after using Launch Control, to help everything cool down.

If that doesn't work for you, there's plenty of Youtube videos on it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SniBBz View Post
I have 2018 US version of the x3 m40i. I have read the instructions, read numerous posts, watched countless youtube videos (for different model BMWs bc there are no x3 specific tutorial that i was able to find). It all seems very simple and straight forward but i too can not get Launch Control to activate for me. I have 2000 miles and when i asked the dealer if i should bring my car in for the 1200 mile check up, they told me it was not necessary for this car. Any advice on why i'm struggling with this??? And yes I only try it after the car is warmed up with 6+ miles driven since start. Thanks!

Here's the relevant section from the M40i's owner's manual. Basically, you definitely DO want to follow the break-in procedures for the first 1,200 miles but there is not a recommended oil change at the same time. I confirmed with my dealer that an oil change is not necessary as the BMW oil filters are more than capable of trapping any small particles that may occur from seating the rings.
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      05-01-2018, 11:34 AM   #21
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Back in the day, BMW required a break-in oil change as early as 600 miles (early 1980's). I've had several since that time and none of them required or even recommended any early oil changes. I have the M40i and also plan to just go by the onboard computer to determine my first oil change...generally, for low mileage drivers, it just boils down to changing the oil once/year.
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      05-01-2018, 02:08 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pskdude View Post
Can't figure out how to use launch control, anyone figure this out in a US vehicle? Does the 1200 mile apply to all cars?
I just hit 1,000 miles and figured "hey, close enough".

I just did 2 hours of pretty hard country road driving. The thing is a blast and surprised me a few times. The Bridgestone RFTs are not as bad as I predicted but you can get them to break loose.

The first time I tried launch control it didn't work even though I followed directions on this thread. I then realized I had the "Brake Hold" on so I turned it off and the LC worked after that. It hits 7,000 rpms amazingly quick...lol...
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