Very slick. Now someone has to develop a tool to reset the count. Kinda like the BMW service tool, that resets the service indicator.

BMW's Easter Egg.

There's a cheat code in the software running the BMW M3's sequential manual gearbox (SMG): Press the right buttons in the right order and the car will launch you from a stop after revving the engine to 5,000 rpm. But don't look for a how-to in the owners' manual—this feature is undocumented, an inside joke of sorts.

To our knowledge, it's also the first automotive "Easter egg," though—with increased reliance on computers—it would seem just a matter of time before they become standard fare, much like the hidden features in PC games and DVD movies. In the M3's case, there's also good reason for it: The SMG transmission is completely electronic, so you can't rev the engine and drop the clutch for tire-smoking acceleration—something the owner of a performance sedan just might want to do occasionally.

But there is a catch. In Europe, where the feature isn't so hush-hush, doing more than 15 launches voids the car's warranty. Federal laws prohibit such stipulations here, so BMW has turned down the wick. U.S.-spec cars are programmed to wind to only 2,500 rpm—and our test car topped off at 1,800. That's why you have to ask your dealer to install the European software. Most will happily oblige.

For lucky drivers of this hot car, here's how: Switch off the stability system and select shift program six. Switch the engine to sport mode. With the hand shifter in drive, hold it in the downshift position and press the gas pedal. The engine will rev to the preprogrammed rpm and hold. Now release the shifter. The car will launch forward violently and the engine's revs will climb quickly, so be prepared to upshift.

:wackit:

 

yeah i heard about this when my dad got his, i guess its called Launch Control in Europe.

but im wondering, the people with SMG are people that would like an Auto anyways, so how many times are those kinds of people really launching hard?

 

Good Question!

 

I'd fucking launch every time I left any line if that was my tranny.

 

same. its a documented feature in the euro one...

but hidden here cuz americans are dumb.


the launch control is why i would want SMG. i was dissapointed when we were told the US version wouldnt have it.

glad to find out we do.

 

Yeah, but the tranny would probably last you a month if you were lucky

 

My CL-S kinda does that. If I sit at a light, foot gently on the pedal, and the HVAC unit is on. Eventually. BAM! It launches.

 

My car just started "launching" in reverse today. Put it in reverse, pause, BAM goes into gear after about 1-2 second delay then lurches violently rearward. Is this the beginning of the end??? FAWK!!!!!!!!

 

I've read that exact article b4 somewhere, was that from Automobile mag?

 

Its from Popular Science, they got a lot of heat from this.

 

Oh yeah, that's right, my brother gets Pop Sci.

 

Didn't know where it came from. A co-worker sent me an email with the text.