Best way to launch an E53 X5?
 

What is the best way for optimal "launch" from dead stop with an X5?
Just floor it?
Use "S" mode?
Use manual mode and start in 1st gear?

I've got a 4.6is, but I'm guessing the same principles would apply to any E53...

Since you have S mode I assume you have an automatic.

Every automatic car I've owned has suffered from automatic lag. It happens when you floor the car and the car hesitates for a second. You have a supercharger so I dont know how the plays into it,

I found the best method would be to press soft-firmly all the way until the pedal hits the floor rather than go for it all at once.
While the pedal is around the half-way point at around 3-4k RPM switch it over to the S mode to make the car hit redline. At this point floor it

I get the best launch using "S" mode, left foot firmly on the brake and right foot keeping the revs at around 2500 rpm (just before launch only). This let's the computer know you want to go so eliminates any lag. To launch, foot off brake and pin the throttle. Needless to say, I don't do this very often as it is hard on the powertrain...but it works great when needed.:thumbup:

I'm curious as to other suggestions...

put your gas pedal on the kickdown!!! in S...i think that would work...

Press gas :)

I haven't used the brake at all (to hold back while starting to rev), but as for the gas pedal, I've found that putting it into S, then downshifting to first gear (i.e., in M), if you floor it, when it reaches redline, it forces itself to shift up to 2nd, and (when it redlines in 2nd) 3rd, etc. I can't tell if that's really any better than just leaving it in S and flooring it, but it seems at least as fast...

In manual mode, it's shifting by itself because it doesn't want you to damage the transmission...there's a certain threshold the computer will give you to shift, or it will intervene

I think I read somewhere here that you also want to turn off your DSC.

Here is an article (look halfway down where the auto tranny shifter is pictured) that better describes the brake-torque method of launch I was mentioning above...

http://www.modernracer.com/tips/drag...echniques.html

Does that mean using manual mode and letting it intervene, rather than just using S mode, is harder on the car/transmission, or is OK because it lets you maximize RPMs WITHOUT damaging the transmission? IOW, is intentionally using that self-shifting at redline a good thing or a bad thing?

BTW, some good ideas coming out here...:popcorn: ...keep 'em coming!