Has anyone tried the Sprint Booster Drive-by-Wire Enhancement Module??

[racerbruce]

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-18...-2001-bmw.aspx

Sprint Booster Drive-by-Wire Enhancement Module for 2001+ BMW
Part #: SPRINTBOOSTER

When BMW began using the "Drive-by-wire" throttle system in 2001, a lot of people cringed. The Drive-by-wire system uses electronics to replace the mechanical cable throttle of the past. This means the electronics between the accelerator pedal and motorized throttle must interpret what your right foot does, and ultimately decides how the engine will respond. Although advanced in it's technology and engineering, many of us agree that the Drive-by-Wire equipped BMWs feel unresponsive and lack the crisp, sharp throttle response that older BMWs had with a traditional throttle cable. That's where the Sprint Booster comes in.

The Sprint Booster is an in-line "plug and play" module, that remaps the Drive-by-Wire throttle curve to be much quicker than stock programming. It removes the "lag" or delay that exists in the stock electronic mapping. The result is sharper, quicker throttle response and immediate power delivery.

NEW! Switch between factory, sport and race settings!
The latest generation of Sprint Boosters now come with a plug n' play selectable switch. The selectable switch can be located anywhere the driver chooses. The driver can choose between 3 acceleration programs by pressing the LED button -- factory, sport and race.

We found the difference to be NIGHT AND DAY, and were instantly smitten by the snappier feel the Sprint Booster gave to both a stock BMW as well as on a modified BMW. What's more - the Sprint Booster installs in just a few minutes at the back of the gas pedal. Simply release pedal from the pedal base by unlocking the locking tab, pull the pedal up/foward, unplug the harness, and plug in Sprint Booster. Here's an example of how simple the install is -- installation on an E46 3 series. Full for 3 series installation instructions, click here.

How does it work? The Sprint Booster listens to the pedal input signal, and sends an improved signal to the ETC (electronic throttle control) which has been amplified or "boosted", so that the throttle is more responsive throughout the entire rpm range.

The Sprint Booster is available for the following BMWs:
2001-2006 E46 3 Series including 325i, 325Ci, 330i, 330Ci
2001-2006 E46 M3 coupe & convertible (manual & SMG!)
2006+ E90/E91/E92/E93 3 Series including 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 330i, 330xi, 335i & 335xi
2008+ E90/E92/E93 M3 coupe, sedan & convertible
2008+ E82/E88 1 Series including 128i & 135i
2003+ Z4 & MZ4 Roadster & Coupe including Z4 2.5, 3.0 and M
2004+ E60/61 5 Series including 525i, 530i, 530xi, 535i, 535xi, 545i, 550i & M5
2004+ E63/E64 6 Series including 645i, 650i & M6
2002+ E65/E66 7 Series including 745i, 745Li, 750i, 750Li & 760Li
2001+ X3/X5/X6 SAV (all)

[mfanatic325]

I don't know......................I really can't say the Z4M throttle is unresponsive
And Sport mode on track scares my passengers
I really don't think our cars need anything like this


When I got a 2011 E90 335i sedan as a loaner last month (when my car was in for its final maintenance prior to warranty expiration), I felt that thing needed some work
It's like you have to push the throttle a lot just to get the car to start moving from a standstill. But by that point, you're bound to take off and bang the back of your head against the head restraint. It took quite some getting used to, just to get some smooth actuation going with that car...I hope it was just because it was Steptronic and that manual transmission wouldn't be so bad?

[porshah]

I have it in my 5 and the Z. I think it is great. I have an extra V1 if you are interested.

[onelove]

Originally Posted by mfanatic325

I don't know......................I really can't say the Z4M throttle is unresponsive
And Sport mode on track scares my passengers
I really don't think our cars need anything like this

I agree, Sport Mode is more than enough.

[racerbruce]

Originally Posted by porshah

I have it in my 5 and the Z. I think it is great. I have an extra V1 if you are interested.

Thanks -
In your own words....how is it differrent from OEM?

[porshah]

I notice a clear difference in throttle response. I have tried it with and without. Also shift points are different and higher RPM. I should mention that my Z is Auto and non-sport 3.0. I did not want V2 with the remote switch, because I didn't want to run an extra wire, and have to remember to switch it on/off. Besides I got it used for less than half the price of new.

[Finnegan]

I think there's some possible use for this with an auto or a 3.0 w/o sport. I can't see any reason to run it on a ///M. Sport mode is more than enough IMO.

[Z4dugh]

I had it on my Z4 3.0i (Auto) and it was a much better responce than stock, but would say it's not any better than the sport button on the M.

[SHEEDI]

I have 2003 2.5i w/o sports button, i am thinking to try this,i am not sure how it will response?

[tarheel91]

I've got it on my 03 Z4 3.0i. The owner before me installed it. According to him, the big difference was in how it responded, not in throttle travel to get a certain amount of gas. Before there was a noticeable delay between putting your foot down and the engine responding. I'm assuming this was done by BMW to help smoothness.

I'm sure it also decreased petal travel to WOT as well, but I wouldn't know either way. My only problem is related to the supercharger: in sport mode, the throttle is so touchy that I have to be VERY VERY smooth in my throttle control or it will surge a lot in first and second gear (think kangarooing but much worse). For example, I might be rolling out from a stop light pretty casually, and the car ahead might stop accelerating, so I let off the throttle rather abruptly, and all of a sudden it looks like I'm head banging to heavy metal. Getting on the throttle (and you've got to give it a good bit) smooths everything out, and the throttle sensitivity is glorious for heel-toeing, but looking like an idiot any time something doesn't go as expected and having to lift off is a bit frustrating. Also, if I'm going WOT in sport mode, and try to get off the throttle and shift quick, the car will rev a little as the throttle hasn't completely returned. Personally, I think this is more of an issue with the throttle return than the software, but it is a problem nonetheless.

[fitchesbass]

I normally thought products like this were for automatics. Either way it's a gimick for the Z4M. You have the sport mode button anyway if you so desire more sensitivity on the throttle.

[psygnosis]

Seems like a good way to add a Sport mode to cars that don't have it, but I don't really see a reason for it on my manual 3.0i

[pokeybritches]

On the 3.0i, I'd be interested in going the other way - reducing throttle sensitivity in sport mode. That way the driver would get the heavy steering without the touchy on/off throttle feel. Maybe this could be accomplished with an inline resistor or Sprint Booster + inline resistor.