[Ao1]

I am thinking about getting a pedal box for my E92 325i (auto). The reason behind that is I don't normally drive very aggressively. From what I read the throttle response is adaptive, so when I do want to put my foot down there is an annoying lag. I am looking for something that will take that lag out, but at the same time not be overly aggressive for the way I normally drive.

I'm hesitant for the following reasons; I hate having bits of wires hanging around and I don't like the thought of a control box being stuck somewhere. I don't want aggressing revving when not required.

If the throttle response is adaptive my first question is this. Can it be coded to be more responsive without having a retro fit kit?

Has anyone tried this kit on a petrol auto and if so will it deliver what I am looking for? i.e. more responsiveness when I want it, but not crazy responsiveness when I don't need it?

[afalton]

Hello mate I have heard of sprint booster that might be of help but I have never driven or know anyone that has had one fitted
it's a plug in that as far as I'm aware and I have seen them reviewed in mags before

[Dan_335]

I have read up alot on the pedalbox/sprintbooster. Here is what I have learnt:

1. People who actually 'own' or have actually 'tried' one, love it

2. People who have never touched one, seem to violently hate the concept so much that they will spew copious amounts of information to support their claim.

My personal assessment is the following:

1. BMW throttle has a delay from 'foot press' to 'car go now', although it is tiny. If you have ever driven a higher powered 'cable to throttle' system, it will feel like something is off. Most obvious for me is when attempting to heel&toe where what used to be a blip on my old car, is now a considerable press and hold on my e92.

So in my opinion if you want to get rid of the 'lag' in the throttle (which is 100% a real thing) then reports of people who actually own a 'pedalbox/sprintbooster' is that this product achieves just that.

For me that is worth the $200-300, because the lag annoys the shit out of me. However as most 'Einstein's' who don't actually own a pedal box will tell you, 'just press the accelerator more' for the same effect! WRONG, pressing the accelerator more, takes more time. Whilst this is irrelevant in say a drag race, where your foot is flat to the floor anyway, in a heel&toe situation a blip on the throttle is all you want, then having to press the accelerator less is a win.

Lets face it, chances are if you bought a manual you actually like to drive a manual. I honestly believe that this product could add to the experience of 'actual driving' not just top speed and acceleration.

However on an auto, like your vehicle I could still see a benefit of getting rid of the lag in between you pressing the gas and the car waking up. I guess it comes down to how much you notice, which it appears you do.

I just bought the pedalbox, because it seems to have more settings and reviews claim it to be slightly better made. I will let you know how it goes.

[nathanwest]

isnt there a way to reset the adaptive bit of the throttle? ie ive just bought a new car, so thought i could reset it so it starts to adapt to my driving style?

there used to be on my e46, something to do with key position etc

[Ao1]

Originally Posted by Dan_335

I have read up alot on the pedalbox/sprintbooster. Here is what I have learnt:

1. People who actually 'own' or have actually 'tried' one, love it

2. People who have never touched one, seem to violently hate the concept so much that they will spew copious amounts of information to support their claim.

That was my take I'm really looking forward to hearing how you get on with it.

Originally Posted by nathanwest

isnt there a way to reset the adaptive bit of the throttle? ie ive just bought a new car, so thought i could reset it so it starts to adapt to my driving style?

there used to be on my e46, something to do with key position etc

From what I have read the adaptive behaviour does not take long to revert to a slower response time once you stop flooring the accelerator. It would be idea if you could code it so that it is more responsive permanently. No wires etc. but on the other hand the pedal box allows variable settings to suit how you want to drive.

I've seen the videos where someone puts their foot on the accelerator, holds it at set revs and then switches on the pedal box and the revs can more than double without any further depression on the accelerator. That put me off a bit. I don't want to be sitting in traffic and then over revving to pull slowly away. I just want to get rid of the delay between pressing the accelerator and something actually happening.

[Ao1]

Originally Posted by Dan_335

If you have ever driven a higher powered 'cable to throttle' system, it will feel like something is off.

Only a motorbike. As an analogy the lag experience is a little bit like having a slack accelerator cable. You have to partially turn the throttle before the cable goes into tension and starts opening up the carburetor. I like it when there is no slack and the slightest turn on the throttle immediately opens the carburetor rather than take up cable slack. If the pedal box can do that I would be very happy, providing it is controllable once the accelerator is further depressed.

[ed330D]

I take it your car doesn't have paddles, which you could obviously use to select a lower gear, and hence improve the ccar's response.

Alternatively, when you think you might want a bit more urgency, put the gear lever into Sport/Manual, and then select a lower gear. Put it back into Drive when you've finished having fun.