Can our ECUs report to a dealer how often we use Race Start?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 270
Likes: 1
From: Chicago, IL
993, 2014 E63 Wagon
Can our ECUs report to a dealer how often we use Race Start?
I've been a wee bit reluctant to use Race Start, because I assume that if (god forbid) an engine/tranny problem developed, the system might report via the onboard diagnostics that RS had been used. And the dealer would use this info when considering a warranty claim. Does anyone know if the data is collected by the ECU and reported?
We used to have a Lotus Elise, and when dealers queried the ECU, it told them how much time was spent in each rev range, max revs, etc. So clearly Race Starts would be EASY to report.
Have I mentioned, I REEEEEALLY want to use Race Start.
We used to have a Lotus Elise, and when dealers queried the ECU, it told them how much time was spent in each rev range, max revs, etc. So clearly Race Starts would be EASY to report.
Have I mentioned, I REEEEEALLY want to use Race Start.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 852
Likes: 5
From: Rural NoVA
'14 E63S, '13 G550, '06 E320 cdi, and a bunch of other stuff.
MB has engineered the Race Start feature. The manner in which it is deployed is soooooooo tightly regulated, that I would find it difficult that there would be any denial of warranty claims arising from the its use.
Now, can the ECU store data? Sure. Is there so way for the next buyer to extract this information? Possibly. But that really shouldn't stop you from using the feature. You paid for it.
As you'll recall, the big deal with the Lotus ECU was that it recorded overrevs. Which certainly was/is a big deal. Nobody wants to buy or warrant a 2ZZGE that's been zinged from a bunch of missed downshifts/upshifts.
$0.02
Now, can the ECU store data? Sure. Is there so way for the next buyer to extract this information? Possibly. But that really shouldn't stop you from using the feature. You paid for it.
As you'll recall, the big deal with the Lotus ECU was that it recorded overrevs. Which certainly was/is a big deal. Nobody wants to buy or warrant a 2ZZGE that's been zinged from a bunch of missed downshifts/upshifts.
$0.02
Administrator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 12,263
Likes: 901
From: THE Orange County, California
2024 C8 Z06- 2025 BMW CS- 2022 Porsche 992 GTS
MB has engineered the Race Start feature. The manner in which it is deployed is soooooooo tightly regulated, that I would find it difficult that there would be any denial of warranty claims arising from the its use.
Now, can the ECU store data? Sure. Is there so way for the next buyer to extract this information? Possibly. But that really shouldn't stop you from using the feature. You paid for it.
As you'll recall, the big deal with the Lotus ECU was that it recorded overrevs. Which certainly was/is a big deal. Nobody wants to buy or warrant a 2ZZGE that's been zinged from a bunch of missed downshifts/upshifts.
$0.02
Now, can the ECU store data? Sure. Is there so way for the next buyer to extract this information? Possibly. But that really shouldn't stop you from using the feature. You paid for it.
As you'll recall, the big deal with the Lotus ECU was that it recorded overrevs. Which certainly was/is a big deal. Nobody wants to buy or warrant a 2ZZGE that's been zinged from a bunch of missed downshifts/upshifts.
$0.02
Agree here 100%.... a manufacturer who creates a process and even shows you exactly how to do in the owner's manual with zero disclaimer to usage will own any failures that were derived from Race Start.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 723
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, AB
2014 E63 S
I'm getting the impression you can't really count on it for a street race given the perfect conditions that must be present and the time it takes to engage.
Might be best to leave it in S+ and just stand on it in anything other than a controlled test / drag strip etc.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
From: Dallas, TX
SL63
I wouldn't worry about it. I've never used race start in any of my AMGs, but I abused the heck out of it in the Porsche Turbo. It recorded them too and I used it 52 times in the first 6 months according to the service guys. It had some pdk issues and grinding in the front diff and they never batted an eyelash at it. Interestingly Audi limits the number of launch controls you can use in their car via the ECU. Someone found the limit of 300. 
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