Who has the Sprintbooster installed...is it worth it?

[Zuzu]

Wish I was there also Wayne to try before BUY..

Would love to see what all the fuss is about mate..:smile:

[Alext]

WAY: thanks for the reply. I totally agree. Yes that is what I compared it with...the Lotus which has a cable operated throttle. Instant response by comparison. However the latest ones all have electronic operated throttle I believe. I know that a few people were complaining about lack of response too when it was first introduced.

[Guran]

Ok that covers that possibility then. But if you're getting wheelspin then you could only expect more with a more sensitive throttle since you've got less ability to modulate at light openings.

[professor]

I found that the SB made throttle inputs much more noticeable by increasing sensitivity just as it is supposed to do. It is not a gimmick as some would have you believe. It is a simple amplification of the signal from throttle controller. The downside is that you have to be more delicate with your inputs, especially from idle. However, if you can feel the drive-by-wire latency in stock mode, then this is certainly for you.

[Alext]

Thanks for the reply Professor.

[eunosracr]

I have it and love it. I have used it on all my cars, both Mercedes and BMW. Try it. You will love it.

[TimH]

Andrew does offer to try before you buy.

I took some time off work and was going to take up his offer after driving down from Sydney. Luckily I emailed one more time before I headed down as he is out of stock

[jksgoh]

just had one put in by Andrew couple of days ago (great little workshop hes got going down there, with great great service to boot). i did the try before you buy, and was convinced instantly!
True that it wont make your car faster, but it sure as hell makes it a lot more fun to drive! which is what its all about.

[TimMc]

Got one fitted Thursday (thanks Swift). It feels a bit too touchy around town at the moment, especially as I'm trying to run it in somewhat gently. Makes it very easy to blip the throttle for a down change though.
I drove home Thursday night and met a C63AMG @ the lights. I didn't want to race him (your honour) but didn't have much choice as I had trouble modulating the throttle...

[bobbynoway]

Reviving an old thread instead of making a new one as there good info for others who are new to the forum.
I just installed the sprintbooster and like most people I was skeptical at first due to high price vs benifits gained. But since our dollar is good now I made an impulse buy.
Wow this thing is amazing are my first though when I first pressed the gas pedal, it made the throttle more responsive and so the car more drivable. I no longer have to put up with that initial lag even when pedal is about half way, now just better, instant response, car just accelerate the way you want.
Now this does not increase power but improves how you get to the power, very satisfying.
And with practice you can still drive like a granny if you want as pedal feel is still very good, feels like the old cable operated pedals.

[BMWRX]

I'm reading in some places that there is a specific automatic transmission version of the Sprint Booster, and other places states that one model fits all. Can someone please clear up if I need to get a specific automatic version or not. Many thanks.

[takahashi]

Short answer is yes. There is automatic version. Be sure check with sprint booster on their website and via email before purchase.

I got used to the throttle now. I am keeping the $300.

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by takahashi

I got used to the throttle now. I am keeping the $300.

I've tried to get used to it, but as I'm still driving an "old school" WRX with normal accelerator linkages, I'm getting more and more frustrated with the delay in acceleration in the 135i.

[BMWRX]

Ok, after having tried a 135i with a Sprint Booster, the verdict is................divided.

Is it a worthy modification to the car to improve driveability/enjoyment.............yes.

For being only a small bit of cable, does it warrant a $300+ pricetag.............probably not.

I would justify it by saying that you don't care how much it costs while you're actually driving and getting more enjoyment from the car.

[bobbynoway]

If this was a $100 mod, I would tell everyone its a must have.
Now that I have driven with the SB a lot more, Im more satisfied I did bought it.
I dont even think about that >$300, more enjoyment now and works out cheap if keeping the car long term.
Other people who have driven the car thinks its a powerful NA/V8 car, as the initial lag is gone. Should see their faces when they guess its a 6 cyl with turbo, and they pull faces again when I correct then its actually twin turbos!
They expected lots of lag, I think they been driving the older jap cars too long lol.

[dr.bmw]

wonder what SB does for fuel consumption?

[BMWRX]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

wonder what SB does for fuel consumption?

It all depends how you drive. You would have to modulate your throttle input more carefully if you want to keep your economy in check. But I couldn't see a reason why it would suddenly blow out.

Originally Posted by bobbynoway

If this was a $100 mod, I would tell everyone its a must have.

I agree. It would be a must have if it was that sort of money.

[bobbynoway]

Originally Posted by dr.bmw

wonder what SB does for fuel consumption?

It depends on how you drive. If will definately increase fuel consumption if you drive like before with out making adjustments to your driving style. Average fuel consumption will increase by about 0.5-1 litre.
Good thing is that I still find it easy to modulate the gas pedal if I wanted to be tight on gas or drive like a granny when I chauffer my mum around town.

[GtiGyver]

...please....
all this unit does is male the throttle response less precise by ramping up the curve.
Basically anything above 50% on the throttle = 100% after the SB depending on the aggressiveness setting.
This is only a gimmick that makes you waste more gas and makes you think your car is more responsive.

[bobbynoway]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

...please....
all this unit does is male the throttle response less precise by ramping up the curve.
Basically anything above 50% on the throttle = 100% after the SB depending on the aggressiveness setting.
This is only a gimmick that makes you waste more gas and makes you think your car is more responsive.

Have you actually tried it? There is actual real world difference, its like night and day.
Does it make you think your car is more responsive? In my experience I know it actually makes a difference. To me more responsiveness = better/safer car to drive. Whats wrong with trying to improve the responsiveness?
Wasting gas regardless if SB was installed or not depends on driver , how heavy your foot is planted, you want to be economical, use less throttle, not hard to do. I can still be economical as before if I want to.

Guys, just try it before you knock it. I think the steep price of the product turns people off more so, not what it does imho.

[jksgoh]

Originally Posted by bobbynoway

Have you actually tried it? There is actual real world difference, its like night and day.
Does it make you think your car is more responsive? In my experience I know it actually makes a difference. To me more responsiveness = better/safer car to drive. Whats wrong with trying to improve the responsiveness?
Wasting gas regardless if SB was installed or not depends on driver , how heavy your foot is planted, you want to be economical, use less throttle, not hard to do. I can still be economical as before if I want to.

Guys, just try it before you knock it. I think the steep price of the product turns people off more so, not what it does imho.

i agree, the throttle is still very easy to modulate once you get use to it, but when you want to give it a bit of a shove it makes it that little bit more responsive.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by bobbynoway

Have you actually tried it? There is actual real world difference, its like night and day.
Does it make you think your car is more responsive? In my experience I know it actually makes a difference. To me more responsiveness = better/safer car to drive. Whats wrong with trying to improve the responsiveness?
Wasting gas regardless if SB was installed or not depends on driver , how heavy your foot is planted, you want to be economical, use less throttle, not hard to do. I can still be economical as before if I want to.

Guys, just try it before you knock it. I think the steep price of the product turns people off more so, not what it does imho.

I have tried similar products on other cars.
To each his own I guess...