Press brake pedal to start?

[EJ_92606]

I know this sounds like a silly question, but on DCT M3s do you need to depress the brake to start the car?

My recollection is yes....I'm in the midst of installing an auto-sized brake pedal in the car and although it fits, the part seems slightly different and I think it results in the brake being partially depressed at rest. It does NOT require me to press the brake to start the car now and the brake lights are permanently on. So I'm thinking this part is not quite the right fit although the part number is identical...

[sawzall]

Yup. Got to have your foot down on the brakes before you can start the car.

[M3maniac20]

Pushing in the brake to start the car is standard of ANY vehicle with a start/stop button

[Ctm309]

Originally Posted by EJ_92606

I know this sounds like a silly question, but on DCT M3s do you need to depress the brake to start the car?

My recollection is yes....I'm in the midst of installing an auto-sized brake pedal in the car and although it fits, the part seems slightly different and I think it results in the brake being partially depressed at rest. It does NOT require me to press the brake to start the car now and the brake lights are permanently on. So I'm thinking this part is not quite the right fit although the part number is identical...

I have a larger size brake pedal in both my e46 and my e92 and never had this problem. Sounds like the pedal is being held down by something in your install.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

Pushing in the brake to start the car is standard of ANY vehicle with a start/stop button

Not true. My 335i 6MT does not require the brake be pressed. It only requires the clutch pedal be pressed.

It is true that many (most? all, nowdays?) cars with automatic transmissions require the brake be pressed when starting. But that's regardless of whether there is a push button start or not.

[saeedg48]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

Pushing in the brake to start the car is standard of ANY vehicle with a start/stop button

not on the 6mt

[EJ_92606]

Thanks guys, got it figured out. I didn't have the brake light sensor pushed all the way in so it made contact with the tab on the pedal. I guess this sensor is also used for the ignition interlock as well. The larger sized brake pedal feels great and still gives me room to extend my left leg to the firewall as well.

[kitw]

could you post the part number? Sounds like a good piece to get?

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by kitw

could you post the part number? Sounds like a good piece to get?

Will do. I have it at home. I took a chance and ordered a 2008 335 steptronic brake pedal...had to come from Germany. Turns out the part number on the bracket for the pedal is identical to the M3's pedal...only difference is the pedal arm itself. I have some pictures I will post up.

[EJ_92606]

Here is a link to some pictures

http://picasaweb.google.com/Eric9260...eat=directlink

[BobsM3Coupe]

Looks great. How much neck and back twisting/contorting did it take to R&R that pedal assembly?

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Looks great. How much neck and back twisting/contorting did it take to R&R that pedal assembly?

It wasn't bad at all...I had second thoughts when I first took the pedal assembly out of the box and realized how large it was...but I dug into it and knocked it out in 90 minutes total and that included some fiddling to figure out the removal of a sensor on the dash panel and the removal and subsequent adjustment of the brake light sensor. Once removing the 3 bolts holding the pedal assembly in and undoing the clip and removing the pin which attaches the brake booster assembly and removing the brake light sensor, it took just a few minutes of twisting and pushing to get it free. However, I did it about 9 years ago on my e46 M3 and had removed the almost identical under dash panel on my 335 previously, so I had some familiarity with what I was facing.

Part number is BM35-00-6-751-975

I will post up a more detailed DIY soon for anyone that wants to do this in the future. The larger brake pedal makes all the difference with left foot braking...works very well and makes full time left foot braking comfortable if you choose to do so or just for the occasional use in spirited driving.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Yes, please post a more detailed DIY for the panel and pedal assy removal. That part number is also the same for a 2010 E92 335 with the auto trans.

[EJ_92606]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Yes, please post a more detailed DIY for the panel and pedal assy removal. That part number is also the same for a 2010 E92 335 with the auto trans.

OK, done. I posted it to the other thread here: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...60#post7925360

[JCtx]

Originally Posted by M3maniac20

Pushing in the brake to start the car is standard of ANY AUTOMATIC vehicle with a start/stop button

Fixed for you . No need for that on my 6MT, but we do have to push the clutch pedal.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by saeedg48

not on the 6mt

Not on the S2000, either.

For all (maybe most) modern cars, your foot needs to be on the brake if it's an automatic or DCT, regardless of ignition type. And on the clutch pedal if it's a manual, regardless of ignition type.