Getting MDM, is it possible?

09-25-2011

I agree with username. At least around where I live, there's not enough space and too many cars for MDM unless it's late or really early.
On the track, it's the perfect setting for most people. Even my instructor uses it when she's on track.

09-25-2011

on the track with dsc on it intervenes all over the place the mdm much less so. i dont find a need for full off because mdm allows enough wiggle room that unless i make a big mistake in which case i need it, dsc wont intervene and i can just drive hard with a little safety net.

09-26-2011

For the reasons discussed above, MDM seems like it would be nice to have, at least some of the time.

1sikbmr wrote
How about MDM on an M3 with idrive? I have the idrive but no ZTP car is an 08 sedan i guess the original owner didnt want the headaches of M drive...

^ this is my situation (iDrive but no MDM); so no newer ideas on retrofitting?

09-26-2011

My car is now out of warranty, so I am game as far as tweaking the VOD and trying to install 2011.5 IDrive-less MDrive software.

There are of course some concerns as discussed in this thread over the years, but right now my most basic question is - can the button on the wheel support the necessary M button functionality (hold down to program, etc), or will the hardware need an upgrade?

10-12-2011

Just came across this thread, I'd also be very interested in retrofitting the new simplified Mdrive on my car. I know this has already been discussed earlier in the thread, but has anyone actually confirmed that the new Mdrive is anything more than a flash? If it's just a flash, then I assume this would be relatively easy.

10-12-2011

Glad you found the thread EVO350, I actually meant to point you here in one of my responses in your other thread.

To answer your question, no, I don't think anyone has confirmed that getting the simplified MDrive is just a matter of a software flash.

As I said in my last post, though, I am prepared to give it a try (keeping in mind the risks as discussed in this thread). I think the first step is to modify the VO to specify that the car has MDrive.

10-12-2011

I PMed Andy (BMWM.D.) but no response (which isn't too surprising given that his initial offer to tinker was ~2 years ago!).

Not sure anyone has really taken a look at it recently...

10-13-2011

I'm interested in this as well....

Heading to the dealership today, I'll run this by them and see if they have any insight.

10-17-2011

Well I talked to my CA over the weekend and he said it IS in fact possible to retrofit the m button features. He said someone has already done so to his knowledge. He said it involves a flash and actually changing the steering wheel to one with the m button. Why the wheel needs to be changed I don't know....

I know we have to take this with a grain of salt coming from a salesman, but he was very emphatic about it.

10-18-2011

z335is wrote
Well I talked to my CA over the weekend and he said it IS in fact possible to retrofit the m button features. He said someone has already done so to his knowledge. He said it involves a flash and actually changing the steering wheel to one with the m button. Why the wheel needs to be changed I don't know....

I know we have to take this with a grain of salt coming from a salesman, but he was very emphatic about it.

Did you ask who did the flash? That appears to be the biggest missing piece to the puzzle...

10-18-2011

rhouck wrote
Did you ask who did the flash? That appears to be the biggest missing piece to the puzzle...

It may involve a flash but the steering wheel replacement isn't necessary.

This has been on my list of things to do, hopefully in a few weeks I will have more time to take a look into it and provide MDM retrofits.

Remember, "M Drive" and MDM are not the same thing.

10-18-2011

z335is wrote
I know we have to take this with a grain of salt coming from a salesman, but he was very emphatic about it.

Interesting. Thanks for reporting this. Sounds promising, at least.

Mike Benvo wrote
It may involve a flash but the steering wheel replacement isn't necessary.

This has been on my list of things to do, hopefully in a few weeks I will have more time to take a look into it and provide MDM retrofits.

That would be awesome. :thumbsup:

Remember, "M Drive" and MDM are not the same thing.

Right, but how would one activate MDM without the M Button? Well I mean, there are a number of ways I could imagine it being done I suppose, but none as straightforward as just making the button on the wheel function like an M Button (like it does in a car with MDrive). However, if you could make it available by holding down the DSC button (for example), that would be awesome.

Very interested to know what you have in mind... :thumsup:

10-18-2011

rhouck wrote
z335is wrote
Well I talked to my CA over the weekend and he said it IS in fact possible to retrofit the m button features. He said someone has already done so to his knowledge. He said it involves a flash and actually changing the steering wheel to one with the m button. Why the wheel needs to be changed I don't know....

I know we have to take this with a grain of salt coming from a salesman, but he was very emphatic about it.
Did you ask who did the flash? That appears to be the biggest missing piece to the puzzle...

He did not mention that piece of it. He did say that the guy who had it done lives in Maryland.

I also asked if there were any mechanical changes that needed to be made and he said it was purely a software flash / upgrade. I wish I had more info, but unfortunately I don't. At the very least, it sounds like this can be done, which is encouraging.

10-18-2011

username11 wrote
Doesn't the car flash the DSC lamp when it is correcting? I've open seen it once or twice on the street and only during a particularly aggressive shift in the wet where I was glad it was there to help. Maybe I'm just really smooth but without MDM I can enter corners at retarded speeds, power out of them aggressively, and never break traction.

To be honest, I find it hard to get the car accidentally sideways even with DSC off and not on public roads. I basically have to 'try' which is certainly not the case with other cars I have driven. I have Conti3s with probably 75% of tread remaining. My overriding impression of the car is that is has an incredible amount of grip. I am waiting for the tires to wear more.

So with that said with the limits of the car so high with DSC on I am pretty impressed you guys are getting MDM to be of any benefit on public roads.

The DSC lamp won't flash at you sometimes when it is correcting for you. With DSC fully engaged, it will cut your throttle BEFORE the car is even close to breaking loose so you never lose traction in the first place.

I've done this many times before. Go WOT from a stop in first gear on a slick surface, the car will accelerate smoothly and no DSC light flashing but you notice the car is noticably slower. Do the same thing with MDM or DSC off and you'll get a lot of wheel spin. Same thing happens in corners, it'll decrease your throttle appropriately prior to losing traction so you can be flooring it through a corner and the car fixes all your mistakes for you. Do the same with DSC off and you'll go spinning off the road.

10-18-2011

tightie wrote
Wow, now I'm happy I have iDrive

I'm happy I DO NOT have iDrive ... more fun driving less distractions

10-19-2011

Mike Benvo wrote
It may involve a flash but the steering wheel replacement isn't necessary.

This has been on my list of things to do, hopefully in a few weeks I will have more time to take a look into it and provide MDM retrofits.

Remember, "M Drive" and MDM are not the same thing.

Very cool! Hopefully you have good luck :thumbsup:

z335is wrote
He did not mention that piece of it. He did say that the guy who had it done lives in Maryland.

I also asked if there were any mechanical changes that needed to be made and he said it was purely a software flash / upgrade. I wish I had more info, but unfortunately I don't. At the very least, it sounds like this can be done, which is encouraging.

Good news if that is all accurate, now you just have to bribe him to give you the guy's name/number :lol:

10-19-2011

rhouck wrote
Mike Benvo wrote
It may involve a flash but the steering wheel replacement isn't necessary.

This has been on my list of things to do, hopefully in a few weeks I will have more time to take a look into it and provide MDM retrofits.

Remember, "M Drive" and MDM are not the same thing.
Very cool! Hopefully you have good luck

z335is wrote
He did not mention that piece of it. He did say that the guy who had it done lives in Maryland.

I also asked if there were any mechanical changes that needed to be made and he said it was purely a software flash / upgrade. I wish I had more info, but unfortunately I don't. At the very least, it sounds like this can be done, which is encouraging.
Good news if that is all accurate, now you just have to bribe him to give you the guy's name/number

Lol, I tried to pry that info from him believe me. I was hoping the guy might be on these forums and would come out of the woodwork, I guess not though.