Getting MDM, is it possible?

JDy80 wrote

Sorry I retract

No sweat, all good.

I'm VERY interested in this. I'll be glad to help with whatever it takes to get this done.

I might get a separate thread going on this to see if I can pull this guy out of the woodwork if he's on the forum. Otherwise I might have to "bribe" my CA for his contact info.

Z K wrote

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.

You are correct that DSC will activate without blinking the light at times. If it simply has to perform quick throttle modulation, the light will usually not blink. Once it has to apply brakes or perform other actions, then you will get the flashing light.

Mike Benvo wrote

You are correct that DSC will activate without blinking the light at times. If it simply has to perform quick throttle modulation, the light will usually not blink. Once it has to apply brakes or perform other actions, then you will get the flashing light.

I have Power and DSC why do this lights go on by themselves from time to time ... I am kinda wondering ... guess I need to go thru the manual and figure that out

Perhaps has to do with my up and down shift characteristic ... I have no iDrive or M button ..

Any updates yet on this guys?

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=676825

(for anyone subscribed to this thread)

Happy to see it finally came together and worked out for you.

Now hopefully we can get the non-iDrive version proved out too. I'd drive my car over to Mike Benvo today if I lived in the area.

rhouck wrote

Since this thread was already bumped today, I figure I'll respond to it.

I'm somewhat in the area and, if there was still interest and the opportunity, could probably work out heading up that way for a bit.

Otherwise I'll continue to try and survive without MDM

mkoesel wrote

Happy to see it finally came together and worked out for you.

Now hopefully we can get the non-iDrive version proved out too. I'd drive my car over to Mike Benvo today if I lived in the area.

We'll do it for you remotely, don't worry!

Mike Benvo wrote

We'll do it for you remotely, don't worry!

How soon will you have this ability?

When is your next scheduled east coast trip?

MDM cannot be retrofitted as far as I know. Technic can confirm.

McLoven wrote

MDM cannot be retrofitted as far as I know. Technic can confirm.

It has been done now. A few people have already had it done. Including no iDrive M's. Basically re-creating the M Button that exists as of 2011.5 model cars as standard equipment.

Mike Benvo is the one who cracked it. Can also retrofit European MDM mode.

It's actually very straight forward.

Fit new SZL module (e.g. part #61319179506).
Fit Mdrive buttons if desired (part #61317842435) - not essential, existing buttons work fine.
Use NCS Expert to Code VO by adding $2MD to CAS & NFRM modules.
Use NCE Expert to Code car with defaults based on the modified VO.
Use Tools32 to reset steering angle sensor as errors raised due to new SZL module requirring calibration.
Use INPA to clear any errors
Takes about an hour all up including SZL module change.

Thank you this is very helpful information. I am getting ready to do this...but have two questions:

1 - Once this is complete how do you assign the non m button to be used as an m button in a car that previously did not have it?
2 - What is the procedure within tool32 to reset the angel sensor? I am less familiar w tool32 operation.

Thanks

fontana302 wrote

It's actually very straight forward.

Fit new SZL module (e.g. part #61319179506).
Fit Mdrive buttons if desired (part #61317842435) - not essential, existing buttons work fine.
Use NCS Expert to Code VO by adding $2MD to CAS & NFRM modules.
Use NCE Expert to Code car with defaults based on the modified VO.
Use Tools32 to reset steering angle sensor as errors raised due to new SZL module requirring calibration.
Use INPA to clear any errors
Takes about an hour all up including SZL module change.

1. Non-M button will work as an M button once coded, labelling of the button is the only difference.
2. Set steering wheel in straight ahead position.
(You can use INPA to verify if in straight ahead position before removing the existing SZL via <F9> “Chassis” Dynamic Stability Control” <F5> <F3> <F1> <F2> if really particular. This will being up the DSC sensors screen - Steering angle [Grad] shows the current steering angle. Turn the steering wheel to centralise as needed.)

For E90, you must select DSC_87.prg, lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen options in Tools32.
Select the above, hit clear, then double click lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen to reset steering angle sensor then clear all faults using INPA.

Running this program re-sets whatever steering angle you have currently set to be on center (hence why you need the steering wheel on center before running it).

Lenkwinkel = steering angle; abgleich = alignment


Hope this helps, all very straightforward.

Awesome - very helpful post! Regarding to diamond button working as m button is there a specific line that needs to change? After my cic went in this button doesn't seem to allow assignment to M mode, although I may be doing something wrong. Forget what the normal procedure is to assign it to functions.

fontana302 wrote

1. Non-M button will work as an M button once coded, labelling of the button is the only difference.
2. Set steering wheel in straight ahead position.
(You can use INPA to verify if in straight ahead position before removing the existing SZL via <F9> “Chassis” Dynamic Stability Control” <F5> <F3> <F1> <F2> if really particular. This will being up the DSC sensors screen - Steering angle [Grad] shows the current steering angle. Turn the steering wheel to centralise as needed.)

For E90, you must select DSC_87.prg, lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen options in Tools32.
Select the above, hit clear, then double click lenkwinkel_dsc_abgleichen to reset steering angle sensor then clear all faults using INPA.

Running this program re-sets whatever steering angle you have currently set to be on center (hence why you need the steering wheel on center before running it).

Lenkwinkel = steering angle; abgleich = alignment


Hope this helps, all very straightforward.

Sorry to bump this oldie but I just went through the retrofit on a non i-drive car, and I followed the steps above including installing the correct SZL, coding each and every module to default using expertmode after adding $2MD to the VO in CAS and NFRM, and I have no errors. However, I only get the green M light without the yellow MDM light when I hit the steering wheel button. Anybody ever experienced this or have advice?

niterider wrote

As far as I know, i have never heard of anyone being able to retrofit something like MDM on a car that didnt come with it. And if it was possible (which I dont think it is) it would cost way 2 much to even b worth retrofitting. However if I were you I would take that money and invest it in as many driving control classes as I could afford n attend as many track events as well. Once you learn how to drive your car properly MDM will not cut it for u. DSC off is all you will be running.

I leave MDM on for my track days and find it non-intrusive.

SoManyBlueCars wrote

I leave MDM on for my track days and find it non-intrusive.

Same. MDM can do things that you cannot, such as braking individual wheels.

I'm sure some people here are faster with no assistance turned on, but my M3 is my only car and I would rather have a bit of a safety net in case I make a mistake or something outside my control happens.

The green light is only M mode right (with whatever programmed) so yes you seem to missing MDM which should turn on the yellow light together with the green. And you have MDM turned On in your setting?

Helmsman wrote

The green light is only M mode right (with whatever programmed) so yes you seem to missing MDM which should turn on the yellow light together with the green. And you have MDM turned On in your setting?

Which setting? I do not have i-drive.

ksteckba wrote

Which setting? I do not have i-drive.

Afraid I don't know how MDM is set without iDrive but the mode has to be activated for M drive/button to turn it on. I'm sure one of the non iDrive guys can chime in.