Getting MDM, is it possible?

MN M3 wrote

I never said the OP wanted to start a business - I said that the responses in here all speak of...

Nah, gotta disagree. Here's you're post again:

"All true, but I believe that the original intent of this 'program' was to turn it into a viable business opportunity."

Clearly that was not the original intent. Also, not all of the responses relate to a business opportunity. In fact, most don't.

Just keeping it real for you. Since you seem to be quite concerned with the goings-on in here, I have to assume you would want to stick strictly to the facts.

Interestingly, the M3 GTS which info was released today does not have iDrive (understandably). I would assume it has some kind of MDM function. I wonder how they implemented it and if it can be retrofitted somehow.

Below is the only image I could see that shows the iDrive controller is not present. I look forward to getting more info on:
1) Whether MDM is present or not (I would wager it has some form of it, maybe with even more options)
2) How it is accessed

Nice catch Frenchboy. I am now very curious about those things as well.

Just a quick update: I've gone as far as my technical skills allow on this.

If anyone is still interested, and want to explore further, an investment or access to better electronic equipment (and skillset to match) is required.

Another option would be for someone to contact BMWM.D. if they're in the Santa Barbara area or willing to drive there. In this thread Andy (BMWM.D.) said he might be able to help a bit. < Link to Post > Might be worth it to PM him and see if he can still help if anyone is interested in taking this further....

Reviving an old thread...

Now that MDM is available standard without iDrive (as of 2011 MY), can anyone think of a way to retrofit MDM to pre-2011 non iDrive M3?

What parts from an pre-2011 non iDrive M3 would have to be updated?

Thanks,

Frenchboy, what about Finnegan's final post above suggesting BMW M.D. might be of some assistance? He's a good distance from you, but much closer than me. Or even better, surely there must be someone in SoCal with no MDrive who could volunteer their car for a little exploratory surgery? I know I would do it if I lived out that way...

By the way - just a nitpick - MDrive is standard as of 2011.5, not 2011.

wow, generally, you would need to swap out an entire ECU and diff unit at a minimum, I don't think you can simply swap out your ECU. This would be very complex job. Think of the wiring headaches involved in doing it, and I have a feeling BMW may force you to electronically mate your new ECU to your current engine.

Just for a reference, my old Evo had a mechanical center diff, and to swap it out with an active electronic unit, you needed to do the ECU and the entire set of front, center, and rear diffs (of course this was a AWD car). And this is a unit that did not interact brakes into the system.

I just fact-checked "no iDrive = no MDM" issue with someone who has 2011.5 model w/ no iDrive, and he says his car goes into MDM mode when he pushes the M button and that, apparently, all models past 2011.5 have it.

It would be awesome if companies could write varying software for dsc systems custom tailored to mods wheels tires weight distribution etc and allow selectability like newer ferraris. Probably super expensive with high liability though.

mdosu wrote

wow, generally, you would need to swap out an entire ECU and diff unit at a minimum, I don't think you can simply swap out your ECU. This would be very complex job. Think of the wiring headaches involved in doing it, and I have a feeling BMW may force you to electronically mate your new ECU to your current engine.

Just for a reference, my old Evo had a mechanical center diff, and to swap it out with an active electronic unit, you needed to do the ECU and the entire set of front, center, and rear diffs (of course this was a AWD car). And this is a unit that did not interact brakes into the system.

After reading this I feel like you are very confused. But maybe I am? Do you understand that MDM refers to a DSC program, and not a mechanical differential or any other mechanical part of the car? All M3s have the same differential, aside from the gear ratio which differs between DCT and 6MT.

OC3 wrote

I just fact-checked "no iDrive = no MDM" issue with someone who has 2011.5 model w/ no iDrive, and he says his car goes into MDM mode when he pushes the M button and that, apparently, all models past 2011.5 have it.

Yep, that is absolutely true. That is what Frenchboy was referring to in his thread-reviving post. Notice, this thread is very old - far pre-dating any knowledge of the new simplified MDrive for 2011.5.

mkoesel wrote

Frenchboy, what about Finnegan's final post above suggesting BMW M.D. might be of some assistance? He's a good distance from you, but much closer than me. Or even better, surely there must be someone in SoCal with no MDrive who could volunteer their car for a little exploratory surgery? I know I would do it if I lived out that way...

By the way - just a nitpick - MDrive is standard as of 2011.5, not 2011.

You're right, I am only 1,125 miles away from BMWM.D. Much closer than your 2,345 miles!

Kidding aside, it would be interesting if a Santa Barbara local could get in touch with BMWM.D. In all honesty, I am more curious than anything else.
I am not sure I would have a strong use for MDM, I have gotten use to turning DSC off altogether at the track and find the car very easy and predictable to drive without DSC interference. I actually think it probably makes me a better driver.

Still, it would be nice to have the option.

OC3 wrote

I just fact-checked "no iDrive = no MDM" issue with someone who has 2011.5 model w/ no iDrive, and he says his car goes into MDM mode when he pushes the M button and that, apparently, all models past 2011.5 have it.

Thanks. I was wondering how it was wtih 2011.5 cars. Is it one push for MDM and push and hold for DSC off?

aus wrote

Thanks. I was wondering how it was wtih 2011.5 cars. Is it one push for MDM and push and hold for DSC off?

No, the DSC button still functions as it does on any other M3. That is to say that it can only turn DSC off completely and back on again. So you still have to use the M button to activate MDM mode (and Servotronic sport mode, as well). The difference between a 2011.5 car with and without IDrive is that for the latter the M button is hard coded to these settings. Power, EDC (if equipped), and Drivelogic (if equipped) settings are still programmable for the latter by holding down the M Button.

FrenchBoy wrote

You're right, I am only 1,125 miles away from BMWM.D. Much closer than your 2,345 miles!

Well that's less than half. Not exactly in your back yard, though, no.

Still, it would be nice to have the option.

Yep.

So any volunteers?

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...

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...

Similar situation, yeah. I suspect that if the VO solution discussed earlier in this thread did turn out to work, then in your case it would also give you the MDrive screens in IDrive. It would perhaps require a software reflash first. That's a lot of speculation on my part though.

michaeldorian wrote

This would be a great project for someone with knowledge of the BMW drive systems. I'd definately pay for it.

So would I pay for it that is

mkoesel wrote

So any volunteers?

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

username11 wrote

I know this is an old thread but can someone (or the original poster) elaborate on this? All MDM is a less intrusive DSC mode, right? Am I missing something? Why would anyone drive with it on all the time on the street? Why would you want anything less than full DSC on while driving on public roads?

Trade your car in for a Camry, why don't you?

i use mdm everyday. i push my m button right after i push the start button. its still is fairly intrusive if you are trying to get wildly sideways but under normal spirited driving you arent going to injure yourself or others unless you really cant drive at all. ive used it on a wet track and gotten a little out of shape but it is a good step between full off and on. with it on you have no feedback of how you are driving, the car is fixing all your overdone throttle inputs rather than you learning how to do it properly.