Power button and Drivelogic

[g222leav]

Originally Posted by OilPatch

I for 1 have found this thread quite enlightening.

agreed...

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by mdosu

let us know when you upgrade to a E9X, then we can discuss the merits of M button.

i already have a power button under my right foot.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

i already have a power button under my right foot.

you win this round.

[S65V8]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

these are all new topics to me continue.

[YolkyPalky]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Its amazing how some people purchase this car knowing absolutely nothing about it.

Or what cracks me up even more is people buying this car and then asking questions about "D" mode.

[Crimson92]

Originally Posted by YolkyPalky

Or what cracks me up even more is people buying this car and then asking questions about "D" mode.

D mode. What's that.

[flea333]

I combed through the manual and found nothing on these topics. I had setup my M button, but was still curious how these different modes actually change the vehicle dynamics. I can't really experience the car outside a race track so I don't think really understanding how these settings impact driving unless you're really driving the car the way it was designed, that's what these settings are for.

I did find the supplementary M manual that explained these settings briefly. Drivelogic isn't explained much as to how it impacts driving experience and what it's used for. The Power button was explained in this manual as throttle sensitivity, which makes sense. Basically the same thing my BMS power box did for my 328i.

When I first bought the car I didn't even know how to put it into gear...I had only test driven a manual. How's that for not knowing a car?

[flea333]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

All these things have been discussed a million times over the years, but I'm bored, so...
1. Power button should not be labeled "Power" button, it should be labeled "Throttle Position Sensitivity". That's all it does. The computer looks at throttle position, 0-100%. The button just changes the curve that the computer sees for your pedal position. The power button makes the throttle more sensitive at the beginning of it's travel. You push it in 50% and instead of seeing 50%, the computer sees 70%. 100% is still 100% either way. There is no more than 100%. No more torque, no more hp. The power button does not add any torque or hp. Go to a track event and I guarantee the instructor will tell you leaving it on normal is better. Smoother is better.
2. 6th position of drive logic only comes up as an option when you turn off DSC. My advice is that you do not do this. This is where you start if you are doing launch control, which I also advise you not to do at this point.
In S mode, higher settings cause the transmission to shift faster and more aggressively and to rev match more aggressively on downshifts. You should be able to feel the diffence shifting at higher rpm under heavy throttle and you should hear the difference downshifting at higher rpm. You should really be able to tell the difference between 1 and 5. Again, 6 is only going to happen with DSC off. No reason for you to go there.
3. Shift indicator lights can be turned on in settings, I think under M settings. I don't remember specifically, but if you search around in the menus, you will find it. If you don't have nav, then you can use the thingy on the turn signal stalk.. someone else will have to splain that, or you could search. It's here somewhere.

Thanks, Ill have to experiment more and see how it impacts the driving experience.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

All these things have been discussed a million times over the years, but I'm bored, so...
2. 6th position of drive logic only comes up as an option when you turn off DSC. My advice is that you do not do this. This is where you start if you are doing launch control, which I also advise you not to do at this point.
In S mode, higher settings cause the transmission to shift faster and more aggressively and to rev match more aggressively on downshifts. You should be able to feel the diffence shifting at higher rpm under heavy throttle and you should hear the difference downshifting at higher rpm. You should really be able to tell the difference between 1 and 5. Again, 6 is only going to happen with DSC off. No reason for you to go there.
.

2 -- What do you mean by "shift faster and more aggressively"? I'm pretty sure the transmission shifts the same quickness always. If you're in S mode, you control when the shifts happen, not the computer, so what am I missing?

[EvenSteven]

Originally Posted by flea333

1 -- More clarification -- so the Power button is not on Manual transmissions correct?

2 -- What do you mean by "shift faster and more aggressively"? I'm pretty sure the transmission shifts the same quickness always. If you're in S mode, you control when the shifts happen, not the computer, so what am I missing?

When you are in S4 or above, the transmission increasingly powershifts (maintaining full throttle during the shift), which gives you that bucking surge when you shift and can spin the wheels.

It also functions as a form of traction/torque delivery control, so in poor traction conditions you could conceivably achieve better times in lower drivelogic modes.

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

Its amazing how some people purchase this car knowing absolutely nothing about it.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by flea333

1 -- More clarification -- so the Power button is not on Manual transmissions correct?

2 -- What do you mean by "shift faster and more aggressively"? I'm pretty sure the transmission shifts the same quickness always. If you're in S mode, you control when the shifts happen, not the computer, so what am I missing?

1 Power button exists on manual also. The only time I used it in my Z4M manual was on the track because it made rev matching downshifts at high rpm work better. My DCT rev matches on it's own, and I prefer smoothness to jerkiness, and since it adds no performance in any way shape or form, I never use it now.
2 The "speed of a shift" is kind of a semantic, nebulous thing when it comes to a DCT. I'll just say this... it shifts smoother at lower numbers, it shifts more aggressively at higher settings. While shifting at lower rpm and lower throttle position, ie, barely accelerating, the lower settings will cause it take longer to shift, higher settings will cause it to shift quicker. While shifting at higher rpm and higher throttle position, it shifts equally quick, but with more of a power shift surge at the higher settings. Rather than try to decifer others descriptions, go feel it for yourself.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

1 Power button exists on manual also. The only time I used it in my Z4M manual was on the track because it made rev matching downshifts at high rpm work better. My DCT rev matches on it's own, and I prefer smoothness to jerkiness, and since it adds no performance in any way shape or form, I never use it now.
2 The "speed of a shift" is kind of a semantic, nebulous thing when it comes to a DCT. I'll just say this... it shifts smoother at lower numbers, it shifts more aggressively at higher settings. While shifting at lower rpm and lower throttle position, ie, barely accelerating, the lower settings will cause it take longer to shift, higher settings will cause it to shift quicker. While shifting at higher rpm and higher throttle position, it shifts equally quick, but with more of a power shift surge at the higher settings. Rather than try to decifer others descriptions, go feel it for yourself.

Ok I finally get it. I drove up in the hills today and got to throttle it hard. I definitely noticed the hard shifts.

So for Drive mode not only does it shift sooner but does it also change the hardness of clutch engagement?

[EvenSteven]

For the third time, the DCT shifts exactly the same speed/force no matter what the setting. Google quickshifting vs. powershifting.

Seriously, asking questions that can easily be answered by a simple search is one thing, asking the same question in the same thread over and over is remedial. May god have mercy on your souls.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by flea333

Ok I finally get it. I drove up in the hills today and got to throttle it hard. I definitely noticed the hard shifts.

So for Drive mode not only does it shift sooner but does it also change the hardness of clutch engagement?

Best thing in your case that you can do my friend is ;
1- Be calm .
2- Try everything out (and feel the difference)
3- And feel in person the answers of your questions .
Good luck ...and drive the sh@t out of it...because she is made for it

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

Best thing in your case that you can do my friend is ;
1- Be calm .
2- Try everything out (and feel the difference)
3- And feel in person the answers of your questions .

Except perhaps the DSC...this I would leave switched on at least for a while and especially when the roads are wet or at low temps.

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by SenorFunkyPants

Except perhaps the DSC...this I would leave switched on at least for a while and especially when the roads are wet or at low temps.

Spot on my friend !

[golfnutintib]

+1 absolutely...

Originally Posted by cambit

just to be devil's advocate, the search function on this forum sucks balls. this is 2013, we need a Wiki style compendium of all M3 knowledge.

[Rbembas_M3]

Originally Posted by flea333

I combed through the manual and found nothing on these topics. I had setup my M button, but was still curious how these different modes actually change the vehicle dynamics. I can't really experience the car outside a race track so I don't think really understanding how these settings impact driving unless you're really driving the car the way it was designed, that's what these settings are for.

I did find the supplementary M manual that explained these settings briefly. Drivelogic isn't explained much as to how it impacts driving experience and what it's used for. The Power button was explained in this manual as throttle sensitivity, which makes sense. Basically the same thing my BMS power box did for my 328i.

When I first bought the car I didn't even know how to put it into gear...I had only test driven a manual. How's that for not knowing a car?

I found this manual it helped me a lot. I just bought my M3. I went to two different dealers and even they could instruct me on the drivelogic.

[flea333]

Originally Posted by EvenSteven

For the third time, the DCT shifts exactly the same speed/force no matter what the setting. Google quickshifting vs. powershifting.

Seriously, asking questions that can easily be answered by a simple search is one thing, asking the same question in the same thread over and over is remedial. May god have mercy on your souls.

I've never heard of powershifting. This is my first race car owned, and I've never raced a manual to learn about shifting other than regular quickshifting. That's why I was so curious about what Drivelogic actually does since I figured an automatic (or DCT) always has to work the same way. Obviously not in a race car like this.

So finally, Drivelogic is simply controlling the throttle amount while switching, the higher the Drivelogic selected, the more throttle is maintained through the shifts. For whatever reason that wasn't coming through to me before with generic descriptions like "shifting agressively". Of course, this is in the S mode. In D/S mode, it also includes earlier shift points.

Now this is the explanation I've been wanting and now I understand what is actually going on for once.

Looks like God did have mercy! Thanks!

[Rbembas_M3]

Originally Posted by flea333

I've never heard of powershifting. This is my first race car owned, and I've never raced a manual to learn about shifting other than regular quickshifting. That's why I was so curious about what Drivelogic actually does since I figured an automatic (or DCT) always has to work the same way. Obviously not in a race car like this.

So finally, Drivelogic is simply controlling the throttle amount while switching, the higher the Drivelogic selected, the more throttle is maintained through the shifts. For whatever reason that wasn't coming through to me before with generic descriptions like "shifting agressively". Of course, this is in the S mode. In D/S mode, it also includes earlier shift points.

Now this is the explanation I've been wanting and now I understand what is actually going on for once.

Looks like God did have mercy! Thanks!

here is another manual that may help even more

[FlyM3_R1]

Originally Posted by TexasSpartan

I didn't know what the "M" button did when I bought my car. Like someone said, I knew it was a E92 M3. I test drove a couple at whatever setting the dealer had it set at and that was all I needed to know. It's disappointing to see when new people show up on the forum to see them get hammered by some of you. I consider myself still "new" as I certainly do not know everything there is to know about my car. When I installed my backup camera on my car I found a lot of useful information from people on here willing to help. True car enthusiasts will talk about their cars all day long even if it's about the most basic of topics.
If not for new members, this forum will die and given the current state of the admins banning people on a weekly basis, it may not take that long.

+1 ... I'm new here and dread the day I ask a question about my M3. I guess I'd better read this manual and study every page before I dare ask a question here. Kinda sucks really.