How to test EDC

[AndyW]

So, in learning my new M3, I am trying to detect the different between the modes of EDC and my butt really can't tell the difference in street driving. The Comfort setting is already fairly stiff IMO but pushing the button the either setting doesn't seem to matter. No codes so EDC thinks it's OK. I'm tempted to find some speedbumps and do some back and forths in the different modes...any other way the different will, pardon the pun, spring out?

[wyatth]

How many miles on them?
I won't say comfort to sport ranges from Camry to GT3, but the differences are absolutely noticeable to me (to the point where I use EDC regularly and can't imagine ditching EDC for a street driven car). Comfort is a bit more isolated and floaty, while sport is pretty harsh on all but perfectly smooth roads. Perhaps instead of testing from comfort to normal to sport, where the incremental changes are smaller, cycle through from sport to comfort. And be sure to test on an imperfect road. Everything feels the same cruising straight on a smooth road, but even typical potholes and storm drains and lane reflectors feel different.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by wyatth

How many miles on them?
I won't say comfort to sport ranges from Camry to GT3, but the differences are absolutely noticeable to me (to the point where I use EDC regularly and can't imagine ditching EDC for a street driven car). Comfort is a bit more isolated and floaty, while sport is pretty harsh on all but perfectly smooth roads. Perhaps instead of testing from comfort to normal to sport, where the incremental changes are smaller, cycle through from sport to comfort. And be sure to test on an imperfect road. Everything feels the same cruising straight on a smooth road, but even typical potholes and storm drains and lane reflectors feel different.

Thx. 43K. I'll experiment on some rougher roads and see if I can feel the difference.

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by AndyW

So, in learning my new M3, I am trying to detect the different between the modes of EDC and my butt really can't tell the difference in street driving. The Comfort setting is already fairly stiff IMO but pushing the button the either setting doesn't seem to matter. No codes so EDC thinks it's OK. I'm tempted to find some speedbumps and do some back and forths in the different modes...any other way the different will, pardon the pun, spring out?

when driving on the freeway, ride on the bumps dividing the lanes, and cycle through the EDC modes. you should be able to tell the difference while constantly driving on the bumps.

[Drifter2090]

Its a fairly drastic difference between full stiff and soft for me, my shocks have 180k km on them too (I bought some fresh ones to swap in when the time comes)

[Edwardsc1]

It should definitely be a noticeable difference, especially from comfort to sport. Comfort should feel like the car is absorbing the bumps and feel slightly "floaty." Keep in mind the car is going to be very stiff anyway, it is an M3 after all. Sport mode should be so stiff that the car will sometimes "crash" over potholes, manhole covers, etc. It will be noticeably harsher and a rough road will be quite uncomfortable in sport mode. But, sport mode on a smooth back road or highway is great, it should really give you solid feedback for how the road feels.

[AndyW]

I really can't tell a difference between any of the settings. Gonna have to do some research.

[spammysammich]

Originally Posted by AndyW

I really can't tell a difference between any of the settings. Gonna have to do some research.

If you're in western washington drive I5 just south of the convention center tunnels where the expansion joint hell starts. You should feel it there.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by spammysammich

If you're in western washington drive I5 just south of the convention center tunnels where the expansion joint hell starts. You should feel it there.

I'm on the other side of the sound (Kingston) and don't get over to your side often. But I know the hell of which you speak. Are you an Avants or BMWCCA member? We should link up at an event sometime.

[wyatth]

Just board the ferry with some speed.

[Helmsman]

Andy, as you see theres very different experiences of the EDC function and this not only objective.

My EDC originally was VERY different between setting, teeth rattling in Sport while floaty in Comfort. Also big difference in steering response between setting. One day realized it wasn't there anylonger, still differences but much smaller (around 25k miles). Did as much research I could including swapping EDC module, measured individual chock current etc. Today at 54k miles, certainly enjoying the car and using EDC every day. Although with less differences. Bit of a mystery.
One thing worth to keep in mind is tire pressure makes massive difference. I run with 2.7bar. Above erase some differences while getting stiffer (obviously), below again erase diff (all soft).
You canfind various threads on this from my frustrated days.
Ps. Pull one of the front chock plugs and you'll get a feel for what it should be in Sport.

[spammysammich]

Originally Posted by AndyW

I'm on the other side of the sound (Kingston) and don't get over to your side often. But I know the hell of which you speak. Are you an Avants or BMWCCA member? We should link up at an event sometime.

No I haven't looked into either option. I see Avants at Seattle auto show and like the cars they bring but haven't had time to devote to car clubs for about the last 15 years. I hear good things about BMWCCA, I'm just real hot and cold about being social. Shy by nature but I really love cars.

[786]

Originally Posted by AndyW

I really can't tell a difference between any of the settings. Gonna have to do some research.

im in the same boat. can't tell the difference at all.

[Helmsman]

Originally Posted by 786

im in the same boat. can't tell the difference at all.

Did you try to pull one of the front EDC connectors? This will cut power from the module to all dampers, resulting in complete stiffnes (even harder than Sport mode in fact, which is 0.8A, while Normal is 1.6A and Comfort is 2.0A).

You'll get a error message in the iDrive, which goes away soon as you connect the damper again, so no issues in doing the test.

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Did you try to pull one of the front EDC connectors? This will cut power from the module to all dampers, resulting in complete stiffnes (even harder than Sport mode in fact, which is 0.8A, while Normal is 1.6A and Comfort is 2.0A).

You'll get a error message in the iDrive, which goes away soon as you connect the damper again, so no issues in doing the test.

Not yet. My current focus is getting my 135i track car ready for the season...lol.

[pjk380]

Originally Posted by AndyW

I really can't tell a difference between any of the settings. Gonna have to do some research.

Same here too. IMO, on my car it’s not a drastic difference. It took several months of going on different roads to finally notice any difference. I was able to finally figure it out by going thru a decent dip in the road at 50-60mph. In comfort mode it soaked up the dip and almost bottomed out. In normal mode it soaked up the dip with much better control and compliance. In sport mode there was even more control but not too stiff. I would not consider sport mode stiff, but rather harsh. Once I was able to get in tune with how the different settings felt & worked, I found comfort was too soft unless cruising on the open road or freeway. I mainly use normal mode for daily driving.

[Redd]

I believe when these EDC type dampers fail, they fail as full stiff. You might need to check the dampers.

[Kowalski2011]

Originally Posted by pjk380

Same here too. IMO, on my car it’s not a drastic difference. It took several months of going on different roads to finally notice any difference. I was able to finally figure it out by going thru a decent dip in the road at 50-60mph. In comfort mode it soaked up the dip and almost bottomed out. In normal mode it soaked up the dip with much better control and compliance. In sport mode there was even more control but not too stiff. I would not consider sport mode stiff, but rather harsh. Once I was able to get in tune with how the different settings felt & worked, I found comfort was too soft unless cruising on the open road or freeway. I mainly use normal mode for daily driving.

Agree with the dip at 50-60 test. I drove a known such dip for a long time and when I replaced my 135i shocks with Koni activs this was exactly the first place the difference was really obvious. But also on spirited cornering on backroads, noticeable but a bit more subtle.

[smokinjoe64]

Originally Posted by Redd

I believe when these EDC type dampers fail, they fail as full stiff. You might need to check the dampers.

Correct, fail in Sport+ mode...they'll fire-up your hemorrhoids on typical street surfaces!

[AndyW]

Originally Posted by Helmsman

Did you try to pull one of the front EDC connectors? This will cut power from the module to all dampers, resulting in complete stiffnes (even harder than Sport mode in fact, which is 0.8A, while Normal is 1.6A and Comfort is 2.0A).

You'll get a error message in the iDrive, which goes away soon as you connect the damper again, so no issues in doing the test.

I finally got around to doing this and could definitely notice the full stiffness. But with it plugged back in, it seems like the button does nothing. Will have to T/S.

[Ximian]

With worn EDC shocks/struts, it'll still vary in stiffness but they don't do well with rebound. My experience is that even the full stiffness setting feels like the car floats on bumps at speed and with elevation changes.

[//steve\\]

I bought a pair of 40k mile shocks months ago just to have on hand (and thought I was maybe going to sell the car). I didn't end up doing so and really have no need for them. I'm open to selling if interested.