Getting MDM, is it possible?

mkoesel · 10-12-2011, 04:28 PM

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.

rhouck · 10-12-2011, 04:30 PM

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...

z335is · 10-13-2011, 01:14 PM

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.

z335is · 10-17-2011, 03:19 PM

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.

rhouck · 10-18-2011, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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...

BPMSport · 10-18-2011, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhouck

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.

mkoesel · 10-18-2011, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

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.

Quote:

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...

z335is · 10-18-2011, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhouck

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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.

Z K · 10-18-2011, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by username11

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.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 10-18-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tightie

Wow, now I'm happy I have iDrive

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

rhouck · 10-18-2011, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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

z335is · 10-19-2011, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhouck

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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.

ShadeD1 · 10-19-2011, 12:00 PM

This would be awesome

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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.

1sikbmr · 10-19-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z335is

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.

update?

mkoesel · 10-19-2011, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDy80

+1

Um, no. Instead of replying to a post from two years ago, you may want to read the thread, especially the last page.

jrlee53 · 10-19-2011, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Um, no. Instead of replying to a post from two years ago, you may want to read the thread, especially the last page.

Sorry I retract

mkoesel · 10-19-2011, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDy80

Sorry I retract

No sweat, all good.

blinkme323 · 10-20-2011, 03:41 PM

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

z335is · 10-21-2011, 02:00 PM

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.

BPMSport · 10-21-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

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.

Mr. ///M3 RD · 11-07-2011, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

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 ..

EVO350 · 11-17-2011, 05:32 AM

Any updates yet on this guys?

10-12-2011, 04:28 PM	#133
mkoesel Moderator 7515 Rep 19,368 Posts Drives: No BMW for now Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Canton, MI iTrader: (1)	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.
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10-12-2011, 04:30 PM	#134
rhouck Registered 10 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (2)	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...
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-13-2011, 01:14 PM	#135
z335is Lieutenant 356 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newark iTrader: (0)	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.
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10-17-2011, 03:19 PM	#136
z335is Lieutenant 356 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newark iTrader: (0)	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.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-20-2011, 03:41 PM	#150
blinkme323 Captain 504 Rep 788 Posts Drives: 2018 M3 CS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Philly iTrader: (1)	I'm VERY interested in this. I'll be glad to help with whatever it takes to get this done.
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10-21-2011, 02:00 PM	#151
z335is Lieutenant 356 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2016 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newark iTrader: (0)	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.
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11-17-2011, 05:32 AM	#154
EVO350 Private 14 Rep 62 Posts Drives: EVO X Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Any updates yet on this guys?
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