First successful M3 M-drive (including MDM) retrofit

[pbonsalb]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

If you have retrofitted MDM then you would be the first person (on the interwebs) to not have the button also change the stereo source.

I guess I have never noticed. Or maybe I use the m button before the radio.

[pbonsalb]

Ok. I paid attention when I was driving. I had the radio on and pressed the diamond button 6 or 8 times as I drive, turning the Euro MDM on and off. Nothing happened to the radio. I retrofitted my car with a later szl module (column switchgear) and had a friend code it. My 08 M3 has basic audio, with only an aux port and no usb.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Ok. I paid attention when I was driving. I had the radio on and pressed the diamond button 6 or 8 times as I drive, turning the Euro MDM on and off. Nothing happened to the radio. I retrofitted my car with a later szl module (column switchgear) and had a friend code it. My 08 M3 has basic audio, with only an aux port and no usb.

I have the same basic audio with aux and no nav. So, I'm jealous and curious as to how.

[pbonsalb]

I do have nav. Since I did not do the coding I don’t know what was done. I gave my friend the details I learned here and he also talked to a friend of his. I watched but did not record exactly what was done.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Ok. I paid attention when I was driving. I had the radio on and pressed the diamond button 6 or 8 times as I drive, turning the Euro MDM on and off. Nothing happened to the radio. I retrofitted my car with a later szl module (column switchgear) and had a friend code it. My 08 M3 has basic audio, with only an aux port and no usb.

Interesting.
I don't suppose your friend recalls what he did to code it?

nevermind, if you have NAV then there is a setting in a TRC file to change to inhibit the issue.
I'll look to see if I can find it.

*edit* Found it: MDRIVE_RUEKO must be set to nicht_aktiv, but this apparently only applies to CIC navigation systems.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

Just finished the retrofit, big thanks to douba, rhouck and S14turbo for their great tutorials and information.

Took maybe 2hrs including coding and hardware and calibration.
All done by myself at home on a 2008 M3 without iDrive.

And yup, the M button changes the radio audio source as expected and unwanted.
I read in another forum that there is a parameter to change on iDrive cars to disable this behavior. Unfortunately the variable doesn't exist on non-iDrive cars it seems.

You need the ///M button version to disable the radio from switching upon pressing the buttons.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

You need the ///M button version to disable the radio from switching upon pressing the buttons.

I have the M button retrofitted too, but still changes source.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

You need the ///M button version to disable the radio from switching upon pressing the buttons.

You need the M-button version to enable the M-mode activation, but that does not inhibit the radio source change function of the original button.
There must be something else that needs to be coded to inhibit that behavior, if at all possible.

I have yet to find anything, but I also cant seem to be able to extract my radio's TRC. I guess I really do need the $$$ optical MOST interface.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

You need the M-button version to enable the M-mode activation, but that does not inhibit the radio source change function of the original button.
There must be something else that needs to be coded to inhibit that behavior, if at all possible.

I have yet to find anything, but I also cant seem to be able to extract my radio's TRC. I guess I really do need the $$$ optical MOST interface.

That is false. You can keep the original radio button set and still activate the M-mode (all the information is located in the steering column). I have done the retrofit a few years back and still haven't figured out how to de-activate the radio from switching the source on a non-idrive car.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

That is false. You can keep the original radio button set and still activate the M-mode (all the information is located in the steering column). I have done the retrofit a few years back and still haven't figured out how to de-activate the radio from switching the source on a non-idrive car.

I'm not wrong, we're splitting hairs here, and I'm only quoting your wording a few posts up about the m-button. Obviously the M button is just a button.
In fact if you don't replace the module in the steering column you can't activate M-mode on a car not already equipped with the correct module (and the appropriate coding).
And based on the statements in your above response, you have exactly the same problem I've been investigating.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

I'm not wrong, we're splitting hairs here, and I'm only quoting your wording a few posts up about the m-button. Obviously the M button is just a button.
In fact if you don't replace the module in the steering column you can't activate M-mode on a car not already equipped with the correct module (and the appropriate coding).
And based on the statements in your above response, you have exactly the same problem I've been investigating.

I'm talking about the actual button set that is in the steering wheel. I suspect its something to do with that. Part number: 61317842435.
I don't think the M button is "just a button". I suspect its something to do with the PCB inside the button set.

[pbonsalb]

I thought it was the szl module, which seems to be the column switchgear.

My idrive equipped 08 still has the diamond button not an M button, but later module/switchgear and no issues with radio source changing.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by GORDON.M3

I don't think the M button is "just a button". I suspect its something to do with the PCB inside the button set.

That's certainly possible.
Seems though that as the M button has never existed in M3s without iDrive, and the radio source-change feature cannot be inhibited on our cars.<-- INCORRECT.
The only way to be 100% sure would be to swap steering wheel as well as the steering column module and confirm.

One thing that puzzles me, the M3 GTS doesn't have iDrive as far as I know and most likely has an M-drive button and an optional radio according to the interwebs. How do they get around this issue?

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

That's certainly possible. Seems though that as the M button has never existed in M3s without iDrive, and the radio source-change feature cannot be inhibited on our cars.
But the only way to be 100% sure would be to swap steering wheel as well as the steering column module and confirm.

One thing that puzzles me, the M3 GTS doesn't have iDrive as far as I know and most likely has an M-drive button and an optional radio according to the interwebs. How do they get around this issue?

The M button (m-drive) was available without I-drive from the factory, and the radio source is not changed by the button in those cars, including the GTS.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

The M button (m-drive) was available without I-drive from the factory, and the radio source is not changed by the button in those cars, including the GTS.

I just checked and you're correct. Without I-drive, you can't configure as many parameters, but it does exist from the factory.
Do you have such a car? and if so, what is your FA if you don't mind sharing?

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

Do you have such a car?

Nope, but there are plenty out there.

[GORDON.M3]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

I just checked and you're correct. Without I-drive, you can't configure as many parameters, but it does exist from the factory.
Do you have such a car? and if so, what is your FA if you don't mind sharing?

All you need is a VIN and you can export the FA with the right tools.
Here's a VIN for a GTS M3. WBSKG91090E568170.

Side note, I'll look into the button problem.

[GtiGyver]

Thank you for that VIN number.

Looking over it, there doesn't seem to be that much that I can use (for coding) except some options elude me :

1. S940A Special Equipment BMW Individual
2. S944A Subsequent Conversion By Individual
3. S9MRA M Sport Factory
4. ????? Umfang Klima
5. ????? Nur Zur Steuerung Erforderlich
6. ????? Umfang Radio
7. ????? Nur Zur Steuerung Erforderlich

the last 4 translate to (no FA code):
? scope climate
? Only required for control
? Scope radio
? Only required for control

[GtiGyver]

Just finished swapping in the switches from an M3 with iDrive (M button and star), and the behaviour has not changed.
The M button still calls for a radio source change, and the star calls for (re)circulation mode.

Damn. Thought this would work as the circuit boards inside had a slightly different component configuration (resistors and capacitors of different values and present in places where in mine there were none).

[Powashiftin]

Originally Posted by GtiGyver

Just finished swapping in the switches from an M3 with iDrive (M button and star), and the behaviour has not changed.
The M button still calls for a radio source change, and the star calls for (re)circulation mode.

Damn. Thought this would work as the circuit boards inside had a slightly different complement configuration (resistors and capacitors of different values and present in place where in mine there were none).

You should just have it coded.

[Bartledoo]

Originally Posted by Powashiftin

You should just have it coded.

Lol this topic is an endless circle. It can't be coded. Otherwise, somebody would know how.

[GtiGyver]

Originally Posted by Bartledoo

Lol this topic is an endless circle. It can't be coded. Otherwise, somebody would know how.

Exactly.

Using an M3's iDrive's steering angle sensor module and steering controls with the M and custom star button are not enough.
There is something else. Just not sure what.

Knowing that the GTS doesn't have iDrive, but does have an optional radio, there must be a way...