[Shadowdemon1]

Guys,

Question for you on the various traction control options, and on the double pressing of the M button(s) on the steering wheel.

I loosely understand there to be the below options with the following handling characteristics:

4 wheel drive: largely neutral, more tendency to oversteer if anything

4 wheel drive sport: ???

All systems off: lots of oversteer if not careful

Where does MDM feature - is this seperate to 4 wheel drive sport or incorporated into it?

How does double pressing the M buttons impact things?

Any guidance would be much appreciated as i am largely unclear on traction configuration.

Cheers!

[Zero71]

Thread here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673543

You can set DSC to be ON, MDM, or OFF. MDM is a reduced version of DSC that does't include any sort of steering correction (according to the iDrive settings). Off, is completely off.

The there are two Xdrive modes - 4WD and 4WD Sport - where Sport is more RWD oriented.

If you choose DSC ON, you are locked to 4WD. If you choose MDM you are locked to 4WD Sport, and if you choose DSC off then you can opt for either 4WD or 4WD Sport.

For me, given the size and weight of the car, I'd not be comfortable with DSC off or MDM unless I was on a track (which isn't going to happen) so I'll be staying with DSC ON and therefore 4WD. Patricularly given the two crash incidents posted on this forum - 510hp is a lot of power to send to mostly the rear wheels of an SUV.


The M buttons are just toggles. The car starts in default settings every time - Efficient, Comfort, Comfort. Pressing an M button enables your settings (as setup in idrive) and pressing it again reverts to the default car settings again. So a double tap of that button is essentially doing nothing - enable then disable. The upshot is you effectively have three settings - Default, M1, and M2. I haven't checked, but I suspect that they M buttons actually toggle between your M setting and whatever the car was in prior - so if you moved away from defaults, it'll revert to whatever that was when you press the button again. Restarting the car always reverts to defaults.

[Shadowdemon1]

Originally Posted by Zero71

Thread here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673543

You can set DSC to be ON, MDM, or OFF. MDM is a reduced version of DSC that does't include any sort of steering correction (according to the iDrive settings). Off, is completely off.

The there are two Xdrive modes - 4WD and 4WD Sport - where Sport is more RWD oriented.

If you choose DSC ON, you are locked to 4WD. If you choose MDM you are locked to 4WD Sport, and if you choose DSC off then you can opt for either 4WD or 4WD Sport.

For me, given the size and weight of the car, I'd not be comfortable with DSC off or MDM unless I was on a track (which isn't going to happen) so I'll be staying with DSC ON and therefore 4WD. Patricularly given the two crash incidents posted on this forum - 510hp is a lot of power to send to mostly the rear wheels of an SUV.


The M buttons are just toggles. The car starts in default settings every time - Efficient, Comfort, Comfort. Pressing an M button enables your settings (as setup in idrive) and pressing it again reverts to the default car settings again. So a double tap of that button is essentially doing nothing - enable then disable. The upshot is you effectively have three settings - Default, M1, and M2. I haven't checked, but I suspect that they M buttons actually toggle between your M setting and whatever the car was in prior - so if you moved away from defaults, it'll revert to whatever that was when you press the button again. Restarting the car always reverts to defaults.

Cheers for that very comprehensive.

I thought i saw on a video somewhere that double tapping M turns MDM on - must have been mistaken

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by Zero71

Thread here: https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1673543

You can set DSC to be ON, MDM, or OFF. MDM is a reduced version of DSC that does't include any sort of steering correction (according to the iDrive settings). Off, is completely off.

The there are two Xdrive modes - 4WD and 4WD Sport - where Sport is more RWD oriented.

If you choose DSC ON, you are locked to 4WD. If you choose MDM you are locked to 4WD Sport, and if you choose DSC off then you can opt for either 4WD or 4WD Sport.

For me, given the size and weight of the car, I'd not be comfortable with DSC off or MDM unless I was on a track (which isn't going to happen) so I'll be staying with DSC ON and therefore 4WD. Patricularly given the two crash incidents posted on this forum - 510hp is a lot of power to send to mostly the rear wheels of an SUV.


The M buttons are just toggles. The car starts in default settings every time - Efficient, Comfort, Comfort. Pressing an M button enables your settings (as setup in idrive) and pressing it again reverts to the default car settings again. So a double tap of that button is essentially doing nothing - enable then disable. The upshot is you effectively have three settings - Default, M1, and M2. I haven't checked, but I suspect that they M buttons actually toggle between your M setting and whatever the car was in prior - so if you moved away from defaults, it'll revert to whatever that was when you press the button again. Restarting the car always reverts to defaults.

Just to mention that double-tapping doesn't always return to the default/prior setting. When setting up M2 to prepare for Launch Control (LC) as previously discussed by onfireX5, it won't proceed to 'DSC Off' unless you push M2 again to confirm you want DSC to indeed be turned off. If you customize M2 for anything other than asking DSC to be turned off then yes it will revert. The only time I use DSC off is at the Drag Strip when using LC, so M2 is reserved for that activity on our X3MC only in that setting.

A bit more discussion can be found in the Tech Document ynguldyn shared in the stickies, from pp 61, 70, and 74-79 [ https://www.bimmerpost.com/goodiesfo...te-Vehicle.pdf ]

[Zero71]

Thanks Max

[Wills2]

You need a double tap confirmation for MDM mode as well if your preset M1/2 has that configured.

[M5 TT]

There was a really good video on youtube showing a guy on track driving too fast on purpose in an F10 M5. He went through the different modes and showed how the car handled.

search for ages. cant find it. sorry


Basically, MDM is fun (sideways etc) but stops you dying. Well in the M5 anyway.


Not tried on the X3MC yet. Seems a bit big and top heavy to try.

[Wills2]

I used to mess around at low speeds in my M5 and M3s but that was easy to do you could spin the wheels up at will in 1st and 2nd but I didn't mess around at higher speeds, I don't fancy getting to the point where the X3MC starts to wag its tail on a public road, there's a thread on here showing what happens if it goes wrong, you're going to have to force it to do it, so lots of space and some skill required I think.

I am looking forward to using LC though.

[Tobamory]

Guys just wanted to ask, ive noticed a few times, Only picked up today that i feel the front wheels slip a fraction, i presume this is normal then it kicks in the rears, Only when turning mind, i never noticed it in my 3.0D X3 just seems more prominent in the X3m, im presuming from what you said above if im in sport this may be less of an issue, with mre RWD bias...

[justmill]

I've done some "sporty" driving in MDM mode on my X3MC. It's got some traction control, but still lets you get a little loose. I've had the back end swing out a little bit, but the car won't let it go too far.

Having said that, I don't really know what you need that mode for, honestly, except maybe to scare your passengers a bit.

[allinon72]

Originally Posted by justmill

I've done some "sporty" driving in MDM mode on my X3MC. It's got some traction control, but still lets you get a little loose. I've had the back end swing out a little bit, but the car won't let it go too far.

Having said that, I don't really know what you need that mode for, honestly, except maybe to scare your passengers a bit.

To enable yourself some fun without potentially killing yourself and or the car.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by Tobamory

Guys just wanted to ask, ive noticed a few times, Only picked up today that i feel the front wheels slip a fraction, i presume this is normal then it kicks in the rears, Only when turning mind, i never noticed it in my 3.0D X3 just seems more prominent in the X3m, im presuming from what you said above if im in sport this may be less of an issue, with mre RWD bias...

I've never had my X3M "slip" the front tires unless at the limit in a cloverleaf.
Maybe too fast for conditions? Or a really tight corner? Or sand/gravel/snow on the road?

In general, the X3M feels very neutral but does have some understeer at the limit. You can help this with throttle unless already past the front tires limits. In most circumstances, X Drive with DSC are remarkable in getting torque to tires with traction and keeping you on track. Even in snow or off the ground, the tires just don't spin or slip.

And yes MDM and/or 4WD Sport should allow xDrive to be more rear biased but good "corner management" and throttle control are a must to fully make use of the allowed oversteer. I do need to get it out and play with it more.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by justmill

I've done some "sporty" driving in MDM mode on my X3MC. It's got some traction control, but still lets you get a little loose. I've had the back end swing out a little bit, but the car won't let it go too far.

Having said that, I don't really know what you need that mode for, honestly, except maybe to scare your passengers a bit.

With RWD, MDM allows tire slip if you're stuck in snow/mud, etc, along with increased slip angles allowed. With xDrive, (I assume) it does its best to keep you on track (defeating the purpose of MDM) unless in 4WD Sport to allow more RWD bias.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by Tobamory

Guys just wanted to ask, ive noticed a few times, Only picked up today that i feel the front wheels slip a fraction, i presume this is normal then it kicks in the rears, Only when turning mind, i never noticed it in my 3.0D X3 just seems more prominent in the X3m, im presuming from what you said above if im in sport this may be less of an issue, with mre RWD bias...

The set up is rear wheel biased, the fronts never in my experience slip under load the rears can, it brings in the fronts not the other way as you describe so the power starts at the rear then transmits to the front if the rears start to slip, so if the front is slipping then so are the rears. (all things being equal.)

What you might be experiencing is the wheel chop I get from a low speed turn/pulling out of a junction as the car seems to skip and chop across the road (not very nice and it is temp dependant doesn't do it in the summer)

The car will always push you along like any RWD BMW, only when it has trouble doing that will it send power to the front, you can feel that out of any corner.

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Reading all this began to give me a headache at first but then I began to understand it. Great info in here guys & gals!

[elisiX]

Daily/Traffic Driving

Sport (I hit Sport when I get in)
Comfort
Comfort

Spirited/Min. Traffic Driving

M1
Sport Plus
Sport
Sport
MDM - 4WD Sport (for a little controlled slip)

Launch Control

M2
Sport Plus
Sport Plus
Sport
DSC Off (for no nannies limiting power) - 4WD (for maximum straight line traction)

I'd say I am in standard mode 45% of the time, M1 50% of the time, M2 5% of the time.

I only use M2 for launch control scenarios. I wouldn't do any spirited driving with DSC off.

I am running MSS suspension and this is very comfortable and compliant even with suspension set to Sport Plus.

[cookiesowns]

DSC Off 4WD sport is loads of fun in the rain. Honestly surprised at how the car behaves. Steps out rather quickly but also easy to reel in, definitely not sloppy like some other cars are.

[spta97]

Didn't see this posted here, but you can press the M buttons before start up to start you in that mode.

Heated seats work that way as well.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by spta97

Didn't see this posted here, but you can press the M buttons before start up to start you in that mode.

Heated seats work that way as well.

I do this all the time in my F80. Assumed everyone did the same!

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Nice info in here fellas.