Question About E46 M3 Track Mode

[CA Automotive UK]

Question for all you M3 afficionados please.

I heard a while back that you can engage a "track mode" on the M3 by doing something like holding the DSC button for 10 secs while standing on your head pointing north ...or something like that :D

Does any one out there have any more info on this ?

I believe the idea is it engages an altered DSC mode that allows wilder driving before it reigns the car in .

thanks

[M3ACS]

That was for the CS model i believe not the M3.

Or is there some magic you can sprinkle? :)

[CA Automotive UK]

That sig is just the NUTS !! :)

anyway , no i was not referring to the CS , apparently BMW built this feature in to the standard M3 but did not advertise it ......

In my M3 if I sit with ign on and keep the DSC button pressed for a while the yellow triangle symbol comes up then goes out, apparently denating track mode dsc engaged ????

[Chaos]

I think the official line was for the CSL model Roy (it's called MDM on the new M5/M6 models instead as the Germans though it confusing calling it M Track :rolleyes:) but some have said it's also fitted to the 05-on stock M3 as part of a consolidation when they launched the CS. I'll see what I can find out.

Edit: Cross-replied. :) What you're saying has a ring of logic to it - what year is your car?

[adood84]

I thought this was only for CSL and CS models , somebody with some info should come along :D

[M3ACS]

Thanks Roy!

Well the Track DSC is supposed to come into play when the car is going near to 90 degrees sideways thats when it kicks in to bring the car back again.

So in conclusion i recommend you do the magic with the DSC and then go trying some drifting and see if it kicks in ;)

[CA Automotive UK]

The mod i read about was definately for the standard M3 , not CS , CSL , GTR etc.

I wanted to be sure before i went off track testing and thinking I had some super - DSC without stuffing myself into the grass cos it did not work :p :D :D

[Chaos]

OK, did some digging about, as predicted nothing at all official for the non-competition models.

However.

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/M/M3Coupe/features and check number 2 in the addendums. Bog standard M3 coupe, M-Track mode present. Owned. ;)

Now then. Turning it on.... lol :D

[adood84]

sorry double post

[adood84]

OK, did some digging about, as predicted nothing at all official for the non-competition models.

However.

Scroll all the way down to the bottom of http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/M/M3Coupe/features and check number 2 in the addendums. Bog standard M3 coupe, M-Track mode present. Owned. ;)

Now then. Turning it on.... lol :D



M Track Mode is a less intrusive mode for DSC. Drivers should exercise caution while driving with M Track Mode. Regular DSC mode is still available. Not available with cruise or multi-function steering wheel controls. Note: Please drive safely, observe all traffic and speed limit postings and always wear safety belts.

So the answer is no:D

[Chaos]

Yeah that's for the button to turn it on, hence my comment about how the hell you turn it on (if you don't have the button) ;), cos you're not telling me they fit a different DSC brain by you speccing a different steering wheel on the order sheet.

[adood84]

I think later models will have the option there but you can't activate it , I don't think it would be available for 2003 models

[peppernick]

Interesting :)

My feeling is that only CSs and CSLs have the circuitary to support M-Track mode. As you know, I've recently changed my steering wheel trim from the multifunction control trim to one off a CS. The wire that connects the M-Track button to the car is exactly the same on a CS and the M3, and it utilises the same slot on the steering column.

This is the interesting part, when I connected my M-Track button to the existing steering column slot, depressing the M-Track button primes the cruise control (crusie control light comes on on the dash), but there are no other buttons to control it. Pressing the M-Track button again, the cruise function deactivates.

This leads me to believe that the M-Track button is merely an on-off switch, and cars prepped with M-Track mode must have a specifically different circuitary that uses the same cruise control slot on a standard M3.

What Roy said about the conventional DSC button is interesting, I supposed the only way to find out is to test it out.

[mystic sport]

In my M3 if I sit with ign on and keep the DSC button pressed for a while the yellow triangle symbol comes up then goes out, apparently denating track mode dsc engaged ????

I'll give this a crack tomorrow. Theres a nice roundabout I'll be using and with dsc on the cars ass is reigned in very fast, will report my findings :p .

[InvIs Inc]

i was wondering this aswell cause i was reading my 2004 m3 manual few weeks ago and it says dont hold the dsc button in for more than 10 seconds but doesnt explain y i thought it had summit 2 do with what we are talking about so maybe it is poss or maybe if you hold it in for 10 seconds it turns dsc back on lol

[peppernick]

^^^^^LOL^^^^^^ :D Be careful dude :)

But I would LOVE to know too :D

[speed]

This might explain why i nearly ended up putting the m3 through a wall last week. Pressed the dsc button for a sec and the light came on on the dash, kept the button depressed and expected the other red warning light to come on (as it did in my 330) but nothing. Booted it off from the junction turning right and before i knew it the car was going sideways towards pavement / wall.:eek: Car didn't cut the power or assist in any way, was fun but unexpected. Luckily got the car under control but not before i gave my passenger and an oncoming driver heart attacks. Haven't played with the dsc button since :o