Used MDM for the first time

[Lappy]

I would suggest you attend an autox event to really get the hang of the car with everything off in a safe manner. The car is very easy to drive and very forgiving with all the traction/stability aids off. With mdm mode, imo, you cannot have any fun as the ecu is way way too intrusive to get anything resembling a fast lap in.

[MrSmartyPants]

Originally Posted by Lappy

I would suggest you attend an autox event to really get the hang of the car with everything off in a safe manner. The car is very easy to drive and very forgiving with all the traction/stability aids off. With mdm mode, imo, you cannot have any fun as the ecu is way way too intrusive to get anything resembling a fast lap in.

Totally agree. Definitely get to a drivers school (Novice school, test and tune, Evo school) where you'll get more seat time in. Will learn more in a shorter period.

As for MDM, I never drove mine much in the US MDM, but Euro MDM I don't feel is very restrictive. I didn't find much difference between MDM and DSC OFF to be honest (unless I wanted to really slide the car around). I always drive in MDM though. Full TC/DSC on has done some strange and unsettling things.

[ellipsis212]

Originally Posted by boglehead

swore title said MDMA

Yes, welcome OP to the party that never ends (until it ends abruptly)

[jninja]

On my 18' F80 ZCP, I drive MDM / Sports+ a few times a week- when I feel the 'drive' to. It definitely wakes her up, and for driving on the road is probably the most amount of fast / nannies-off that I need in my life. If I had a nice open course (autox) id be happy to play w DSC off too, but on the street I don't mess with it...near 500 crank hp/tq in this nimble frame is plenty to get into trouble, and possibly the point of no return.

[GearRex]

My 2 cents.

Is the M4 a handful to drive?

This is a good depiction of what is like to drive the M3/M4 with DSC off. You really have to be an asshat to push the car in such a manner to completely upset the car.

Throttle modulation, particularly on the non-competition models is key.

Enjoy.

[Humdizzle]

just got my car coded to euro MDM

I like it alot better. it works with you rather than suddenly just cutting out all the fun.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Lappy

I would suggest you attend an autox event to really get the hang of the car with everything off in a safe manner. The car is very easy to drive and very forgiving with all the traction/stability aids off. With mdm mode, imo, you cannot have any fun as the ecu is way way too intrusive to get anything resembling a fast lap in.

That's true but it can also be a built in coach. It will let you know when you've done something that would otherwise put you in trouble. It all depends on how you use it.

[Lappy]

Originally Posted by jmg

That's true but it can also be a built in coach. It will let you know when you've done something that would otherwise put you in trouble. It all depends on how you use it.

I had a cold rain event yesterday and tried MDM mode again to see if it would be faster in the awful conditions. Yes it kept the car in check, but it was ALOT slower. Over a second slower on a short mid to high 40 second course. Here is a video for reference, i did some stupid stuff here and there but the car is still extremely easy to correct even in the worst conditions. After just 3 events in the car, whatever the US MDM mode does, it is useless if you care about fast times.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by Lappy

I had a cold rain event yesterday and tried MDM mode again to see if it would be faster in the awful conditions. Yes it kept the car in check, but it was ALOT slower. Over a second slower on a short mid to high 40 second course. Here is a video for reference, i did some stupid stuff here and there but the car is still extremely easy to correct even in the worst conditions. After just 3 events in the car, whatever the US MDM mode does, it is useless if you care about fast times.

It's a good coach, but it's not going to shave seconds off vs turning everything off if you know what you are doing.

[matty088]

Originally Posted by Humdizzle

just got my car coded to euro MDM

I like it alot better. it works with you rather than suddenly just cutting out all the fun.

How do I get euro mdm coded ? Is there someone that can do it remotely?

Or better yet is there an app like Carly that does it ?

[ALF6172]

Originally Posted by Yessir

One more level to go....
Full nannies on
MDM
TC Completely off (not recommended) try it out for $hits and giggles in dry weather.

Unless its wet, I drive with DSC off almost exclusively. This car gets out sideways if you have a heavy foot, but I've never felt so controlled in a vehicle with the ass out. This car is extremely comfortable in a slide, if you know how to handle it that is.

[ConciousKing]

MDM has its limits. It doesn't always intervene especially on rainy days. It easily goes side ways on very slippery roads when making turns and driver effort is much needed than depending on the computer.

[secretariat]

Driving with all nannies off in the rain, 1981 just called they need their car back.

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

Even in MDM, the car is quite bridled. So no, it is far from being "unchained" in MDM . You need DSC fully off for that, but do so at your own risk (not recommended unless you have the proper driving skills).

This is something I've always noted. MDM seems a LITTLE too intrusive, even when going in a straight line. It's like it kicks in a hair too soon sometimes. I've done the bmw m perf school and auto x and while no TC will bite you if you're not careful, but MDM jumps in a bit earlier than I'd like. Wish there was a slightly less intrusive version.

[Mike.]

Originally Posted by tdizzle

This is something I've always noted. MDM seems a LITTLE too intrusive, even when going in a straight line. It's like it kicks in a hair too soon sometimes. I've done the bmw m perf school and auto x and while no TC will bite you if you're not careful, but MDM jumps in a bit earlier than I'd like. Wish there was a slightly less intrusive version.

I didnt read the rest of the thread but what about coding the EUDO MDM?

[DocL]

The M3 is not difficult to drive with DSC off. I guess if you've brought up driving cars with all of this computer nanny BS, then I can see why some of you are scared to drive with it being turned off. But I grew up driving RWD V8's without antilock brakes in the snow. You wanna talk about slipping and sliding all over the place. It taught me how to move my hands fast on the steering wheel, and how to modulate the brakes and throttle very well. The M3 is really easy to control imho.

[tdizzle]

Originally Posted by Mike.

I didnt read the rest of the thread but what about coding the EUDO MDM?

I thought about that when I got it, but didnt want to risk issues with the warranty. It'll be out of warranty soon, so maybe i'll look into it again.

[Rooster23]

Originally Posted by SD ///M4

DSC (TC) doesn't rein in the car, it reins in the driver.

Technically it does reign in the car, which thereby reigns in the driver.

[maddmatth]

Originally Posted by DocL

The M3 is not difficult to drive with DSC off. I guess if you've brought up driving cars with all of this computer nanny BS, then I can see why some of you are scared to drive with it being turned off. But I grew up driving RWD V8's without antilock brakes in the snow. You wanna talk about slipping and sliding all over the place. It taught me how to move my hands fast on the steering wheel, and how to modulate the brakes and throttle very well. The M3 is really easy to control imho.

Still, very risky for someone with no experiencing reigning in a sliding car to try it on the street. Someone that has no experience will not counter-steer quickly enough (that goes double for any of those one-hand-on-the-wheel drivers, they have no chance), and might instinctively mash the brakes which can throw them totally out of control.

I recently took an advanced drivers course that involved practicing controlling a sliding car. Even though I've drifted a tiny bit and slid my cars around on the street, being able to practice it with an instructor and perfect my technique was very helpful and I'm sure it made me much better at it.
I also saw the less experienced drivers make the mistakes mentioned above which just sent their car spinning.

Well worth doing something like this, for anyone that feels a tad uncomfortable at the thought of a car sliding.

Failing that, try initiate some handbrake and power slides in a big empty park to get the hang of it.
The key is to have 2 hands on the wheel (no one handed driving, kill that habit if you have it), counter the slide QUCKLY, fight your natural instruct to look in the direction you're sliding or objects/walls you might it, and force your eyes to look in the direction you WANT to go.
If you tank-slap in the other direction, counter it even faster. And never mash the breaks or accelerator when sliding (unless you want to keep sliding), any brake or accelerator input only adds to the slide.

[NoSuchSol]

Originally Posted by matty088

How do I get euro mdm coded ? Is there someone that can do it remotely?

Or better yet is there an app like Carly that does it ?

I went the THOR route and currently have it on the CS settings. I might try GTS later.

[matty088]

Originally Posted by DocL

The M3 is not difficult to drive with DSC off. I guess if you've brought up driving cars with all of this computer nanny BS, then I can see why some of you are scared to drive with it being turned off. But I grew up driving RWD V8's without antilock brakes in the snow. You wanna talk about slipping and sliding all over the place. It taught me how to move my hands fast on the steering wheel, and how to modulate the brakes and throttle very well. The M3 is really easy to control imho.

If you run an aftermarket tune the traction in the m3 is shockingly bad.

It’s far too easy to spin the tires and kiss the red limiter. Couple that with the ch issue and it’s just not too great of a thing


I coded euro mdm Snd I didn’t find much of a difference. Maybe in a stock car it helps. But on my stage 1. It limits power constantly.

[AlterZgo]

Originally Posted by matty088

I coded euro mdm Snd I didn’t find much of a difference. Maybe in a stock car it helps. But on my stage 1. It limits power constantly.

Same here. Coded MDM with stock and Stage 1 tune and don't notice much of a difference.

Also people who tune their cars need to drive w/ traction control off every now and then. It is shocking how fast a tuned M3/4 is even with an OTS stage 1 tune. It smokes the tires easily in 1-3 gears.