M Track Mode enabled on Z4MR

[McKoval]

I think you dont have m logo on the dash, which could be illuminated.
AFAIK you get DTC illuminated on the dash

TapaTalking

[Beedub]

wish someone in the UK could do this for me!

[Meeko]

I'VE ENABLED M TRACK MODE ON MY Z4M ROADSTER!!

After my failed attempt at changing the friction coefficient when DSC is on, I went back to the drawing board. It does indeed seem that a chap in Germany was enabling M Track mode on Z4Ms for EUR150.

I tried to copy the DATEN function (TRAKTIONDIFFERENZREGELUNG) from the C13 MK60 module to the C20 module as used in the Z4M and noticed that a function called TDR was already configured through the same memory address. I thought maybe TDR was an acronyn for "TRAKTION DIFFERENZ REGELUNG", so I enabled it.

Now I have M Track mode! Pressing the DSC button lights the DTC lamp (we don't have the M Track light in the Z4M), and holding DSC turns it off, displaying the usual light.

I did a brief test by trying a slide in a dry empty trading estate, and it may have enabled a little more slip, but still was very intrusive. From what I've read though, it's the wet where it makes the difference.

Anyway, feel free to code it on your car and report back!

[Beedub]

i have no clue how to do this......but I'm very jealous!! id use this mostly on the road... always off on the track....

[exdos]

Meeko, I'm sure that a few of us would like to know how we would go about examining and rewriting to the DME. What hardware and software is required to make the 2-way connection and what are the necessary things to do? If you can give some links to any guides for Dummies that would also be appreciated.

[McKoval]

Could you put a changelog what exactly you did, and how you did it? I think you will become a new superhero for most of z4m drivers

TapaTalking

[Meeko]

Well it's raining today and I've just had a play with M Track Mode enabled. In this mode DSC doesn't cut power when the wheels spin in a straight line. It also allows some slip so you can get the car sideways and it will still allow full power - until a threshold is reached. I'm not sure what the angle is, but it does allow a fair amount! Obviously you should use this mode on a race track and I can't recommend it be used on the road This mode is what our cars have been screaming out for and I've no idea why BMW don't enable it from factory!

I'm wondering whether this is actually just DTC and not M Track Mode. Googling both seems to suggest they are similar anyway. Either way, this mode makes the car much more driveable, especially in the wet. Obviously disabling DSC gives the best experience, but for those of us not skilled enough enough to drive with it disabled, this mode is an excellent half way house.

So to enable it on your car. The procedure is relatively straightforward and assumes you are relatively proficient using Microsoft Windows...

Firstly you need to purchase the correct cable and obtain the software. This can be found on eBay and some sellers also provide a DVD with all of the necessary software. Buying one with the software supplied might be the best choice if you're not overly comfortable installing drivers and software in Windows. The cable required is a BMW OBD Diagnostics cable but check the one you get works with the Z4 (E85). It needs to use the K-Line protocol, but you could get a cable which supports the newer DCAN protocol too (in case you upgrade to a newer BMW and wish to future proof yourself). You also need to ensure the DATEN files are relatively new. I think v50.2 had the last revision of changes for the E85. Perhaps check with the supplier which version they are sending you.

The software you need to use is NCS Expert and there are lots of guides online explaining how to use it to add Option Codes to your cars Vehicle Order (VO) list (i.e. to retrofit features), or to code changes to existing modules (i.e. enable remote roof opening/closing, beep on lock etc.)

Once you have NCS Expert installed and working, you need to enable TDR on the MK60.C20 module:

Connect the cable to your car's OBD port and turn on the ignition...
1. Load NCS Expert.
2. Load an ExpertMode profile with Manipulation enabled.
3. Hit “FG/ZCS/FA” - might be "VIN/ZCS/FA" depeding on your NCS Expert version
4. Press “ZCS/FA f. ECU”
5. Select E85 in the box that pops up
6. Click OK with AKMB highlighted
7. FG and FA field will populate after a few seconds
8. Press Back
9. Click “Process ECU”, highlight the MK60 module and click OK
10. Change CBD-Name MK60.C10 to MK60.C20 and Click OK
11. Click "Change Job" and choose CODIERDATEN_LESEN
12. Click “Execute Job”
13. Browse to C:\NCSEXPER\WORK
14. Look for FSW_PSW.TRC and open it in notepad.

Look for:

TDR
nicht_aktiv

and delete the nicht_ leaving just aktiv

15. Save the file as “FSW_PSW.MAN” - (make sure it's not called FSW_PSW.MAN.TXT)
16. Click "Change Job" and choose SG_CODIEREN
17. Click "Execute Job"

NCS will then code your car and you should see "Coding Ended". Then turn your iginition off/on and pressing DSC will enable the DTC lamp (M Track Mode) and holding will disable DSC altogether.

There are lots of guides online which explain using NCS Expert in more detail, and it might be a good idea to read these and get more familiar before you attempt this yourself.

[Meeko]

Anyone managed to enable it yet? Been lots of fun in al the rain

[Beedub]

so to be clear this is basically DTC that is enable... no M track mode. however its essentially the same thing.

[mad4slalom]

Meeko ! you are a computer demon ! us mere mortals are baffled by this but so so want it. are you prepared to offer the service for a price ? how long would it take, and where are you based, think about it, i am sure there would be quite a few takers on here, add name to this post if you are interested . thanks in anticipation

[McKoval]

I wonder if one could modify their DTC mode in non-M, just to tune it up more to the needs.. eg. after installing LSD

TapaTalking

[Beedub]

if jon gets the gear he will be able to do this... i have no doubt what so ever.....

all interested could send a couple quid to jon, jon buys the kit thats needed and jon does the coding, in the end, jon keeps the equipment. job done.

if hes willing to do it but at least we won't get robbed and we'll have someone in the uk that can do this and all our coding needs.

[Meeko]

Mckoval - I'm sure you can configure the DSC for an LSD. According to the disassembled DATEN files, SPERRDIFFERENZREGELUNG (Differential Locking Control) is enabled on non-M, and disabled on the M. I would imaging disabling on your DSC would do the trick.

Beedub - I think DTC is the same as M Track. The function to enable M Track on the CSL is TRAKTIONDIFFERENZREGELUNG, which translated is Differential Traction Control - or DTC! I imagine it's just BMW rebranding DTC for marketing a new feature on the CSL.

I've also checked the Friction Coefficients used by the Z4M (latest version of NCS Dummy gives formula), and they are actually lower than the CSL, so I believe we get more slip in a Z4M than a M3

Mad4slalom - I'd be happy to code this for you for free. I'm based in Bath, and I'd be happy to help any fellow petrol head get more enjoyment from their Z4M. (Unless I end up coding loads of cars as I'm usually busy driving mine

Regards,

Meeko

[Franzino]

so when the german guys are coding this do we actually get the m-track logo illuminate on the instrument panel ?

I have made contact in the past with a German guy who programmed a lot of Z4M's in the past with M-track mode. We only have to find the time to meet each other at the Nurburgring to do the programming on my own car and a friend's Z4M. Here are the questions I had considering the M-track mode.

- Are there any downsides on programming the M-track mode?
no downsides at all! Except you have to press teh DSC button fpr 2seconds to turn DSC completely off instead of a short press (see the next questions).

- Is the normal DSC (ESP) still available on the car?
yes, when starting the car you will always be in full DSC mode.

- Do you switch between normal ESP / M-track mode / DSC off.....?
Yes, the DSC Switch will be used: A short press will now switch between M-Track-Mode and full-DSC-mode. The car will always start up in full-DSC mode.
To turn off the DSC completely (lika actually with a short press) you have to press the DSC button for about 2seconds. You can do this either in M-Track-Mode or in full-DSC-mode. A short press then will turn on DSC again.

- Is there a visual signal that M-track mode is on?
YES, there is a "DTC" sign in the kombi (actually not used) that will show you that the M-Track-Mode is actually on.

- The M-track mode is originally designed for the faster steering rack of the e46 M3 CSL and e46 M3 with competition pack. The Z4M coupe has the same steering rack as the M3 CSL. Does it also work on the Z4M roadster with the normal e46 M3 steering rack? I have a Z4M roadster.
The steering ratio and so the steering angle is the most important input for all DSC regulations. But the steering ratio can be programmed seperatly so that this is taken into account. And I do not switch this to the CSL steering rack and keep the setting of the Z4M!

- Any risks?
For the programming I maybe need 220V to charge my laptop, but for 3 cars this is not necessary... I do not need a battery charger attached to the car for this short amount of time that the DSC programming needs... If I reprogramm the DME where reading and writing takes several minutes... it is better to have a charger attached to the car... but in this case it is not necessary at all!
There are no risks as I know what I am doing and nothing can go wrong with the car!

[mad4slalom]

Mckoval - I'm sure you can configure the DSC for an LSD. According to the disassembled DATEN files, SPERRDIFFERENZREGELUNG (Differential Locking Control) is enabled on non-M, and disabled on the M. I would imaging disabling on your DSC would do the trick.

Beedub - I think DTC is the same as M Track. The function to enable M Track on the CSL is TRAKTIONDIFFERENZREGELUNG, which translated is Differential Traction Control - or DTC! I imagine it's just BMW rebranding DTC for marketing a new feature on the CSL.

I've also checked the Friction Coefficients used by the Z4M (latest version of NCS Dummy gives formula), and they are actually lower than the CSL, so I believe we get more slip in a Z4M than a M3

Mad4slalom - I'd be happy to code this for you for free. I'm based in Bath, and I'd be happy to help any fellow petrol head get more enjoyment from their Z4M. (Unless I end up coding loads of cars as I'm usually busy driving mine

Regards,

Meeko

that is so generous of you meeko , i am only 3 hours from bath ,down in sunny cornwall. i will pm you sometime. best regards mad4