M Track Mode enabled on Z4MR

[Beedub]

Yeah I agree, it would be good to know exactly what is going on here. I don't believe though that enabling this so called 'm-track' mode is just enabling DTC like a custard Z4, albeit the DTC lamp lights up on the dash. However the thing works it definitely feels like a vast improvement if you want to drive enthusiastically and have some kind of safety net.
Drive round a track with the standard Z4M traction control and you will find your rear brakes take a pounding, I've yet to do the same with this 'M-Track' mode but I suspect it doesn't use the rear brakes in the same way... a good thing!

i would say this is the most accurate statement of the thread.

This could be of some use for me as I'm finding with my added power on longer trips the rear brakes are just being totally abused. literally covered with brake dust, my pagodas aren't cheap enough for being toasted like this! lol!!

think its time i buy this programme and start learning how to code!!

[AndyBeech]

I guess the question is why would BMW not enable this feature on our cars from the start? If it's the same module as the CSL and the programming that's being done by us is a simple task or activating it in the code then it would have cost them nothing apart from adding an 'M-Track' logo to the dash instead of DTC to show it's on? Or am I missing something here? (Probably )
Still tempted to get this done, as Tom said would be interesting to see exactly what's going on here though.....

[inTgr8r]

It's probably that simple.
The few pennies cost to make a new dash display

[TomK]

I had M-track mode on my previous M3CS, from the factory. This feels to me identical in its interference.

[inTgr8r]

Thanks... That's great info.
Someone who has owned and played with both!

[Beedub]

so anyone confident enough to walk me through this over the phone?? will be done using mac book pro.

[inTgr8r]

The biggest challenge will be getting NCSexpert to run under parallels or similar,
And then getting the cable to communicate.

I have a old XP windows notebook dedicated just for car pgms.
It's the easiest way to go.

[Franzino]

If what y'all are saying is true, that DSC still intervenes while turning, then you're in essence using the rear brakes to simulate what a LSD would do, when the car already has a mechanical LSD to start with...

This is what the standard traction control does though!? if I do some laps on track with the standard traction control on, rear brake temps are considerably higher than with the system fully off.
To me it doesn't feel like the M-Track mode is using the rear brakes like the standard mode does, though I have no evidence to support this yet.

i coiped and posted this from another forum... it wasn't my words buddy, however SOME of what he says makes sense to me, we need to know exactly what we are enabling here, if this was M track mode, id be paying someone to come and do it for me, but DTC and M track are very different thresholds as one is designed for a car with a LSD and one isn't....

The Z4M has a LSD and the M3 CSL also…or I'm I mistaken?

[Beedub]

i coiped and posted this from another forum... it wasn't my words buddy, however SOME of what he says makes sense to me, we need to know exactly what we are enabling here, if this was M track mode, id be paying someone to come and do it for me, but DTC and M track are very different thresholds as one is designed for a car with a LSD and one isn't....[/quote]

The Z4M has a LSD and the M3 CSL also…or I'm I mistaken?[/quote]


you've completely missed the point... Re-read.

or Read tomKs last post....

[///Mikerw]

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

Fantastic thread guys

Meeko is your generous offer still open ? Would luv this mod

Mike

[jpeeters]

so anyone confident enough to walk me through this over the phone?? will be done using mac book pro.

I can help you out if you want. Should be easy to replicate my setup (MB, VMware Fusion). Do you have the hardware cable already?

[Beedub]

jpeeters ill get the hardware i need and PM you.

so i need vmware fusion and the cable?? any likes you can provide to i know I'm buying the correct pieces would be much appreciated

[jpeeters]

@Beedup it depends a bit on how much money you'd like to spend on the hardware, as there are many variants you can choose from. The best option seems to be this cable http://www.one-stop-electronics.com/sho ... duct_id=16 (99us$). OSE is referred to many times on various forums, with positive feedback.

Personally I bought http://www.benl.ebay.be/itm/171533459146 (didn't know about the OSE solution before), but I had to modify the cable (soldering pin 7 and . It's much cheaper but can create more headache and it's a less future proof solution.

For the software you'll need vmware fusion (trial is ok) and a windows xp installer.

[inTgr8r]

Track mode programmed and tested.!
For anyone that tracks their M, this is easily one of the best things you can do to improve the car.

We did the coding on my and Caddyshk's car.
We were both out to a track day on the 18th and had an absolute blast.

Conditions were dry and hot (28c) the track itself was a touch on the slick side

This track was new to us so we did the first track session in the normal 'nanny' mode to get a feel for things.
The cars behaved in the usual fashion of flashing slip light and cutting throttle tracking out through the apex and up the track until the nanny was happy and gave the throttle back.

The second session we engaged track mode and were absolutely amazed at the difference in the car.
No flashing slip light, throttle was right there allowing throttle steering.
Tracking out past the apex with throttle was fantastic, the feel you have for the dynamics of car in your butt and hands was a HUGE improvement.

The nice thing is that there is still yaw control logic in place.
I have tracked my car with 'systems' off before and have experienced how this car can bite you with snap oversteer.
With this track mode you can feel that yaw control is still there, but it's not invasive.
(it also won't save you from the laws of physics if you do something stupid)

It's mind blowing to me that BMW didn't make this available to us from the start.

Over the years I have done a lot to improve track performance of this car, I can easily say that nothing compares to the improvement that this simple bit of coding has made.

If you track your car, get this done ASAP you will love it!

[Beedub]

I'm sold.