Stick shift cars inside please >>... I'm about to rant about MDM

DaveCM5 · 07-12-2017, 03:39 PM

<Rant Start>

MDM (even Euro-MDM which I tried and saw no discernible difference) is ALMOST really good, but I HATE that it cuts power if it detects any wheel spin during gear changes.

I have a '14 M5 with Competition package and stick shift, and I tried coding the Euro MDM code but there was no noticeable difference.

My big problem with this car is that it cuts the throttle in MDM mode if it detects any wheel spin on the 1st-2nd shift (or any change, but 1st to 2nd are the shortest gears so makes the most difference). If you're already in the gear and the wheels spin on acceleration it will allow some good spin, but if you are changing gears it seems to cut it on the first sign of spin. I don't like spinning the wheels, but I want to be able to get it under control while I keep the boost up and not drop everything.

I'm used to high HP cars (I had several corvettes including a Z06, also a few Camaro Z28s all with high power, and even my E60 M5 which seemed to work much better (no turbo?)) and I am used to that if the wheels spin on a shift you let off the throttle just enough to let the wheels slow down and the car "catch up with the wheels" so to speak, then apply full again.

The problem with the MDM mode in the M5 (I wonder if the M3/4 as well?) is that if the wheels spin on the first to second shift (which it almost always will on hard acceleration) it cuts the throttle, and keeps it cut for about 1 second which is a long time, then it comes back but you have to wait for another second or so for the boost to build, which at that point you are now at the top of second, having slowly got there waiting, so it's time to shift, and basically second gear was just wasted time and a wasted gear.

So the only way to accelerate in MDM mode is to really baby the shift from first to second. You drop the boost still, but at least it's only one second of waiting instead of two for the traction control to let go. If you do it just right you can maintain the boost enough to where it comes back fast. But it's right on the edge of loosing everything (boost and TC) and having to wait two seconds so it's hit or miss, and also it involves feathering the clutch slightly which is a no-no from a wear stand point.

DSC OFF solves the problem, but it sure would be nice to have the stability control in case one of the wheels got on some slick pavement or something.

I hate to say but my Cadillac CTS Vsport had much better traction management since if the wheels started to spin it would only cut the throttle enough to get the wheels to grab and then come back right away. Maybe the MDCT cars do this? I don't know.

But I personally still like the manual better but it seems the MDM mode was so close to being really great, but they had to crap it out on the shift. And Euro-MDM coding didn't make it any better so I put it back to factory. My car is Competition package so maybe Euro-MDM is same as CP MDM? Didn't seem any different.

<Rant stop>

Any other stick shift drivers have this issue as well?

-Dave

scottgps92 · 07-12-2017, 05:30 PM

I have the exact same problem even with MPSS 305's on the back! I was planning on doing the euro MDM but I guess not now. I'm having the power cut issues on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

Here is a video of a small pull my brother and I did. Ran against his stock E55, F10 M5 has 700whp. Started at 50mph, 2nd and 3rd spun and cutting power, finally after hitting 4th you can see it finally hook and start pulling HARD, just really annoying. Looks like R888's are the only solution.

VoytekM5 · 07-12-2017, 06:23 PM

I have traction issues as well

DaveCM5 · 07-13-2017, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoytekM5

I have traction issues as well

I think all M5s have traction issues but the focus of this post was how the MDM responds to the slightest wheel spin during a gear change in a stick shift.

jairomvp182 · 07-14-2017, 10:53 AM

to what i seen euro and comp share the same setting, my car vs my buddys CP mdm do almost the same after my car got coded euro mdm, get some good tires

Phatcat · 07-14-2017, 11:08 AM

SA has mentioned numerous times that BMW has the most intrusive DSC system.

BPMSport · 07-14-2017, 01:45 PM

You just need the European version of MDM.

DaveCM5 · 07-14-2017, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

You just need the European version of MDM.

My post says I coded Euro-MDM and it provided no noticable change, so I changed it back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jairomvp182

get some good tires

My Michelin Pilot Super Sports have about 600 miles on them so they're basically new. If DSC is completely off the tires spin a little on the shift but then hook and the car accelerates like it should which is why I said in my post that "DSC Off solves the problem" If car is in MDM mode the tires spin a little and then the car shuts down because of TC intervention.

By spinning a little I'm talking less than a revolution or two, not much at all.

I wish BMW would have given more allowance for tire spin during a shift.

550Reasons · 07-14-2017, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jairomvp182

to what i seen euro and comp share the same setting, my car vs my buddys CP mdm do almost the same after my car got coded euro mdm, get some good tires

Interesting !

naiza3k · 07-14-2017, 06:05 PM

I love my manual but honestly a lot of times I feel like I can't hang with a STI because my shifting is so bad or the tires just spin so much I lose power right away...

NightM · 07-17-2017, 09:38 PM

What is MDM? Lol. I use that for under 70mph speed

I usually turn everything off on Race mode

But then again I used ONLY R888's so im more confident on my power level.

Mdm cuts power not good for spirited driving on the track.

13M5F10 · 07-18-2017, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveCM5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

You just need the European version of MDM.

My post says I coded Euro-MDM and it provided no noticable change, so I changed it back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jairomvp182

get some good tires

My Michelin Pilot Super Sports have about 600 miles on them so they're basically new. If DSC is completely off the tires spin a little on the shift but then hook and the car accelerates like it should which is why I said in my post that "DSC Off solves the problem" If car is in MDM mode the tires spin a little and then the car shuts down because of TC intervention.

By spinning a little I'm talking less than a revolution or two, not much at all.

I wish BMW would have given more allowance for tire spin during a shift.

Double check the euro code. I had mine coded and saw a noticeable difference.

M eyedoc · 07-18-2017, 07:52 AM

Wow, sorry to hear all of this. I picked up my 14 a few months ago and it is the first bimmer (actually the first car) in the last 30 or so years that only has 2 pedals. I thought seriously about driving 4hours to drive the closest manual M5 but chose to go with the local dealership and full cpo. Hearing this, I think I feel better about my decision. Not as much fun on the track tho...

07-12-2017, 03:39 PM	#1
DaveCM5 Second Lieutenant 85 Rep 252 Posts Drives: 2014 M5 Sapphire Black Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	Stick shift cars inside please >>... I'm about to rant about MDM <Rant Start> MDM (even Euro-MDM which I tried and saw no discernible difference) is ALMOST really good, but I HATE that it cuts power if it detects any wheel spin during gear changes. I have a '14 M5 with Competition package and stick shift, and I tried coding the Euro MDM code but there was no noticeable difference. My big problem with this car is that it cuts the throttle in MDM mode if it detects any wheel spin on the 1st-2nd shift (or any change, but 1st to 2nd are the shortest gears so makes the most difference). If you're already in the gear and the wheels spin on acceleration it will allow some good spin, but if you are changing gears it seems to cut it on the first sign of spin. I don't like spinning the wheels, but I want to be able to get it under control while I keep the boost up and not drop everything. I'm used to high HP cars (I had several corvettes including a Z06, also a few Camaro Z28s all with high power, and even my E60 M5 which seemed to work much better (no turbo?)) and I am used to that if the wheels spin on a shift you let off the throttle just enough to let the wheels slow down and the car "catch up with the wheels" so to speak, then apply full again. The problem with the MDM mode in the M5 (I wonder if the M3/4 as well?) is that if the wheels spin on the first to second shift (which it almost always will on hard acceleration) it cuts the throttle, and keeps it cut for about 1 second which is a long time, then it comes back but you have to wait for another second or so for the boost to build, which at that point you are now at the top of second, having slowly got there waiting, so it's time to shift, and basically second gear was just wasted time and a wasted gear. So the only way to accelerate in MDM mode is to really baby the shift from first to second. You drop the boost still, but at least it's only one second of waiting instead of two for the traction control to let go. If you do it just right you can maintain the boost enough to where it comes back fast. But it's right on the edge of loosing everything (boost and TC) and having to wait two seconds so it's hit or miss, and also it involves feathering the clutch slightly which is a no-no from a wear stand point. DSC OFF solves the problem, but it sure would be nice to have the stability control in case one of the wheels got on some slick pavement or something. I hate to say but my Cadillac CTS Vsport had much better traction management since if the wheels started to spin it would only cut the throttle enough to get the wheels to grab and then come back right away. Maybe the MDCT cars do this? I don't know. But I personally still like the manual better but it seems the MDM mode was so close to being really great, but they had to crap it out on the shift. And Euro-MDM coding didn't make it any better so I put it back to factory. My car is Competition package so maybe Euro-MDM is same as CP MDM? Didn't seem any different. <Rant stop> Any other stick shift drivers have this issue as well? -Dave Last edited by DaveCM5; 07-12-2017 at 03:45 PM..
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07-12-2017, 05:30 PM	#2
scottgps92 New Member 21 Rep 29 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (0)	I have the exact same problem even with MPSS 305's on the back! I was planning on doing the euro MDM but I guess not now. I'm having the power cut issues on 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Here is a video of a small pull my brother and I did. Ran against his stock E55, F10 M5 has 700whp. Started at 50mph, 2nd and 3rd spun and cutting power, finally after hitting 4th you can see it finally hook and start pulling HARD, just really annoying. Looks like R888's are the only solution.
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07-12-2017, 06:23 PM	#3
VoytekM5 Second Lieutenant 65 Rep 224 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Chicago iTrader: (2)	I have traction issues as well
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07-14-2017, 10:53 AM	#5
jairomvp182 Lieutenant 510 Rep 573 Posts Drives: 22 X3MC Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Orlando,FL iTrader: (1)	to what i seen euro and comp share the same setting, my car vs my buddys CP mdm do almost the same after my car got coded euro mdm, get some good tires __________________ 22 X3m 10 e90 335i 610whp 13 M5, 11.0@131 Fabworx DP,Precision Tune 650whp+ 11 E92 335xi 12.5@113MPH,362whp/438wtq GONE http://www.youtube.com/c/jairomvp Instagram:Jairomvp
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07-14-2017, 11:08 AM	#6
Phatcat Lieutenant Colonel 751 Rep 1,857 Posts Drives: BMW M5, X5M Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Asia iTrader: (0)	SA has mentioned numerous times that BMW has the most intrusive DSC system.
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07-14-2017, 01:45 PM	#7
BPMSport 3387 Rep 7,541 Posts Drives: Harrop M3 / F10 M5 / F82 M4 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal iTrader: (9) Garage List 2000 BMW M5 [0.00] 1990 BMW 735i Turbo [0.00] 2008 BMW M3 [7.50] 2015 BMW M3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M5 [0.00]	You just need the European version of MDM. __________________ -----\| Like us on Facebook \| Instagram \|\| Tuning Information \| Remote Coding \|----- ----Visit us at www.BPMSport.com - Emotion. Driven. \| Toll Free: (888) 557-5133----
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07-14-2017, 06:05 PM	#10
naiza3k Captain 175 Rep 622 Posts Drives: 2013 M5 & 2019 x7 xdrive50i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (1)	I love my manual but honestly a lot of times I feel like I can't hang with a STI because my shifting is so bad or the tires just spin so much I lose power right away... __________________ 2013 M5 Space Gray, Piano Black\|Night Vision\|Every option\|6MT\|RW Carbon front Lip\|Vorsteiner Rear Diffuser\| 2019 x7 50i White, Loaded \| chrome delete \| black grill \| Previous: 2015 X5 Graphite, \|All options\| - 2014 435i Xdrive Msport, \|Fully Loaded\|6MT\|FBO\|JB4\|Front,side,rear lips/spoilers\|- 2015 320i Xdrive, \|Wife's beater\| - 2008 535i Xdrive
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07-17-2017, 09:38 PM	#11
NightM Lieutenant Colonel 450 Rep 1,519 Posts Drives: Bmw Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	What is MDM? Lol. I use that for under 70mph speed I usually turn everything off on Race mode But then again I used ONLY R888's so im more confident on my power level. Mdm cuts power not good for spirited driving on the track.
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07-18-2017, 07:52 AM	#13
M eyedoc Private First Class 112 Rep 123 Posts Drives: e30 M3, f10 M5 Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Lost iTrader: (0)	Wow, sorry to hear all of this. I picked up my 14 a few months ago and it is the first bimmer (actually the first car) in the last 30 or so years that only has 2 pedals. I thought seriously about driving 4hours to drive the closest manual M5 but chose to go with the local dealership and full cpo. Hearing this, I think I feel better about my decision. Not as much fun on the track tho...
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