Folks-
While i have owned a number of BMW's over theyears, i am primarily a Porsche guy. I recently have hearde that with the new smg III the elecronic dumb-downs can be fully over-ridden while the manual trans versions cannot. I just got a manual trans M-6 as a daily driver and would like to know if the traction and stability controls can be fully disengaged. I haven't gotten to 1,200 miles i haven't tried to find out yet, but I would really be chaffed if I couldn't let the rear hang out whan I wanted to. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Rick

Hello Rick,

Welcome to the 6 Series; ///M of course.

Yes, you can fully have DSC disengaged for your 6-speed manual. See below.

Here is the Service Bulletin to add DSC disabling function.

http://www.bmwtis.com/images/homelogo.gifSI B 34 07 07
Brakes November 2007
Technical Service

SUBJECT
M5, M6 - DSC Disabling Function


MODEL
E60 M5 with S85 engine and 6-speed manual transmission

E63, E64 M6 with S85 engine and 6-speed manual transmission


INFORMATION
With the introduction of MY'08 (09/07), the "DSC OFF" function has been implemented in M5 and M6 vehicles equipped with the optional 6-speed manual transmissions.

Due to the revised DME, DSC and CCC software, the MDM (M Dynamic Mode) button located in the center console switch cluster (SZM) now has triple functionality:

1. Default state – DSC ON
2. Short press – MDM ON (green MDM indicator displayed in the cluster)
3. Press and hold – DSC OFF (yellow DSC indicator displayed in the cluster; message appears in the Control Display).

The M Dynamic Mode (MDM) gives a performance oriented driver the option to operate the vehicle with greater longitudinal and lateral accelerations without DSC intervention and with limited vehicle stability. The DSC system engine power reduction and braking intervention thresholds are raised allowing more wheel slip and yaw.

With DSC OFF (disabled), the electronic stability system is completely disengaged. The system does not provide active stabilizing intervention when traction is lost (only the ABS function is still active).

Important:

The customer should be advised that in order to maintain vehicle stability, he or she should always drive with the DSC system switched on whenever possible.

The "DSC OFF" function may also be retrofitted into MY'07 production M5 and M6 vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The same triple functionality of the MDM button can be implemented by performing a "DSC Switchable" retrofit function using Progman V27.0 or higher. For retrofit programming procedure follow section "Retrofits" from SI B09 05 01.

Retrofit consists of updating the vehicle software to the integration level E060-07-09-510 or higher, and of modifying the Vehicle Order by adding an option code "DOFF". No hardware modification is required.

Note:

When performing the "DSC Switchable" retrofit function, ignore the instruction: "Carry on with continue only if the conversion package is already fitted in the vehicle". The suspension hardware upgrades were already incorporated during the vehicle's production.

WARRANTY INFORMATION
On a customer complaint basis, vehicles covered by the New Vehicle Warranty may be retrofitted to activate the "DCS OFF" function.

Defect Code:
34 52 10 77 NA


Labor Operation:
61 00 801
Reprogram control modules (not including CAS)
and perform DSC OFF retrofit

Labor Allowance:
7 FRU


OR


Labor Operation:
61 00 811
Reprogram control modules (including CAS)
and perform DSC OFF retrofit

Labor Allowance:
8 FRU

Note 1: Should the vehicle be affected at the same time by another repair in which the programming of control units is also required, programming may only be claimed once.

Note 2: In the case where Progman requires the replacement of control modules or additional programming because certain control modules failed to program correctly, print out the Measures Plan and Status Report/Final Report as described in the Progman programming procedure (B09 05 01). Attach these reports to the RO in the vehicle file. This additional work should use Defect Code 34 52 10 77 NA, along with a Labor Operation and Labor Allowance selected from the KSD.

__________________
Originally posted by Cobradav. Thanks!

Thanks so much for the quick response. It appears that my car was built before the software change, but with the great information that you have given me, I can have the retrofit handled.

Its unlikely that I will want to disable the system very often, but there are those times....

I recently sold my street 997 GT-3 and this is the replacement. An odd swap. I'll admit, but since I race Porsches in PCA, having a race-car for the street was kind of redundant. That, coupled with the fact that i was offered a good chunk over what I paid new and the fact that I had put over 6,000 miles on it and it needed new rear tires made the decision a bit easier. I'll miss the Porsche, but I love the M-6 so far. I'll try to get over the loss by driving the M-6 to Roebling Road raceway this weekend where I will be racing two of my Porsches-- I'll get an initial ribbing for showing up in a BMW, but they will change their tune after they get a chance to crawl all over it.

Thanks again, Rick Brownyard

No problem Rick!

Good to have you here and you should enjoy the M6 plenty.

So you race on the weekends or for a living?

Got any pics?

I'm a weekend warrior and finance racing out of my sponsor (wallet). I've been racing Porsches for about 8 years now--everything from 944 naturals to GT-3 Cup. This weekend it will be my 951S which is probably the nicest E class turbo racing in PCA (if I do say so myself) I was fortunate to have won the PCA Daytona sprint in class in October and the car has track records at Daytona and Watkins Glen. At 60, I am sticking with the E cars and have sold my GT-3 Cup as it was really too expensive to campaign often enough to "keep the edge" I'll try to post a few pictures embeded in the text later.

Glad to be on the forum; I have found these sites to be tremendous resources for all of my car needs. I am scheduled into the Shop to have the power set after the 1200 mile period and they will do the DSC mod at that time as well. Thanks again for the valuable input--I don't think my dealer has had a request to "fix" the 6 speed, so this will give me a way to monitor them. I think that the m-6 might make a hell of a drifter....

Rick

Very good background (PCA) speaking...:D If you have any pictures of your day on the track do share!

The ///M6 is drifting capable.:buttrock