F10 M5 MDM button

[HoHoHo]

I have not touched this button for fear of meeting my maker sooner than I'd like

Can someone please explain in simple (very simple for me obviously!) terms what hitting that little button does?

Thanks

Edited by HoHoHo on Wednesday 8th July 11:48

[Dinh]

It turns the traction control off completely. Even with MDM on, you can still get sideways - but are unlikely to spin out.

[HoHoHo]

Dinh said:

It turns the traction control off completely. Even with MDM on, you can still get sideways - but are unlikely to spin out.

So MDM is by default 'on' when I'm driving normally and hitting the button turns it off - even though an MDM light is then on in the dash?

[joscal]

MDM (M Dynamic mode) is like a half way house between full traction control on and none at all.

It allows more wheelspin and more sideways action should you feel the need.

When the MDM light is lit it's on, it will also ask you to confirm everytime you switch the car on if you have it programmed to one of the M buttons.

[Jonny TVR]

Hohoho .. can't believe you are only just asking about this! what have you been doing?

[HoHoHo]

Jonny TVR said:

Hohoho .. can't believe you are only just asking about this! what have you been doing?

Obviously been a right girlie over the last 18 months

I'm by no means a driving god (I do like going fast but in control of the 2 tonne lump of metal!)

I suspect a drive with it off is called for

[Jonny TVR]

HoHoHo said:

Obviously been a right girlie over the last 18 months

I'm by no means a driving god (I do like going fast but in control of the 2 tonne lump of metal!)

I suspect a drive with it off is called for

Only done it a few times myself when bone dry of course.

Looking at you profile I see that you have owned a couple of 911's for everyday use. I'm thinking of a 997 gen2 turbo or 991 Carrera S for everyday use when my M5 lease ends at the end of November. Not sure whether the 991 would be too slow after the M5 though

[W8PMC]

HoHoHo said:

So MDM is by default 'on' when I'm driving normally and hitting the button turns it off - even though an MDM light is then on in the dash?

Already been answered above but NO is the answer to your question. By default all the TC aids are switched on & live, when you select MDM as said it's kind of a halfway point between all on & all off. When the MDM light is on, you've selected MDM so are at the halfway point, when nothing lit you've everything on. I've not yet switched off the TC/driving aids totally so not sure how you engage this but i'm guessing it's required for Launch Control to be activated?

[HoHoHo]

Jonny TVR said:

HoHoHo said:

Obviously been a right girlie over the last 18 months

I'm by no means a driving god (I do like going fast but in control of the 2 tonne lump of metal!)

I suspect a drive with it off is called for

Only done it a few times myself when bone dry of course.

Looking at you profile I see that you have owned a couple of 911's for everyday use. I'm thinking of a 997 gen2 turbo or 991 Carrera S for everyday use when my M5 lease ends at the end of November. Not sure whether the 991 would be too slow after the M5 though

With regard to 911's as you've seen I've owned a 996 C2 Cab and 997 C2S, both are significantly slower than the M5.

I've driven a 991 C2S and that's better than a 997 but still behind to 200kph by a couple of seconds or thereabouts. No doubt my 911 (and the 991) is a great drive. I've tracked mine at Goodwood several times and it's brilliant. I'm not sure I'd have a much fun in an M5 due to weight and type of car it is? The turbo is in a different league to an S and probably up there performance wise.

One overriding factor that put me off Porsche ownership is the stty way you are treated not only by dealers but by Porsche with regard to extras and the warranty. You can't touch the car in anyway shape or form without losing it and to be honest they are dull inside. The 997 was so dated it was a joke and Porsche are light years behind in everyday technology. I mean FFS Bluetooth is a given I would have thought and in most cars it is but not in a 997 unless you have PCM 3 which was introduced around 2010 or so.

A pretty car but not one I think I'll own again.

[joscal]

W8PMC said:

Already been answered above but NO is the answer to your question. By default all the TC aids are switched on & live, when you select MDM as said it's kind of a halfway point between all on & all off. When the MDM light is on, you've selected MDM so are at the halfway point, when nothing lit you've everything on. I've not yet switched off the TC/driving aids totally so not sure how you engage this but i'm guessing it's required for Launch Control to be activated?

You hit the button again after MDM is selected-I haven't tried and don't think I ever will unless on a track!

Don't want to make a very expensive and embarrassing mistake..

[W8PMC]

joscal said:

You hit the button again after MDM is selected-I haven't tried and don't think I ever will unless on a track!

Don't want to make a very expensive and embarrassing mistake..

Likewise. MDM is enough for me on track so can't see me ever being brave enough to disengage totally. Will be trying Launch Control at HyperMax in September so i assume i'll have to switch off all protection for that?

[NORTS]

Also perhaps something else you might not know if similar to the E92 M3, if you turn the T/C off you can access another shift speed - S6. Maybe slightly diff on the F10 M5? Can only recommend this in dry conditions!!

[Wills2]

HoHoHo said:

With regard to 911's as you've seen I've owned a 996 C2 Cab and 997 C2S, both are significantly slower than the M5.

I've driven a 991 C2S and that's better than a 997 but still behind to 200kph by a couple of seconds or thereabouts. No doubt my 911 (and the 991) is a great drive. I've tracked mine at Goodwood several times and it's brilliant. I'm not sure I'd have a much fun in an M5 due to weight and type of car it is? The turbo is in a different league to an S and probably up there performance wise.

One overriding factor that put me off Porsche ownership is the stty way you are treated not only by dealers but by Porsche with regard to extras and the warranty. You can't touch the car in anyway shape or form without losing it and to be honest they are dull inside. The 997 was so dated it was a joke and Porsche are light years behind in everyday technology. I mean FFS Bluetooth is a given I would have thought and in most cars it is but not in a 997 unless you have PCM 3 which was introduced around 2010 or so.

A pretty car but not one I think I'll own again.

Hear what you're saying about the warranty but I must admit that my gen2 997 C2S was the best car I've ever had, I loved it and would have one again in a heart beat, not as quick as the M5 in a straight line but had huge traction and came alive on the right road.

I'd be confident of keeping up with myself in one vs. the M5 on all but the smoothest and straightest of roads and on the autobahn I'd eventually come past as the porker isn't limited.

The PCM3 came out late 2008 with the gen2, I'd also say that everything just feels right in the 911 the control weights (steering/pedals/gear change) are matched beautifully.

I'd love a 991 GTS, having driven them recently at the PEC that's a sub 4 secs car to 60 and is lovely inside.

[JMBMWM5]

Jonny TVR said:

Only done it a few times myself when bone dry of course.

Looking at you profile I see that you have owned a couple of 911's for everyday use. I'm thinking of a 997 gen2 turbo or 991 Carrera S for everyday use when my M5 lease ends at the end of November. Not sure whether the 991 would be too slow after the M5 though

Take it from me, the 911 Carrera S is a mile slower, IMO.
Had one on loan for a week, got shot asap.

Edited by JMBMWM5 on Wednesday 8th July 20:49

[joscal]

I can completely concur, 991 GTS is really in a different league but for a 520d look alike the M5 is a very competent machine. I had my first spirited drive today, dry conditions, sport plus suspension, sport steering and traction control off.

Good god what a machine, precise steering hit a crest and it landed beautifully hunkered down and hurtled down the road with zero attention. To me that's the appeal..ultimate Q car.

I've only done 4000 miles in mine, compared to my previous E92 M3, 2 E60 M5, CSL it really is on a different level.

Smitten!





[/quote]

Edited by joscal on Thursday 9th July 01:08

[playNskillz]

Ok tried my F10 in MDM for the first time... Wow that took me by surprise... It was way easier in my E60 to get it sideways than it is in the F10...

[theboss]

I still haven't given it a go yet - just hit 11k miles in the car yesterday (took delivery 4 months ago) and yet even the most mundane journey prospect still gets me excited.

It also took its first oil top-up very recently.

[playNskillz]

theboss said:

I still haven't given it a go yet - just hit 11k miles in the car yesterday (took delivery 4 months ago) and yet even the most mundane journey prospect still gets me excited.

It also took its first oil top-up very recently.

I'm slowly reaching the running in service mileage. Only on 500 miles... Getting my snagging list ready for BMW too.

[W8PMC]

playNskillz said:

Ok tried my F10 in MDM for the first time... Wow that took me by surprise... It was way easier in my E60 to get it sideways than it is in the F10...

Really? Having had both i'd say the opposite as the difference between no torque & almost too much torque is very obvious on the road.

Had an unrequested tank slapper (around 40 degrees out of shape) on the M6 Toll a couple of weeks ago, in the dry with full TC on & North or a ton.

[theboss]

W8PMC said:

Really? Having had both i'd say the opposite as the difference between no torque & almost too much torque is very obvious on the road.

Had an unrequested tank slapper (around 40 degrees out of shape) on the M6 Toll a couple of weeks ago, in the dry with full TC on & North or a ton.

How did you manage to do that??