Sport Button retro fit

[Chuck I]

Originally Posted by nickpapa

just wanted to clarify with you. does this mean that the EPS is not adjusting when the button is pressed? I had thought you did a test and the results showed a significant change in steering response

When I tested it originally, I thought there was change, though modest. But measuring it was tough. Now, after running the diagnostics, I think my preception was wrong. I don't think the EPS is decoding the DCAN bus information from the DME. The affects of the Sport Button are measureable at the transmission and DME because I can see the systems change with the GT1 but the EPS diagnostic says the button is always OFF. I have requests out to several BMW Techs for assistance, but as of right now, no one has been able to help me. I haven't given up on this. I was in the garage last night again tracing all the wiring... Chuck I

[Chuck I]

Well, I finally got it! I have the whole thing working, including the light. The final issue was the fact that the Vehicle Order Number had to be updated to reflect the Dynamic Driving Control option ($224). I was lucky enough to find someone who could generate a new data file that I loaded using the GT1. After loading the new Vehicle Order Number, I then updated the software for the EPS and DME modules. So it comes down to this, if you have the wiring, you need to add the button, update your Vehicle Order Number, update the EPS software and the DME software. Was it worth it? HECK YES! I sure learned a lot and hopefully finally answered the question of "Can a Sport Button be added?". Thanks for everyones help! Chuck I

[BlackSapphireZ]

yeah I didn't think it was as easy as just sticking a button there

[caseysc]

Congrats! And thanks for the update. Well beyond my capabilities and resources but was certainly an interesting mod.

[vachss]

So, reading through all the posts I can't tell whther this upgradability is still true for N52 equipped Z4's or only the older M54 engines. Would you have whther this procedure could be made to work on newer Z4's?

[Chuck I]

Originally Posted by vachss

So, reading through all the posts I can't tell whther this upgradability is still true for N52 equipped Z4's or only the older M54 engines. Would you have whther this procedure could be made to work on newer Z4's?

I don't think the newer cars have the wiring harness in place. But that being said, there are only about 5 wires that would have to be run... My personal feeling is that it could be done. Looking back, I spent most of my time trying to figure out how the system really works. I got down to looking at the D_CAN bus with a scope. In reality, all you need to know is the software does all the work. I couldn't do it by my self, I still needed a friendly BMW Tech to generate the new VO# file. Chuck I

[AbeFroman]

Good job Chuck. Too bad I'm nowhere near you.

[Rolitto]

Hi Chuck,

I have a 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i Premium Package. I checked under the left of the carpet from which comes the cable to P R N D S and I found 12 small cables wrapped all-together. I tried to push it out (with the console ON) but I couldn't. I opened the hood and noticed there's no VM module so it keeps to know if the DME unit carries that X60004 connector with the 1st pin to be checked if it's colored black, red, yellow.

P.S. I still am suspicious about that 12 cables wrapped all-together but I don't think it's for the sport mode.

[CFoote]

Originally Posted by rolren

Hi Chuck,

I have a 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i Premium Package. I checked under the left of the carpet from which comes the cable to P R N D S and I found 12 small cables wrapped all-together. I tried to push it out (with the console ON) but I couldn't. I opened the hood and noticed there's no VM module so it keeps to know if the DME unit carries that X60004 connector with the 1st pin to be checked if it's colored black, red, yellow.

P.S. I still am suspicious about that 12 cables wrapped all-together but I don't think it's for the sport mode.

Rolren, there shouldn't be 12 small cables under your console....I'd suggest putting the car back together and hopefully finding someone nearby who can help you with this project...electrical projects on these cars are complicated and if you don't know what you are doing, you can easily damage things.

This modification is only for cars that had a early production wiring harness (i.e. 2003 cars, and maybe some early 2004s), so if you have a newer Z, you won't have the wiring anyway.

Be careful...

Chris

[Rolitto]

Originally Posted by CFoote

Rolren, there shouldn't be 12 small cables under your console....I'd suggest putting the car back together and hopefully finding someone nearby who can help you with this project...electrical projects on these cars are complicated and if you don't know what you are doing, you can easily damage things.

This modification is only for cars that had a early production wiring harness (i.e. 2003 cars, and maybe some early 2004s), so if you have a newer Z, you won't have the wiring anyway.

Be careful...

Chris

Yes, you're right. It's good that I haven't done anything.

I've went and reported my VIN number to the BMW dealer. He told me he'll be back with an answer as soon as possible about whether I can retrofit that sport mode on my car or not.

[nickpapa]

just wanted to add to this since i said i was going to purchase the sport button and never did...

i finally picked one up and had the same experience as Chuck I. I can feel the difference in the throttle, but my button does not light up either.

I have a manual (thought I'd mention it since Chuck I has an auto).

[CarCar]

Will this mod have any benefit for a '04 2.5I with manual 5speed? My car is a base model. Was a sport button available to effect throttle response and steering for manual transmission cars or is this feature only for the automatic models?

[b0bab0i]

Is the Sports button the same as moving the Steptronic Stick to the left in Drive to put the car in SD mode?

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by CarCar

Will this mod have any benefit for a '04 2.5I with manual 5speed? My car is a base model. Was a sport button available to effect throttle response and steering for manual transmission cars or is this feature only for the automatic models?

On manuals, the button changes the throttle map and steering resistance.

On automatics, it changes the throttle map, steering resistance, and shift points.

On M versions, it changes the throttle map, period, as they don't have electric assisted steering and there was no auto/step/smg option.

[Huz-Z]

Too bad someone isn't making a replacement button switch that says "Warp Dive: On/Off" or "Jekyll / Hyde".

On my 3.0si, the difference in the car's personality is that great.

[-c-]

yea I wish someone would take a chance on wireing up a car that never had it, like the newer 06 to 08's and show a DIY.

Since we never had the wire loom like the earlier cars had......seems like a cool idea for a kit someone could make, as it seems that the software is their. I know not all options work they say that the throttle and tranny shifts are their just no change for the steering without dealer's help with the recoding.


either way it seems possable just have no idea ware the start.

[epbrown]

Originally Posted by -c-

yea I wish someone would take a chance on wireing up a car that never had it, like the newer 06 to 08's and show a DIY.

It would have to be a pretty trivial project to make it worth it, imo. I didn't have a sport button on my Z4 2.5i and I didn't much mind it - as one forum curmudgeon likes to point out, you get the same effect my stomping the pedal harder.

[-c-]

Yea I know but doesn't it make the auto trans shift faster ? Like an extra step beyond normal sport shift, looking to get every bit out I can lol. That and the steering change would be welcome.

[Incompatible]

Continuing this thread with a slightly different aspect. Is it possible to alter the function of the sport button so that it can be set to "always on"? I've seen that there are tuners which offer adjustable/multi stage plug-in hardware options, but how about a simple/inexpensive mod to have an "always on" function? With all the great work done by Chuck I and others, I would think it shouldn't be to difficult.

[SHEEDI]

This whole thing is confusing me, can somebody put everything together all required steps?
i have 2003 Z4 2.5i Automatic, so is it possible to install and make this sports button work like it should be working on other Z4s comes with factory button?

Thanks

[vachss]

Originally Posted by Incompatible

Continuing this thread with a slightly different aspect. Is it possible to alter the function of the sport button so that it can be set to "always on"? I've seen that there are tuners which offer adjustable/multi stage plug-in hardware options, but how about a simple/inexpensive mod to have an "always on" function? With all the great work done by Chuck I and others, I would think it shouldn't be to difficult.

For the N52 equipped Z4's I really don't think there's a cheaper option than something like the Sprint Booster or BMS Powerbox. Both are around $300 and both provide multiple levels of throttle sensitivity including the "always on" folks have been asking for. Alternatively, ECU reflashes that affect throttle sensitivity, among other things, are now becoming more commonly available for the N52.

The one thing these don't affect is the steering response. I suspect someone would have to hack around with our electric steering systems to access this aspect of the sport button as well.

[nickpapa]

Originally Posted by Soomro

This whole thing is confusing me, can somebody put everything together all required steps?
i have 2003 Z4 2.5i Automatic, so is it possible to install and make this sports button work like it should be working on other Z4s comes with factory button?

Thanks

Cars with sport button from the factory (2003-2005):
- Stiffer steering
- More sensitive throttle

Cars without sport button from factory but added(only works on 2003-2005):
- More sensitive throttle but the light on the button that shows that the car is in sport mode does not turn on. Only way to have it go on and off is to do what Chuck I did with changing the Vehicle Order Number and updating the EPS and DME software.

- Steering does not get stiffer.