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      09-21-2010, 01:16 PM   #133
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vachss View Post
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.
You may be right, but I hope not. I do agree that the real question is if it could be done economically. I would think that someone like Diokaef may be able to build a plug in chip/circuit/? which would automatically activate the sport function when the car was turned on. This would also increase the steering resistance which for me would be an additional positive.
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      09-21-2010, 03:25 PM   #134
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well I remember reading that the software is already there and that the fuse is their just that the wiring is not present, I would think that someone could make a few wire leads and supply the button and then all we would have to do it wire it up in the wire loom block under the hood, doesn’t seem that difficult more or less.

this would be for an 06 and up of course.

anybody up for the challenge!!!!! lol id pay plenty for a true retrofit!

I know anything is technically retrofitable just labor sweat and tears but do you all think it be that hard to retrofit a 06 or newer with the proper wiring?
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      09-24-2010, 05:31 AM   #135
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I had been talking about trying it on Bimmerforums to see if I could do it... converting the button into a switch using a hard-wired microcontroller to detect the position of the switch and compare it with the mode of the car. I figured early non-sport models would be interested, but after reading this thread I'm not so sure. I was going to use the light from the sport mode LED to determine if the car was actually in sport mode, but from what I can tell the reduced steering assist actually sends the signal to the LED. The car must be fooled into thinking it has the sport package to get that change in EPS (reduced steering assist). In other words, the microcontroller (as-suggested) would not be able to detect if the car was in sport mode unless someone changed the vehicle order number.

There are ways to determine if the car is in sport mode, but it's going to require much more digging on my part and may be beyond my experience level right now. I'm still going to try, but there are several obstacles to overcome: where to hardwire the microcontroller, which one to use, how to burn it and program it (I've learned C but I have no interface with my computer to program and burn the chips), and finding an aesthetically-pleasing switch.

That being said, the chip itself should be simple - only a few lines of code. I know it is possible and can be done, and I've succeeded in similar projects before. The limiting factor is going to be my experience level and the fact that I haven't tried to do anything like this in several years.
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      02-16-2011, 03:12 PM   #136
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck I View Post
Hey... I was just looking... There are a couple of ways to check to see if you have the cable for the sport button... 1) Check to see if you have the IVM module (see Ron's #42 post). If you do, then open it up and check pin 20 of connector X60191. If it has a Blk/Red/yellow wire on it, then that cable is buried in there some place.... 2)If you don't have the IVM module, open the cover over your DME and check connector X60004 pin 1 for a Blk/Red/Yellow wire (see Ron's #50 post). Again, if that wire is there, the cable is buried in there someplace... Hope this helps... Chuck I
Hi Chuck I,

I'm new to the forum and just recently purchased an 05 3.0i. It's an automatic with an 12/04 build date. Having read through this whole post about adding the sport button, I have a question. If I don't have a VM, and the 1 pin in #6004 is empty, is there no way to retrofit the button without running all the wiring? I've looked under the shift cover, but haven't taken the whole center console apart yet. Didn't want to go through the trouble if knowing that 6004 pin 1 is empty means it's a no go anyway.

Thanks,
Ian
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      12-25-2012, 10:12 PM   #137
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cool info!!! mine was 02/2003 3.0i premium package 6 speed, i found more than just the white connector, what is the black connector for? I'll be ordering the button soon :-)
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      10-13-2014, 04:00 PM   #138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The__J__Factor View Post
^ Thats really cool it works thats easy.

I broke my sport button holder so now mine is in position but i cant press it other wise it will fall down in to the console haha.
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Originally Posted by ZStig View Post
i did that before. I crazy glued a piece of plastic under it to keep it from falling through
Any ideas on how to fix the sport button holder? Is it sold by itself?

The holder has slide underneath the button. I can push the sport button itself up by squeezing my hand under the ashtray gap, but it keeps falling thru. Any suggestions?
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      10-14-2014, 12:09 AM   #139
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This?
Sounds like it must have fallen apart.
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      10-14-2014, 12:24 PM   #140
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Thanks Stickmon. The circular case around the button doesn't hold the main body (the actual button with the light) anymore, so it just slips thru. I guess I have to order the whole thing or visit a junkyard looking for Z4s w/ sport pkgs.

If I order a whole new button, can I simply unplug the old and plug in the new? Will this trip or set off any of the electronic features? I'm a complete newb to this car (just bought it). Any advice helps. Thanks!
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      10-14-2014, 02:23 PM   #141
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You can just unplug the old one and plug in the new one.
Pop the old one out first and see if you can fix it with a little glue.
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      10-20-2014, 02:32 PM   #142
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ZStig View Post
i did that before. I crazy glued a piece of plastic under it to keep it from falling through
Quote:
Originally Posted by Stilweezy View Post

cool info!!! mine was 02/2003 3.0i premium package 6 speed, i found more than just the white connector, what is the black connector for? I'll be ordering the button soon :-)
Anyone know how to access the wiring under the stick shift? Do i just twist off the stick shift knob? Thanks guys.
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      10-20-2014, 03:33 PM   #143
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Don't twist, pull.
Be careful you don't punch yourself in the nose, or worse.
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      12-23-2014, 10:01 PM   #144
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I have a used sports button if anyone wants to buy it for cheap
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      04-16-2017, 01:48 AM   #145
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I hate to dig up an old thread, but it doesn't seem to be against the rules and I'd love to see if anyone else has done this in the 3 years since the last post.

I have an '03 Z4 and tried this and it seemed to work. However, I didn't get a dash on the light nor the button. The throttle input seemed to be a bit more sensitive, and when holding a constant throttle pressing the button will alter where the rpm sits.

I was wondering if this is all there is to it? I opened up the center console, found the white connector and just plugged it in. Two people said a light on the dash will come on but none did for me. Any input / updates?
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      03-21-2020, 06:20 PM   #146
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EPS and DME updates?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Chuck I View Post
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.
Chuck I - thanks for the post, lots of helpful info. I have a 2004 that is pre-wired for the sport switch and I'm considering this mod.

I have the standard BMW tools that I can use to update the VO for the car to add the $224 option. However, can you elaborate when you state that you also updated the EPS and DME software? What tools did you use to update the software? What versions did you need to load onto the EPS and DME? Is this absolutely required or just good practice?

Thanks. Tom
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      03-25-2020, 07:19 PM   #147
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Wow this is an ancient thread revived! I tried the "sport" button when I first bought my M three years ago. It made the throttle like an on/off switch. I did a gas pedal reset and have not used it since!!
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      03-26-2020, 11:55 AM   #148
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Quote:
Originally Posted by garz747 View Post
Wow this is an ancient thread revived! I tried the "sport" button when I first bought my M three years ago. It made the throttle like an on/off switch. I did a gas pedal reset and have not used it since!!
I think these guys are talking about putting it on the non-M car, and on that car it behaves differently than it does on the M (affecting the electric power steering, for instance).

My experience (and of several reviewers back in the day) mirrors yours exactly. Try it once, leave it off forever on the M cars.
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      03-26-2020, 12:16 PM   #149
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I have it on my 3.0si but to be honest I only use it occasionally.
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      03-26-2020, 02:05 PM   #150
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KevinC View Post
I think these guys are talking about putting it on the non-M car, and on that car it behaves differently than it does on the M (affecting the electric power steering, for instance).

My experience (and of several reviewers back in the day) mirrors yours exactly. Try it once, leave it off forever on the M cars.
The throttle changes are the same in principal, but since the S54 already has such sharp throttle response, the sport button can make it harder to control. On the M54, I found the sport button throttle map to feel much better than the stock map. Haven't tried an N52 car with the sport button.
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      03-27-2020, 01:29 PM   #151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Huz-Z View Post
I have it on my 3.0si but to be honest I only use it occasionally.
I would have loved to keep the extra steering weight but lose the twitchy throttle the Sport button gave my 3.0si. I ended up just leaving the button off.
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      03-27-2020, 02:15 PM   #152
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb View Post
I would have loved to keep the extra steering weight but lose the twitchy throttle the Sport button gave my 3.0si. I ended up just leaving the button off.
Wouldn't be too difficult to adjust the tune to do exactly that.
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      03-27-2020, 02:38 PM   #153
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdb View Post
I would have loved to keep the extra steering weight but lose the twitchy throttle the Sport button gave my 3.0si. I ended up just leaving the button off.
Yup - that’s precisely my view.
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      04-03-2020, 11:44 AM   #154
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Hi All,

Sorry if this question has been asked already, I've read the whole thread and cant find a definative answer;

I have an '03 Z4 3.0 auto without the sports button, I haven't gone rummerging around in the centre console looking for the white connector yet. But I did read that when the button is pressed people say that 'SD' appears on the dash, this also happens when you shift the auto gear lever to the left, is this not the same mode or does the sport button add another dimension to the throttle control?

Thanks in advance
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