M Button Retrofit

Logicoeur · 11-12-2021, 11:37 PM

The kit is preconfigured to change the drive mode? And that's it?

Runner340 · 11-15-2021, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

The kit is preconfigured to change the drive mode? And that's it?

Yes, the M1/M2 button on this kit only replicates the drive mode toggle switch on the center console. The configurable levels of aggression features like DCT shift speed, suspension, steering, etc settings are exclusive to the M series cars.

BMWILUVU · 11-15-2021, 05:20 PM

Not sure I want a button on the steering wheel for drive modes but I really would like a button to override the exhaust flap and if that is on the M1/2 button that would be great. Where is that solution?

Onizukachan · 11-15-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

The kit is preconfigured to change the drive mode? And that's it?

Yes, it just makes the missing buttons on the wheel for M1/2 work to pulse the drive mode rocker (one wire is one pulse aka up, amd the other a another pulse aka down) as if you had pushed it with your finger.

You could do any button(s) you wanted with it depending on where you connect the two wires.

Onizukachan · 11-15-2021, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWILUVU

Not sure I want a button on the steering wheel for drive modes but I really would like a button to override the exhaust flap and if that is on the M1/2 button that would be great. Where is that solution?

Where is the physical button to override the exhaust flap? No physical button = no go.

BMWILUVU · 11-15-2021, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

Where is the physical button to override the exhaust flap? No physical button = no go.

Use the M1/2 buttons! Wire the kit up to the valve.

Onizukachan · 11-15-2021, 05:39 PM

It works on a pulse. And I don’t have a valve to look but they used to be vacuum controlled with a solenoid on e46. No volts = no close. No vacuum line = no close. Aka golf t mod.

It if you really w red to I’m sure you could rig up a latching relay to artificially run whatever solenoid et. Runs the valve.

WagonHo · 02-27-2022, 12:33 PM

I ordered from the same (or maybe similar) eBay link posted by Jorpibe in #84 - thanks! I thought I'd missed out when the guy who was selling on Facebook went silent.

Mine came in good time and is a nice little kit. There were absolutely no instructions whatsoever, in Chinese, English, . . . nothing. That posed a challenge as wiring is not my thing. No worries. The pictures posted by Fortythirtyfive in #69 were very helpful. Again - Thanks, these were invaluable as it's not just plug-and-play.

A little of deduction and a little trial and error (and a safety restraint system fault) later, and voila. Working M(ode) Buttons on my MSport F31's steering wheel. After the earlier Euro Light Switch module, I now have no more button blanks anywhere in the cockpit.

Great thread and thanks to everyone for the above hints.

oranga · 03-02-2022, 10:29 PM

WagonHo Could you post a link to where you got it from? The other ebay link is dead, and I dont even know what to search on ebay - i'm only getting results for just the buttons

WagonHo · 03-03-2022, 06:31 AM

The link changes often as they sell out (they seem to post an inventory of just a couple at a time). The the seller is "huaihaidong," the listing label changes but always seems to include "driving mode activator", "M1M2" or M1/M2" and "BMW" and the current listing is at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/driving-mod...item1d251f6714

Quote:

Originally Posted by oranga

WagonHo Could you post a link to where you got it from? The other ebay link is dead, and I dont even know what to search on ebay - i'm only getting results for just the buttons

fortythirtyfive · 03-03-2022, 03:34 PM

Glad to see others are enjoying the mod. I suspect Lewis (who made the original kit) can't compete with the Chinese market prices so it isn't worth his time.

That's one of the biggest issues when getting things manufactured in China, the suppliers usually start to sell the product themselves. I had it happen to me with a few things so I stopped mass producing things.

On another note, I saw a mod for Audis to replace their exhaust/engine start steering wheel buttons for a generic digital display dial with multi-function controls.. basically like a Merc lol. I'm quite tempted to replace my steering wheel exhaust buttons for one though.

Nemgrea · 03-09-2022, 08:42 AM

after quite a bit of trial and error and prototyping ive also figured out how to make these kits

i have about 25 of them completed and ready to ship if people are interested,

https://mnlasercutting.com/shop/p/bm...12-buttons-kit

ive also made an installation video to aid in the process

[u2b]

[/u2b]

rcaso26 · 03-09-2022, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemgrea

after quite a bit of trial and error and prototyping ive also figured out how to make these kits

i have about 25 of them completed and ready to ship if people are interested,

https://mnlasercutting.com/shop/p/bm...12-buttons-kit

ive also made an installation video to aid in the process

[u2b]

[/u2b]

I have this kit and can confirm it works flawlessly!

Dang3r · 03-09-2022, 09:29 AM

Are they backlighted or not?

Nemgrea · 03-09-2022, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Are they backlighted or not?

yep, backlit with 0602 orange smd LEDs same as the other buttons

Dang3r · 03-09-2022, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemgrea

yep, backlit with 0602 orange smd LEDs same as the other buttons

Uuuuh, how bad will that look, if I choose blue buttons with orange backlighting? But ok, thank you for the swift reply.

Nemgrea · 03-09-2022, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Uuuuh, how bad will that look, if I choose blue buttons with orange backlighting? But ok, thank you for the swift reply.

i can swap them for white too, they just come from the pcb manufacturer with orange to match the rest of the interior, i swapped all the orange leds in my interior for white because i didn't like the orange

WagonHo · 03-09-2022, 01:11 PM

Nemgrea
This video is outstanding. I now kind of wish I'd waited and had the chance to support you - next car, I will and in the meantime I'll share your link.

Figuring out which wires to pull and reattach in the center console between the buttons and the iDrive controller was the most difficult part to figure out without instructions. You covered absolutely every step and make it look as easy as it should and can be. Well done and good luck moving them. It's a fun and great mod.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemgrea

after quite a bit of trial and error and prototyping ive also figured out how to make these kits

i have about 25 of them completed and ready to ship if people are interested,

https://mnlasercutting.com/shop/p/bm...12-buttons-kit

ive also made an installation video to aid in the process

[u2b]

[/u2b]

Onizukachan · 03-09-2022, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Uuuuh, how bad will that look, if I choose blue buttons with orange backlighting? But ok, thank you for the swift reply.

Your stock button backlighting is orange.

Dang3r · 03-10-2022, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onizukachan

Your stock button backlighting is orange.

Yes, but the bottons are stock black and I would rate this not as a problem.
Considering the order and see afterwards, here Im thinking that I wouldnt aware that orange not as much as assumed.

Nemgrea · 03-10-2022, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WagonHo

Nemgrea
This video is outstanding.

I appreciate the kind words thank you!

yyzwagon · 03-21-2022, 12:52 PM

i too went ahead and did this mod.

some tips:
if you are buying a chinese/ebay version, the wires aren't as protected as Nemgrea 's product. he provides that electrical/loop tape for the wire bundles.

Also, Nemgrea provides the right connectors for the harnesses. i had to cut a notch off one of the connectors to get it to plug into the idrive OEM harness

Finally: as someone else noted, your wire colours might be slightly off for the harness under the drive mode selector switch. use the two wires in the row that only has two wires.

final recommendation: buy it from Nemgrea . his price + customer service + support is second to none.

11-12-2021, 11:37 PM	#89
Logicoeur Lieutenant Colonel 993 Rep 1,934 Posts Drives: F30 335i xDrive Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	The kit is preconfigured to change the drive mode? And that's it? __________________ F30 335iX \| Remus Axleback \| Fabspeed Catted DP \| VRSF Comp IC \| 18X9 ET35 19lb MT1 \| 255/40/18 ECS \| Ohlins RT Millway Street \| Millway Control Arm Bushings \| Turner Endlinks \| TMH 75mm 14x1.5 Studs \| BMW MPerf LSD \| XDelete \| Pipercross Filter \| MHD Stg2 93
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11-15-2021, 05:20 PM	#91
BMWILUVU Lieutenant Colonel 809 Rep 1,597 Posts Drives: 340ix Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: The Boibs iTrader: (0)	Not sure I want a button on the steering wheel for drive modes but I really would like a button to override the exhaust flap and if that is on the M1/2 button that would be great. Where is that solution?
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11-15-2021, 05:39 PM	#95
Onizukachan Great Teacher 1102 Rep 1,308 Posts Drives: 06 e91 325ix Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: El Paso iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 E91 325ix [10.00] 2006 Mini r53 JCW [0.00] 2005 Mini r53 [0.00]	It works on a pulse. And I don’t have a valve to look but they used to be vacuum controlled with a solenoid on e46. No volts = no close. No vacuum line = no close. Aka golf t mod. It if you really w red to I’m sure you could rig up a latching relay to artificially run whatever solenoid et. Runs the valve. __________________ ‘06 e91 manual 325ix BarriqueRot over Terra (one of 1), Nav, Sport, L7 A few OEM+ mods: MTech front bumper, MSport wheel & handbrake, 4AD trim, full rear shades, more to come…
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02-27-2022, 12:33 PM	#96
WagonHo Private First Class 555 Rep 174 Posts Drives: BMW 330i Sport Wagon Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 330i xDriv ... [0.00]	Installed M1/M2 Retrofit I ordered from the same (or maybe similar) eBay link posted by Jorpibe in #84 - thanks! I thought I'd missed out when the guy who was selling on Facebook went silent. Mine came in good time and is a nice little kit. There were absolutely no instructions whatsoever, in Chinese, English, . . . nothing. That posed a challenge as wiring is not my thing. No worries. The pictures posted by Fortythirtyfive in #69 were very helpful. Again - Thanks, these were invaluable as it's not just plug-and-play. A little of deduction and a little trial and error (and a safety restraint system fault) later, and voila. Working M(ode) Buttons on my MSport F31's steering wheel. After the earlier Euro Light Switch module, I now have no more button blanks anywhere in the cockpit. Great thread and thanks to everyone for the above hints. Attached Images __________________ W///AgonHo FB - @WagonHo \| IG - @wagon_ho 2019 F31 330i SportWagon \| M-Sport \| Black Sapphire Metallic over Black Dakota 2016 F31 328i SportWagon \| Sport Line \| Alpine White over Beige Sensatec (sold - 2019) 2004 B5.5 Volkswagen Passat GLS Wagon \| Northern Green \| 5-Speed Manual (sold - 2016) BMW CCA \| National Capital Chapter since 2019 - SCCA \| Washington DC Region since 2021
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03-02-2022, 10:29 PM	#97
oranga Second Lieutenant 87 Rep 221 Posts Drives: 335 6mt Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Houston iTrader: (4)	WagonHo Could you post a link to where you got it from? The other ebay link is dead, and I dont even know what to search on ebay - i'm only getting results for just the buttons
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-03-2022, 03:34 PM	#99
fortythirtyfive Major 641 Rep 1,383 Posts Drives: 435i MS Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: North iTrader: (0)	Glad to see others are enjoying the mod. I suspect Lewis (who made the original kit) can't compete with the Chinese market prices so it isn't worth his time. That's one of the biggest issues when getting things manufactured in China, the suppliers usually start to sell the product themselves. I had it happen to me with a few things so I stopped mass producing things. On another note, I saw a mod for Audis to replace their exhaust/engine start steering wheel buttons for a generic digital display dial with multi-function controls.. basically like a Merc lol. I'm quite tempted to replace my steering wheel exhaust buttons for one though. __________________ 2015 435i - 401whp Scorpion catless dp, VRSF 6.5" HD FMIC, MST V2 inlet, NGK 97506, MHD Stage 2+ 102, xHP Stage 3, M Performance Exhaust (modified for valved straight thru)
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03-09-2022, 08:42 AM	#100
Nemgrea Enlisted Member 9 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: mn iTrader: (1)	after quite a bit of trial and error and prototyping ive also figured out how to make these kits i have about 25 of them completed and ready to ship if people are interested, https://mnlasercutting.com/shop/p/bm...12-buttons-kit ive also made an installation video to aid in the process [u2b] [/u2b] Last edited by Nemgrea; 03-09-2022 at 10:32 AM..
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03-09-2022, 09:29 AM	#102
Dang3r Schmollbraten 12512 Rep 1,985 Posts Drives: M4CPC // HP4 Comp. Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Liandri Central Core iTrader: (0)	Are they backlighted or not? __________________ Citizen of ///M - Town, where too much is just right Some say, that my scrotum has its own small gravity field and when Im slowing down that brake lights come on at my buttox
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03-21-2022, 12:52 PM	#110
yyzwagon Private First Class 143 Rep 126 Posts Drives: F31 Join Date: May 2020 Location: GTA, Canada iTrader: (0)	i too went ahead and did this mod. some tips: if you are buying a chinese/ebay version, the wires aren't as protected as Nemgrea 's product. he provides that electrical/loop tape for the wire bundles. Also, Nemgrea provides the right connectors for the harnesses. i had to cut a notch off one of the connectors to get it to plug into the idrive OEM harness Finally: as someone else noted, your wire colours might be slightly off for the harness under the drive mode selector switch. use the two wires in the row that only has two wires. final recommendation: buy it from Nemgrea . his price + customer service + support is second to none.
	Appreciate 0 Quote