[BottomGear]

The first thing I do when I get in my car is turn traction off (not DSC off) and kick the tail out throughout my commute. It's amazing how it lets you kick the ass out for a little bit without letting you kill yourself as long as you look where you want to go.

Does anyone know how BMW tuned the G20 traction off?

It doesn't feel like there's any brake vectoring that's typically found in VWs and cars with open diffs. I believe the F30s do this even with DSC off because they don't come with LSDs.

It feels like there is a combination of wheel speeds, LSD actuation, steering angle, power cutting and so on that work in conjunction to keep you from binning it.

Anyone know the technical details?

[cyam]

Yep, I agree. I've been on the track in the wet with car set to RWD only mode and using the "TRACTION" mode it may as well be DSC off mode - I cannot tell the difference. I seem to get zero intervention in TRACTION mode.

I expected it to be a "DSC reduced" mode and have some intervention when it steps out too far, but I have not noticed that at all. So I just use DSC Off and be done with it.

For me, as far as I am concerned we have two modes DSC and DSC OFF there isn't an intermediate mode from my actual experience. Pity.

[peelerec]

Dynamic traction still activates rear brakes, which is why some owners wonder why there rear brake pads wear down faster than fronts.

[cyam]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Dynamic traction still activates rear brakes, which is why some owners wonder why there rear brake pads wear down faster than fronts.

I have not noticed that at all, but then I have a M Sport LSD so it doesn't use Brake Differential for traction.

Even so that uses the rear brakes a minuscule amount in the grand scheme of things and will not show noticeable wear. The rear brakes wearing quickly is from the EBD system and the fact that this car has enough rear wheel traction to use the rear brakes more than other cars. But EBD manages all that.

[G22b58]

Driving M340i xDrive on ice, it's very obvious that DSC has 3 modes. TRACTION is fun and helpful on the limit, while OFF seems to mean "off".

[cyam]

Originally Posted by G22b58

Driving M340i xDrive on ice, it's very obvious that DSC has 3 modes. TRACTION is fun and helpful on the limit, while OFF seems to mean "off".

I am sure that at some level there is a difference, but it allows a LOT of movement. I had a 911 Turbo (996) when it was new, and on the "half mode" it was perfect for the track, it would allow some movement but save you if you over-cooked it.

With this car it just seems very very loose, to the point that I do not even bother using it, I just go to DSC off.

I wonder if the MDM mode on the M cars (the equivalent of our "TRACTION" mode) allows as much slip/movement?

[Elderado82]

Here's another good thread on DSC and DTS hopes this helps answer your question:
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1954512

[BottomGear]

Originally Posted by cyam

I am sure that at some level there is a difference, but it allows a LOT of movement. I had a 911 Turbo (996) when it was new, and on the "half mode" it was perfect for the track, it would allow some movement but save you if you over-cooked it.

With this car it just seems very very loose, to the point that I do not even bother using it, I just go to DSC off.

I wonder if the MDM mode on the M cars (the equivalent of our "TRACTION" mode) allows as much slip/movement?

That's crazy that you go straight to DSC off and don't feel the difference. You must be a really good driver. I can definitely feel a good amount of interference with the half mode/traction off which has probably kept me from crashing a few times.

I don't trust myself to run DSC off on the streets and I don't think it's responsible. I'll try DSC off at an autocross or track day eventually.

[BottomGear]

Originally Posted by peelerec

Dynamic traction still activates rear brakes, which is why some owners wonder why there rear brake pads wear down faster than fronts.

Interesting. Maybe the power cut I feel is the brakes activating then.

[OneTwo3]

Originally Posted by cyam

Yep, I agree. I've been on the track in the wet with car set to RWD only mode and using the "TRACTION" mode it may as well be DSC off mode - I cannot tell the difference. I seem to get zero intervention in TRACTION mode.

I expected it to be a "DSC reduced" mode and have some intervention when it steps out too far, but I have not noticed that at all. So I just use DSC Off and be done with it.

For me, as far as I am concerned we have two modes DSC and DSC OFF there isn't an intermediate mode from my actual experience. Pity.

M340i has a RWD mode?

[cyam]

Originally Posted by OneTwo3

M340i has a RWD mode?

You can program the xdrive system with aftermarket software. I use "xdelete" which allows you to (properly) switch from AWD to purely RWD (doesn't use the transfer case) or even fine tune the AWD system to suit yourself.

M5 and otehr M cars with xdrive have this ability from factory.

Note: that there are some software "hacks" that trick the xdrive into RWD only mode, but they can cause severe damage to the transfer case. Xautomotive with their "xdelete" software does it properly.