Frequency of activating M mode (M button)

[Artemis]

How frequently do you use the Ⓜ button (activating M mode)?

Speaking for myself, except if roads are rather treacherous due to adverse weather circumstances, M mode is - in principle - always active. In other words: very often activated.

Not only to achieve a fast acceleration pace, but much more to have some extra throttle response permanently available in the lower rpm range (sub 2000rpm) (getting the 1M going without being sluggish, especially when driving uphill out of underground parking lots, or for gently pulling away after a stop). It happens that I deactivate M mode when queuing on a flat road surface.

EDIT: in 2012 I also posted a 'sister thread': www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=779490 ("Frequency of activating MDM mode or DSC off")

For your convenience I add chapter 4.1.2. (pages 14-15) of the official BMW 1M Technical Training that you find here.

[ozinaldo]

I leave the M button off while in the city, unless I am on a express road because I find the default mode more predictable than the M mode on those rather congested and boring conditions. M mode can be quite ultra sensitive and jumpy while you are in traffic and while you can't even pass to third gear easily. Whenever I am out for fun and am able to expolit the engine and the car I press it for the reasons you mentioned. Then it matters and adds to fun greatly.

Others may disagree but I also believe that with M mode left off the overboost comes to play more often or let's say more predictably and makes a bigger difference. It's mostly just a sensation but I like that too.

[Stu1M]

As said, I don't use it around town as it's a bit jerky. Pulling away smoothly from rest is trickier in M mode. Out on the open road on the other hand...

[EINSER M]

50% of the time

[willox]

New to the site and BMW's,recently got into a 1M,that M button is pretty aggressive on road tyres,run it all the time with traction off,wild car!!!!

[Notion-Za]

Originally Posted by Stu1M

As said, I don't use it around town as it's a bit jerky. Pulling away smoothly from rest is trickier in M mode. Out on the open road on the other hand...

+1 on the pull off

[LeifW]

Originally Posted by EINSER M

50% of the time

Ditto.

Leif W.

[mickypal82]

First thing I do after turning on the car is press the M button!!!!

[DarthColin]

I turn it on 100% of the time, unless I forget.

[Zuzu]

Originally Posted by mickypal82

First thing I do after turning on the car is press the M button!!!!

Same here..

[Die ///M Rakete]

I can honestly say that I have only used it once or twice. The first thing I do after I start the engine is disable the DSC all together. I find that the exaggerated throttle inputs with the M button make it harder to meter out the power to the wheels and manage the available traction.

[danielbreese]

110% of the time. Even if pulling into the garage after washing my car in the driveway. Always have M mode and MDM on, that's the routine. I've never owned a car without a MT, and I can shift all gears imperceptibly (if one were to wear earplugs). I think with practice anyone would be OK with M mode always on. I find it helps to shift at relatively high RPMs and keeping the driveline tight. It will, however, suffer no fools. The E46 M3 with sport button on is even more sensitive. The E92 M3 is less so.

[Alpine*]

First thing I do when starting, depress M button then MDM On.

[flzrider]

I've used it once or twice. The exaggerated throttle response isn't very appealing to me. If it actually added power or sharpened suspension settings, I'd use it more often.

[Cope]

Majority of the time it's off. However, it does usually come on every drive, usually for short distances that either require the extra response, or are just way more fun with it on. When I'm driving for the sake of driving pleasure, oh hell yea it's on.

[Dan Parker]

I thought the M button lowered the car, tighten the steering ratio and added power? I remember someone saying it auto closes the sunroof if it's open.

[clived]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

I thought the M button lowered the car, tighten the steering ratio and added power? I remember someone saying it auto closes the sunroof if it's open.

You forgot that it also moves the variable aerodynamic to the minimum drag positions.

[Pete_vB]

Originally Posted by EIN M

I can honestly say that I have only used it once or twice. The first thing I do after I start the engine is disable the DSC all together. I find that the exaggerated throttle inputs with the M button make it harder to meter out the power to the wheels and manage the available traction.

Totally agree- I never use it any more, and I always drive with DSC off as well.

In addition to making it harder to meter power precisely, I don't like how it changes the heal-toe braking point. It's easier to heal-toe with M mode on when braking lightly, but for heavy breaking I find the brake pedal is too low to get the proper amount of throttle blip.

[iDave]

Not so often really , just special occasions

[Aussie_in_London]

When required.......

[ChrisBuer]

I actually find the car easier and smoother to drive with the M-Button engaged. Maybe this is because I'm more used to bigger NA cars where the throttle is more linear.

When I drive my car (which is remapped) around town, in and out of traffic, etc, I find it easier to drive the car smoothly with a little bit of throttle and M-Mode rather than no M-Mode and using more throttle. I guess it's just personal preference.

Having said this, I don't turn it on all of the time because I quite like having that extra "ooomph" available

[l888apex]

Daily, usually in MDM as well.