[Lakeside]

Can M Drive Professional be purchased after the fact by download? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

I don’t think I’ll need it, but can see now it might be useful depending on what I do with the vehicle.

[kjx]

No, you have to get it upfront.

I have it. Never used it. May never use it. But FOMO on a >100K car. Don’t regret getting it for that reason.

[Lakeside]

Originally Posted by kjx

No, you have to get it upfront.

I have it. Never used it. May never use it. But FOMO on a >100K car. Don’t regret getting it for that reason.

Thanks. Yeah I’m feeling it with some other options for sure. I’ve stretched my budget a bit already.

This feels like something that is all software.

[davidmct-M3]

Originally Posted by Lakeside

Thanks. Yeah I’m feeling it with some other options for sure. I’ve stretched my budget a bit already.

This feels like something that is all software.

I got it partly for the M driving experience in UK. Going to be at Brands Hatch race track end of November.

[geko29]

Originally Posted by davidmct-M3

I got it partly for the M driving experience in UK. Going to be at Brands Hatch race track end of November.

You're referring to the M Driver's Pack ($2500 in US), which raises the speed limiter and includes a 1-day voucher for M School.

The M Drive Professional ($900 in US) option adds the 10-way traction control, and drift analyzer.

[androidtopp]

Originally Posted by geko29

...and for xDrive models, the ability go to into 2WD mode.

I could be wrong here - but I am pretty sure you can go in to 2WD/RWD mode in an xDrive without M Drive Professional BUT you have to fully disable all the traction control, electronic assists, etc. If you have M Drive Professional, then you can go to 2WD/RWD and retain some of those assists - might be important for you on the track.

Lakeside, I think I was in the same spot you are. I opted not to get it, just trying to fight the inevitable upward bloat of the purchase price. My logic was that I'm unlikely to ever track the car (way too scared of what stupid thing I would do) and even if I did, I don't need to be turning AWD off, nor am I a good enough driver to need the kind of tweaks it allows. I have a bit of FOMO, yes, but I'm just not likely to use the features.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by geko29

The M Drive Professional ($900 in US) option adds the 10-way traction control, drift analyzer, and for xDrive models, the ability go to into 2WD mode.

For the xDrive G8x, you don't need M Drive Professional to switch to 2WD....

TC is switched completely off though....

[geko29]

Thanks for the corrections on the 2WD bit, I had seen it in multiple reviews. I've edited my post to remove that bit.

[Lakeside]

Originally Posted by MassComp

For the xDrive G8x, you don't need M Drive Professional to switch to 2WD....

TC is switched completely off though....

So WITH the feature the xDrive model can be put into RWD mode with traction control intact?

That might be interesting. I've been driving a RWD vehicle for 20 years. I'm excited to gain AWD but I'd like to be able to tinker.

Edit: Yes, another example where BMW doesn't represent options well with their marketing.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by Lakeside

So WITH the feature the xDrive model can be put into RWD mode with traction control intact?

Yes, varying degrees of TC in fact.

I don't plan on ever tracking my G80, so I most likely would never use M Drive Professional....

[Lakeside]

Originally Posted by davidmct-M3

I got it partly for the M driving experience in UK. Going to be at Brands Hatch race track end of November.

I need to read more about this. I don't need speed limiter increased but I'd love to take the M driving experience course. It also might light me up to get to a track.. My family used to race cars and boats way back and I miss it.

It's so difficult to fight feature bloat while waiting and waiting. I've already added $3100 to the vehicle since ordering and I'm thinking about full leather, the class, and the M Drive Professional (that I don't need). My wife encouraged me to buy the car but I have to think there's a tipping point for that support.

[FrozenG80X]

I had the same question... I added it to the car I was building, however, the car I bought was an order someone else backed out of and it wasn't a package they had order.

Originally Posted by Lakeside

Can M Drive Professional be purchased after the fact by download? Sorry if this is a dumb question.

I don’t think I’ll need it, but can see now it might be useful depending on what I do with the vehicle.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by MassComp

Yes, varying degrees of TC in fact.

I don't plan on ever tracking my G80, so I most likely would never use M Drive Professional....

I've been tracking my G82 and have never used it.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by jmg

I've been tracking my G82 and have never used it.

Good to know!

Now I'm certain I don't need this option since I will never track or drift my M3....

[BMWRacer523]

I've played with the 10-stage TC on track but I would not say it's a must have by any means.

[weingarm]

M Drive Professional has the most utility in the base 6MT M3/M4 or RWD Comp M3/M4.

Both of these have RWD so you can drive them with varying amounts of TC in the RWD-format (if you get the M Drive Professional option).

This is unlike the M3/M4 XDrive models where you can only switch to RWD with TC completely off, even if you get M Drive Professional. In the XDrive models the variable TC that comes with M Drive Professional is only accessible in 4WD or 4WD Sport modes.

[jimbethesda]

Originally Posted by weingarm

M Drive Professional has the most utility in the base 6MT M3/M4 or RWD Comp M3/M4.

Both of these have RWD so you can drive them with varying amounts of TC in the RWD-format (if you get the M Drive Professional option).

This is unlike the M3/M4 XDrive models where you can only switch to RWD with TC completely off, even if you get M Drive Professional. In the XDrive models the variable TC that comes with M Drive Professional is only accessible in 4WD or 4WD Sport modes.

This is incorrect.

M Drive Professional works the same way regardless if you have xDrive or not.

To activate the M Drive Professional 10-stage traction control, you must:

- Be in RWD (non xDrive will obviously be in this all the time)
- Turn off "regular" traction control (DSC/MDM)

My opinion this option is more useful in XDrive models since without it, you can only go in RWD mode with all TC turned off. Non XDrive models have full TC and MDM in RWD since that's their only drive mode.

[Itson451]

Can we buy it from the dealer, through software dl. I would pay for it regret not optioning it. To be honest I thought it came with the car

[Predatar]

I recommend getting it, no question if you have xdrive.

Not mentioned in the thread yet, is that it gives you a third display choice called “Race.” Without the package, you are limited to comfort and sport for display choices.

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by Predatar

I recommend getting it, no question if you have xdrive.

What situations exactly do you plan on using M Drive Professional?....

[Professor///M]

Originally Posted by MassComp

What situations exactly do you plan on using M Drive Professional?....

I use it when I want to be 2WD with some traction control.

MDM XDrive let's you get a little sideways to an extent.

The 10 stage traction really lets you dial it in to exactly how much slippage you want.

No feature is a "necessity" but it is great to be able to have that degree of slippage desired.

Remember the complaints from MDM on the F80 and everyone was trying to upgrade to the GTS MDM? This kind of gives people exactly what they want and are comfortable with

[MassComp]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

I use it when I want to be 2WD with some traction control.

And what situations would those be exactly where you'd want to switch to 2WD with some traction control if it's not racing on a track or drifting? A spirited drive on a mountain pass?

Not trying to start an argument here, just trying to determine if I want M Drive professional or not.