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I've driven our M3 enough now to have established a routine every time I get behind the wheel. Right after clicking my seatbelt, I reach down and enable the "Sport" throttle calibration and disable the stability control.
And with those settings configured, I know the fun won't be delayed or interrupted.
Josh Jacquot, Senior road test editor @ 69,500 miles
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subytrojan says:
04:57 PM, 03/24/09
Where can I get a T-shirt like your "DSC off" one, Josh?
banhugh says:
08:51 PM, 03/24/09
I get the exclamation mark in a triangle but why is there a cycling arrow around it? German logic? Or perhaps has to do with their German road labels. Like the exclamation means attention and the triangle defines a warning sign. But what is purpose of that arrow?
The sign next to the Sport button seems more obvious...
vt8919 says:
09:11 PM, 03/24/09
I think the arrow is supposed to represent no stability control. If you hit the gas too hard in a corner, that's what your car will be doing. ;-)
slickersdrip says:
09:24 PM, 03/24/09
Suby, like this one?
http://www.zazzle.com/bmw_dsc_off_tshirt-235744181968532034
foxtrot685 says:
11:00 PM, 03/24/09
vt8919, i think that light means do a barrel roll carefully.
drmillerM3 says:
05:57 AM, 03/25/09
The sign next to the sport button looks similar to the DSC indicator, but it's actually a tire pressure indicator light. You reset it when you equip new tires, and it goes off when a tire's pressure becomes too low. The DSC button itself just says DSC.
I think vt8919 nailed it on the head; that is in fact what happens when you goose it too hard around a corner (or just hard enough ;).
Woohoo, 104 threads. The M is now tied all-time with the Ford GT. One more thread....
BTW, i love the hippy looking dude posing with the shirt.
nealibob says:
08:19 AM, 03/25/09
I always assumed it meant that it was easier/possible to spin the wheels. I like this explanation better! :)
roadburner says:
08:36 AM, 03/26/09
Buy a Shark Injector and you can make Sport mode the default setting, or configure things so that turning off DSC automatically activates Sport mode:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=INJ3-OBD-M3
shivatron says:
01:24 PM, 03/26/09
I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but is turning off the DSC every time you get in the car really the best idea? I'm all for turning it off in a safe and controlled environment; that said, most roads are anything but.
Just saying...
roadburner says:
03:46 PM, 03/26/09
"I don't mean to be a buzzkill, but is turning off the DSC every time you get in the car really the best idea? I'm all for turning it off in a safe and controlled environment; that said, most roads are anything but."
For those who can't drive an E46 M3 without DSC engaged there's always the best option of all:
Public Transit.
drmillerM3 says:
06:54 AM, 03/27/09
Lol, he does have a somewhat valid point though. It is best to keep DSC on basically anytime your not paying that much attention or in the snow, cold weather, and rain (depending on tread depth).
That being said, if your focused on driving, having the DSC off in warm weather (rain or no rain) you should have no issues, only rewards.
I usually keep it on when daily driving, but if I want to have a little fun, the first thing I do is hit that switch.