Z4-forum.com

2024 Update

NOW ALL SOLD! MANY THANKS AGAIN TO EVERYONE WHO REVIVED THIS THREAD AND NEW INTEREST. THANKS AGAIN TO ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORTED AND PURCHASED BEFORE!

The brief revival of this post has sparked some new PMs - so to update anyone else reading this thread:

I currently have 8 sets of plugs left meaning I can make 8 of these to sell if anyone is interested.

A few have enquired requesting one (some gone awol ha) - but until payment is received & confirmed then they're still available.

Below members have paid, so there are currently 0 still up for grabs. I will update this post accordingly as payments are received

1 - e85van - POSTED, Tracking sent via PM
2 - BumpyZ4 - POSTED, Tracking sent via PM
3 - Mojito - POSTED, Tracking sent via PM
4 - Scott Naylor - POSTED, Tracking sent via PM
5 - Sold on FB
6 - Sold on FB
7 - Sold on FB
8 - Sold on FB

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Hello! Another random project I've now completed...

Fed up of turning on Sport Mode every time?? Then this mod is for you

The “marmite/pointless” mod is now finished - PCBs fabricated and delivered (I’ve already made one to photo and test)

The bare PCB is barely bigger than a £0.50 pence piece. Completely plug and play, 5mins (if that) to install

Functions:

a) On at startup -> as it implies, this turns the sports button on with the ignition/engine. Button still operates as normal

b) Forced On -> automatically turns on sports mode with ignition/engine. Button is technically useless - if you turn sports mode off it will instantly turn back on

c) Remember state -> This mode remembers the last state of the button. If sports mode was on when you switch off the car, it will automatically turn it back on next time you turn on ignition/start the car. If sports mode was off when turning off the car, it will remain off next time you start the car.

The options above are user selectable via a slide switch. You can change it to best suit your needs or preference.
See my demo video below for more info

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UPDATE:

Installation Video:



Demo Video:



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Personally I think (a) or (b) will be the most commonly used options. I don’t see much point in (c) myself however a few people asked if it could be possible

Will make an installation and demo video at the weekend

Price: £55 delivered in the UK
£50 collected from Cambridge.
International postage would need to be calculated per request.

Note:

This is a "marmite" mod - to some, it's awesome (20+ people asked me to look into this), but for the majority it's lazy and pointless (apparently). However, there clearly is some demand for it. Especially useful for Track Z4s

Please lets not get caught up in "what's the point" discussions, I'm already well aware 85% think it's pointless, but the 15% that asked me about it and want is - here it is

Early demo video: (Proto-type)


Finished PCB design, easy and quick install - plug and play

I like you got the proper connecters to make it plug n play another top project

markplant wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:58 am I like you got the proper connecters to make it plug n play another top project

Thanks

It's not the EXACT same connector since 1) You can ONLY buy as a BMW Dealer for use at BMW and 2) Even with an "insider contact" the minimum order is like £2000 worth of connectors

Fortunately I found something that's the closest "publicly purchasable" connectors and they work great

Bloody awesome!! Good on you. great to see a new product.

Hi OP, never really thought about this before, but it is a really good idea. I very rarely drive without the sport button on so I will have a little think (look at the bank balance). It looks really well thought out and executed.

Vanne wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:01 pm Bloody awesome!! Good on you. great to see a new product.

AveZ4coop wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:11 pm Hi OP, never really thought about this before, but it is a really good idea. I very rarely drive without the sport button on so I will have a little think (look at the bank balance). It looks really well thought out and executed.

Thank you both

I certainly tried to cover all usage desires in one package as well as making it plug and play.

Excellent work! I wouldn't know where to start with something like that.
Couple of questions if I may?
1. I assume it's as simple as pull the switch out, plug in, drop the unit through the hole and refit the switch? If so, is there any requirement to protect the PCB in case it contacts metal?
2. Are the a,b,c options something you preset before sale?

Thanks

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:30 pm Excellent work! I wouldn't know where to start with something like that.
Couple of questions if I may?
1. I assume it's as simple as pull the switch out, plug in, drop the unit through the hole and refit the switch? If so, is there any requirement to protect the PCB in case it contacts metal?
2. Are the a,b,c options something you preset before sale?

Thanks

1) I will be making an install video at the weekend ... but essentially, it's easiest to simply pull up the gear surround piece that's just clipped in place, move the foam piece out the way, and pull the plug out downwards (Or push the button up and out and remove the plug that way). But the PCB won't fit through the hole I don't think (I've not tried, I was going to do the install what I thought would be easiest - eg removing gear surround)

The PCB I send out will be protected in a heat-shrunk sleeve, so it will be protected already. I just didn't photograph it like that when showing off the PCB - I will add new pics of the mod in it's "shipped to buyer/completed" state when I make the vid
(Hope that makes sense)

2) A simple little slide switch allows you to set its modes. Ideally you would choose before fitting, but even if you wanted to function differently later, it'd only take you a few mins to get to it and change switch position

IAmOrion wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:40 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:30 pm Excellent work! I wouldn't know where to start with something like that.
Couple of questions if I may?
1. I assume it's as simple as pull the switch out, plug in, drop the unit through the hole and refit the switch? If so, is there any requirement to protect the PCB in case it contacts metal?
2. Are the a,b,c options something you preset before sale?

Thanks

1) I will be making an install video at the weekend ... but essentially, it's easiest to simply pull up the gear surround piece that's just clipped in place, move the foam piece out the way, and pull the plug out downwards (Or push the button up and out and remove the plug that way). But the PCB won't fit through the hole I don't think (I've not tried, I was going to do the install what I thought would be easiest - eg removing gear surround)

The PCB I send out will be protected in a heat-shrunk sleeve, so it will be protected already. I just didn't photograph it like that when showing off the PCB - I will add new pics of the mod in it's "shipped to buyer/completed" state when I make the vid
(Hope that makes sense)

2) A simple little slide switch allows you to set its modes. Ideally you would choose before fitting, but even if you wanted to function differently later, it'd only take you a few mins to get to it and change switch position

You could always add another switch to let you alter modes after starting, oh hold on a minute!
Rob

Smartbear wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:48 pm You could always add another switch to let you alter modes after starting, oh hold on a minute!
Rob

Anyone could wire the switch to a larger switch that could be dash mounted if they really really wanted to lol

Although I designed it to be a "set it and forget it" type mod

Very impressive . I'm always forgetting to switch it on so I think option 'a' on at startup would be my choice. Will have a think about it & look forward to seeing your installation video.

IAmOrion wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:40 pm

enuff_zed wrote: ↑Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:30 pm Excellent work! I wouldn't know where to start with something like that.
Couple of questions if I may?
1. I assume it's as simple as pull the switch out, plug in, drop the unit through the hole and refit the switch? If so, is there any requirement to protect the PCB in case it contacts metal?
2. Are the a,b,c options something you preset before sale?

Thanks

1) I will be making an install video at the weekend ... but essentially, it's easiest to simply pull up the gear surround piece that's just clipped in place, move the foam piece out the way, and pull the plug out downwards (Or push the button up and out and remove the plug that way). But the PCB won't fit through the hole I don't think (I've not tried, I was going to do the install what I thought would be easiest - eg removing gear surround)

The PCB I send out will be protected in a heat-shrunk sleeve, so it will be protected already. I just didn't photograph it like that when showing off the PCB - I will add new pics of the mod in it's "shipped to buyer/completed" state when I make the vid
(Hope that makes sense)

2) A simple little slide switch allows you to set its modes. Ideally you would choose before fitting, but even if you wanted to function differently later, it'd only take you a few mins to get to it and change switch position

Thanks for the comprehensive reply.

Nice work sir! Not for me personally as it doesn't bother me much, but I can certainly see a desire from others and it looks a very neat solution.

I have noticed that my 2007 E86 if driven ( sports on ) parked for less than 15 minutes, the next time you start it sport mode is still on. Longer than that and it defaults back to off. I suspect that this is linked to the sytem shutdown timing such as some features will work for so many minutes after turning the ignition off.

Good job, buddy!

Personally I rarely wanted the throttle map that came with the engagement of Sport mode, but...i think I only drove my 3.0i about three times with the traction control enabled. Every drive started with a long 'press and hold' of the DSC button to get rid of the electronic nanny. Perhaps a future project for you?