Long press on DSC button - what happens?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by xx3

Ok so lets just run this down and get everyone clear on this...

Push briefly, the "4x4 triangle !" light illuminates (same light as every other BMW minus the 4x4 text on the bottom). Pushing briefly turns off DSC, but leaves DTC on. DTC or dynamic traction control allows for a little more fun and wheel-spin before the car will react putting you back on the road. Think of it a delayed and less intervening DSC.

Holding the button for 5-8 secs, turns DSC/DTC off completely meaning you are on your own. The car will not intervene whatsoever.

Now, its a little different on our cars than other BMW's because of xDrive. It is very difficult to get more wheelspin and have more 'fun' (i.e. tailhappy sideways turns) because xDrive simply counteracts it on its own. There is no way to turn off xDrive. Therefore with DSC/DTC off you can't really do that much damage to your xDrive BMW, but say if you were in a regular BMW sedan or convertible oh the tailhappy times you would enjoy...

Now, on another note, newer gen BMW cars label the button DTC (which makes more sense), as a brief press will switch the car into DTC mode. But the button works in the same way as in our cars...

Well, I read your post, but it makes it more confusing to me, not clearer. What you are saying is the opposite of the original poster, the opposite of mwbbmw (who had it confirmed by his dealer), and the opposite of my experience with the X5 (which may, of course, be different than the X3). Just to help my own understanding, I checked both the 2004 and 2005 X3 owner's manuals on the home page, and they confirm there are two modes, not three. Can't comment on the Australian experience.

So, maybe it is different in some specific markets, or some specific production range, but I still think there are two modes, not three. I am referring here to the X3, and X5, not to cars such as my 325xi which has three modes.

Care to clarify?