I just got a 'new' 2001 M Coupe after driving a 2000 M Coupe for the last 2.5 years. I love everything about the new one, but I noticed immediately that the throttle response is horrible on the S54 compared to the S52. It seems impossible to downshift the S54 effectively due to the lag, and driving the two back to back makes me almost hate the 2001 because of this. I did some research and found that I am not the only person who can't tolerate this, hence the Sport Mode modification.

I have printed all of the instructions, ordered the 'ASC' switch, ligh bulbs, and pins/wires from BMW, and talked with my mechanic who will be doing the mod. After doing all of this, I have several questions that hopefully SOMEONE can help me with!

1) When using a BMW S52 style 'ASC' swtich to activate the Sport mode, which pins are to be used? On the bottom of the switch there are four different pins, each numbered. Which one should be the wire from the DME, and which one should be to the ground? This is not adressed in the instructions.

2) I attempted to have a few local people build be the controller for the sport mode light locally for convenience. At this point, nobody seems able to do it for a reasonable price in a reasonable time period, so I guess I will order the 'John F' controller unit after reading nothing but compliments about it. Stupid question though... Where do most people locate the actual controller board? I don't want to have it anywhere in the open/visible, so where do most people locate it safely?

Thanks in advance!!


Jeff