[abrandonment]

These cars are amazing, hard to find someone who will argue that point. They do so much, but to be sure, if you want the car setup exactly as you want it you'll need to accept a few button presses every time you start it.

One example is the Sport mode display, there is no way to use it as your default view, you can't even tie that view to an M mode preset.

The M engineers at BMW knew that shortcuts were the way to go, it's the entire reason they included the M1/M2 buttons at all.. but, their hands were tied by regulations and budget constraints, they could only go so far.

I've seen (and nearly bought) the box that addresses that singular Sport display problem. I should say here that I love owning a car that has a passionate, smart and capable group of fellow owners rallying around it. My S2000 was the same way.

All that said, a box, installed in the console that does just does ONE thing felt a little silly. Never mind the cost.

Then, enter some crazy dudes from Canada. They have built a tiny box called the canDO+ (seriously, the size of the keyfob) that installs, in line, in the iDrive console and unlocks advanced Button Mapping, Automation and Macros.

THIS is what I wanted, nearly infinite control over what happens when I turn the car on, or long press a button on the steering wheel, console, etc. In fact, the day the unit arrived I got an notice about a firmware update that unlocks even more functionality from the iDrive buttons.

The whole thing is configured via web interface, over a local wifi connection (similar to the way Bimmercode OBD connections work) just in a browser vs an app.

I won't get a chance to install it today but I am stoked to get it in and start configuring my "on-start" macros and other buttons in the car.

I'll get some photos of my install and setup -- and if there is interest a review but for now, a few unboxing pics:
⠀ ⠀

[JABCAT]

Sounds cool. Hitting the mode button doesn't really bother me enough to pay for something so that I don't have to.

[Carefree]

I use voice commands.

[abrandonment]

Yeah this sort of thing is decidedly not something that matters to everyone but like I mentioned before the idea of automation (key profiles) and shortcuts (M buttons) are clearly functions that BMW knew to be important -- this feels like a way to fine tune and level up both of those.

[ZPD]

following

[Mr. Hankey]

Following as well. My CanDo+ is here waiting with me for my car to arrive! Another update was released this weekend.

I dislike dealing with touchscreens and menus and voice commands that much.

[sacowich]

I have the other device you mention, and yes, for same price it does very little. Only maps sport display to M buttons.

This is very intriguing. Looking forward to your review.

[abrandonment]

Originally Posted by sacowich

I have the other device you mention, and yes, for same price it does very little. Only maps sport display to M buttons.

This is very intriguing. Looking forward to your review.

I almost ordered that box but wanted to get a sense for how big a deal the screen toggle was. For me, that use alone doesn't even justify taking apart the console, never mind the cost.

But this on the other hand I'm really excited about.

[WhiteRqbbit]

Oh my! This is exactly what I was looking for.... now I wonder if they could somehow integrate a valve controller into this, and it will be everything I've ever wanted.

[canDO_Stef]

While waiting for more from @abrandonment, here's a little something:

From our upcoming release with iDrive Controller Rotation, set up shortcuts to interior lighting schemes!

In this video, we set up Actions to choose from a shortcut to Interior Lighting, and chose our favourite colour (notice lighting changes to red). Also, the trigger used here is something that canDO+ unlocks, a TOUCH event on an iDrive button.

I think that's a pretty cool shortcut!

We should've probably added a "Back Press" to bring the display back to where it was at the end of the operation. When you do it on your canDO+, don't forget to add it in!

[kev12]

Can this device permanently disable the speed limit bongs on the Euro spec cars? I’m not sure North American cars have this annoyance.

[canDO_Stef]

Originally Posted by kev12

Can this device permanently disable the speed limit bongs on the Euro spec cars? I’m not sure North American cars have this annoyance.

kev12

Can you manually disable it? How if so?

[kev12]

Originally Posted by canDO_Stef

kev12

Can you manually disable it? How if so?

You can. I don’t have my car yet, but from YouTube vids, it has to be done at every start up.
It’s disabled through iDrive.

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by canDO_Stef

kev12

Can you manually disable it? How if so?

Goto:= Driving settings

[Speed limits warning - Uncheck

[Steering Intervention - Uncheck

This I do each day/drive here in Germany. Be nice to avoid doing this but it is not difficult at all. I use the time to let the engine build oil pressure before drive off. Maybe 30sec total for this procedure.

[canDO_Stef]

Originally Posted by DSTR

Goto:= Driving settings

[Speed limits warning - Uncheck

[Steering Intervention - Uncheck

This I do each day/drive here in Germany. Be nice to avoid doing this but it is not difficult at all. I use the time to let the engine build oil pressure before drive off. Maybe 30sec total for this procedure.

I believe those can be added as shortcuts, right? Then there is a simple way to automate this (could be on Engine Start or some other Trigger of your choice), yes.

[myaghi]

The lane departure warning can be put on shortcut. I have it as my first shortcut, so as soon as i start the car I move the idrive button up, and double click for the warning to disable (first you press to disable, second to confirm)
The warning for speed limit cannot be added to shortcut, but can be disable by long press of the SET button on the steering wheel.
This two actions must be done at every single start up on EU cars.

The second option is to put the care in SPORT mode after start, and this two systems are disabled automatically.

Do you think the CanDo+ can do this by default when starting the car?

[Baller]

Yes it can, I have had it installed for over a month now and it's working perfectly for me now. All I have to do is start the car and the car instantly goes to all my customized settings, sport+ everything including the sports display all done automatically at start up. You can create almost any macro or rebind any button to any function. I forget it's even there, it's exactly what I was looking for.
The install was very simple and tinkering with the different bindings is fun.
You'll need a laptop with wifi and that's it.
It has a strong wifi connection, tiny, completely silent and it hidden out of sight and the amazing support that comes with it makes it an even better product.

[J-RO]

Would this have any use in a G42?

[bibd]

Super intriguing product. Is there any video of the install process, or at least locating the CAN port in the G87?

[canDO_Stef]

Originally Posted by bibd

Super intriguing product. Is there any video of the install process, or at least locating the CAN port in the G87?

Coming _very_ soon. In the meantime, if you search on YouTube for center console disassembly, you should find what you need. The device connects under the iDrive controller.

[canDO_Stef]

Originally Posted by J-RO

Would this have any use in a G42?

I don't see why not!

[canDO_Stef]

Originally Posted by myaghi

The lane departure warning can be put on shortcut. I have it as my first shortcut, so as soon as i start the car I move the idrive button up, and double click for the warning to disable (first you press to disable, second to confirm)
The warning for speed limit cannot be added to shortcut, but can be disable by long press of the SET button on the steering wheel.
This two actions must be done at every single start up on EU cars.

The second option is to put the care in SPORT mode after start, and this two systems are disabled automatically.

Do you think the CanDo+ can do this by default when starting the car?

As Baller points out, you can easily have the car switch to M Sport Mode on Engine Start, which sounds like it would solve the issue.

From the sound of it, if you don't wish to use M Sport Mode, you can create a shortcut for Lane Assist, which makes it easier to create an Action list to turn it off.

For the sound warning, if you can't have a shortcut, it is still possible to automate turning it off through iDrive menus with a longer Action list. This would require a bit more experimentation, but theoretically possible.

In the future, as more European folks use the product, we may discover more straightforward ways to turn it off by using the built-in CAN monitoring tools. Using those, one can create custom Actions, and when such discoveries are communicated to us, we include them in the built-in database for future releases. Then, users use the online firmware updater on the device. Easy!