Sport Mode

GGM · Nov 13, 2003

Hi, could someone quickly explain the basics of "sport mode" for auto transmissions? Whats the advantages/disadvantages.
thanks

Kirby · Nov 13, 2003

Sport Mode programs the transmission to shift at a higher RPM than 'normal' mode.
The higher RPM allows the engine to develop more horsepower and torque and run in the so-called "powerband" so the car accelerates faster and is more responsive on the throttle. Use it for street racing or just fun driving in general.

The disadvantage is higher fuel consumption due to higher RPMs.

PuShAkOv · Nov 13, 2003

I use it all the time when I am "in the mood".

Whenever the car is in the 2nd gear for specific speed... it would be in the 3rd in sports. I find the car in non-sport mode not as responsive... don't mind that in the morning but when I am bumped up after school I cannot live without it..... ride the wave!!

And oh yeah... its not bad for your engine at all... but uses more fuel. My MPG is 17.8

... what do you mean? [rofl]

GGM · Nov 13, 2003

Thanks! Is there any problems driving exclusivly in sport mode or "SLIPTronic" [:)]

other then higher fuel consumption?

Kirby · Nov 13, 2003

Open to considerable debate, one might say that running at higher RPM would put more wear on the engine. Certainly it puts more total revolutions on the engine, but is it significant? I doubt it....

PuShAkOv · Nov 13, 2003

Not that I have noticed. When you look at it in terms of "stress".. it all balances out. Lower RPMs means that there is more stress on engine per round... higher RPMs is less stress per round but higher RPMs... its bad to go to the extreme of the two.. but when you are in the middle it makes no difference since BMW makes naturally high-reving engines.

I love driving in sports like 70% of the time.... but exhaust sounds much more deeper when I am in normal drive.... so I have to balance my love for the car's sound and performance....

MrElussive · Nov 13, 2003

Driving in Sport mode holds the gears longer for quicker acceleration and whenever you slow down/stop, the transmission will always go to gear 1 (sometimes when you slow down to crawl, normally the transmission keeps it in 2 for smoothness). Sport mode will do nothing to your engine's wear-and-tear, feel free to use it as often as you like. Don't be afraid to take your engine to redline...engines just don't care anymore how fast they are revving. They can chill at like 5,000rpm or 6,000rpm (assuming a 6,600rpm rev limit) all day long and you'll still be fine.
I can personally attest to this as I whip the shit out of my car every single day and the engine absolutely loves being above 4,000rpm+.
BMW BELIEVES in naturally-aspirated high-revving engines...when you are driving this car hard, BMW WANTS you to keep the engine at 3K+ or 4K+ rpm's...that is where all the power is, and that is where you will have the most fun (but the worst fuel economy).

PuShAkOv · Nov 13, 2003

With the Bush as our President... who cares about fuel economy.. right? [hihi]

///M SPEED · Nov 14, 2003

PuShAkOv said:

I use "Sport Mode" almost exclusively, and I have to say I get better gas mileage. I can keep the car in its power band (the car wont bogs down and consume more fuel) letting the car use less fuel to get to my desired speed. My fuel consumption is usually around 21-22 MPG. This is not always laying my foot into it either. When I put my foot into it I can still average about 18+ MPG. I rarely use the auto feature unless I am just plain lazy and when I do the MPG usually goes down.

///M SPEED · Nov 14, 2003

MrElussive said:

Wrong, when you come to a stop in "Sport Mode" the default gear is 2nd. You have to manually shift the car to 1st after coming to a stop or slow. The transmission never shifts the car to 1st gear at any time while driving in "Sport Mode". As for the rest of your statement I totally agree. It is harmless to the engine. Trust me, the engine has been designed for far more extreme conditions than "Sport Mode" driving can cause. I use this mode almost 99.9% of the time. Both hard and smooth driving.

P.S. While the "Sport Mode" Steptronic transmission is fun to drive I really miss/need a manual tranny. If this car was not such a steal I would have never bought it. I do love the car and enjoy driving it, however I have not ruled out selling it and buying a manual tranny BMW or waiting and get a ///M3. Time will tell.

///M SPEED · Nov 14, 2003

GGM said:

Haha, funny. I have never experienced my tranny slipping nor do I get relatively higher fuel consumption with my Steptronic transmission, especially in “Sport Mode”. Not all the trannys behave like the new 03/04 models have been experiencing. Most just need to learn how to drive the car when they aren’t lead-footing the car in the “Sport Mode” setting. You can actually (when conscious) get descent gas mileage

P.S. Sorry for the Post Whoring.

GGM · Nov 15, 2003

If the gears only shift down to 2nd in Sport Mode when you stop what's the difference when taking off compared to if it was in auto? What about if your driving in Steptronic and stop and it goes down to second, do you guys shift to first or leave it?

Tweet227 · Nov 15, 2003

///M SPEED said:

I agree. 90% of the time I do get around 17-18 mpg when in sport mode, however the few times I have made an effort to really pay attention to the way I was driving I did get 22 mpg, which is slightly better then what I get in auto. [:)]

MyHarley · Nov 15, 2003

PuShAkOv said:

Drill, Drill, Drill...................money, money, money..........makes me closer to a convertible M3......

In my opinion, I don't see what the hoopla is in having a manual tranny......with the steptronic you still get a manual five speed.......the only difference I see is my left foot doesnt have anything to do but rest...........plus it makes it easier to eat, drink, smoke, talk on cell phone and wave..............btw, I drove a manual for 20 years and never thought I would change.....

[:o]

MrElussive · Nov 16, 2003

M SPEED, I'm not sure if I agree with that. One thing that Sport Mode is known for is that it always makes sure to go to 1st gear when you slow to a crawl or make a stop. This is to give you better response on the low-end. I have driven my friend's 325i Auto enough times to make this accurate conclusion and people on this forum have confirmed it without me bringing up my personal experience in this case.

///M SPEED · Nov 16, 2003

MrElussive said:

I own a 328i with Steptronic transmission. I know what I am talking about here. I use my "Sport Mode" 99.9% of the time and it never, I repeat never, shifts to 1st gear during a slow-to-a-crawl or a stop. You have to manually shift to 1st gear at all time to get in that gear. Starting off in 2nd gear is fine, however you get more torque and better off line performance if you start off in 1st while in "Sport Mode". I use this everyday that I drive my BMW; I know trust me.

///M SPEED · Nov 16, 2003

GGM said:

Starting off in 2nd gear is fine. It is a lot like using my standard "Auto Mode" and is very good for starting off in snow and ice. I, however will usually shift it to 1st gear and start off that way, however I do sometimes just leave it in 2nd and go that route. The car really doesn't care one way or another which gear it starts from.

MyHarley · Nov 16, 2003

since we're on this topic.........how come you cant go from "Manual" to "Sport", only
Manual to Drive
Drive to Sport
Drive to Sport to Manual
Sport to Manual

///M SPEED · Nov 16, 2003

Tweet227 said:

I hear you Tweet227. Usually when driving in "Sport Mode" it is for "fun time" and most will have the foot into it pretty hard, causing lower gas mileage. When you do watch and try to pay attention (almost every time) I do get better gas mileage if using the "Sport Mode". The "Auto Mode" almost never has the car in the correct power band gearing; therefore I usually get worst gas mileage that if using the "Sport Mode" (while trying and paying attention). Most people who have the Steptronic transmission usually only use the "Sport Mode" when they are having fun and want a little performance at that time. A lot don't use that mode when they are just driving (cruising) around, therefore don't realize what kind of mileage they can truly get out of the "Sport Mode" setting when trying. I have done a lot of testing with both modes to see which mode would bring better gas mileage while paying attention to economy. I have found that the “Sport Mode” has and can bring the better gas mileage every time.

popolo · Nov 17, 2003

PuShAkOv said:

Haha!! Very funny!!

Sport Mode

Member

2

2000 Post Club

Member

2

2000 Post Club

2

2000 Post Club

2

2

2

Member

Member

2

2

2

2

2

2

Member