Sport Mode - on or off?

nrubenstein · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 03:15:37 PM

The only way you're going to clock a faster lap with sport mode on on track is if you're a total pansy with the throttle in the first place. Sport mode costs you throttle control and gains you absolutely no performance and no response. If you need power sooner, just hit the pedal faster.

The Dough · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 03:25:49 PM

I think that if you can modulate the throttle well in sport mode, lap times should really not change. I prefer the quicker response of the sport mode. At times, it can be a bit more challenging to modulate smoothly, but I appreciate the more instantaneous response. It took me some time to adjust to it, but I think it feels amazing.

jrf m3 · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 03:49:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maranelloman

Yup, agreed.

Came from a bumper sticker I saw recently.

Also saw "you can't spell unethical without U.N."....

I assumed you were just inspired by the pending A Team movie?

sport mode can make 3 to 2 heel toe downshifts quite awkward...

i like to drive with it on sometimes, just for a different feel, if anything I think it makes the exhaust louder but I suspect that is totally perception

thenobot · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:09:25 PM

To the OP -- just pick one that you always use while driving the car (street and track), stick with it, and get to know it. It's counterproductive to use normal mode for this and sport mode for that.

Dgadude · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:19:12 PM

I checked up on this with an Alpina technician at the BMW Service Center where I work. What he told me makes perfect sence, as I already figured for myself: If sport mode is off, when the gas pedal is all the way down, the 6 throttle bodies are near but not completely opened. This is because when sport mode is enganged, the throttle plates travel further with less gas pedal input so thus meaning if they are opening more with less input at low rpm, they are opening more with full input at max rpm. Without this process, sport mode would have to open the throttle bodies fully before the gas pedal reached the floor which would give you a throttle position deadzone at WOT.

nrubenstein · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:37:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgadude

I checked up on this with an Alpina technician at the BMW Service Center where I work. What he told me makes perfect sence, as I already figured for myself: If sport mode is off, when the gas pedal is all the way down, the 6 throttle bodies are near but not completely opened. This is because when sport mode is enganged, the throttle plates travel further with less gas pedal input so thus meaning if they are opening more with less input at low rpm, they are opening more with full input at max rpm. Without this process, sport mode would have to open the throttle bodies fully before the gas pedal reached the floor which would give you a throttle position deadzone at WOT.

Your friend is wrong. Sport mode has a huge dead zone. Stop spreading this misleading nonsense about.

THEHOUNDER · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:58:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick325xiT 5spd

Your friend is wrong. Sport mode has a huge dead zone. Stop spreading this misleading nonsense about.

It does.

Someone posted a comparison chart on the boards that mapped the % of throttle vesus pedal position for both normal and sport modes, and you run out of pedal movement in sport mode fairly quickly.

krisa9977 · Wed, Apr-02-2008, 09:59:21 PM

it is very simple. If you need more traction at the rear wheels, sport mode is off. If you use sticky tires and you are on fast track you can use sport mode, but I don't think there is any advantage. For AutoX it is defiantly off. Best way to use sport mode is when you take your girlfriend for a ride

Dgadude · Thu, Apr-03-2008, 12:13:12 AM

Again, Nick, this was comming from someone else, not myself. Don't kill the messenger.

On another note, since we're all so fixated on the ups and downs of sport mode, then why'd BMW bother? To give the driver a bigger rush in rush hour? If it's just cutting the pedal distance to WOT in half then what is the point!? A "dead zone" doesn't seem very professional of the company. Am I wrong???

maranelloman · Thu, Apr-03-2008, 01:16:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dgadude

A "dead zone" doesn't seem very professional of the company.

Have you looked at some of their "designs" lately?

Wed, Apr-02-2008, 03:15:37 PM	#11
nrubenstein ******* Join Date: Dec 2003 Age: 31 Posts: 7,354 Reputation: 0 Location: Washington, DC	The only way you're going to clock a faster lap with sport mode on on track is if you're a total pansy with the throttle in the first place. Sport mode costs you throttle control and gains you absolutely no performance and no response. If you need power sooner, just hit the pedal faster. __________________ 2006 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD Duramax LBZ/Allison 2002 BMW M3 Alpinweiß/Black - JBL MS-62C, IDQ-12v3, JBL MS-8 1999 323i KP/GTS2 Alpinweiß - Hood-in-the-windshield mod 1990 325is Brilliantrot/Tan - GC/Bilstein, Sway 1989 325is Alpinweiß/Black - S50B30, GC/Koni, Sways, BBS RX, Hybrid C61-2, Sundown SA-12, JBL MS-8 1989 M3 Alpinweiß/Black - S50B32. 321hp. Hers: 1996 Porsche 911 Turbo Black/Black Hers: 1988 325iX Coupe Diamondschwartz/Black 5spd - Korman lengthened front driveshaft, Cam, Bilstein, H&R Sport, snow chains.

Wed, Apr-02-2008, 03:25:49 PM	#12
The Dough Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,966 Reputation: 0 Location: Manhattan	I think that if you can modulate the throttle well in sport mode, lap times should really not change. I prefer the quicker response of the sport mode. At times, it can be a bit more challenging to modulate smoothly, but I appreciate the more instantaneous response. It took me some time to adjust to it, but I think it feels amazing. __________________ SOH

Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:09:25 PM	#14
thenobot Zack Steinkamp Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 1,067 Reputation: 0	To the OP -- just pick one that you always use while driving the car (street and track), stick with it, and get to know it. It's counterproductive to use normal mode for this and sport mode for that. __________________ the nobot dot org

Wed, Apr-02-2008, 05:19:12 PM	#15
Dgadude Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17 Reputation: 0	I checked up on this with an Alpina technician at the BMW Service Center where I work. What he told me makes perfect sence, as I already figured for myself: If sport mode is off, when the gas pedal is all the way down, the 6 throttle bodies are near but not completely opened. This is because when sport mode is enganged, the throttle plates travel further with less gas pedal input so thus meaning if they are opening more with less input at low rpm, they are opening more with full input at max rpm. Without this process, sport mode would have to open the throttle bodies fully before the gas pedal reached the floor which would give you a throttle position deadzone at WOT. __________________ It's only "recklace" if you actually intended to kill someone. Right? www.BMWClubSoS.com -DNA Motorsport Racing Division -1999 Estoril Blue E36 ///M3 "M PASON" -2002 Titanium Silver E46 ///M3 "The C/F-L"

Wed, Apr-02-2008, 09:59:21 PM	#18
krisa9977 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 236 Reputation: 0 Location: Miami USA, Nürburg Germany	it is very simple. If you need more traction at the rear wheels, sport mode is off. If you use sticky tires and you are on fast track you can use sport mode, but I don't think there is any advantage. For AutoX it is defiantly off. Best way to use sport mode is when you take your girlfriend for a ride Last edited by krisa9977; Wed, Apr-02-2008 at 10:05:35 PM.

Thu, Apr-03-2008, 12:13:12 AM	#19
Dgadude Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 17 Reputation: 0	Again, Nick, this was comming from someone else, not myself. Don't kill the messenger. On another note, since we're all so fixated on the ups and downs of sport mode, then why'd BMW bother? To give the driver a bigger rush in rush hour? If it's just cutting the pedal distance to WOT in half then what is the point!? A "dead zone" doesn't seem very professional of the company. Am I wrong??? __________________ It's only "recklace" if you actually intended to kill someone. Right? www.BMWClubSoS.com -DNA Motorsport Racing Division -1999 Estoril Blue E36 ///M3 "M PASON" -2002 Titanium Silver E46 ///M3 "The C/F-L"

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