Sport/Sport+ ?

[wezzyo]

Hi guys

I have owned a z4 35i for 3 months. Loves it so much.
But what exactly does the car do when i switch from normal to sport?
I can feel my steering get harder, the suspension is harder, i feel like there is more horse power too.

Anyone has the exact information of what sport does ?

[riccis]

Does exactly what you say above. Except, it doesn't give you more hp, it simply changes the throttle response so that it will feel more urgent/have more "get up and go".

It will also hold the gears longer (if you have an auto transmission), and possible make the gear changes faster. Other than that, that's it I think.

Oh...."Sport+" mode will also turn down the traction control (you should see the appropriate symbol on your dash) and make the suspension stiffer still than "sport" mode

[Rubber Ducky]

Originally Posted by riccis

Does exactly what you say above. Except, it doesn't give you more hp, it simply changes the throttle response so that it will feel more urgent/have more "get up and go".

It will also hold the gears longer (if you have an auto transmission), and possible make the gear changes faster. Other than that, that's it I think.

Oh...."Sport+" mode will also turn down the traction control (you should see the appropriate symbol on your dash) and make the suspension stiffer still than "sport" mode

Believe Sport+ turns off traction control. It also turns off/locks out cruise control. Would gently suggest it's a track-only mode unless you relish getting arsy varsy in traffic.

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by Rubber Ducky

Believe Sport+ turns off traction control.

The E89 can not switch off the DSC system completely. The traction control is part of the DSC system, so it could be that the traction control is still engaged but allows a 'controlled' slip.

EdP

[DrJason]

Sport+ turns off DSC, you can then turn off DTC by pressing the "traction" button right above the "norm/sport/sport+" button.....which basically means you are in total control of the car and can get "stupid" if you like

(look at page 65 to 67 in the US manual)

[flpnout]

Originally Posted by DrJason

Sport+ turns off DSC, you can then turn off DTC by pressing the "traction" button right above the "norm/sport/sport+" button.....which basically means you are in total control of the car and can get "stupid" if you like

(look at page 65 to 67 in the US manual)

Thanks for clarifying that as I wasn't sure why they had the traction control button when I thought putting it in sport + does the same thing?

[mrboon]

I notice almost no difference between normal and sport to be honest. Sport+ is great fun in the mountains.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by godius

I notice almost no difference between normal and sport to be honest. Sport+ is great fun in the mountains.

I definitely notice steering, throttle, and suspension differences in Sport. Sport+ does seem slightly stiffer and a different feel on the edge of handling.

Note for the OP no one has mentioned that for suspension differences in Sport or Sport+, you must have the adjustable suspension, which only comes with the sport package in the U.S (both 3.0 and 3.5). The throttle response and steering changes are standard across the board.

[zEdP]

Originally Posted by DrJason

Sport+ turns off DSC.....
.....which basically means you are in total control of the car and can get "stupid" if you like

This seems not be the case like the E85 it has implemented. This was one of the points BMW told journalist at the introduction days in Spain. I'm not sure but, the tv serie Fifth Gear also showed that you don't have full control in a E89.

In the Dutch manual, SPORT+ has a limited stability control and dynamic traction control is active.

[MilitaryE89]

i love how the stability control thing is always debated...is it on? oh, no wait...it says its on when i hit sport+, so is it always off...does it even exist? lol, people are funny...by the way, I saw a dude driving an SLK in Munich today! It isnt just a myth!...yep, my bets are that he had rainbow underwear...

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by wezzyo

Hi guys

I have owned a z4 35i for 3 months. Loves it so much.
But what exactly does the car do when i switch from normal to sport?
I can feel my steering get harder, the suspension is harder, i feel like there is more horse power too.

Anyone has the exact information of what sport does ?

[mikeinaustin]

for automatics, it also keeps it in a lower gear, imho, too long. for instance, lets say you are doing a steady 65. in normal mode you'll be in 6th gear, in sport/sport+ you'll be in 5th. even if you put the car on cruise control, the transmission will stay in 5th gear for sport/sport+ and will keep it there. most cars "sport" mode recognize that you are holding at a steady mph (or on cruise) and will changes gears to a more fuel efficient gear after a period of time has elapsed. in the above example, bmw will keep it in 5th even after an hour of steady highway driving in cruise control mode.

[Rubber Ducky]

Originally Posted by mikeinaustin

for automatics, it also keeps it in a lower gear, imho, too long. for instance, lets say you are doing a steady 65. in normal mode you'll be in 6th gear, in sport/sport+ you'll be in 5th. even if you put the car on cruise control, the transmission will stay in 5th gear for sport/sport+ and will keep it there. most cars "sport" mode recognize that you are holding at a steady mph (or on cruise) and will changes gears to a more fuel efficient gear after a period of time has elapsed. in the above example, bmw will keep it in 5th even after an hour of steady highway driving in cruise control mode.

DCT. Paddles. Control the RPM and the power band. It's a car: drive it.

[richard in NC]

With the DCT, the Sport button doesn't change shift speeds, only the sport mode on the DCT does. When I'm crusing in D7 and kick the lever left, it drops into S4 or S5.

[Memphis1]

Originally Posted by mikeinaustin

for automatics, it also keeps it in a lower gear, imho, too long. for instance, lets say you are doing a steady 65. in normal mode you'll be in 6th gear, in sport/sport+ you'll be in 5th. even if you put the car on cruise control, the transmission will stay in 5th gear for sport/sport+ and will keep it there. most cars "sport" mode recognize that you are holding at a steady mph (or on cruise) and will changes gears to a more fuel efficient gear after a period of time has elapsed. in the above example, bmw will keep it in 5th even after an hour of steady highway driving in cruise control mode.

bmw's concept is correct because if your driving in "sport" mode you're doing spirited driving and you need instant power, you don't want to wait for a downshift. if you're just cruising along switch to "normal" so that the car seeks the most efficient gear.

[richard in NC]

Originally Posted by memphis2012

bmw's concept is correct because if your driving in "sport" mode you're doing spirited driving and you need instant power, you don't want to wait for a downshift. if you're just cruising along switch to "normal" so that the car seeks the most efficient gear.

However I prefer manual mode so that I can be in top gear when cruising. I then anticipate a situation, downshift a gear or two, and I'm ready when I need the power. I do this on the commute into work. There is a steep hill on the inner loop around Charlotte. Most folks slow way down in the left lane, waiting for an opportunity to move right and exit. As they are moving over, I drop a couple of gears and can kick it back up to speed. As soon as I reach that speed, I upshift and am back to cruising mode.

[Tenorino]

Originally Posted by godius

I notice almost no difference between normal and sport to be honest. Sport+ is great fun in the mountains.

No Difference?? Just driving on a normal city street will show a bumpy and almost bouncy ride in Sport mode especially over uneven or road bumps while normal gives a softer and less harsh ride.

Once you're loose on a freeway, Sport Mode all the way as you can feel the handling tighten and the throttle reponse/acceleration definitely becomes improved.

[jannisa]

Sport+ only partially turns the traction off. It lets you slide but interferes and goes on when it senses that you are about to paint 8s and lose control. If you press the DSC button longer than 2 seconds regardless of mode (normal, sport, sport+) the traction gets completely off and you are totally on your own.

[GunSpeed]

Originally Posted by jannisa

Sport+ only partially turns the traction off.

Correct version : Sport+ also partially turns the traction off.

Believe it or not but the dampers on the Z4 do have three settings and you really can feel the difference between normal - sport - sport+ !!!

[Mick70]

Originally Posted by Ramius

Correct version : Sport+ also partially turns the traction off.

Believe it or not but the dampers on the Z4 do have three settings and you really can feel the difference between normal - sport - sport+ !!!

Unfortunately not everywhere: Adaptive damping is only a possible, nongratious option in most countries in Europe (jannisa is from Greece). Is this different in Belgium?

Best regards

Mick

[mrboon]

Originally Posted by Ramius

Correct version : Sport+ also partially turns the traction off.

Believe it or not but the dampers on the Z4 do have three settings and you really can feel the difference between normal - sport - sport+ !!!

personally i do not agree. normal to sport+ is not very different i think. other cars have a more noticeable difference when putting the car in sport mode.

[Tamman69]

I suspect it also matters how long you have had the car, or how experienced you are with roadsters. When I first got my Z4 I couldn't really tell the difference between normal and Sport, having owned it for 4 months now I could probably spot it from the passenger seat... My driving has definitely modified.

You particularly appreciate 'sport' in a city of mad Balkan drivers where you never really get out of 3rd gear. Sometimes the only way to avoid the craziness is to put the foot down and leave them squabbling in your wake : )