[mlai]

Here's another mind boggling question.

In a sport auto F10,
What's the difference between moving the shift lever to S mode vs switching DDC to Sport mode (at standard settings), pertaining only to transmission?

Does it make a difference if I switch the shift lever to S when DDC is already in sport/sport+ mode regarding shift speed and transmission programming?

I just wish that BMW would make it clear what the differences are between those......

[kfiend]

I don't get it either, but mines constantly in S no matter which DDC mode I'm in.

[juztinl]

no idea. lol

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by BTK598

If I've read the literature from BMW UK correctly, shifting the lever across simply affects when the ratios are swapped (holding on longer and shifting down earlier) but the DDC mode also affects steering weighting and throttle responses. Haven't driven one yet so I'm not able to confirm or deny whether that's true though....

I think you are close to it... the auto I had with Adaptive Drive had the standard auto. I tried it configured and unconfigured via i-Drive for the DDC. (No steering and throttle settings as we have with the sport auto). Using the DDC toggle switch, 'normal to sport' (when i-Drive configured) did exactly the same to the gearbox, as when using the stick 'normal to sport' setting, while in the DDC normal toggle position.

Obviously the sport auto will feel different, depending on the i-Drive configurations made.

HighlandPete

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mlai

Here's another mind boggling question.

In a sport auto F10,
What's the difference between moving the shift lever to S mode vs switching DDC to Sport mode (at standard settings), pertaining only to transmission?

Does it make a difference if I switch the shift lever to S when DDC is already in sport/sport+ mode regarding shift speed and transmission programming?

I just wish that BMW would make it clear what the differences are between those......

The car I tried with sport auto felt the same, whether using the DDC toggle to sport, or the stick, when in the DDC 'normal' setting. But I didn't try the stick as well, once in DDC sport mode, to see if it enhanced it any more. Don't think it is another level up. I see it that you can get there by two methods. DDC toggle (with other configured sport settings/options), or just the gearbox with the stick control.

HighlandPete

[grimlock]

hi guys
i just found out how to use the manual 'S' mode .. it holds the gear and doesnt change unless u tell it to! (at least up to 3-4k on 1st as i tried)
b4 i was using sport/sport+ and changing with paddles, it holds the gear somewhat, but only for a few to tens of seconds of no use, then it goes back to 'D' by itself
so the S mode is kinda like Manual, wearas in 'D" with sport/sport+ u have to downshift once or twice with the paddles before it goes to 'M5/6/7' on the display ie. temporary manual mode

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by grimlock

hi guys
i just found out how to use the manual 'S' mode .. it holds the gear and doesnt change unless u tell it to! (at least up to 3-4k on 1st as i tried)

Yes it works very much the same when using the stick, as the older steptronic boxes. The DDC toggle makes for the same sport auto action, from my test drives.

HighlandPete

[grimlock]

this is good, so u keep it in sport/sport+ for the stiffer ride (sorry for calling it that) but not have to worry about the shifting, then when u want to shift yourself you got to 'S' from 'D' in on top of your sport/sport+ mode

[alex_c]

Originally Posted by grimlock

this is good, so u keep it in sport/sport+ for the stiffer ride (sorry for calling it that) but not have to worry about the shifting, then when u want to shift yourself you got to 'S' from 'D' in on top of your sport/sport+ mode

Exactly. But in S mode, as long as you don't use the paddles or manual changes, it will still be in full-auto mode, just like the SPORT switch.

Another option is to configure via i-Drive the SPORT switch to chasis-only to engage only the stiffer steering (and save gas), and if you want the full enchilada, just move the shifter to S. At that point, if you use the paddles, it will remain in manual-only shifting. Going to D and back to S will revert to full-auto mode.

[mlai]

Originally Posted by alex_c

Exactly. But in S mode, as long as you don't use the paddles or manual changes, it will still be in full-auto mode, just like the SPORT switch.

Another option is to configure via i-Drive the SPORT switch to chasis-only to engage only the stiffer steering (and save gas), and if you want the full enchilada, just move the shifter to S. At that point, if you use the paddles, it will remain in manual-only shifting. Going to D and back to S will revert to full-auto mode.

That's what I was thinking as well. That's why i am trying to understand whether S-mode and sport mode (with enhanced transmission set) in terms of transmission programming is equivalent.....

[gorban]

I read in CAR Magazine that switching off DTC completely makes the car go into expert mode. This gives you normal dampers, normal accelerator response, normal shifting but stiffer steering.

[mlai]

Spoken to my service tech about this. And they checked with BMW engineers. Here's the difference:

Transmission in S mode means that only transmission programs are altered. Essentially, the shift points are delayed so engine will rev higher before shifting up. And also, gears are limited to 1-6.

Switching to Sport mode from normal means:
1) Transmission will be in S mode.
2) Accelerator response will be enhanced (faster response)
3) Steering will be tightened. They claim to be more responsive instead of just being heavier.
4) For vehicles with IAS (mine), steering will be further enhanced (some IAS params also changed)

In short, switching the gear lever to S mode is NOT equivalent to standard settings in SPORT mode (missing the enhanced accelerator response).

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by mlai

Spoken to my service tech about this. And they checked with BMW engineers. Here's the difference:

Transmission in S mode means that only transmission programs are altered. Essentially, the shift points are delayed so engine will rev higher before shifting up. And also, gears are limited to 1-6.

Switching to Sport mode from normal means:
1) Transmission will be in S mode.
2) Accelerator response will be enhanced (faster response)
3) Steering will be tightened. They claim to be more responsive instead of just being heavier.
4) For vehicles with IAS (mine), steering will be further enhanced (some IAS params also changed)

In short, switching the gear lever to S mode is NOT equivalent to standard settings in SPORT mode (missing the enhanced accelerator response).

From my understanding this information is for the sport auto, 2TB. Standard auto won't have the same enhancements, even when toggled to sport, even if other options are present which give us DDC.

HighlandPete

[delvek]

Does anyone know how to make Sport mode the default setting instead of normal or comfort?

[mlai]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

From my understanding this information is for the sport auto, 2TB. Standard auto won't have the same enhancements, even when toggled to sport, even if other options are present which give us DDC.

HighlandPete

That's correct. The tech researched the info based on my F10 which has the Sport Auto as standard.

[PoleApart]

It gets more complicated – remember there’s 3 settings to mess around with and not all of the settings go together. We have:
Traction & Stability: DSC off – DTC - Standard,
Transmission: M – S - D,
Dynamic Damper Control: Sport+ - Sport Standard - Sport Chassis only - Sport Drivetrain only – Normal - Comfort
Bizarrely you cannot combine” DSC off” and Sport or Sport + suspension settings. As soon as DSC is off (press down DSC button for 5 seconds) the chassis setting diverts back to Normal. It would be neat to see a bulletin explaining exactly what combinations are possible and what exactly they modify. Found this little screen today. As you can see there's a further 14 pages but unfortunately no really interesting details.

If you're stuck in a traffic jam have a read on the I-Drive manual about the pedestrian friendly bonnet. Didn't know it was such a sophisticated piece of kit. Learnt it activates between 20 km/h and 55 km/h ... or if you hit a snow drift...

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by alex_c

Exactly. But in S mode, as long as you don't use the paddles or manual changes, it will still be in full-auto mode, just like the SPORT switch.

Another option is to configure via i-Drive the SPORT switch to chasis-only to engage only the stiffer steering (and save gas), and if you want the full enchilada, just move the shifter to S. At that point, if you use the paddles, it will remain in manual-only shifting. Going to D and back to S will revert to full-auto mode.

thanks alex_c
thats another good way to use it, i think that would suit my driving style, in sport (chassis only) with S mode manual

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by mlai

Spoken to my service tech about this. And they checked with BMW engineers. Here's the difference:

Transmission in S mode means that only transmission programs are altered. Essentially, the shift points are delayed so engine will rev higher before shifting up. And also, gears are limited to 1-6.

Switching to Sport mode from normal means:
1) Transmission will be in S mode.
2) Accelerator response will be enhanced (faster response)
3) Steering will be tightened. They claim to be more responsive instead of just being heavier.
4) For vehicles with IAS (mine), steering will be further enhanced (some IAS params also changed)

In short, switching the gear lever to S mode is NOT equivalent to standard settings in SPORT mode (missing the enhanced accelerator response).

yup
but i shifted through all 8 gears in S mode, in the display and i could feel them .. dunno, u try ar

[ctm3]

Originally Posted by delvek

Does anyone know how to make Sport mode the default setting instead of normal or comfort?

I would also like to know if that's possible. I have not found any option for selecting default mode in the I-drive, however, so perhaps it is not possible to set Sport mode as default.

[bluetooth]

[QUOTE=ctm3;8154141]I would also like to know if that's possible. I have not found any option for selecting default mode in the I-drive, however, so perhaps it is not possible to set Sport mode as default.[/QUOT

I am interested too in this topic... does anyone know how to set default mode to S?

[satish_141]

Originally Posted by mlai

Spoken to my service tech about this. And they checked with BMW engineers. Here's the difference:

Transmission in S mode means that only transmission programs are altered. Essentially, the shift points are delayed so engine will rev higher before shifting up. And also, gears are limited to 1-6.

Switching to Sport mode from normal means:
1) Transmission will be in S mode.
2) Accelerator response will be enhanced (faster response)
3) Steering will be tightened. They claim to be more responsive instead of just being heavier.
4) For vehicles with IAS (mine), steering will be further enhanced (some IAS params also changed)

In short, switching the gear lever to S mode is NOT equivalent to standard settings in SPORT mode (missing the enhanced accelerator response).

This is very good to know...I was struggling to understand the difference!!

so switching the gear lever to S mode is NOT equivalent to standard settings in SPORT mode and the best way to explore the car's performance is to use M/S Sport Mode!!!

[Quicksilv3r]

Too many choices. We just need Sport and Comfort, where Sport includes all things sporty. And if you have an M-car, it should be sporty all the time.