[rt2929]

Hi!

Ok this seems like a very basic question (and I have read the manual but couldn’t find a definite answer) but what’s the difference in selecting Sport Mode using the button vs shifting the gear level in sport mode?

[BmwDriverStockholm]

Not sure which button do you mean. When gear selector in "D" mode there are some significant differences from the "S" mode. For example, if you use pad shifters to change the gear manually - in "S" mode the car keep the selected gear even if you floor the throttle. In "D" mode it will shift up automatically when it reaches the red zone. For all details please have a look at the manual again, there are too many details to describe in a post =) But personally I drive always in "D" mode and mostly in "Sport Individual" with the gear box setting "Sport".

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by rt2929

Hi!

Ok this seems like a very basic question (and I have read the manual but couldn’t find a definite answer) but what’s the difference in selecting Sport Mode using the button vs shifting the gear level in sport mode?

I find with BMW models the Sport mode transmission is a like a 'half way' to Sport mode and shifter to M/S.

[electriCK]

D mode = normal automatic

S mode for the gear lever = sport transmission mode that will automatically upshift for you. This mode is like a modified version of automatic. holds onto lower gears to keep the engine in boost. This is the mode you need to activate launch control. This is different than normal D mode since that mode will want to shift up and optimize economical driving and fuel consumption.

M mode = moving the gear lever into the s mode and then you activate via paddle shifters. As mentioned before, you can floor it and the rev limiter will continue to bang on the red line and won't shift up until you push the shift up paddle.

[RSnic]

rt2929 ,

Not a dumb question at all.

If you push the Sport mode button, the steering & suspension get a little stiffer. Accelerator is more responsive & shifting is also quicker. BTW, there are actually 3 Sport modes -- Sport, Sport Individual (you pick settings) & Sport Plus (if you have M340 or coded it)

If you push the gear shift knob to the left, the transmission shifts sportier; by that I mean, it upshifts about 4k to 4.5k rpms & "spools" as it down shifts -- this setting makes car really perform.

FYI, when I am on the track, I use both

Hope that helps!