Sport Mode !

[Roderick]

Decided to try the sport mode on my 95 540i, what a different drive it is in S4 or S3. Does the tranny start in 2nd gear or does it start in 1st gear in these mode, I may be wrong, but I noticed that the tranny didn't change but 2 times. In the S4 mode does if change 4 times, S3 3 times ?, also can you **** back up to AD mode when you reach a certain speed. I read some articles on this, but I really don't understand, plus don't want to ruin the tranny. Would like all comments on this subject!

[Alexlind123]

S3 means that the highest gear it will shift into is 3rd. S mode in general delays upshifts to make more full use of the engine's power. You can change from normal Drive to S mode and back again while driving.

[Macv]

S4 is basically all you need. It will shift (at high revs) through all the gears up to 4th. If you're on the highway and in 4th, you can simply shift back up to D to put it in 5th.

I use S mode alot in the city. Probably easier on my tranny.

[Montreal525]

I use S mode alot in the city. Probably easier on my tranny.

I asked my mechanic about that (25+ years as a certified BMW tech...) I thought so too but he says it doesn't change anything. S mode gives you more revs but if you drive normally around the city, point A to point B, E or S mode doesn't change anything as far as transmission wear. Having done some tests, my mpg is better in the city in E mode than S so I stick to E...

Jeff

[Macv]

I asked my mechanic about that (25+ years as a certified BMW tech...) I thought so too but he says it doesn't change anything. S mode gives you more revs but if you drive normally around the city, point A to point B, D or S mode doesn't change anything as far as transmission wear. Having done some tests, my mpg is better in the city in D mode than S so I stick to D...

Makes sense. Another reason I use S is just to hear the high revs. Sounds purrtty

[Jon K]

My car doesn't have sport mode :(

[Macv]

My car doesn't have sport mode

Ha! And you'll never experience the rush!!

[t.wak]

S mode feels better in my car, too; it doesn't get confused when I try to go about 3/4 throttle to hold a gear. In E mode, it shifts, and it feels like it puts more strain on the tranny, whereas in S mode, it holds the gear and I can accelerate away in the same gear. I love it!

[rnrn]

turn off ASC and shift into s3 or s4. only problem is our gearing, al least mine, is so tall. Im waiting for a 3.15 or 3.23 to present itself.

[Ferret]

The difference between S and E modes on the diesels is a bit crazy too.

In E the box is more concerned with getting the best MPG than a quick getaway. If you floor it and you've got low RPMs you get a really irritating 3 second pause as the turbo spins up - gearbox drops a gear - turbo spins up again - gearbox drops a gear - turbo spins up again and you're off.

Irritating turbo lag.

In S it keeps the gearbox in as low a gear as possible and keeps the turbo spooled up - and if you step on the gas the back end just sits down and you're off.