Sport mode

I had a search but couldnt find anything clear.

I have a MY2013 BMW 520d. I am trying to work out what the difference is, if there is any, between putting the car in sport mode using the comfort/sport/eco switcher or by moving the SAT stick over into sports mode? Should i use both? Is one more effective than the other?

Originally Posted by Jimmeh1988

I had a search but couldnt find anything clear.

I have a MY2013 BMW 520d. I am trying to work out what the difference is, if there is any, between putting the car in sport mode using the comfort/sport/eco switcher or by moving the SAT stick over into sports mode? Should i use both? Is one more effective than the other?

The button (Comfort/Sport/Eco) mode can be configured for behaviour. I-Drive, Settings...
e.g. Sport mode can be configured to change 'Chassis characteristics Only', 'Transmission Characteristics Only' or 'both'.
- Chassis Characteristics: Stiffer Suspension/ Tighter steering
- Transmission Characteristics: Keeps in Gear longer, shifts at higher revs.

Moving the SAT stick to 'Sport Mode' is equal to 'Transmission Characteristics' only

I have configured my Sport Mode - only to change Chassis.

So, I can get the best of both worlds...

1. Switch in Comfort or Eco Mode, but SAT in Normal : Car is comfy & fuel efficient
2. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Normal : Car is stiff/ sharper steering, but still fuel efficient
3. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Sport: Car is stiff/ sharper steering, and better acceleration and stays in gear longer (i.e. sport mode)
4. Switch in Sport+, SAT in any mode: car stiffer/ sharper, DSC partially off, better acceleration and gears (i.e. kick-ass sport mode.. real deal)

Originally Posted by gspannu

The button (Comfort/Sport/Eco) mode can be configured for behaviour. I-Drive, Settings...
e.g. Sport mode can be configured to change 'Chassis characteristics Only', 'Transmission Characteristics Only' or 'both'.
- Chassis Characteristics: Stiffer Suspension/ Tighter steering
- Transmission Characteristics: Keeps in Gear longer, shifts at higher revs.

Moving the SAT stick to 'Sport Mode' is equal to 'Transmission Characteristics' only

I have configured my Sport Mode - only to change Chassis.

So, I can get the best of both worlds...

1. Switch in Comfort or Eco Mode, but SAT in Normal : Car is comfy & fuel efficient
2. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Normal : Car is stiff/ sharper steering, but still fuel efficient
3. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Sport: Car is stiff/ sharper steering, and better acceleration and stays in gear longer (i.e. sport mode)
4. Switch in Sport+, SAT in any mode: car stiffer/ sharper, DSC partially off, better acceleration and gears (i.e. kick-ass sport mode.. real deal)

Thanks for the above - i dont have VDC so im assuming that i cant control the chassis, therefore do they both do the same?

Originally Posted by Jimmeh1988

Thanks for the above - i dont have VDC so im assuming that i cant control the chassis, therefore do they both do the same?

What settings do you get in your I-Drive, check them....

There are no settings to change the sport mode that i can see...

Originally Posted by Jimmeh1988

There are no settings to change the sport mode that i can see...

Any settings to change Eco-Pro mode?

From what i can see, only to adjust the eco pro settings for a/c etc.

Originally Posted by Jimmeh1988

From what i can see, only to adjust the eco pro settings for a/c etc.

Hmmm. It is possible that Sport config is possible only with VDC. That's why I see it in my settings...

Originally Posted by gspannu

Hmmm. It is possible that Sport config is possible only with VDC. That's why I see it in my settings...

I figure so, can anyone confirm?

Originally Posted by gspannu

The button (Comfort/Sport/Eco) mode can be configured for behaviour. I-Drive, Settings...
e.g. Sport mode can be configured to change 'Chassis characteristics Only', 'Transmission Characteristics Only' or 'both'.
- Chassis Characteristics: Stiffer Suspension/ Tighter steering
- Transmission Characteristics: Keeps in Gear longer, shifts at higher revs.

Moving the SAT stick to 'Sport Mode' is equal to 'Transmission Characteristics' only

I have configured my Sport Mode - only to change Chassis.

So, I can get the best of both worlds...

1. Switch in Comfort or Eco Mode, but SAT in Normal : Car is comfy & fuel efficient
2. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Normal : Car is stiff/ sharper steering, but still fuel efficient
3. Switch in Sport Mode, SAT in Sport: Car is stiff/ sharper steering, and better acceleration and stays in gear longer (i.e. sport mode)
4. Switch in Sport+, SAT in any mode: car stiffer/ sharper, DSC partially off, better acceleration and gears (i.e. kick-ass sport mode.. real deal)

Good explanation.

I believe I know the answer to this question, however, is the only difference between Sport and Sport + the disabling of DSC? Does the stiffer steering, better acceleration, and holding the gears longer remain the same?

Originally Posted by At Law

Good explanation.

I believe I know the answer to this question, however, is the only difference between Sport and Sport + the disabling of DSC? Does the stiffer steering, better acceleration, and holding the gears longer remain the same?

Yes. The only difference is disabling of DSC (and maybe other safety features as CBC, etc... I do not think it completely disables any of the safety systems... but actually increases the threshold before they activate).

Originally Posted by Jimmeh1988

I had a search but couldnt find anything clear.

I have a MY2013 BMW 520d. I am trying to work out what the difference is, if there is any, between putting the car in sport mode using the comfort/sport/eco switcher or by moving the SAT stick over into sports mode? Should i use both? Is one more effective than the other?

In the US, if you dont have the dynamic suspension option, the suspension is not adjustable. The DS mode using the shifter only affects the shift pattern. From my experience, the sport mode using the button has a more aggressive shift pattern than the DS mode and the sport mode also tightens up the steering.

Originally Posted by gspannu

Yes. The only difference is disabling of DSC (and maybe other safety features as CBC, etc... I do not think it completely disables any of the safety systems... but actually increases the threshold before they activate).

Thank you.

I have a 6-speed manual and DDC, and Sport mode definitely tightens up the suspension about 20% and increases the throttle a blip.

I was led to believe that moving the lever to the left makes the car hold the gears longer and disables 8th gear in a non-VDC car only but the Sport button also changes the steering weighting and has sportier engine mapping as well as the features given just by moving the lever to the left.

Might be wrong, wouldn't be the first time...