Silly question about sport mode

[edogg]

I have a 2006 4.4i e53 and have been wondering what all changes when I shift into "sport" mode.

I can definitely feel the shift points changing to allow for higher revs before upshifting and less enging lugging before a downshift. And it feels like there's more engine braking when I let off the gas before a turn.

So, what all does sport mode do?

[Whitecat]

Originally Posted by edogg

I have a 2006 4.4i e53 and have been wondering what all changes when I shift into "sport" mode.

I can definitely feel the shift points changing to allow for higher revs before upshifting and less enging lugging before a downshift. And it feels like there's more engine braking when I let off the gas before a turn.

So, what all does sport mode do?

All of the above, automatic transmission shift speed is also faster.

[Acidphase]

I noticed the brakes grip harder as well, but yea basically it just shifts later when accelerating and downshifts sooner when slowing down for an overall more aggressive drive. Sometimes though it holds on a bit to long off the line . I move to and from sport mode all the time but I would take a manual transmission any day of the week personally.

Manual mode is neat but it just doesn't feel right not having control of the clutch especially because if you're giving it the gas while trying to shift up you're not going to get a desired effect.
When driving a real manual you gradually slip the clutch while giving it gas for a much smoother transition gear to gear. In the steptronic manual mode the computer kind of has to do the guess work there for you then override the amount of gas needed for a smooth gear to gear transition.

All in all you can't beat a manual transmission for performance driving in my opinion and I miss my manual terribly but I had to get a car quick after the drunk schmuck took out my last car. So I figured I would get something a bit more family oriented yet sporty hence the X5 4.4i lol

With that said wish I would have held out and grabbed a X5M next month because I would have had the cash from the insurance plus money I have coming to me enough to buy 2010-2012 X5M cash with low mileage.
Though I think I may win anyway lol Going to give the X5 to the wife and get a used M3 for me in the very near future with a "Manual" then sports mode can kiss my ass lol (sorry for the rambling but figure I'd explain how I got to my opinion rather than be a dick about it)

[edogg]

Agreed that the manual mode is no substitute for a real manual transmission. After many years of driving manuals in traffic, it's nice having cars shift for me.



And for an automatic, the X5 really has great shift points and is super responsive.


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[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by edogg

Agreed that the manual mode is no substitute for a real manual transmission. After many years of driving manuals in traffic, it's nice having cars shift for me.



And for an automatic, the X5 really has great shift points and is super responsive.


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Manual transmissions for fun, automatics for getting from point A to B sooner and daily drivers. And, you can further add to automatic and sport mode performance and fun with transmission software.

[edogg]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Manual transmissions for fun, automatics for getting from point A to B sooner and daily drivers. And, you can further add to automatic and sport mode performance and fun with transmission software.

Totally agree!

For my day-to-day commuting, I'm pretty happy with leaving it in D. The transmission is great at knowing when it needs to shift.

And when I want to get around that guy doing 59 on the freeway, I pop it in S, mash the pedal, and go.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by edogg

...And when I want to get around that guy doing 59 on the freeway, I pop it in S, mash the pedal, and go.

Not to make this a 6 vs 8 cylinder thing...but since I've only driven the V8 BMWs that have ATC...if you need to quickly pass someone like in the scenario you mentioned...you can actually achieve the same thing by just mashing the accelerator pedal.

ATC has an adaptive sport mode (kick-down) that do a single gear drop down at speed...or even a two gear drop down if the accelerator pedal is smashed to the floor hard enough and you achieve basically the same reaction from the tranny & engine...all without having to mess around with the gear shift lever. See KICK-FAST FEATURE info below.

The accelerator pedal is monitored and a quick sustained movement will be interpreted as the driver being aggressive...so the driver influence is picked up by ATC and sport mode is initiated...which is how the "adaptive" nature works. When the ignition is switched off...the driver influenced adaptations are NOT remember...because they are not stored in the TCM (tranny control module)...thus upon the next start-up and driver...the influences are renewed.

(the "sport mode" mentioned below is the ADAPTIVE sport mode...not the manually selected sport mode)

[admranger]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

Manual transmissions for fun, automatics for getting from point A to B sooner and daily drivers. And, you can further add to automatic and sport mode performance and fun with transmission software.

OK, I'll bite: who makes this (Dinan, I suppose...$$$$$$$$$$$$ )?

What are the differences between the factory program and the aftermarket one?

I actually like the sport mode for driving EXCEPT when coming to a stop. The downshift to first gear and the engine braking effect is too abrupt to allow for smooth stops in my experience. Yes, I do have talent using the brakes on a vehicle, having raced cars for a decade and being a semi-skilled track rat for 2 decades...

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by admranger

OK, I'll bite: who makes this (Dinan, I suppose...$$$$$$$$$$$$ )?

What are the differences between the factory program and the aftermarket one?

I actually like the sport mode for driving EXCEPT when coming to a stop. The downshift to first gear and the engine braking effect is too abrupt to allow for smooth stops in my experience. Yes, I do have talent using the brakes on a vehicle, having raced cars for a decade and being a semi-skilled track rat for 2 decades...

You suppose right. It is from Dinan. Price is $299 for transmission software. Unless there has been a change Dinan products must be installed by a Dinan authorized shop. It should not take more than half an hour.

Whether it is too costly or a value depends on what one is trying to achieve. Software raises shift points in sport and economy modes, firmer and quicker shifts, full control in manual mode, automatically downshifts to third when stopping in manual mode and will shift automatically in manual mode if kick down switch is activated. I am very pleased with the benefits and think it is a great value because I like all that stuff.

[mobilejo]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

You suppose right. It is from Dinan. Price is $299 for transmission software. Unless there has been a change Dinan products must be installed by a Dinan authorized shop. It should not take more than half an hour.

Whether it is too costly or a value depends on what one is trying to achieve. Software raises shift points in sport and economy modes, firmer and quicker shifts, full control in manual mode, automatically downshifts to third when stopping in manual mode and will shift automatically in manual mode if kick down switch is activated. I am very pleased with the benefits and think it is a great value because I like all that stuff.

BMW must be copying Dinan because the E70 in manual mode does the following as standard:

automatically downshifts to second when stopping in manual mode and will shift automatically in manual mode if kick down switch is activated.

For me the manual mode is fun for those times when I want to control exactly what the car does but those are few and far between - so I definitely do not miss a manual transmission. The auto changedown to an appropriate gear when slowing down (it will choose depending on how slow you have reduced your speed to) in manual mode is great because that's the part of genuine manual shifting that I really hate.