"SPORT" Button??

[JoelF]

I have a 2008 X5 with the Sport Package. Does the "SPORT" button change the shift patterns?? Thanks....

[AzNMpower32]

It's supposed to make the shifts slightly more aggressive and mostly it firms up the Dynamic Drive suspension.

[Texas5]

I may be wrong, but I thought the "Sport" button only affected the suspension. To change the transmission shift patterns, you need to put the transmission in "sport" mode by moving the transmission lever to the left.

[Denalio]

Originally Posted by Texas5

I may be wrong, but I thought the "Sport" button only affected the suspension. To change the transmission shift patterns, you need to put the transmission in "sport" mode by moving the transmission lever to the left.

[Noodle555]

For what it's worth on the M3 the sport button simply remaps the throttle position and makes it less sensitive. For example, without sport enabled you would need to floor the throttle to get full acceleration, however with sport button depressed when the throttle is half way pressed you are at WOT.

Of course this may be slightly different with the X5 but I am sure the throttle part would be similar.

[Penguin]

It does seem to vary with model and year. I do know that the 2004 Z4 sport button did the more sensitive throttle, cut the steering boost a bit, and on auto versions put the transmission into sport mode shifting.

The X5 owner's manual reads like the button only affects the suspension, FWIW.

[mtech8]

Originally Posted by Texas5

I may be wrong, but I thought the "Sport" button only affected the suspension. To change the transmission shift patterns, you need to put the transmission in "sport" mode by moving the transmission lever to the left.

DSE pointed out that in another thread that the "sports button" does affect throttle input.

This might be what Noodle555 means by remapping in with the M3 sports button.

I've been testing this out for the past week. And the acceleration definitely does feel different between pressing and not pressing the button.

With the button NOT pressed, it feels like it takes more gas before responding. Thus it feels slightly slower, but definitely more comfortable accelerations when the car is loaded with passengers. There is less likely of the car jumping forward from a stop light.

With the button pressed, it feels more responsive.

Now the "DS Mode" by moving the shifter to the left is something else. Even more responsive than the sports button pressed and holds the gears longer.

[Full Speed]

I agree with mtech8 and Noodle555. The sport button affects only throttle response. My sales assoc. told me that it has nothing to do with the sport suspension - which is always in sport mode. Only the shifter can activate the sport transmission.

[rh71]

^ this needs further testing. The only difference I actually feel is the softer ride when going over rougher roads when the button is off. You can hear the suspension give a bit more too - it's a distinctive (not so attractive) sound - I only use it in some uneven city streets and notice/hear the difference right after pushing the button off. Don't feel a difference in throttle... will need to test that more.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Full Speed

I agree with mtech8 and Noodle555. The sport button affects only throttle response. My sales assoc. told me that it has nothing to do with the sport suspension - which is always in sport mode. Only the shifter can activate the sport transmission.

That is not what the Owner's Manual says. Assuming you have adaptive drive, the manual says the sport button at the base of the shifter is for selecting two types of chassis and suspension tuning.

Page 99 of the 2009 owner's manual (might be a different page number on earlier manual versions, due to the addition of Diesel information in 2009)