My first BMW... questions

[majcne]

I'm hoping there are no stupid questions, so here goes. What is sport mode, and what is the +/- when I pull my gear column to the left while in drive?
Thanks.

[xoutpostking]

Originally Posted by majcne

I'm hoping there are no stupid questions, so here goes. What is sport mode, and what is the +/- when I pull my gear column to the left while in drive?
Thanks.

Semi Manual, lets you shift your own gears without the clutch. I have never used mine once, redundant. But I am sure others swear by it.

[AwesomeM3]

The + and - shift the gears manually.

BMW Technology Guide : Sport mode

Tune up: when sport mode is activated, engine output and driving dynamics take on sportier qualities, letting you enjoy your BMW's dynamic character at its peak.

Depending on which BMW model you drive, the sport mode can be activated by a touch of the "Sport" button on the central console. Immediately, your BMW feels even more dynamic: the electronic control units switch to sportier settings, making the engine more responsive and the suspension stiffer.
This increase in sports-style characteristics is accompanied by a reduction in powered assistance for the steering at low and medium RPMs for more direct and immediate steering, giving you an even closer sense of the character of the road.
In vehicles with automatic transmission or the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), activating the sport mode (also known as Driving Dynamic Control) shortens gearshift times and makes the gearshift characteristic even more dynamic.

[Richard in NC]

Sport Mode by pressing the Sport button is not related to sport (DS) mode on the transmission shifter.

Push the gear shift lever left for DS mode and higher RPM shifts. It will also choose lower gears for turns, etc. Then push forward (-) for downshifts or pull back (+) for upshifts. Once you do that, you are in manual mode, meaning it will hold the gear until you push/pull the lever again, go above/below the acceptible RPM range, or come to a stop. At which point you'll be in 1st, still in manual and have to shift with the lever when taking off again.

[soldmystang]

rocks when used with a 4.8, i mostly use it when passing on I-40. as in passing almost everything else on I-40. never f*** with an X6 TT however. no chance, no way.

[autoque]

I only switch to D/S mode when I'm stationary. It feels wrong to change the transmission algorithm on the fly.

[Price]

Originally Posted by autoque

I only switch to D/S mode when I'm stationary. It feels wrong to change the transmission algorithm on the fly.

Can we add this smiley to the selection, as it becomes more and more handy lately?

[DSB'12X5]

AwesomeM3 ,

...and the suspension stiffer.

Is this standard on all models? What is it using to make suspension stiffer? Without active suspension package (adaptive drive), will it still do that?

[AwesomeM3]

Originally Posted by DSB'12X5

AwesomeM3 ,
Is this standard on all models? What is it using to make suspension stiffer? Without active suspension package (adaptive drive), will it still do that?

I think it only comes with the Sport Package option, but I'm not sure. I believe the electronics adjust the shocks (Electronic Damping Control), thereby making the suspension stiffer.

[eschantra]

Originally Posted by AwesomeM3

I think it only comes with the Sport Package option, but I'm not sure. I believe the electronics adjust the shocks (Electronic Damping Control), thereby making the suspension stiffer.

I believe it affects the ARS as well, but don't quote me on that. If you have the sport suspension, this button puts it into sport mode: