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Post by johnc on Aug 18, 2017 7:51:02 GMT
I have had my car for nearly 3 years now and in the early days I commented on and criticised the fact that I couldn't have the combination of comfort mode for the suspension with sport mode for the throttle and steering. On Wednesday I had a nice trip to near Dunoon with some great driving roads and when I came up behind some slow traffic I moved the gear lever to the left into sport mode where I could then use the gearshift paddles without intervention from the car. At this point I was still in the comfort setting for suspension and throttle etc. Traffic was coming the other way which meant that I didn't change gear and just drove on for a few miles waiting for an opportunity to pass. I then became aware that I had sharp throttle response but still a decent ride and for as long as I didn't touch the paddles, the gearbox did all the work on its own including shifting down more quickly with light pressure on the accelerator. I played about with the suspension/throttle/steering setting button and shifting it to Sport definitely firmed up the suspension.
To conclude, even though it has taken me nearly 3 years to find it, I think I have now found the setting I always wanted: comfort suspension for our poorly maintained A and B roads but the instant go and eagerness that my old car had at all times in the throttle mapping.
I am sure that Martin will tell me I should have known but I have only ever moved the lever to the left when I was going to change gear myself with no help or interference from the car and finding this was pure chance. I'm happy. |
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Post by Tim on Aug 18, 2017 8:40:10 GMT
That's a great find!
As far as I can tell selecting Sport mode on the 320 only sharpens the throttle, I assume it has passive suspension and there's no change to the steering.
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 18, 2017 9:39:10 GMT
Interesting!
If it's any consolation, it took me six months to discover that there is a much bigger difference between "Sport" and "Sport+" on the 440i than there was on the M135i!
In both cars, you can feel the difference in engine mapping and urge between Comfort and Sport, and yes there is a difference in the exhaust/engine sound.
However, in the M135i, it didn't appear to do much to go from Sport to Sport+, asides from switching off the traction control.
But to my (pleasant) surprise, in the 440i, Sport+ is noticeably different again – it feels much more aggressive and louder than Sport. So much so that the first time I flicked it into S+ when late for the airport, my wife actually commented (positively, thankfully – the comment was "this car does sound very nice").
Yes, surely part of that is the fact it hangs onto the gears longer than in Sport, but, having asked the question on the BMW forum, it seems that in the F30-series cars, Sport+ does do something extra to the mapping/exhaust beyond the "standard" Sport setting.
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Post by johnc on Aug 18, 2017 9:51:49 GMT
I have had lots of small sideways moments when in Sport+, normally at uncomfortable moments or speeds for public roads, so I tend not to venture there unless it's a nice sunny day. I can't say mine sounds greatly different in Sport+ but then it sounds pretty good all the time when you give it some revs. (It definitely has a "more than 4 cylinders" sound/growl and doesn't sound diesely at all when pushing on)
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Post by Tim on Aug 18, 2017 10:54:29 GMT
But to my (pleasant) surprise, in the 440i, Sport+ is noticeably different again – it feels much more aggressive and louder than Sport. So much so that the first time I flicked it into S+ when late for the airport, my wife actually commented (positively, thankfully – the comment was "this car does sound very nice"). Yes, surely part of that is the fact it hangs onto the gears longer than in Sport, but, having asked the question on the BMW forum, it seems that in the F30-series cars, Sport+ does do something extra to the mapping/exhaust beyond the "standard" Sport setting.
Is this right, can you only get the nicest exhaust noise by switching off the safety net completely?
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Post by Martin on Aug 18, 2017 11:04:39 GMT
Yes, moving the lever over to the left is similar to putting it into Sport mode, but is slightly less 'sport' in its settings. I use that a lot more than full Sport, mainly because it helps with engine braking.
There is a 3rd option. If you move the lever to the left and put it in sport mode as well, you get an even quicker gearchange and it will hold onto the gears longer and drop down more readily. I don't like this mode though, the gearchange is a bit too aggressive (maybe artificially?).
The other thing I've found with Sport mode is that it pays more attention to the Sat Nav. e.g. Drops down an extra gear at a roundabout or junction
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Post by Martin on Aug 18, 2017 11:07:39 GMT
But to my (pleasant) surprise, in the 440i, Sport+ is noticeably different again – it feels much more aggressive and louder than Sport. So much so that the first time I flicked it into S+ when late for the airport, my wife actually commented (positively, thankfully – the comment was "this car does sound very nice"). Yes, surely part of that is the fact it hangs onto the gears longer than in Sport, but, having asked the question on the BMW forum, it seems that in the F30-series cars, Sport+ does do something extra to the mapping/exhaust beyond the "standard" Sport setting.
Is this right, can you only get the nicest exhaust noise by switching off the safety net completely?
That's what I've read about the Alfa Guilia QF, you have to switch everything off for it to sound good. |
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Post by Martin on Aug 18, 2017 11:15:06 GMT
When I had a 320d hire car in Spain, my favourite setting was Sport mode, but with the transmission deselected in the options, which meant throttle/gearbox were in comfort, but the suspension and steering were in Sport. I didn't like the way it moved around in comfort, probably not helped by 17" wheels.
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 18, 2017 11:23:26 GMT
Sport+ on the Gorilla is utterly unadvisable on the public highway! I get nice stepouts in Sport in the less-than-bone-dry but at the Spring Lamb consistency run up the Captain's Drive at the RAC country club I tried Sport+ in proper anger and basically you can't utilise full throttle without a pant smearing moment. I'll try next spring with new tyres and see if that helps.
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Post by johnc on Aug 18, 2017 11:36:59 GMT
Yes, moving the lever over to the left is similar to putting it into Sport mode, but is slightly less 'sport' in its settings. I use that a lot more than full Sport, mainly because it helps with engine braking. There is a 3rd option. If you move the lever to the left and put it in sport mode as well, you get an even quicker gearchange and it will hold onto the gears longer and drop down more readily. I don't like this mode though, the gearchange is a bit too aggressive (maybe artificially?). The other thing I've found with Sport mode is that it pays more attention to the Sat Nav. e.g. Drops down an extra gear at a roundabout or junction Normally when I go manual, I also go for the Sport button which gives me everything on steroids. I am pleased I have found a happy medium. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2017 11:47:10 GMT
A new noise/sound on just about every trip. No shocks when checked so it seems that it is just the old car thing at work.
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 21, 2017 10:58:01 GMT
Made another discovery on Saturday. I went down to Surrey to test-drive some cars and there are some cracking roads down there. So it seemed rude not to turn everything on the GC up to max Spinal Tap and go for it. This included tapping the gear lever over to the left into Sport and doing my own changes in max attack.
And so to the discovery. Up until now, my experience of the ZF auto is that it can slur with the best of them in polite company and yet also whack in some pretty swift and smooth shifts when needed, but always does so with minimum fuss and drama. Whereas, the DSG box in eg Audi's S and RS models tend to give you a pretty loud "braaap" noise on rapid upshifts.
Well, it seems that if you give the 440i full beans in Sport Plus with the gearbox in Sport and change gears manually using the paddles, it suddenly also starts to let out some audible "braaap" noises on full-bore upshifts. Not quite as rude-boy and showy as the Audis, but there nevertheless and actually rather welcome. I like the fact that the BMW will make such noises, but only if you really go looking for them and not merely when you are toddling down the high street to Tesco. Gives them more of a sense of authenticity.
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Post by PetrolEd on Aug 21, 2017 11:16:04 GMT
Nice, now what have you been tyre kicking?
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Post by racingteatray on Aug 21, 2017 11:36:26 GMT
MX-5, 124 Spider.......and a 996 3.6 Carrera...
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Post by PetrolEd on Aug 21, 2017 11:48:56 GMT
Odd mix but interesting none the less. For the missus or for you?
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 21, 2017 19:19:50 GMT
The Gorilla retards ignition on the max kickdown upshifts and gives a nice rude boy "thump" from the pipes as it does so. Even inside the serene cabin it sounds awesome.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2017 7:25:06 GMT
First three words of that post would make a great name for a band...
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Post by Roadsterstu on Aug 22, 2017 7:46:34 GMT
First three words of that post would make a great name for a band...  |
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Post by Big Blue on Aug 23, 2017 5:53:13 GMT
First three words of that post would make a great name for a band... I think Damon Albarn already has that covered. |
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