Sport vs non-sport

[buzyg]

I gather all it does on the ///M is remap the throttle response. I also understand that the car learns the drivers habits and changes the throttle response, without using the Sport bottom, so you can either use it all the time or never use it. but it's pretty much a waste of time to use it occasionally, on the ///M.

No plans to try the "Sport bottom" to be fair.

But I sort of want to try turning the DSC off, maybe!

DSC off used to be my default as soon as I got in the car. Lots of fun to be had if you have the confidence and can afford the tyres. To be honest I don't drive hard enough to bother these days.

(I get my bus pass soon, we can go on a bus mans holiday)

[AnilS]

The sports button makes a massive difference to my auto.
You wake a monster up once you press it.

This applies to me also.

Everything becomes more frantic, in a good way.

And the noise is amazing.

[enuff_zed]

The sport button is not just exclusive to the Sport model. It is fitted on all models of E85/86. Mine is '03 SE and I always drive with the sport button on as not only does it sharpen throttle response and weight up the steering but also my car is SMG equipped and it makes the gear changes faster too The car feels so much better

Not quite true. It is fitted to SE cars also, but it depends on what engine you have.

Yup, my 04-plate 2.2i doesn't have it, but with the close ratio 5-speed box I'm not missing it at all.

[enuff_zed]

No plans to try the "Sport bottom" to be fair.

Same here!
As I've aged the 'Sport Bottom' has definitely morphed into a 'Cruise Bottom'.

[jamie_z4]

cars that had sport button , regardless of trim were:
Pre FL
3.0i
2.5i

Facelift
2.5si
3.0si
///M

the 2.2i / 2.0i and 2.5i 177bhp didnt have sport buttons

[patriot66]

cars that had sport button , regardless of trim were:
Pre FL
3.0i
2.5i

Facelift
2.5si
3.0si
///M

the 2.2i / 2.0i and 2.5i 177bhp didnt have sport buttons

Thanks for the info Jamie. I wondered exactly which models didn't and which did.

[Mike6]

Might be wrong but fairly sure I read somewhere that if you press the sports button whilst driving and it doesnt make much difference it could be a sign that the VANOS seals need changing.

[enuff_zed]

Might be wrong but fairly sure I read somewhere that if you press the sports button whilst driving and it doesnt make much difference it could be a sign that the VANOS seals need changing.

I wouldn't think so tbh?
As I understand it (been known to be wrong though), in 'comfort/normal' the first half of the pedal movement only actually opens the throttle 1/3. So you need to give it a good old stab to get shifting.
In 'Sport' the first half of pedal movement gives 2/3 throttle opening. (All figures being approximate)
So basically it's just meaning more fuel for less toe effort. Which is probably why 'Sport' is an anagram of 'Kangaroo' around town in a manual car.

[Smartbear]

Might be wrong but fairly sure I read somewhere that if you press the sports button whilst driving and it doesnt make much difference it could be a sign that the VANOS seals need changing.

I wouldn't think so tbh?
As I understand it (been known to be wrong though), in 'comfort/normal' the first half of the pedal movement only actually opens the throttle 1/3. So you need to give it a good old stab to get shifting.
In 'Sport' the first half of pedal movement gives 2/3 throttle opening. (All figures being approximate)
So basically it's just meaning more fuel for less toe effort. Which is probably why 'Sport' is an anagram of 'Kangaroo' around town in a manual car.

Sounds about right, pressing the sport button doesn’t give any extra power per se
Rob

[Nanu]

In the 35is you can tell instantly when the sport/fun button is pressed.

Not sure about the extra fuel though. Have tried many different lengths of journey and driving conditions and noticed no difference.

[veryverydarkblue]

The biggest benefit of the sport button on a manual, which is rarely mentioned, is for getting a quick blip of revs out-of-gear without having to stab the throttle to the floor. This makes a huge difference for getting a quick getaway off the line, or heel and toeing down the box (for smoothness/ balance/ reduced clutch wear/ aural satisfaction).

DTC mode and CDV delete are both essential to make the most of ‘sport mode’ driving and avoid the kangarooing antics.

In everyday driving, the Z4 sport mode is no more aggressive than the normal mode on our F56 MINI Cooper auto, so unless I’m chauffeuring an in-law, hypermiling, in torrential rain or on a motorway it’s on. Sport mode on the MINI really is ridiculous though, and I’d challenge anyone to drive that smoothly around town!