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Driving modes.

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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Rich-hill
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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Sun Apr 21, 2019 11:20 am

Hi all,

Collected a 2009 Z4 35i DCT Friday and been experimenting with the driver modes.

I notice when I place it in sport + it doesn’t turn the amber light on for the transcript control... reading the manual and other posts I was led to believe this should happen automatically?

If I press the DSC button I have the ‘traction’ appear. After a long depress it says OFF.

Is this normal? I realise a lot of posts online and videos are from the USA and aware there cars may differ slightly.

Rich-hill
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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Sun Apr 21, 2019 8:16 pm

Having driven a good few miles today I notice that in sport + the DSC lamp stays off, and under hard acceleration it feels like the DSC is cutting in.

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Deepseaskateboard
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Driving modes.

Post by Deepseaskateboard » Mon Apr 22, 2019 10:14 am

Sport is one press, no amber light.

Sport + is two presses, make sure it says sport + on the dash screen.

The traction light should come on.

If not, you could try holding down the DSC off button until the screen goes yellow, saying traction off.
(Then its really off) and toggling modes.
Then turn the car off and on again, and re-select sport +
See if it comes on automatically then.
It may jostle things about... worth a try.

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Driving modes.

Post by flybobbie » Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:08 am

If you hold button down it jumps form normal to sport +.
Holding DSC turns it off, word traction and ! appears for say driving in snow? Whats wrong with saying traction OFF.
I do think that some of BMWs terminology in this area a bit confusing, like they are trying to give you something rather than take it away.

BMW had some good videos on this, but they removed them.

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Deepseaskateboard
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Driving modes.

Post by Deepseaskateboard » Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:29 am

flybobbie wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:08 am If you hold button down it jumps form normal to sport +.
Holding DSC turns it off, word traction and ! appears for say driving in snow? Whats wrong with saying traction OFF.
I do think that some of BMWs terminology in this area a bit confusing, like they are trying to give you something rather than take it away.

BMW had some good videos on this, but they removed them.
I think its for mad drifting, and burnouts!
For the promotional videos.... or if some new tyres are due.
I have never tried it tho...

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Driving modes.

Post by flybobbie » Mon Apr 22, 2019 11:44 am

https://youtu.be/c0kwzwur4vg
Uploaded video, some might find it helpful.

Rich-hill
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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:06 pm

If I press it once it days sport. Press it twice it’s aport + NO amber lights.

If I tap the traction button it says ‘traction’ if I hold it it says DSC OFF.

Throughout all of this I have no amber light. The light works as it’s there on ignition start up.

While in sport + on loose ground or under hard acceleration the traction control system cuts in killing power/braking very quickly.

Previous BMW’s I have had, it’s allowed far more slip.

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Driving modes.

Post by Deepseaskateboard » Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:08 pm

Has it been remapped for more power?

If so, maybe the traction stays on in sport +

Just an idea.

The light should come on in sport+ may be best to have a technician take a look at it.

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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Mon Apr 22, 2019 7:44 pm

I don’t think it’s been remapped? If so it doesn’t feel like it’s much faster ? Unless it’s a really subtle remap.

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gwatson
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Driving modes.

Post by gwatson » Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:29 pm

So from a traction\stability point of view, is there a difference from going into sport plus or leaving it in normal and pressing the traction control button for a split second?
Current:
E89 SDrive 30i M Sport - Manual
Jaguar F-Type V6S Convertible
E70 X5 30d

Previous:
Z4M Roadster Interlagos Blue
ESS Stage 2 Supercharged E85 3.0

Rich-hill
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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Fri Apr 26, 2019 10:28 pm

gwatson wrote: Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:29 pm So from a traction\stability point of view, is there a difference from going into sport plus or leaving it in normal and pressing the traction control button for a split second?
Sport plus will also change throttle response too. As for stability I don’t think so?

No launch control unless you’re in sport plus either 😂

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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Mon Apr 29, 2019 5:52 am

Today has been the first day I’ve driven in the wet.

So turned the traction control off (10 second hold). Other than it saying off I had no yellow lights on, applying throttle I would still get a flashing light as TC cut in, so would appear I can’t actually turn it off?!

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Driving modes.

Post by Rich-hill » Mon Apr 29, 2019 8:41 pm

A friend let me use a basic code reader that didn’t show up any faults.

Is there a possibility a fuse of sorts or something that simple could have gone? Seeing as it’s an entire system that’s affected via 1 switch?

Just trying to think a little outside the box

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Driving modes.

Post by Stratos » Mon Jan 18, 2021 6:32 pm

Hello guys!

I have a 23i, bought last year.
It is a manual and I have a question regarding the driving modes.

When in Sport+ the DTC is on but the car feels quicker.
I guess that has to do with the throttle response.
When in Sport+ and I deactivate the traction control, does it go back to normal?
I don't feel the same punch from the throttle.
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