3.0SI - can SPORT Mode be Disabled?

H

Huz-z

Member
So, if one potentially has a young and inexperienced teenaged kid who may drive the car, is there a way to disable Sport Mode, such as through a programming change or fuse removal?

The idea is that one day Sport mode could be restored without too much trouble, but at the same time, not so easy that the kid can restore it easily on his own.
 
All it does is sharpen the throttle response and tighten the steering. Not like it adds any more power or anything, I would be more worried about letting the kid behind the wheel full stop lol!
 
If you dont think he/she can be trusted with the car with the sport button intact...do you really think you should be trusting them with such a powerful car?....
 
I agree with your comments. Although I have an SI, I am not asking for myself. I am asking for another chap who has already decided to entrust a 3.0si to a teenaged first time driver. I have already lectured the fellow at length, so now it's about minimizing the risk.
 
please tell me your kidding! i would firstly like to know which insurance company are willing to insure a teenager on an SI!
 
The sport button is more about changing the driving experience than changing the cars performance...an education is required i think.....
 
I think it depends, how responsible is the kid and what defines a kid? Im 23 with a Z4Mc and think thats acceptable, but I bought the car and its on my own head if I end up crashing it. But I would say im in the minority of young people who drive sensibly with such caliber of vehicle.
 
Yes, power is unchanged, but its delivery is not unchanged. The sport button brings on power in a much more aggressive way, which could be dangerous for a young driver on a wet road for example.

The chap I refer to has his mind made up, his kid will drive the car. Can anyone answer my question?
 
Dunno if its this simple, but is disconnecting the cable from the button an option? Should be able to gently pry the button out I reckon. Wouldn't bother though, taking the pessimistic view that if the kid crashes the car, it'll be nothing that disabling sport mode will prevent.
 
I am not a technical guru, however I am not sure the sport button will have it's own fuse - most are multi-function I think. Perhaps you could prise the sport button up and simply disconnect it, then fit it back it ? It won't light up, and the kid will know it isn't working - they may reconnect it, but I don't know how else to help :?
 
The thing is the sport button is just a BMW gimmick and not worth worrying about, the power delivery doesn't change. Its not like the more modern M buttons of the M3 and M5. Slight stiffening of the suspension and the electronic steering sensitivity is reduced giving a heavier feel and the pedal is slightly more responsive. But i suppose there is no reason why you cant disconnect it, although getting to it might mean removing half the interior.
 
Sport button irrelevant. Teenager plus 3.0 Z4 = ditch :(

Insurance premium increases come as standard... Hehe :)


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I'm with the rest on this, sport button or not, it can easily be a messy affair. If they can't be trusted, they shouldn't be behind the wheel. Maybe your friend would do good to see this thread. That being said, youngsters can drive sensibly, mind I'm 21 and it's only 2.2l. But as the teenager doesn't sound to have put much into the car, easy come, easy go.

As other have said, prise the button up and disconnect the wires should do the job, also as others said, the DTC button is more to be worried about, that isn't a pop out disconnect job either.
 
Could possibly unplug it from underneath, that way the button would not function(as others has already said). Not 100% it would work but it might be worth a try if your worried.
 
jan_tekin said:
Could possibly unplug it from underneath, that way the button would not function(as others has already said). Not 100% it would work but it might be worth a try if your worried.
Click to expand...

+1 regarding both DTC and Sport button.

Oh and then shove a brick under the loud pedal so it can't be fully pressed!!
 
Actually, reading through all this again, I agree with the Sport vs DTC button comments. Switching on Sport could result in shunting someone in the back end in slow traffic due to unexpected throttle response, but even racing around back roads the electronics will 'save' you from any serious mishaps within the bounds of physics, assuming some care. Switch them off - the DTC button - and an inexperienced driver could very easily write off the car without even trying, irrespective of whether Sport is on or off. Sport might just make it happen at a lower speed, which could actually be a good thing, damage-wise :P

Seriously, this is a 3.0 , 265bhp RWD sports car we are talking about, not a FWD or 4WD sedan - if the guy can't be trusted, as this question implies, then your friend has 3 choices - potentially let the kid find out the hard way with your friend's money, get a smaller engined version (still a high risk), or don't let him drive it.

Check out this thread and the vid on page 3 or 4 that shows what can happen when you switch the electronics off - ok, it's an M, but the guy is experienced, driving reasonably fast but not stupidly, and even though it doesn't look too dramatic the car was written off : http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=31651&hilit=Killed

EDIT - sorry to Z8cookie for resurrecting your pain :cry: figured it was a cautionary tale worth sharing. Not even sure you had the electronics off looking back...
 
The only time the kids can drive a 265bhp sports car is when they buy their own!

Madness letting a youngster drive it.
 
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