[Alkidrew]

You know the scene, driving along and you have to go through a deep puddle formed on the side of the road and you hold your steering a little tighter as you go through to limit the 'kick' from your steering wheel.

I noticed today that if you switch to sport mode and the steering stiffens up, it handles much better though the puddle with far less kick.

[Wo-Wo]

Good excuse to drive everywhere in Sport mode then!

[NISFAN]

And definitely a good example of exactly what you don't want in Sport mode, less communicative steering.

[dopper99]

I've started to put mine in Sport all the time, even around town (helps with roundabouts ). It's set to chassis only.
As there doesn't seem a lot of difference between the modes in the 335d, it may as well stay in Sport and get the benefit of better handling and steering. The comfort and ride seem about the same to me in the different modes, not a lot in it.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I've started to put mine in Sport all the time, even around town (helps with roundabouts ). It's set to chassis only.
As there doesn't seem a lot of difference between the modes in the 335d, it may as well stay in Sport and get the benefit of better handling and steering. The comfort and ride seem about the same to me in the different modes, not a lot in it.

So if you want the sports gears then you just know the lever to the left? Is that the same as setting the drivetrain to SPORT, or does it still miss out on sharper throttle response too?

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

So if you want the sports gears then you just know the lever to the left? Is that the same as setting the drivetrain to SPORT, or does it still miss out on sharper throttle response too?

Yes, move the lever over to the left for sport mode gearbox. It just hangs on to the gears for longer before changing.

With regards a sharper throttle, I think this comes into play in Sport mode regardless of if drivetrain is selected for Sport mode. Well, that's how it seems to me, but someone may correct?

[Steve C]

Mine is in Sport mode all the time to eliminate the engine stop/start at junctions or in traffic.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by Steve C

Mine is in Sport mode all the time to eliminate the engine stop/start at junctions or in traffic.

Arrrrr, I forgot about that. I still keep turning off the ASS every time I get in the car. Doh!

[Tengocity]

So is this correct for what changes in going from comfort to sport?:

Chassis - Adaptive suspension plus steering weight
Drivetrain - Gears, throttle response, ASS disabled

Anything else?

What does Sport plus do? Even more sharper/tighter than Sport or just dials back the DSC?

[Steve C]

I thought Sport mode sharpens throttle response, disables ASS and stiffens steering (I don't have adaptive suspension).

Gear stick to the left only affects change point of gears.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Steve C

I thought Sport mode sharpens throttle response, disables ASS and stiffens steering (I don't have adaptive suspension).

Gear stick to the left only affects change point of gears.

In the settings you can choose whether sports mode affects CHASSIS or DRIVETRAIN or BOTH. I haven't read the anula yet so just wanted to confirm what's covered in each!

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

You know the scene, driving along and you have to go through a deep puddle formed on the side of the road and you hold your steering a little tighter as you go through to limit the 'kick' from your steering wheel.

I noticed today that if you switch to sport mode and the steering stiffens up, it handles much better though the puddle with far less kick.

That's odd

I would have thought it would have the opposite affect?

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by Apl335d

That's odd

I would have thought it would have the opposite affect?

I think if it was 'real' steering where the wheels were connected to your steering wheel physically then I'd agree but as it's all electronic now, the setting means the driver decides the wheel movement rather than the road.

Downside, as Nisfan says, is less real feedback,to the driver however.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

I think if it was 'real' steering where the wheels were connected to your steering wheel physically then I'd agree but as it's all electronic now, the setting means the driver decides the wheel movement rather than the road.

Downside, as Nisfan says, is less real feedback,to the driver however.

I'm pretty sure your steering wheel is physically connected to the wheels still. Electric Power steering is not the same as Steer-by-wire

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I'm pretty sure your steering wheel is physically connected to the wheels still. Electric Power steering is not the same as Steer-by-wire

I think it's all electromechanical now so there is a slight connection for back up but mostly you turn the wheel, it operates a motor which steers the wheels. That allows,them to do clever things with vss and sport mode and also reduces energy to meet standards

[dopper99]

Does this mean with the engine off the steering would be near impossible to turn? (Not something I'd like to try!)
What about towing? Could you not tow a 3 series as you couldn't turn the wheel?

[Alkidrew]

It's hard to turn but you can do it. There is still a connection but with the engine on, it's all motors and pixie dust

[dopper99]

Even the new M3 gets electric steering now. It must be worth the trade off of gaining a few extra mpg for losing the nice steering feel of the old hydraulic systems.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

I think it's all electromechanical now so there is a slight connection for back up but mostly you turn the wheel, it operates a motor which steers the wheels. That allows,them to do clever things with vss and sport mode and also reduces energy to meet standards

I thought that with EPS there was still a steering rack but that the motor was electric rather than hydraulic? And that the efficiency gains are because a hydraulic pump is constantly working whereas the electric ones only draw power whilst you are turning the wheel etc.

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

I think it's all electromechanical now so there is a slight connection for back up but mostly you turn the wheel, it operates a motor which steers the wheels. That allows,them to do clever things with vss and sport mode and also reduces energy to meet standards

What? A "slight" connection?

Originally Posted by Tengocity

I thought that with EPS there was still a steering rack but that the motor was electric rather than hydraulic? And that the efficiency gains are because a hydraulic pump is constantly working whereas the electric ones only draw power whilst you are turning the wheel etc.

Yes, that sounds more like it

[BMWSKI]

Having read the manual I'm still a bit uncertain what the settings really mean when setting up the sport mode??? Can anyone break it down for a beginner like me and maybe recommend what I should change it to?
I've had a go in sport mode with the gear shift over to the left and that makes everything very rapid
TIA

[Alkidrew]

Originally Posted by Apl335d

What? A "slight" connection?
:

don't think its rubber bands and cocktail sticks but the motor now does much more work as tengocity says. My point is that now, in sport mode, the puddles don't kick you as much.