[zhoudaniell]

When do you guys find yourselves using these specific modes? For me, I'm defaulted into eco pro and when I want to let it rip, I put it either into sport or sport + mode, so I never actually really use comfort.

Also, has anyone tested the MPG on eco vs comfort vs sport? I'm wondering how accurately the eco indicator is when it says that I've added "x miles" to my total tank because I'm in eco pro mode.

[Peter_R]

I have the X3 xDrive 30d MSport and accordingly have lots of low speed torque (grunt), so find myself in Comfort mode most of the time. I do use eco pro on long motorway runs, but to be honest there is hardly any difference in the fuel consumption between both settings.

[alpwhite46]

Yeah I barely use ECO-Pro - its too sluggish especially on the highway the response is crappy.

I also have the benefit of my company paying for my gas so i don't really care about the savings too much lol

[aintitthelife98]

I spend most of my time in Comfort on my 35i with sport sprinkled in depending on the roads i'm on and traffic. I find ECO to be too sluggish so I only use it if I'm really trying to stretch gas.

[Ol' Fart]

Around where I live I drive in sport mode 90% of the time and comfort the rest of the time. I tried the Eco Pro mode on my road trip to east Texas and was disappointed. There was really no discernible difference in the fuel mileage and the car felt more sluggish. It took more time and effort to pass cars and trucks, It also turns on the start-stop mode which I hate. Just my experience, but my car is diesel powered which may make my experience different than yours.

[Schmullis]

EcoPro is very unresponsive, and might be dangerous if you need to get out of the way of a traffic incident. I also disable the start/stop feature, an annoyance.

I use comfort and will use sport to zoom away at a traffic light and such.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Ol' Fart

Around where I live I drive in sport mode 90% of the time and comfort the rest of the time. I tried the Eco Pro mode on my road trip to east Texas and was disappointed. There was really no discernible difference in the fuel mileage and the car felt more sluggish. It took more time and effort to pass cars and trucks, It also turns on the start-stop mode which I hate. Just my experience, but my car is diesel powered which may make my experience different than yours.

Humm...I use Comfort Mode most of the time, and the Start Stop function works all the Time. Exactly the same as Eco-Pro.

[Steady Eddy]

I'm with Peter_R - same motor.
I find eco mode a bit unresponsive but use it on motorway and for tootling!
I do however, find that because it is less responsive it makes for more relaxed driving and therefore uses slightly less fuel. Very little difference though.

[dreamspeed]

echoing what others have said... eco mode is so sluggish that i don't even feel safe doing a lane change at speed on the highway with it.

most of the time i'm in comfort mode.... i really wish could further individualize sport mode. My ideal settings would be sport suspension, sport steering, sport throttle, normal tranny shifting.

My issue with sport tranny shifting is that it doesn't let you go into 8th gear

[335iAP]

Lots of stop and go traffic where I am, and eco pro is actually nicer then because it isn't as jumpy. If the roads are clear I'm usually in sport.

[kevink1]

Eco pro is fine for me for normal driving. Just NOT on 2 lane highways if I want to pass.

[hardparker]

I don't find myself lingering in Comfort mode for long after getting in the car. Sometimes I'll engage it while rolling into my neighborhood, just to quiet the car down a little.

Otherwise, I have Sport set up to increase damping, but usually bypass it for Sport+ to get both better handling as well as better transmission calibrations.

When I'm feeling particularly sporty, the shift lever goes into sport mode and I'll occasionally use the paddles.

Regarding Eco-Pro, I only bother to use it when the math on range versus the next fuel stop starts to look sketchy. Then I drive it with ginger tiptoes, too.

[bichoo]

Sport (Damper & Steering only, not transmission) is how I usually drive. Eco Pro only when cruising long distances on highway or sport and go single lane of traffic.

Sport with tranny in manual when the roads are open or just when I get itch to drive hard.

[RhoXS]

I had a 2011 X3 28i with the outstanding 6 cylinder engine (N52?). The performance was excellent. I made a big mistake and my 2016 28i X3 has the pathetic 4 cylinder engine. Performance is noticeably not as good as I experienced with my 2011, even in sport mode. It frequently feels like it is lugging if I leave it in the default comfort mode so, without exception, I always put it in sport mode immediately after I start it. In addition to unacceptably poor performance, the four cylinder put-puts like an expensive lawn mower when it idles and that damn automatic engine shut down is both annoying and disconcerting. I also do not understand why, in sport mode, it wont shift into the slightly more economical 8th gear when at a high steady state speed on an interstate. I made a mistake not buying the 35i and, as a result, I am not at all happy with my X3 because of the 4 cylinder engine. I just don't perceive someone spending $60K on a new BMW wants all those annoying performance compromises (including the sound of it) for a minimal improvement in economy. I have had BMWs since my 1988 E30 M3 and this is the first one I am unhappy with.

[bichoo]

You should really consider adding a tune to get a boost. The extra HP/Torque is definitely noticeable.

Originally Posted by RhoXS

I had a 2011 X3 28i with the outstanding 6 cylinder engine (N52?). The performance was excellent. I made a big mistake and my 2016 28i X3 has the pathetic 4 cylinder engine. Performance is noticeably not as good as I experienced with my 2011, even in sport mode. It frequently feels like it is lugging if I leave it in the default comfort mode so, without exception, I always put it in sport mode immediately after I start it. In addition to unacceptably poor performance, the four cylinder put-puts like an expensive lawn mower when it idles and that damn automatic engine shut down is both annoying and disconcerting. I also do not understand why, in sport mode, it wont shift into the slightly more economical 8th gear when at a high steady state speed on an interstate. I made a mistake not buying the 35i and, as a result, I am not at all happy with my X3 because of the 4 cylinder engine. I just don't perceive someone spending $60K on a new BMW wants all those annoying performance compromises (including the sound of it) for a minimal improvement in economy. I have had BMWs since my 1988 E30 M3 and this is the first one I am unhappy with.

[RhoXS]

Originally Posted by bichoo

You should really consider adding a tune to get a boost. The extra HP/Torque is definitely noticeable.

Please explain what you mean by "...adding a tune...". Thanks

[CalCarNut]

He means a piggy back tune; will add about 20-30hp and about same torque. The 'tune' basically bumps up the boost and makes more power. Dinan sells them along with JB and a host of others. There are flash tunes available as well but more labor to have done.

Keep in mind all could void your warranty if something happens. It's a dice roll for everyone that jumps in the 'tune' pool.

[bichoo]

Originally Posted by CalCarNut

He means a piggy back tune; will add about 20-30hp and about same torque. The 'tune' basically bumps up the boost and makes more power. Dinan sells them along with JB and a host of others. There are flash tunes available as well but more labor to have done.

Keep in mind all could void your warranty if something happens. It's a dice roll for everyone that jumps in the 'tune' pool.

Correct. I have the Dinantronics Sport Performance Tuner, which adds a gentle up to +4 PSI turbo boost. I find its the best bang for the buck; look it up

[CalCarNut]

Originally Posted by bichoo

Correct. I have the Dinantronics Sport Performance Tuner, which adds a gentle up to +4 PSI turbo boost. I find its the best bang for the buck; look it up

Agreed...for the $, it's a nice inexpensive power adder. My car is flash-tuned but if it were not, I'd look at the Dinan option for sure.

[JupiterBMW]

Curious reading this post. I had a '12 X3 35i back in 2012 and I vaguely remember being able to set changes for each driving mode. However, on my '13 X3 35i that I currently own, I can't find how to change anything. Currently, in sport everything is in sport; steering, suspension, power, and shifting. And in comfort, everything is in normal.

Can any of you adjust what changes are made in sport/sport+, and if so, where do you make the changes?

Thanks in advance.

That all being said, I would drive in sport more, but the shifting and lack of 8th gear is too much for daily suburban duties... In my perfect world the settings would be as follows:

Eco Pro - Full eco setting, only for highway/road trips
Comfort - Everything in normal mode
Sport - Sport suspension and steering
Sport+ - Sport suspension, steering, power, and shifting.

[Crassus]

I find the throttle response in eco pro mode outright dangerous and only use that mode on motorways inconjuxtion with cruise control.

[WaterlooMike]

I just got my 2013 X3 35i this week and have actually mostly been driving it in Eco Pro. This is my first BMW and my impression is that in this mode it drives pretty much like a normal car. Its actually right in the range of the Jetta TDI it was replacing except with a smoother ride and better handling. I wouldn't call it dangerous, just a more sedate drive. I could see it being called dangerous for people who's driving style requires a high throttle response due to taking excessive risks in when to pull into traffic.

It's fine for me around town, taking the kids where ever. Anytime I feel there is a need for better acceleration or handling (before round about, entering highway etc) I just slip it into Comfort/Sport and the whole car comes alive and provides everything I need. But in general for basic driving, following the speed limit (more like 10 over) and not needing to pass everyone else I find Eco Pro plenty and provides a relaxed, smooth ride.