[RhoXS]

What exactly happens in Sport Mode (Transmission selector pushed to the left)?

I found the following on the BMW web site:

" ... the electronic control units switch to sportier settings, making the engine more responsive and the suspension stiffer. This increase in sports-style characteristics is accompanied by a reduction in powered assistance for the steering at low and medium RPMs for more direct and immediate steering, giving you an even closer sense of the character of the road. In vehicles with automatic transmission or the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), activating the sport mode (also known as Driving Dynamic Control) shortens gearshift times and makes the gearshift characteristic even more dynamic."

So, does this mean, when I push the shift lever to the left, the following takes place:

1 - The transmission shift points change (very obvious).
2 - The engine becomes more responsive for a given amount of throttle application.
3 - The suspension becomes stiffer.
4 - Power steering provides less assist.

I thought only the transmissions settings changed and that is the only thing that is obvious when the shift lever is pushed to the left. What really happens?

[02420X3]

It depends. If you didn't specifically order DHP then #3 isn't happening.

There is an excellent post regarding the '11 35i. The bundling of packages has changed over the years, but the overall information is still correct. I think that SAP may now be bundled in with MSport. See http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=532984

[EvilGenius]

You are confusing sport MODE and sport SHIFTING. Two very different animals:

Sport mode is what you describe below, that changes engine, suspension, steering, transmission, etc. It is selected by the mode switch next to the shifter (eco-comfort-sport-sport+).

Flipping the shifter to the left only engages sport shifting which changes the transmission behavior.

Hope that clarifies...

Originally Posted by RhoXS

What exactly happens in Sport Mode (Transmission selector pushed to the left)?

I found the following on the BMW web site:

" ... the electronic control units switch to sportier settings, making the engine more responsive and the suspension stiffer. This increase in sports-style characteristics is accompanied by a reduction in powered assistance for the steering at low and medium RPMs for more direct and immediate steering, giving you an even closer sense of the character of the road. In vehicles with automatic transmission or the Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG), activating the sport mode (also known as Driving Dynamic Control) shortens gearshift times and makes the gearshift characteristic even more dynamic."

So, does this mean, when I push the shift lever to the left, the following takes place:

1 - The transmission shift points change (very obvious).
2 - The engine becomes more responsive for a given amount of throttle application.
3 - The suspension becomes stiffer.
4 - Power steering provides less assist.

I thought only the transmissions settings changed and that is the only thing that is obvious when the shift lever is pushed to the left. What really happens?