For those with an auto

Gator328i · 08-27-2011, 05:57 PM

Do you typically drive in Sport mode or economy? I was running around town today in Sport mode and it makes the car a lot more fun to drive. The shift points run much higher into the rev band and the shifts themselves seem much sharper and crisper. This is an area that BMW has really improved from the E46 where there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the different modes. Now it's really like driving two different cars.

mimmitt · 08-27-2011, 05:59 PM

I use nothing but DS - it does have an impact on gas milage though. I'm not crazy about AT's in gerneral but this one's better than most.

Nyc_BK_335I · 08-27-2011, 06:19 PM

I just leave it on economy. Gas prices with the whole hurricane going on arent cool these days =(

Saintor · 08-27-2011, 06:19 PM

Always in M/DS but long roads & highways.

Wrngway · 08-27-2011, 06:21 PM

I go back and forth. It's nice to have the sport and semi-manual option.

Sport mode seems to keep the engine in the RPM range that maximizes torque (2700 RPM I think). I like how it holds the gears at higher rpm as well.

The only odd thing is that the I6 is so smooth, I almost always have to look at the tachometer as it's hard to tell by feel where the engine speed is. By contrast, I drove a CTS that had a similar option on it. When sport was selected it threw all civility out the window in pursuit of performance.

Gator328i · 08-27-2011, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wrngway

I go back and forth. It's nice to have the sport and semi-manual option.

Sport mode seems to keep the engine in the RPM range that maximizes torque (2700 RPM I think). I like how it holds the gears at higher rpm as well.

The only odd thing is that the I6 is so smooth, I almost always have to look at the tachometer as it's hard to tell by feel where the engine speed is. By contrast, I drove a CTS that had a similar option on it. When sport was selected it threw all civility out the window in pursuit of performance.

+1

tofu- · 08-27-2011, 07:13 PM

i drive in M mode. i can control how aggressively i want it to shift in real time, rather than switching back and forth between d and d/s when i want to overtake a car

BenTrovato · 08-27-2011, 07:15 PM

I switch back and forth as desired. I don't like keeping it in DS if I'm just commuting. The nice about DS mode is that if you have the performance exhaust you will always hear the nice gargle every time you let off the accelerator.

mimmitt · 08-27-2011, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimmitt

I use nothing but DS - it does have an impact on gas milage though. I'm not crazy about AT's in gerneral but this one's better than most.

Guess I should add that I just let the car shift in DS and don't bother with the paddles. It uses fairly aggressive shift points by itself if you're on it hard. Having owned an SMG E46 M3, manually shifting via the paddles isn't really anything special (or quick) IMO.

AddictedToBavarian · 08-27-2011, 07:36 PM

DS is too rev hungry in normal city driving. I only enjoy it on the highway.

issabmw · 08-27-2011, 07:42 PM

Always in M mode. Too much control to give up

BMCoupe_782 · 08-27-2011, 07:49 PM

DS for highway and overtaking, economy for around town, M for the twisties and whenever I want to hear the exhaust growl a bit!

Bcube · 08-27-2011, 08:57 PM

85% Manual w/Paddles, 20% "D", 5% "DS"

captainaudio · 08-27-2011, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bcube

85% Manual w/Paddles, 20% "D", 5% "DS"

+110%

CA

G559 · 08-27-2011, 09:30 PM

DS until I'm low on gas lol.

Green Machine · 08-27-2011, 10:01 PM

It's crazy how different the two modes are. I think the biggest difference is that in DS you stay in first gear so much longer than regular auto mode and why the gas mileage is so much lower in DS mode.

str8nm · 08-27-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gator328i

Do you typically drive in Sport mode or economy? I was running around town today in Sport mode and it makes the car a lot more fun to drive. The shift points run much higher into the rev band and the shifts themselves seem much sharper and crisper. This is an area that BMW has really improved from the E46 where there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the different modes. Now it's really like driving two different cars.

I drive my IS in D mostly and sport/ sport when I want to have fun

tofu- · 08-27-2011, 10:14 PM

i just wish M mode would engage first gear from a stop. D/S does this, so i don't know why it's different in manual

Dark_Knight_335 · 08-27-2011, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenTrovato

I switch back and forth as desired. I don't like keeping it in DS if I'm just commuting. The nice about DS mode is that if you have the performance exhaust you will always hear the nice gargle every time you let off the accelerator.

Haha- yup!

Gator328i · 08-27-2011, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenTrovato

I switch back and forth as desired. I don't like keeping it in DS if I'm just commuting. The nice about DS mode is that if you have the performance exhaust you will always hear the nice gargle every time you let off the accelerator.

That's the reason why my first mod is going to be the BMW performance exhaust.

bimmer_335 · 08-28-2011, 12:10 AM

DS or M-mode

Migelito · 08-28-2011, 12:14 AM

45% M (for a city, highways, and some spirited driving), 45% D (when i'm lazy), 10% DS (when in aggressive mood)

08-27-2011, 05:57 PM	#1
Gator328i Second Lieutenant 56 Rep 235 Posts Drives: Monaco Blue E92 328i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Gainesville, FL iTrader: (0)	For those with an auto Do you typically drive in Sport mode or economy? I was running around town today in Sport mode and it makes the car a lot more fun to drive. The shift points run much higher into the rev band and the shifts themselves seem much sharper and crisper. This is an area that BMW has really improved from the E46 where there wasn't a whole lot of difference between the different modes. Now it's really like driving two different cars. __________________
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08-27-2011, 05:59 PM	#2
mimmitt Private First Class 7 Rep 146 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	I use nothing but DS - it does have an impact on gas milage though. I'm not crazy about AT's in gerneral but this one's better than most.
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08-27-2011, 06:19 PM	#3
Nyc_BK_335I Private First Class 20 Rep 106 Posts Drives: n55(sold), 2017 M3, 2017 x3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: brooklyn, ny iTrader: (0)	I just leave it on economy. Gas prices with the whole hurricane going on arent cool these days =(
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08-27-2011, 06:19 PM	#4
Saintor Banned 79 Rep 2,446 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MTL, Canada iTrader: (1)	Always in M/DS but long roads & highways.
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08-27-2011, 06:21 PM	#5
Wrngway Lieutenant 31 Rep 393 Posts Drives: '11 328i Sedan A6 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: D.C. Metro iTrader: (1)	I go back and forth. It's nice to have the sport and semi-manual option. Sport mode seems to keep the engine in the RPM range that maximizes torque (2700 RPM I think). I like how it holds the gears at higher rpm as well. The only odd thing is that the I6 is so smooth, I almost always have to look at the tachometer as it's hard to tell by feel where the engine speed is. By contrast, I drove a CTS that had a similar option on it. When sport was selected it threw all civility out the window in pursuit of performance.
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08-27-2011, 07:13 PM	#7
tofu- Banned 87 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: 335i Jet Black/Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (4)	i drive in M mode. i can control how aggressively i want it to shift in real time, rather than switching back and forth between d and d/s when i want to overtake a car
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08-27-2011, 07:15 PM	#8
BenTrovato Driver 37 Rep 1,577 Posts Drives: e92 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (4)	I switch back and forth as desired. I don't like keeping it in DS if I'm just commuting. The nice about DS mode is that if you have the performance exhaust you will always hear the nice gargle every time you let off the accelerator.
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08-27-2011, 07:36 PM	#10
AddictedToBavarian My other ride is a Bianchi Infinito 96 Rep 2,767 Posts Drives: Miss my E92 but love my E46 M3 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: North Jersey iTrader: (2)	DS is too rev hungry in normal city driving. I only enjoy it on the highway.
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08-27-2011, 07:42 PM	#11
issabmw cool beans 63 Rep 1,364 Posts Drives: 325xi Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: FL iTrader: (2)	Always in M mode. Too much control to give up
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08-27-2011, 07:49 PM	#12
BMCoupe_782 Bavarian Fever 34 Rep 1,108 Posts Drives: 08' e92 328xi TiAg Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Queens, NY / North NJ iTrader: (4)	DS for highway and overtaking, economy for around town, M for the twisties and whenever I want to hear the exhaust growl a bit! __________________ \| ESS n52 Tune \| BMW Performance Intake/Exhaust \| LUX H8 v3 AE \| GP Thunder 8500K fogs/corners \| LED: signals/interior \| V1 hardwired \| debadge \| AC pedals \| Performance shift knob/boot \| CF e-brake \| Aero lip \| m3 side skirts/spoiler \| MB kidneys \| Strut brace \| Painted reflectors \| Painted Calipers/Hubs \| 35% 3M tint \| Smoked tails \| CF Roundels \| 19" Miro 942 \| Conti DWS \| H&R Springs for xi \| Bilstein Shocks\| Nxt: Alpine Subs/Amps
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08-27-2011, 08:57 PM	#13
Bcube Been there, wrecked that. 18 Rep 547 Posts Drives: '07 E93 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	85% Manual w/Paddles, 20% "D", 5% "DS" __________________ -Brian ~199K miles. I -still- don't fear my 335i.
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08-27-2011, 09:30 PM	#15
G559 . 23 Rep 332 Posts Drives: 2017 X5M Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: California iTrader: (1)	DS until I'm low on gas lol.
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08-27-2011, 10:01 PM	#16
Green Machine New Member 0 Rep 10 Posts Drives: 08 335i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (0)	It's crazy how different the two modes are. I think the biggest difference is that in DS you stay in first gear so much longer than regular auto mode and why the gas mileage is so much lower in DS mode.
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08-27-2011, 10:14 PM	#18
tofu- Banned 87 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: 335i Jet Black/Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (4)	i just wish M mode would engage first gear from a stop. D/S does this, so i don't know why it's different in manual
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08-28-2011, 12:10 AM	#21
bimmer_335 Major 177 Rep 1,123 Posts Drives: 540 mSport Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: In the middle of nowhere, TX iTrader: (1)	DS or M-mode
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08-28-2011, 12:14 AM	#22
Migelito Private First Class 9 Rep 178 Posts Drives: 535xi 2015 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	45% M (for a city, highways, and some spirited driving), 45% D (when i'm lazy), 10% DS (when in aggressive mood) __________________ finally got a 5 series...
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