SPORT+ Engine Setting and damage

[meadowsdb]

So,

I have read in places that running the car in SPORT + for the engine setting keeps the turbos spooled longer to decrease lag time and increase throttle response. Is there any truth to this? If so, when running with a tune, will driving around in this mode adversely affect the engine longevity?

Thanks!

[CigarPundit]

Yes, Sport+ keeps the turbos spooled. Turning faster longer will probably result in some incremental wear, though is doubt it would be significant in terms of longevity.

I’m tuned and drive in Sport+ 90% of the time. I don’t see the point in having a car like this if I’m not going to enjoy it’s full potential when I daily drive it. I want that power and responsiveness on tap whether I get the opportunity to use it or not. So I don’t worry about any incremental wear I’m putting on it.

[matty088]

i find it hard to believe and counterlogic that the sport button keeps the turbos spooled.

[CigarPundit]

Originally Posted by matty088

i find it hard to believe and counterlogic that the sport button keeps the turbos spooled.

Okay. Not sure why you would say this.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2014/04/23/b...-3-new-engine/

“In the SPORT and SPORT PLUS modes, the waste gates remain closed under partial load and the mass flow is routed through the turbines, to ensure that the turbo chargers are already rotating at a higher base speed even in standby. Moreover, certain special engine control functions are brought into play that accelerate activation of the turbo chargers. This means that the car responds more closely to the accelerator in SPORT and SPORT PLUS modes.”

[meadowsdb]

Thank you all.

[NYG]

Don't stress. The amount of additional wear is negligible and no one in their right mind would ever even begin to quantify it to you since there are so many factors involved. Your biggest enemy will always be heat.

[ShoNufff]

I drive 99% of the time in Sport+ because it's more fun to drive. Also it keeps the fans running in this crazy summer heat!

[Alan l.]

I'm usually in Sport 99% of the time. When I switch to Sport+ the difference is very noticeable compared to Sport.

More part throttle boost/power
Immediate response
Way more intake/blow off sounds from my Eventuri Intakes (ASD turned off so its not fake)
Lots more burbles (This is the only thing I dislike about this mode)
Engine fans stay on longer and lower the oil temps a significant amount (designed for track use but benefits from super hot summer days too)
No more rev matching in Sport+ (recent builds still rev matches)

In general the difference in wear is negligible. The difference would be more between someone constantly full throttling the car vs normal driving than sport vs sport+ imo.

Alan

[Brasko]

Sport+ or nothin'

[jninja]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

No more rev matching in Sport+ (recent builds still rev matches)

I don't think this is completely true, but someone correct me if I'm wrong...I believe a dealer update (as well as new M3's) implement revmatch in S+...my ZCP now revmatches in S+ after a service

[rocklobsta1109]

I don't understand the draw of driving in sport+ all the time, the throttle is an on/off switch at that point. If you encounter any stop and go traffic, even a little bit, I find it wholely unplesant due to the already jerky nature of the DCT at low speeds which is 10x worse in sport +.

To each their own but I think its probably the least used setting/mode in my car.

[ntg44]

Originally Posted by rocklobsta1109

I don't understand the draw of driving in sport+ all the time, the throttle is an on/off switch at that point. If you encounter any stop and go traffic, even a little bit, I find it wholely unplesant due to the already jerky nature of the DCT at low speeds which is 10x worse in sport +.

To each their own but I think its probably the least used setting/mode in my car.

Truth. Although I have a manual, same point of view. After I unplugged the valves to stay open, I stay in Comfort 99% of the time because first 20% of throttle is so much less jerky. I have Sport/MDM on M2 button on demand for more spirited driving. Manually rev-matching in a turbo engine just isn't as precise or as satisfying to me as in my N/A cars, so I don't even bother with Sport+ really. Sport+ throttle tip in feels like a bad aftermarket tune to me.

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by CigarPundit

Okay. Not sure why you would say this.

https://www.bmwblog.com/2014/04/23/b...-3-new-engine/

“In the SPORT and SPORT PLUS modes, the waste gates remain closed under partial load and the mass flow is routed through the turbines, to ensure that the turbo chargers are already rotating at a higher base speed even in standby. Moreover, certain special engine control functions are brought into play that accelerate activation of the turbo chargers. This means that the car responds more closely to the accelerator in SPORT and SPORT PLUS modes.”

+1

I remember this being a heavily advertised feature when the car was coming out (in order to help people who were crying about losing an NA motor).

[CigarPundit]

Originally Posted by rocklobsta1109

I don't understand the draw of driving in sport+ all the time, the throttle is an on/off switch at that point. If you encounter any stop and go traffic, even a little bit, I find it wholely unplesant due to the already jerky nature of the DCT at low speeds which is 10x worse in sport +.

To each their own but I think its probably the least used setting/mode in my car.

To each his own. I’ve heard this complaint and I understand it, but I don’t seem to have any trouble keeping it smooth. You do need to be precise and easy on throttle tip in, and I can understand why some would find this annoying or tiresome. I will also switch to Sport in stop and go traffic sometimes. But for any other situation I find Sport+ to be much more satisfying.

[cwazy1]

I think this depends on preference a lot. I drive s+/s+/s/d3 most of the time. When I'm in bumper to bumper traffic under 20mph, then I'll switch to s/c/c/d2.

[jpy1980]

I love using sport plus when I’m driving on the open freeway (not in traffic) or canyon cruising, BUT I use sport and sometimes even efficient on the track due to the twitchy throttle. You can be smoother with the car.

In regards to the higher modes causing wear, probably? Esp since you’ll be driving it harder?

[CanAutM3]

A small related anecdote:

At my last track event, my car suffered from “chassis restricted function” error due to a faulty strut accelerometer. When the fault appeared after one or two laps, the EDC would default in full stiff and the engine in Efficient. DSC could still be switched off (although MDM was unavailable) and the DCT could be put in S3, so I kept driving it for the remainder of the two day event despite the limited EDC and engine functions.

I can now without any doubt say that Efficient is significantly damped and non-linear and completely sucks for track use. At high RPM, the power can only be found in the last quarter inch of pedal travel and there is significant lag with the delivery of power, which makes it quite unpredictable.

[matty088]

Originally Posted by rocklobsta1109

I don't understand the draw of driving in sport+ all the time, the throttle is an on/off switch at that point. If you encounter any stop and go traffic, even a little bit, I find it wholely unplesant due to the already jerky nature of the DCT at low speeds which is 10x worse in sport +.

To each their own but I think its probably the least used setting/mode in my car.

Come on man. Really. Why did you buy the car

[alfonseexists]

Originally Posted by matty088

Come on man. Really. Why did you buy the car

I agree with this thought. In my mind, efficient is only for those times I need to close the exhaust valves (i.e. wife).. Sport is totally useless and I can honestly say Ive used used it only to see if it works. lol Efficient is awful in terms of pedal response as far as Im concerned. So sport+ it is for me. I don't find the car jerky in sport+, perhaps Im good with a clutch? I simply wish (without getting a tune) that I could shut off burbles (most of the time), shut off rev matching in all modes and simply control the exhaust flaps(and perhaps lessen the burbles) as I desire WITHOUT getting out of sports +. Yeah I can get a tune to do that, but then I have to worry about warranty etc. It's a leased car, so Im not going to put any money into the car. Some of BMW's decisions were not to my liking.. obviously. Still love driving the car (in sports+) lol

[matty088]

Sell the car!

[behindthen0thing]

I used to drive in sport + all the time, until I've fully decatted the car. Now it's kinda ridiculously loud.
I have to use the efficient settings just to make the car quieter in the neighborhoods.
Germans hate loud noises. I've had people follow me, video my car, leave notes on my car, yell things through the windows, shake their fists as I drive by, etc. If my car wasn't so loud I would also be in s+ all the time.
The car drives so much better that way. Sport is useless in my opinion.

[///M4TT]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

I'm usually in Sport 99% of the time. When I switch to Sport+ the difference is very noticeable compared to Sport.

That's like choosing to play a little game called just the tip.