I picked up my new R56 on Friday and am amazed at the difference between having "sport mode" on and off. Is there any reason to ever turn it off? I can't imagine that it impacts mileage by much.

 

Congrats on the new R56 !!!! The sport button tempts you to push harder on the gas to go even faster. I havent noticed any loss because of the button alone. I love the way the pedal reponds much faster. For every inch you push the accelerator the sport button cuts that in half.

 

Does the sport mode have to be turned on everytime you get in the car or will it stay in that mode until you turn it off?

 

Yes the system resets itself when you turn the ignition off. You have to push the button EVERYTIME, that sucks but you get used to it and it becomes second nature

 

You're right on the mpg...otherwise it's a personal preference thing. I know very experienced drivers who prefer the more modulated throttle response even for spirited driving. I think of it less as a "sport" option and more as just another map. Same for steering...I know many experienced drivers who like the non-sport response of the steering wheel and consider the sport mode artificially weighted. Basically, if you like it, use it!!!!!! I do!!

Yes, but I believe there is a mod to make it normal to "on."

 

Torque steer, I already find if I HIT it HARD, there is quite a bit there to deal with in the normal mode. There is a just a lot more there with the Sport, and I like to save GAS, too. I also don't need the tighter steering day in and day out. I am glad it's my choice, and generally mine is OFF.

 

Yep, a lot more torque steer on the R56 than I noticed on my modded R53.

 

I find I can start from a stop better with the button on, but I can shift smoother with the button off. I've learned to live with the button off. It's a lot smoother and easier to drive that way.

 

Even after driving a manual for a year, I still have a bad habit of not wanting to rev it enough when I take off. It's easier (and more fun) to drive in sport. Pushing the button is just part of my start-up routine. Select neutral, start car, disengage brake, select R (or 1), push sport, take off. Sometimes I get distracted and forget, but I notice when I lug it a little when I take off - my feet move the same but the car doesn't.

 

this being my first manual car i drove with it off...
after break in period i pushed the sport button and you can def tell it revs a lot higher with a lil touch of the gas. i was reving it at near 3k rpm to get to first...

now im used to it that i always have it on... otherwise i tend to not give it enough gas and clunk... stall

 

Not all of us do

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=103258

 

Cracks me up. Just as I was reading through this I was going to post that link as well. Glad you beat me too it!

 

Well Im glad to see ingenuity solved this matter, I am not an electrician so Ill continue to push the button. Maybe rewiring is what causes MINIs to burn down, you know , wiring shorts and all

 

Does anyone with a automatic use the slap stick, if you will, with the sport button on, or just the paddle shifters?

Josh

 

For the last week I have been experimenting with shifting early, using higher gears (like 5th at 35mph), and driving more conservatively in general without overdoing it in order to see what kind of mileage I can get from it. Throughout I have used sport mode exclusively because I'm just used to it. Before this week I was averaging 34mpg including fairly regular spirited drives. My commute is 11 miles each way through rolling hills in northwest TN and combined city and highway. So far I have maintained 40mpg! I only look at the computer at the end of each leg so that I don't intentionally milk it to fluff the numbers. My right foot is itching for some fun so I don't know how much longer I can maintain this, but I'm impressed so far. I don't think that the normal mode would give me any better mileage.

 

The sport mode button simply remaps the throttle-by-wire to provide more revs/throttle opening/acceleration per unit of pedal travel than is the case with the button not engaged. In addition, it adjusts the steering for less electric boost. Using the sport button has nothing to do per se with increased or decreased MPG, but the sport button does seem to encourage a more spritied driving style, which for many might mean decreased mileage. But for some - like 58driver - using the sport mode may mean driving more smoothly, just because of habit and muscle memory. Personally, I find the car more responsive and much easier to drive smoothly (and fast) using the sport button, so part of my start-up routine includes always engaging the sport button. A great feature, and nice that MINI pilots have the option of the non-sport mode as well.

 

I drive with it off on the highway most of the time. Driving around town however, I like to have the sport option on to get up and go through and around traffic better.