I have an S Clubman with a manual transmission. I use sport mode quite a bit. I recently got an AWD Paceman, S version with automatic transmission, as a loaner. I initially didn't like it very much -- there was lots of turbo lag and it was kind of jerky when the turbo kicked in.

Then I found the sport mode button. Wow. It makes it a totally different car. Turbo lag is substantially reduced and it just runs much better.

So this is a strong recommendation for sport mode.

 

Sport mode has nothing to do with turbo lag. It does remap how the throttle responds, along with more weighty steering. That's it...

I installed the autosport module, so the sport mode turns on by default. (I never have to push the button)

 

I have noticed that my gas mileage on trips has gone down when I leave it in the sport mode. Close to 2 mpg difference.

 

Manual or auto? I don't see a difference in my manual. If you have an auto, then yeah it's because the tranny stays in a lower gear all the time.

 

Why not run sport mode all the time? Other than gas mileage, I've not seen any reasons against the concept.

 

I drive in sport mode all the time, as soon as Benni is running that button is pushed and I've not noticed a decline in mpg while driving conservatively.

 

Unless I'm running 75 or better down the interstate I'm running in sport mode.

 

I'm so used to driving in sport mode if I forget to press the button I nearly kill my r56 with the lack of throttle response it just isn't what I'm used to. It's complete habit to engage sport mode and I have not noticed a milage change.

 

Yes, thanks for the correction. It feels like turbo lag but it's really shift lag. Since the transmission is always defaulting to a higher gear, there's a delay while the car downshifts.

I was skeptical of the sport button but I'm totally sold on it now. It's a cool technology that actually works.

 

I have not seen anyone else blog this situation. Normal mode is fine all the time during hard acceleration and normal driving, but in Sport mode I get occasional surges during acceleration that appears in any gear (manual trans.), rpm or speed. Mostly noticed at hard acceleration but also felt slightly while cruising on the freeway. It like a hiccup that's kinda annoying. I've always use Chevron 91oct; If its gasoline it would be noticed in Normal mode, which it hasn't.