I currently have 2010 MCS R57. I Love the Sports Mode and have even installed AutoSports Mode switch that turns it on when the car starts. I am currently awaiting the arrival of our new JCW Countryman. My question is the new models seem to have a sports switch and not a button. Does one need to turn on sports mode on every time or if the switch is flipped on, does it stay on?

 

I have a 2011 all4s countryman with the sport button and would be really be interested in how you accomplished auto on when starting....as that has become as standard as pushing the start button! As to your question, I have test driven a 2012 JCW and I am 99% sure it disengages with engine shut off.

 

This is the device that I used. I don't think it works with the R60? I love having it on.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...hp/product/403

 

Thanks for the link...but it's not found...as you mentioned though probably not for the R60
Good luck with your new ride....jealous for sure!

 

So is that a pic of a JCW dash config? My sport mode is a push button, not a toggle. (wish I had all toggles like that!)

 

I have a 13 CM. They look like toggles but they are all momentary switchs.

Sport mode comes on when you hit the switch (and the little green light next to the word sport illuminates) but you have to turn it on each time. I would leave it on if i could but i have had too many project so far to figure out how to default to sport mode.

Maybe i can find a code in NCS Expert to turn it on with engine start......

 

Everything I've read on here says it doesn't exist in NCS expert and none of the R56 auto-sport mode options work on the R60.

 

Don't waste your time; you cannot change settings with NCS Expert to make this happen. The Sport button/switch on the R60s is actuated differently than on the hatchback. A lot has been written about this. It is too bad.

 

Correct me if I'm wrong! My 12 CMS is an auto and if you slide the shifter to the left it automatically goes to sport mode! No need to press button! And yes once you turn car off it goes off sport mode!

 

correction slide shifter to left just allows you to change gears with the shifter, and changes gear ratio but does not change the suspension which is an important part of the "sports mode" which is controlled by the button/toggle switch. So you are 1/2 correct.

 

That's 1/2 correct. The sport button does nothing to the suspension; there are no electrically-operated suspension components. What Sport mode DOES do (in addition to the shift points) is to modify the throttle's fly-by-wire settings and reduce the steering's power assist level.

And, yes, moving the auto's lever to the left (DS) only changes the shift points.

 

Sport mode doesn't change the suspension. I don't know why that rumor keeps propagating.

It also doesn't change gear ratios. It changes when the car shifts, but that is not the same thing.

With the automatic, sport mode activates 3 things:
1. Increased throttle response
2. Heavier steering feel (less power steering assist)
3. Delayed gear changes

Moving the lever to the left does #3 for sure, but I don't think it does #1 or #2. I could be wrong.

Edit: what Koopah said

 

You are absolutely correct, sir!

 

So is it the same as pressing the button or not? To me it feels the same.... But suspension change? Never heard that on a mini....

 

If it did change ratios i would love to see how that would work.

Electrically changeable gearing.... if only i could put this in my off-road equipment. Hmmmmmm.

 

According to the manual for a 2013 CMS......

"Move the selector lever from position D to the left into the M/S shifting slot:
The Sport program is activated and DS is Disabled. This position is recommended for a performance-oriented driving style."

 

I believe that carefully reading these post will show that it IS NOT the same a pressing the Sport button:

Sport button:
- adjusted shift points
- throttle fly-by-wire remap
- reduction in power steering assist

Lever in DS mode:
- adjusted shift points only

Does this answer your question more succinctly?

 

I just went back to the manual and found that also. I can honestly say that I have not noticed the difference in steering assist with the lever in M/S mode. I will go out and try it tomorrow and then try in D with the Sport button on to compare.

Thanks for pointing this out!

 

I'm gonna try it out also...mr Koopah

 

Or you can refer to the owners manual that breaks down each feature..

 

It is the owner's manual that is the source of the confusion about what Sport button features may or may not be activated when the auto trans is placed into "MS" mode. It refers to the "Sport program" being activated in MS mode, but I don't think ALL the Sport button features are activated. See the next post...

 

It would be doable with a CVT, though people on here seem to hate the CVT MINI. My first MINI was an R50 with CVT and I thought it was a great transmission for driving. CVTs have infinite gear ratios (between min and max, anyway) so it's not out of the realm of the possible.

 

I spent about 45-minutes testing out my 2012 CMS performing in three modes: Regular D Mode, Sport Button Mode and Automatic MS Mode.

Regular D Mode

- in this mode, the transmission is in "D" and the Sport button is off. The CMS behaves in its most conservative mode.

Automatic MS Mode (without Sport button activated)

- in this mode, the manual states: "The Sport program is activated and DS is Disabled. This position is recommended for a performance-oriented driving style."

Sport Button Mode

- in this mode, the shift points are at higher rpms that normal, the steering's power assist is reduced, the throttle (angle) sensor is "remapped", and the "pop" and "burble" are heard during deceleration.

So, does the reference to "Sport program mean that all features of the Sport Button Mode are activated, or just the shift point modification when in Automatic MS Mode?

Tests

My tests were done on a 1-mile stretch of wide, well-paved road traveling between 30 and 50 mph with no traffic present. Testing consisted of (a) smoothly swerving left to right in order to evaluate the "weight" or "feel" of the steering while making these maneuvers, and (b) observing the general shift points while accelerating in a straight line.

Both of these tests were done Regular D Mode, Automatic MS Mode and then Sport Button Mode (with Auto MS Mode). Note that I did not shift manually in MS mode.

Results

The swerve test was most revealing. I did about a minute of swerving in each mode: I started in regular D mode, then switched to MS mode, then (within MS mode) pressed the Sport button. I repeated this sequence about 5-6 times. In all cases, the steering weight and feel was identical in D and MS modes, but got much heavier once I pressed the Sport button. I was also was ready to speak into an air-sick bag afterward!

The shifting test was not surprising. Both the MS mode and the Sport button mode shifted much later that in D mode. I did not record the shift points except that I noticed the 1st-2nd shift in MS and Sport were about identical.

Unfortunately, my tests did not reveal anything about the throttle position remap and the pop + burble. Basically, I did not specifically test for these as my chief concerns were the shift points and the steering feel.

Conclusion

I have no doubt that activating the Sport button with engage all four features as described in the manual. However, I know that MS mode DOES NOT change the steering weight and feel. So, my educated guess is the MS mode only changes the shift points but does not activate the other Sport button features.

I encourage folks to test out their CMS also. Perhaps there is a difference in which Sport button features MS activates based on the model year? Again, my CMS is a 2012 CMS auto without ALL4 built in November of 2011.

HTH,

 

So if it is an ALL4 it will be different? I wonder.... But thanks for your observations MR Koopah!

 

I doubt if the All4 will be different than the 2 wheel drive CMS for these tests.... I cannot test my non-All4 though because i have a manual. My shift point are always optional.