Great thread. I'm going to have to hold off for now on it. Just don't want to mess with that stuff until I'm out of the warranty.

 

I've done the sport button mod so mine's on all the time. Can't figure why anyone would want to drive with it off.

 

Lots do!!!

 

Auto Clubbies will experience a reduction in gas mileage from elevated rpm's, loss of 6th gear, and of course the more agressive motoring.

 

There's not? When did this happen?


I herd two different stories. 1) With a manual transmission, if I go to manual shift, the car goes into Sport mode. If this is true is it the same with the paddle shifters? 2) The only way into Sport mode is the button.

Can anyone clairify.

I'm in sport mode all the time unless wet/icy out.

 

I finished my second tank of gas with the Sport button off. 31mpg. Same driving routes. Mixed town and highway (~70%/30%).

Just goes to prove two things. 1) I drive 'harder' with the button on , 2) not shifting into higher gears in town hurts mileage. Even when on the interstate it would frequently leave me in 5th gear.

I would bet number 2 is the main reason for the drop in mileage.

charlie

 

thanks for the update charlie. I did want to ask you, did you wait until after the "break-in" period to use it? I have a few hundred miles on my S and am doing my best to keep it below the 4500RPMs. I am afraid I too may drive a little "harder" in Sport mode. Thanks,Casey

 

The auto equipped cars require the button to be pushed to be in sport mode.

The paddle shifters can be actuated without pressing the button by moving the stick to manual mode. You get a little more control over the shift points. But, you are not in sport mode. The computer will shift for you earlier if you don't move the lever. Steering remains the same.

When in manual mode and sport mode the system acts like a manual transmission (it will keep you from damaging anything by over or under revving the engine). You get all the other benefits of the sport mode (like more sensitive steering).

Sport mode in automatic mode 'tightens up' the shifts and changes the shift points. It also will downshift to keep the motor in a better rpm band (between 2000 and 3000 rpm). That's the main reason why it feels so much more responsive is because the motor is always in a good rpm band (no turbo lag on the S model). I have found this to be the best setting for performance. The transmission shifts at the same time I would, both upshifting and downshifting. The only time I might consider overriding the computer is if I was racing on a track. Even then the computer might do a better job than I can.

charlie

 

No. I drove this thing hard from day one (5 mi on odometer when we got it). The car has 1500 mi on it right now.

As a point of reference, I did the same with my WRX when I bought it new (in 2001). That little car is now approaching 200k mi. I did wait til it was past break in period to put on the exhaust mods Waited til out of warranty to mode the computer.

charlie

 

My routine is same as others have expressed. Ignition, start, seat belt, sport button, drive.

 

My routine was like others - start, seat belt, sport button, drive. So unless I forgot, 100%. That is until this past weekend when I did the automatic sport button mod. Now I just start, seat belt, drive, and I'm already in Sport mode.

 

I started out teaching myself to drive a manual. Since I wanted to learn without "cheating" (the sport button makes avoiding stalls when shifting into first a lot easier) I rarely used the sport button. Now I use it more and more for fun.

 

That sport button didn't help my wife learn at all. She still stalled, and she still won't drive my car.

 

And this is bad???

 

With gas prices way down, I'm in sport mode, way more.

 

I'm embarrassed to say that I haven't even tried mine yet, though I JUST passed the break in barrier. Coming from my other cars this car already has a lot of power, I'm afraid to cross over to the darkside . Wish I didn't have traffic on the way home tonight, but Thursday I'll have the perfect opportunity to try it out.

 

"Push the button, Coopdy. Puuuuusssssshhhhhhh the buttooooooon"

/soft whisper..

 

...but I have a feeling there is no turning back... can't my MINI and I just hold hands for a little longer...

 

Button push, you must.

 

Barley, that's just evil of you to say such a thing!

 

I can say for sure there is no turning back. I used to only engage it when I was driving spiritedly. Well, now that I pretty much drive that way all the time... I push the button right after I push the start button.

Just do it.

 

I would say I have the sport mode on 20% of the time(just a rough estimate) which basically means not often. Driving a manual regular Clubman. I only see a need for it in the city. The stop/start, acceleration/deceleration is definitely helped with it on. However, there's no difference on the highway-unless you're weaving in and out of lanes and through traffic(which should be a no no :P)

 

IzzyG, funny that you mentioned that as just yesterday, when driving home from work, it seemed like EVERYONE was in a hurry. People were just weaving through the lanes almost 10 MPH over the speed limit. I was really angry because I was absolutely certain some of them were going to sideswipe my new car. Where's the lazy Dallas Highway Patrol when you need them?

 

Yes, because it's the only reason we have two MINIs.

 

What a bunch of button pushers

Well I did the deed. Drove past my house to get away from traffic and WOW, it really did make a difference and the car was clearly on Red Bull: very responsive and ready to go. Thanks for bringing me over to the dark side...my precccious sport button.