I was wondering if it's bad to press the Sport override button while the car is moving? Is it recommended to only press it when parked or not moving?

 

Press it anytime; moving or not. It's not required to activate / deactivate when stationary.

- Erik

 

That's my pass cars on the freeway button! Switch it on anytime you need more power!!

 

LOL Mine too! But I just broke my timing chain at 32,000 miles and it damaged the engine so bad that it needs to be replaced. Luckily it was still under warranty. Was wondering if pressing the sport button would have led to the timing chain to break.

 

You do realize it doesn't actually add any more power?

 

No to the sport button pressing. But if you follow the MINI recommended oil change interval of 15+k miles that could surely be a cause.

Good luck with getting it fixed.

 

It changes the shift interval and holds lower gears longer...so yes, it does in fact provide more power.

For even more power you can switch on steptronic and hold to 6500 rpm.

 

So what is the horsepower rating with the sport button on versus with it off?

 

Power is a simple function of RPM multiplied by the torque. So to get more power, you'd have to increase the RPM without a drop off of torque at the higher RPMs (a holy grail of aftermarket tuners). Or increase the torque output at the various RPM levels. I know the sport button on my R56 will only change the amount of power assist to my steering as well as change the mapping of throttle pedal position to make it feel like I'm getting more power earlier in the pedal throw.

Maybe something has been improved on newer models (mine is an 07) and is actually increasing the RPM limit or increasing torque output.

 

The sport button does not effect overall horsepower. It changes the steering and throttle mapping...on the automatic it also changes the shifting (RPMs and gear holding/changing)

 

I second the oil change recommendation. We pay good money for our MINIS and the cost of oil and filter every 5k is peanuts. If you don't plan on keeping the car more than 2 to 3 years no need the added changes.
My 2 cents worth.

 

How does the OCI play into a broken timing chain??? He didn't lock up a cylinder causing the chain to break. I really can't connect these dots.

Yep, BMW has it on the M3 as well (it's labeled "Power") and you're exactly right. All it does it change the mapping for the pedal, nothing more. The car FEELS faster because you don't have to press the pedal as far to get more throttle, but in the end, the result is the same.

 

Yep, totally fine to push it any time. I'm in the habit of pushing it immediately after I start the car -- it feels like a slug without the button on! No reason to have it off, as far as I'm concerned.

 

If you want more power, use the overdrive feature ( about 5200 rpm I think it is). Then it really does have more hp at 192 instead of 176 ('08-'10). I turn mine on because I prefer the tighter steering, I hate the way it shifts.

 

Don't know where you think you are getting this Extra HP in "Overdrive Feature", there is no such thing.

 

I am not sure if the sport button actually adds power, but I do know it changes the map adding a more agressive profile. More timing, fuel. I believe it also stiffens the steering a little. I always hit the sport button before putting it in gear. If the sport button override did not require the cutting of wires, it would have been my first mods.

I hear the sprint boost mods has even better results then the sport button.

 

I think he's talking about overboost which, as I understand it, is only available when the Sport button is pushed.

 

Sport button does NOT provide more boost.

Sport button works like this. NOTE this is example and NOT actual numbers.

NON sport mode 50% pedal = 50% throttle
SPORT mode 50% pedal = 70% throttle

It's an ELECTRONIC change in the mapping and that is IT!
It will also change the shift points for autos
And
Electronically tighten up the steering.

There is NO HP or Boost gain!

 

So overboost isn't tied to the Sport button? I could swear I read that it was. If it's not, then I agree 100% that there is no extra power. Just standard fare throttle remapping.

 

I press it when the voices in my head tell me to.

 

I'm sure it's somewhere, but I can't find it... is there a way to keep the Sport mode engaged all the time? It resets to off when you turn off the car.

Mine's an 07 MCS.

 

Yep, FES Auto Sport makes a one-shot circuit board to immediately engage sport mode every time you fire up:
* http://www.fes-auto.com/products_det...p?productid=24

- Erik

 

Oooooh. Might need that.

 

Is there any functional difference between pressing the Sport button and simply slapping the gear shift to the left to put it in DS?

 

Yes. The sport button changes the throttle map.