That's correct. The mod basically just presses the button for you for a second when you start the engine. The capacitor and resistor act as a simple timer to turn the relay on briefly which does the same thing as pushing the sport button. You can manually push and hold the sport button briefly at any time to turn it back off.

Note that you can't just wire the the sport button to 12 volts permanently. The ECU expects only a brief 12V signal at the switch and will not enable sport mode if 12 volts is present at the switch all the time.

 

And the question we've all been waiting for... How does this affect the warranty?

 

Mine is on all the time

 

Ever read the sticker at the top of the windshield on the driver's side? According to that, sneezing in your car would void the warranty if it isn't approved by MINI.

If a modification causes a problem, then they probably won't honor the warranty in regards to that problem. I think they would have a hard time defending refusal of warranty claims though for unrelated issues. For example, installing a radar detector supposedly can void the warranty (according to the windshield sticker). Does that mean if you put one in and a spring breaks on your car that the dealer won't replace the spring under warranty?... probably not.

That said, you'll find lots of differing opinions on this forum about whether mods and installation of accessories voids all or part of the warranty. You should do some reading/research and come to your own conclusion.

 

I'm sure it wouldn't void any warranty item not related to the Sport Switch, but if you happen to have some kind of problem related to or somehow connected to the Sport Switch it could get interesting...

 

I have to admit I've only turned it on once or twice, does it really make a difference in a manual MC?

 

definiately - however you should do it yourself. Try some 1/2 pedal acceleration with it on.

 

Ha, ditto for me. I hardly ever use it cause' my girl gets scared even when I go slightly heavy on the throttle in non-sport mode. I'll usually flick it on when motoring solo and I find the response to be amazing. I think they should call it 'cojones mode' or something. Call me a cheapass, but I also usually leave it off cause' gas just costs too d@mn much these days.

 

I have an auto MC and I think I've maybe hit it once or twice just to see what it does. It's cool but it makes my mileage go way down so I don't like to do it considering the biggest reason for buying that car was the awesome fuel economy it gets. I have hit it with my coffee cup before and it sort of irritates me because the car gets really jerky (I'm in heavy traffic most of the time).

 

I leave OFF for now until 1,200,000 miles, can't wait!!! Corrected

 

Gee, I sure don't understand comments like these--I always have it on, and I always get 33 and change in my MCS, calculated, not OBC. I find it makes shifting easier to do smoothly. I feel the steering stiffen up slightly, but other than that, I don't see much difference. Except that it's fun to put it on between first and second. Rocket power!

Maybe the difference in your case is that you have an MC automatic?

 

As in my MC auto, problem is the higher rpm shift points not throttle response that hurt mpg, unless you paddle shift, but it does "feel" more powerful and lively.

 

Exactly. Also using sport mode with the auto trans 'locks out' 6th gear and enables 1st gear starts. Again, all unless you paddle shift.

Even with the MPG hit I just can't resist it though, so much fun! In everything but traffic and highway cruising, it's on.

 

The sport switch makes a real difference and I hit it as part of my start up routine. It seems like it must go through the computer, so I was wondering if there is any reason it couldn't be programmed to turn on at startup like the driving lights? I realize it is not an option right now but it seems like an easy thing for Mini to do when they update the software.

 

Doubt MINI will given their aims of efficiency with the range. However there are DIY solutions.

 

MINIs are awesome, but I'm not sure mine will last 1.2million miles