That actually make a lot of sense, which is why the pedal feels more sensitive. I also notice that there's less turbo boost past 4500 RPMs with Sport Mode on since you get it sooner, when your pedal is at 100% Sport Mode off there's more boost at the top-end of the RPM range. At least this is how it feels.

 

It may not give more power or torque, but a quicker response to pedal movement AND quicker shifting AND shifting at higher revs seems like it COULD be worth a second or two.

That's for the auto, of course....

 

truth. it's all about perceived motion but mechanically there's no change.

 

*deleted*

 

Not perceived motion, that would imply that the change is in the mind of the driver. I think it's quicker car reaction, which would make the car respond and move quicker, though not faster as far as power. Eliminating the lags that are coded in to the throttle and shift points for the sake of gas economy.

 

Sports mode is a tool, nothing more. It is very useful in specific situations. If you don't like it, fine, but it is not a fake or imaginary feature. It changes the responsiveness of the car whether you feel it or not, whether you believe it or not.

With my auto mini, I find that in congested traffic situations in town, when I want/need extra zip it works nicely. I absolutely love the feature, but I use it sparingly. It's murder on gas mileage, so it's seems pointless to use on the freeway, at least most times.

 

Its funny you say that about gas mileage, I regularly drive a 45 minute section of road that's quite twisty with lots of different gradients and a speed limit of 50, and I find that I can get 3-5 more mpg if I drive it with sport mode on. Obviously on the freeway if you're using sport and not letting the car go into 6th, of course the gas mileage is going to suck. If I use sport and I'm on the freeway, I go into full manual and use 6th when I'm at cruising speed - just gives me the added responsiveness without sacrificing the range.

 

Hmm, interesting. You have given me an idea of how I can use sport mode in a new way, just go sport while shifting manually, very nice!

 

my dad's cms all4 is an auto

it too gets better furl mileage in sport mode

the non-sport shift program keeps it in too high a gear at too low an rpm

my manual cms all4 gets better fuel mileage in 4th at 60 mph than 5th or 6th

and gets better mileage in 5th than 6th at 70 mph

scott

 

neither the sport button or the DSC/DTC button have any effect on the brakes

ABS can not be turned off

scott

 

I thought the sport mode also activated the overboost mode?

 

nope, overboost is always there

 

Nope, not BS!

The reason is, and no one has mentioned this, that it also changes the RATE at which the throttle opens, not just the position of the throttle vs the pedal. I notice this in tight autocross courses when coming out of a sharp turn and I put the pedal quickly to the floor; it is not matter of how fast I have moved the pedal as I can feel the power continue to come on after the pedal hits the floor. The performance is much better with the sports button on.

 

Only way you're getting 2 seconds shaved off a qtr mile from the push of that button is if it fires the rear mounted rocket motor or a "150" shot of N2O! I think .2 is more like it & that would be admirable for a throttle & shift point reprogram.

 

Who said anything about a quarter mile? Autocross is about as far from a quarter mile race as you can get, it involves turning (quite a bit).

 

Oops! Sorry about that. My neanderthal drag racing brain combined "run" with multiple 1/4 fractions mentioned (about throttle openings). Will have to read more carefully. I'll bet my math is close though.

Back to my wiper blade research. Maybe I can comprehend that!

 

ditto

 

I'll have to try this. I've looked at 5th vs 6th at 60mph and they're about the same, but I haven't looked at 4th.

 

lower gear and higher rpm resulting in better MPG has been my MINI experience since 2002

Think about it:

Be it a turbo or a super the purpose of the charger/blower is to push more air/fuel mix into the chamber. To get the max boost the 'charger pump' must be running at full speed. So be it a Super or a Turbo, if you drive in high gear and keep your RPM down you negate the blower. It does NOTHING.

On my 02-S (supercharger) I learned that keeping my RPM over 3000, even 3200, resulted in better MPG. After I learned I never used 6th gear below 75 mph.

On my 07-S (TURBO) I'm reluctant to even try to get the speed up to where it makes a difference. But I do run 50 to 60 mph most of the time and I get 30 mpg religiously.

and there ain't nuthing the sport button does that will change this.

sport button = bling

 

Turning off traction control is definitely worth 2 seconds on a 50-second autocross course. I doubt if sport mode is worth more than a few tenths although I've never run with it off.

 

Side note to this colorful conversation...
My 13 MCS 6 spd opens the thermostat 40 degrees lower in sport mode. Verified multiple times with my torque app.
It "seems" to over boost more in sport mode as well.

 

You took the words right out of my mouth.

 

Amen brother! I HATE that adolescent fake crap.

 

At least it is not like VWs and some other cars where they pipe sound into the cabin or use sound enhancers.....

 

Except it is lol we have that too ... On S models atleast