What's all this SPORT Madness

[bod33]

Question for all of you long time E46 M3 owners.

What the hell is going on with this SPORT button thing ?

Does anyone drive around without it on ?

I came out of a 2001 911 with GT3 everything in November due to gf's kids getting older and found a 2002 M3 in CB with all the toys, the Pork was pretty rapid but way over priced for what they are.

Now, i started driving everywhere with the Sport button on and thought bloody quick but petrol is a bit silly so i started turning it off, this went on for nearly two months and i turned it back on last night !

Christ on a bike it's quick ! Also briefly turned off TC and quickly put it back on after a few mad seconds which scared the crap out of me.

I originally wanted the CSL and I remember the one i went out in having the same button.

Does anyone have both or either of these cars ? Do you use the SPORT button at all or do you ever turn it off ?

Mental car as standard but doesn't handle great !

Should never have gone the Porsche route !

[toastboy]

I pick mine up in a week or so. Looking forward to finding out about this Sport button is all about.

[bod33]

you'll love it, drive along in 2nd gear 4000 revs and press it !

[feldspar]

Yeah it should be called the grin button.
I usually wait until the car is up to normal temp before using it. Car suffers the dreaded kangeroo jumps even more, espcially on poor road surfaces, embrassed myself a few times pulling away hard and going nowhere
Out of town different matter

[kentmotorcompany]

It does not make the car any faster it just gives a sharper throttle response.

In other words if you held your foot 30% down on the throttle with the sport button off, and then pressed it while keeping your foot in the same position, instantly you would be at 70%(ish) throttle.

Personally I like the sport button off, because it gives more delicate throttle control.

[stuh]

kentmotorcompany said:

Personally I like the sport button off, because it gives more delicate throttle control.

I find the biggest benefit of having sport mode engaged, is the added weight to the steering. far to vague without it imo.

Edited by stuh on Wednesday 21st March 20:37

[kentmotorcompany]

stuh said:

kentmotorcompany said:

Personally I like the sport button off, because it gives more delicate throttle control.

I find the biggest benefit of having sport mode engaged, is the added weight to the steering. far to vague without it imo.

Edited by stuh on Wednesday 21st March 20:37

Very true, its a shame you cant have the steering weight on, and the sharper throttle off.

[hunttheshunt]

On the CSL it also opens the 'flap' at approx 4000rpm so you get that fantastic induction noise even earlier

[mrontheropes]

stuh said:

kentmotorcompany said:

Personally I like the sport button off, because it gives more delicate throttle control.

I find the biggest benefit of having sport mode engaged, is the added weight to the steering. far to vague without it imo.

Edited by stuh on Wednesday 21st March 20:37

That's pretty impressive.... as the SPORT button does nothing to the steering, only the throttle

[M5Dave]

Don't know about the M3, but on the M5 it definately adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle.

[mrontheropes]

M5Dave said:

Don't know about the M3, but on the M5 it definately adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle.

That's right, but this thread was about the M3 and on the M3 it only changes the throttle map

[Zod]

M5Dave said:

Don't know about the M3, but on the M5 it definately adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle.

In the E39 M5 it does. It does not in the E46 M3.

In a CSL, Sport is a must as it opens the airbox intake flap about 1500 rpm earlier. In a normal M3, I can take it or leave it. It makes the car more difficult to drive on track as a more delicate right foot is required.

[kentmotorcompany]

mrontheropes said:

M5Dave said:

Don't know about the M3, but on the M5 it definately adds weight to the steering and sharpens the throttle.

That's right, but this thread was about the M3 and on the M3 it only changes the throttle map

Yes you are right about not weighting the steering, I was getting it mixed up with some other models that do weight the steering.

[vixpy1]

I tend to leave it off....

the 6th setting on the smg box which i call psycho mode is fun!

[rassi]

On my E39 M5, I actually never use the sport button, as I find that the hair-trigger response makes it very difficult to drive the car (especially in city traffic) smoothly, and I have gotten used to the lightish steering, so now find it too heavy with Sports on.

Guess it is a matter of getting used to either mode.

Quite surprised to hear that Sport on in the E46 M3 only changes the throttle mapping.

[Stevem5]

The sport button is the best thing since sliced bread - esp with DSC off!

Don't get me wrong driving to work in traffic - sport off dsc on, but when having a good drive engage sport mode DSC off and only then can you get the full M5 experience, with the LSD working! Its amazing how fast this beast can go round a corner.

[bod33]

Late lunchtime drive ! DSC off Sport on, what a stupid idea, throttle too sensitive though, hooligan car !

Fun Ain't it ! ha ha ha

CSL must be a blast !

[MPowerMark]

sport button is great but with top setting on smg gearbox engaged too driving slow is actually hard, i find myself jerking all over the place! However pulling away from lights or roaring up a slip road its quite simply awesome, gear changes are so aggressive your head just gets slammed back into the head rests with every change, great fun. I must admit though ive bunny hopped in traffic a few times and made a right tit out of myself.....engage it at the right times to save urself some embarassment. Ive learned the hard way

[dd1975]

re: the dsc (or TC) button and turning it off...be very very careful! You have no idea just how much this technology does until you turn it off. Ultimately slidng around corners can be a lot of fun, but don't be too ambitious initially and ensure there's not tracffic on your outside (or the back-end will bounce off it). Damn, I love my car!