Question for Steptronic Owners....

[gregthegr8]

How much of the time do you spend driving your car in the normal drive mode and how much time do you spend in the sport mode (DS)?

And how much of a performance and mpg dropoff do you see between the two?

[wa128]

I put it in sport mode just before merging onto the freeway if traffic is somewhat light and fast moving. The throttle response and acceleration is much much quicker. Around town I leave it in Drive most of the time. On weekends during early mornings when traffic is light I'll put it in sport just for the fun of it. As for gas mileage, I'm afraid to look.

The car is still in the break-in period so I'm careful not to rev past 4500 rpm while in sport.

[MZWIE]

I drive around town in DS. Then when on the freeway I put in D. Also, around town I like to use the paddles.

[randomizer]

I am almost at the 1200 mile period, so have started to push my steptronic 135i harder. Sport mode seemed MUCH more responsive than regular D mode and really made it apparent that I was having some throttle "lag" when starting from a stop or in rolling start situations while in D. I tried the throttle map reset technique discussed below this morning, and while I have only had limited testing, the car seems to drive much better now in D - quicker shifting and no lag. Like the sport mode.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...reset+throttle

[MZWIE]

FYI...the so called throttle re-mapping only resets the end points of the throttle travel.

At first it does feel more responsive because it has reset full open to the max it can do.

As soon as you drive for a while it will re-calibrate based on your driving.

Try this with your step. Put in DS. When light turns green press pedal all the way down past the kickdown switch. Do not let off the gas (that is until you will hit something).
You will now feel the full ability of the N54...

[Dave]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

How much of the time do you spend driving your car in the normal drive mode and how much time do you spend in the sport mode (DS)?

And how much of a performance and mpg dropoff do you see between the two?

Since i am still breaking in (~800) i only tested it a few times and haven't forced a down shift yet.

The mpg diff is about 18mpg compared to 23mpg in normal mode.

You never really need to use the paddles/ sport mode, but it makes passing extra fun

I would say i spend 90% of the time in normal mode esp in nj/nyc traffic

[randomizer]

Does DS start from a stop in 1st gear?

Can somebody elaborate more on how the kickdown switch operates? When used from D, I assumed it just switched to DS-type behavior (for a limited time). Is it more aggressive than being in DS? Is it more aggressive when used FROM DS?

[MZWIE]

Originally Posted by randomizer

Does DS start from a stop in 1st gear?

Can somebody elaborate more on how the kickdown switch operates? When used from D, I assumed it just switched to DS-type behavior (for a limited time). Is it more aggressive than being in DS? Is it more aggressive when used FROM DS?

DS normally starts in 2nd. However, I some times force into 1st using the paddles or the shifter. When stomping on the gas in DS mode second seems plenty good enough.

The kick down switch has two modes:

- In normal D it is used to force the tranny to downshift when in high gear (i.e. passing on the freeway).

- In DS, it makes the acceleration/throttle map more agressive. In fact if you keep your foot down it will rev all the way up to the limiter. (I discovered and verified this when I went to the PC for delivery). Mind you, I knew this from my E34, but I wanted to double check with the E82. I tried it in the 335's and 650's they let us drive at the PC.

- This is what I was told by the instructor for paddle shifting: Put your foot on the gas an shift at the revs you want. Do not lift of the gas when shifting. This will put a huge smile on your face. :biggrin:

[randomizer]

I can understand shift points/aggressiveness changing due to learning algorithms. But how does it make sense to change throttle response?

Manual (paddle) and DS feel great from a standing/rolling start, but in D I can get throttle lag here. So I have to remember to initially go easy on the throttle when in D or possibly deal with a lurch when the throttle kicks in and NOT go this approach for other modes. This seems rather, well wrong.

The "reset throttle" technique looks to be only a temporary fix (maybe limited to an ignition restart). I can paddle to M1 or M2 from D at a stop and this takes care of the lag problem. But this is a workaround for the main purpose of an automatic (simple operation when required). Driving in DS in the city fixes the problem, but fuel economy takes a hit and then I need to paddle to 6th gear on occasion since this doesn't happen in DS. Again, another workaround.

I'm fine with D - except for the initial throttle response issue. Any more suggestions out there?

[MZWIE]

I simply shift into DS at the stops. Then as soon as I am up to speed flick it back to D.

[bimmerfile]

I run mine in auto DS all the time (i.e. never in D) - just like I did for 5 years in my Z4..
As for the MPG penalty I pay- dunno (as I don't have "D" baseline)..:iono:

[devestator]

DSC OFF and DS! paddle shift 110% all the time
It is the only way to master your car

[bazil769]

I use the paddles only when i want to impress a chick.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by bazil769

I use the paddles only when i want to impress a chick.

[rking117]

Here are the steps i take,

1. get in car and put on seatbelt.
2. crank car
3. place in drive
4. hit sport button like I am a fighter pilot
5. slap paddle to M1
6. drive away

of course it is better if you shift manually under 2.5K until it warms up but that is it.

[BrokenVert]

How Do You People Find 5 Year Old Threads To Bump! ?!?!?!?!?!?

[ptack]

Let's resurrect the "year 1 of the 1" start button thread.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by ptack

Let's resurrect the "year 1 of the 1" start button thread.

Hey Paul. I just tried to order a car for november and the dealer is telling me that SGM isn't available as an option. Whats going on?

[Lmw160]

100% DS....haven't gotten around to checking mileage.....yet!