Sport mode is one of the base driving modes you can select on most BMW models. Introduced a few generations ago, Sport mode is designed to increase your vehicle’s performance with a variety of changes to the way your car drives.
There are plenty of advantages to Sport mode, but it’s vital to know when not to use this setting and exactly what it changes. In this article, I’ll run through the basics of Sport mode, my experiences using it, and when I would recommend switching back to standard driving.
We’ll also look at the more extreme Sport+ mode. This setting is only available on a handful of models and steps things up to another level.
Let’s get started!
What is Sport Mode?
Let’s begin with BMWs description of Sport Mode. According to BMW, Sport Mode “ramps up power, enabling your BMW to perform at its peak sportiness”. Just like the Eco Pro description from BMW, this isn’t too clear, so let’s examine what that really means.
The first change you’ll notice when moving from Comfort to Sport mode will be the performance. Even if you change modes while driving at a low speed, the revs immediately climb, and you feel the car speed up slightly. It’s still perfectly driveable, but it’s best to be prepared.
Alongside the engine behavior, you’ll find the handling changes in your BMW to a more sporty setting. This effect depends on your BMW model, but every BMW I’ve driven has a noticeable difference between Comfort and Sport when driving.
Another change you’ll notice will be the noise. Moving into Sport mode increases the noise both inside the cabin and outside. On some BMW models, activating Sport mode opens a valve in your exhaust, significantly increasing the noise. Inside the cabin, though, something different happens.
There are plenty of complaints about modern BMWs, and a controversial topic is BMW Active Sounds. The basic idea of this feature is to use artificial noise inside your cabin (through the speakers) to make the experience more ‘exciting’. This means when you enter Sport mode, the ‘fake’ cabin noise increases, which is a noticeable difference. I’ll be honest – on both my current and my old 4 Series model, this never bothered me. I know some BMW purists hate it, but for me, it’s better than having a quiet car.
What is Sport+ Mode?
Taking things one step further, Sport+ mode is only available on certain BMW models. The major difference between this and Sport is the level of traction control, with DCS turned off in Sport+. If you’re not sure what that means, we’ll cover it below, but our best advice is not to use Sport+ unless you know what you’re doing!
How does Sport Mode change your BMW?
So how does Sport mode make your BMW feel more sporty? First off, the car will rev much higher between gear shifts, taking advantage of turbo power if it’s available. In Sport mode on my 4 Series BMW, at higher gears, the car will shift at 4-5,000 RPM, far higher than in Comfort mode.
This increased RPM allowance boosts acceleration, but you’ll pay for this increase in fuel. Sport mode can be incredibly thirsty if your push your BMW, and I’ve seen mpg figures lower than 10 on aggressive drives in my car.
If your BMW has adaptive suspension or a similar feature, you’ll feel the difference in Sport mode too. Suspension is tighter, allowing you more control, but you’ll feel the road more. With 20-inch wheels on my BMW, Sport mode on a bad road can be pretty uncomfortable, but on a good bit of tarmac, you’ll appreciate the control.
We’ve already mentioned the audio changes, and to be fair, the sound is purely for ‘decoration’. This is created with BMW Active Sound, and if you’re in the cabin during Sport mode, you’ll hear the difference from your internal speakers.
How does Sport+ change your BMW?
Putting your BMW into Sport+ mode has one major difference. You still get all the features of Sport mode, but the Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) is now turned off. If you’re not familiar with DSC, it’s the system that helps to control your car when it detects you’re skidding. In simple terms, if DSC is turned on, your BMW will reduce power when it thinks the car is losing control.
Turning this system off allows the driver to have more control of how their car behaves but increases the risk of your BMW losing traction in a corner and sliding. For most BMW drivers, you’ll never need to use Sport+ mode. In my 7 years of owning BMWs with this feature, I’ve tried it twice, both times on an empty track and never on the road.
How to access Sport and Sport+ in your BMW
To turn on Sport and Sport+ modes, you can use the buttons on your center console next to the drive/gear selector. On most models, this will be a rocker switch with the words Sport and Eco Pro. If you’re in the default Comfort mode, pressing up once will put you into Sport, and twice will go to Sport+.
In both modes, your driver display will change slightly, and your infotainment screen will allow you to change graphics. These will show you info such as the Torque and BHP being used and can be configured.
My Experiences Using Sport Mode
Across the BMW models I’ve owned (including my current 4 Series), Sport mode has been impressive in every car. There’s an immediate sense of increased performance, and even though the noise is artificial, it makes you feel like more power is available.
On my current 440i, the engine noise becomes deeper, and the instant you change into Sport mode, you get a jolt of power. Where this really matters is when you put your foot down though. In Comfort mode, putting your gas pedal to the floor takes a second or so before the car reacts. In Sport mode, there is still a slight lag, but the kick down into a lower gear is much quicker, and it makes all the difference.
Other BMW Driving Modes
Alongside the Sport modes, your BMW has a few other options, depending on your model. Every BMW has Comfort mode, which is the default setup, but you may also have Eco Pro mode. This does the opposite of Sport mode, reducing engine performance and improving fuel economy.
If you have an M car, you might also have access to ‘M’ specific modes. These can be configured to your preferred settings and are usually accessed with buttons on the steering wheel.
FAQs
Is Sport Mode available on BMW electric vehicles?
Yes, Sport mode is available across the current BMW electric range
Is Sport Mode available on BMW hybrid vehicles?
Yes, you can access Sport mode on BMW hybrid models
Is Sport Mode available on every BMW model?
Yes, Sport mode is available on every BMW, from a 2 Series up to an X7
Can you set Sport mode as the default driving mode in your BMW?
Unfortunately not – the default driving mode is always Comfort.
Summary
Overall, Sport mode lives up to expectations. The effect of this mode depends on the BMW you’re driving, but most models will put a smile on your face. Sport mode shouldn’t be your option for everyday driving, but when you have an open road ahead, it’s a fantastic feature.
If you liked this article and want to find out more about features across the BMW range, check out the articles below:
