340i - Sport Plus mode
Discussion
I have my 340 for almost 2 years and being a touring is great for everyday use. The engine is fast enough and I think it’s a great all rounder.
I commute in the car so the performance wow feeling has slowly faded away. Still love it for what it is. So recently I started using the Sport Plus mode a bit more and I have to say it has transformed the car and made it more exciting, a little bit of oversteer here and there, on empty private roads, still pretty much all safe, engine response really sharp.
I think it’s a great mode to use and with adaptative dampers it’s fine for a more spirited drive I think. Without pretending it to be anything else that a heavy fast estate I think it’s great for what it is.
The post is for 2 reasons: please share your experiences with Sport + mode and how does it compare to an M3/M4 as a good all rounder, can the M3 be a nice car for everyday and will be a good replacement for my 340i when time comes or is it too focused to be a nice place to be everyday?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I commute in the car so the performance wow feeling has slowly faded away. Still love it for what it is. So recently I started using the Sport Plus mode a bit more and I have to say it has transformed the car and made it more exciting, a little bit of oversteer here and there, on empty private roads, still pretty much all safe, engine response really sharp.
I think it’s a great mode to use and with adaptative dampers it’s fine for a more spirited drive I think. Without pretending it to be anything else that a heavy fast estate I think it’s great for what it is.
The post is for 2 reasons: please share your experiences with Sport + mode and how does it compare to an M3/M4 as a good all rounder, can the M3 be a nice car for everyday and will be a good replacement for my 340i when time comes or is it too focused to be a nice place to be everyday?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts
I've been using the Sport+ mode a fair amount too recently in my 340i. My only criticism is the change to the accelerator pedal response, in that the pedal becomes more of an on/off switch compared to the balanced setting which is a lot more progressive.
Out of interest, do you find that your exhaust becomes louder in Sport+ mode (and also if you disable DSC/DTC)?
I'm beginning to suspect that there is some kind of active valve system in the exhaust which opens when in the sportier modes (it also seems to be open for the first 5 seconds or so upon starting the car)
Out of interest, do you find that your exhaust becomes louder in Sport+ mode (and also if you disable DSC/DTC)?
I'm beginning to suspect that there is some kind of active valve system in the exhaust which opens when in the sportier modes (it also seems to be open for the first 5 seconds or so upon starting the car)
Doesn't it just change the sound / volume from the speakers on sport plus mode? Certainly does in the M235i with the older N55 engine. Exhaust valve should be closed on cold start up to retain more heat in the system, so as to speed up the warming of the cats.
As for sport plus mode, I haven't got it in mine (just dtc and all off modes), but having tried it in huge aforementioned M235i and in an M4, it seems to send the throttle into hypersensitivity mode and loosen the safety nets to allow fun to ensue. Seemed quite fun to me, but it doesn't turn it into an M car! There is a whole lot more mechanical changes, chiefly the LSD.
As for sport plus mode, I haven't got it in mine (just dtc and all off modes), but having tried it in huge aforementioned M235i and in an M4, it seems to send the throttle into hypersensitivity mode and loosen the safety nets to allow fun to ensue. Seemed quite fun to me, but it doesn't turn it into an M car! There is a whole lot more mechanical changes, chiefly the LSD.
pah250 said:
I've been using the Sport+ mode a fair amount too recently in my 340i. My only criticism is the change to the accelerator pedal response, in that the pedal becomes more of an on/off switch compared to the balanced setting which is a lot more progressive.
Out of interest, do you find that your exhaust becomes louder in Sport+ mode (and also if you disable DSC/DTC)?
I'm beginning to suspect that there is some kind of active valve system in the exhaust which opens when in the sportier modes (it also seems to be open for the first 5 seconds or so upon starting the car)
It definitely makes the exhaust different, driven normally you will notice the right hand side exhaust tip gets dirtier making me think that the other will be closed on some driving conditions, also on Sport mode there is a slight different sound between fear changes (from te exhaust) and when you lift the throttle. In mine it does not seem to come from the speakers at all but from the exhaust.Out of interest, do you find that your exhaust becomes louder in Sport+ mode (and also if you disable DSC/DTC)?
I'm beginning to suspect that there is some kind of active valve system in the exhaust which opens when in the sportier modes (it also seems to be open for the first 5 seconds or so upon starting the car)
I tend to leave the Dynamic Traction Control on. No point taking unnecessary risks. I do like how the system allows more mischief and for the road is good enough.
As for the M3 I understand there are mechanical differences the question was more if the M3 would be just as tractable for everyday use or on/off all the time.
It is clever how they do it, but the increased noise is certainly from the active sound stuff, i.e. amplified by speakers.
The dirty exhaust is the same as mine, right side is always open so when cold it gets all the carbon deposits from the engine running rich. Left one opens after 30 seconds or so and is always easier to clean.
Day to day driving the M3 / M4 are pretty easy going, not even that expensive to fuel and the tax on my brother in Law's 2014 M4 is less than my 335i! He pays FAR more in servicing costs though.
The dirty exhaust is the same as mine, right side is always open so when cold it gets all the carbon deposits from the engine running rich. Left one opens after 30 seconds or so and is always easier to clean.
Day to day driving the M3 / M4 are pretty easy going, not even that expensive to fuel and the tax on my brother in Law's 2014 M4 is less than my 335i! He pays FAR more in servicing costs though.
Mike335i said:
It is clever how they do it, but the increased noise is certainly from the active sound stuff, i.e. amplified by speakers.
I don't think so. If you stand outside behind the car while someone else revs up the engine and switch modes from balanced to sport, or turn off DTC/DSC, you can hear a very noticeable difference from the exhaust. It sounds pretty good too. The same is true while driving through a tunnel with the windows open, you really can hear the exhaust from outside the car much louder when in sport mode or with DTC/DSC switched offI know a number of people who own 340i's (myself included) and none of those have active sound. The sound difference is purely from the exhaust.
Drive in Eco/Comfort and the passenger side flap is shut all the time.
Drive in Sport/Sport+ and the passenger side flap opens and it burbles more.
Have a listen to the difference in 3 cars swapping from Comfort at the start to Sport in the second half.
Left car = MPPSK 340i
Mid car = Remus exhaust 440i
Right car = Stock 340i
There is a lot of difference in the sound between modes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=temLGNdtJ4c&t=...
Drive in Eco/Comfort and the passenger side flap is shut all the time.
Drive in Sport/Sport+ and the passenger side flap opens and it burbles more.
Have a listen to the difference in 3 cars swapping from Comfort at the start to Sport in the second half.
Left car = MPPSK 340i
Mid car = Remus exhaust 440i
Right car = Stock 340i
There is a lot of difference in the sound between modes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=temLGNdtJ4c&t=...
Edited by ChrisC-Berks on Monday 26th March 16:58
Only downside on non-M is these modes are more hard-set.
I think on the M you can set steering, dampers and throttle separately which is nice.
Not sure on the noises settings though.
I’m all for varying stuff as it does widen the cars repertoire but when the defaults are bad it can be a pita.
Plus I’m baffled by sports, sports plus, then sport gearbox in either mode (same or different?) and then dtc/dsc modes via sport plus or the button.
BMW haven’t made it terribly clear what you’re gonna get.
So for me, despite adaptive damping being desirable, I avoided it due to presets.
Even having to have the daft gearbox shift points in sport to get the lag-free throttle and fast shift speeds in my 335d is annoying.
So good but so annoying all at the same time :-)
I think on the M you can set steering, dampers and throttle separately which is nice.
Not sure on the noises settings though.
I’m all for varying stuff as it does widen the cars repertoire but when the defaults are bad it can be a pita.
Plus I’m baffled by sports, sports plus, then sport gearbox in either mode (same or different?) and then dtc/dsc modes via sport plus or the button.
BMW haven’t made it terribly clear what you’re gonna get.
So for me, despite adaptive damping being desirable, I avoided it due to presets.
Even having to have the daft gearbox shift points in sport to get the lag-free throttle and fast shift speeds in my 335d is annoying.
So good but so annoying all at the same time :-)
Yes I know what you mean, in Sport+ the fear changes are quicker but are they quicker still if we set the gearbox to Sport as well? Who knows?
The exhaust is definitely not speaker based on my 340i. I went for adaptative suspension more because I like the look of bigger wheels and in comfort mode makes the car ride really well and not crashing. Perhaps a little harsh in sport mode I would say. Quality damping costs money so I am happy with the compromised adaptive suspension.
Only draw back for me in Sport + is that the steering feels artificially heavier and that does not translate to better feel in my opinion. But we are driving on the road, I am happy enough.
It is a interesting point that the M cars afford more options in setting up, that may well prove a bonus point as you can set up exactly as you want it. Like you said on normal cars all is well if presets are good, they may not be.
The exhaust is definitely not speaker based on my 340i. I went for adaptative suspension more because I like the look of bigger wheels and in comfort mode makes the car ride really well and not crashing. Perhaps a little harsh in sport mode I would say. Quality damping costs money so I am happy with the compromised adaptive suspension.
Only draw back for me in Sport + is that the steering feels artificially heavier and that does not translate to better feel in my opinion. But we are driving on the road, I am happy enough.
It is a interesting point that the M cars afford more options in setting up, that may well prove a bonus point as you can set up exactly as you want it. Like you said on normal cars all is well if presets are good, they may not be.
M3 is much more hardcore than a 340. Try one. I moved from an M140 to the M3 and had a 3 series diesel before that.
I commute in mine and it's a pussycat to bumble about in (mine's DCT). Get out on the open road and it's an animal, if you want it to be, but also flows nicely at 7 tenths.
I commute in mine and it's a pussycat to bumble about in (mine's DCT). Get out on the open road and it's an animal, if you want it to be, but also flows nicely at 7 tenths.
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear, that the M3 is a nice car for everyday driving so not too harsh but sharp when you want it too be.
Off course could get a cheap everyday car and a weekend toy but life is too short and not enough time to have different cars for different moods, at least at this price range, classic cars excluded or super cars.
Off course could get a cheap everyday car and a weekend toy but life is too short and not enough time to have different cars for different moods, at least at this price range, classic cars excluded or super cars.
Have to disagree (sort of). I got rid of my M3 partly because the ride was so goddam uncomfortable. However, I reckon it depends on what spec. of M3 you go for. I had an early M3 CP (2016) on 20"s (the 19"s weren't an option at launch of the CP). Before I bought the M3 I had a test drive in a stock M4 on 19"s. That was fine and was what convinced me the M3 would be fine. Big difference between the two cars.
About 4 months ago I tried a 2018 M3 CP on 20"s and the ride had been improved over the 2016 model. But still very firm.
So, my conclusion / opinion is that a 2018 non-CP M3 is probably the best for an everyday car when it comes to ride comfort. A 2018 CP equipped car on 19"s might be just about bearable. I would avoid the 20"s at all costs.
Rest of the car was great. Other than the squeaks and rattles.
About 4 months ago I tried a 2018 M3 CP on 20"s and the ride had been improved over the 2016 model. But still very firm.
So, my conclusion / opinion is that a 2018 non-CP M3 is probably the best for an everyday car when it comes to ride comfort. A 2018 CP equipped car on 19"s might be just about bearable. I would avoid the 20"s at all costs.
Rest of the car was great. Other than the squeaks and rattles.
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