E46 M3 Sport switch
E46 M3 Sport switch
Author
Discussion

911stu

Original Poster:

672 posts

236 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
Hi hoping someone can tell me exactly what the sport switch changes on a manual E46 M3.
CHEERS

rassi

2,512 posts

274 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
Engaged: More sensitive throttle map (no more power)

Edited as I thought as per the E39 M5 it also included less power-steering assistance but apparently this is not the case. Apologies for any misleading information. More here: http://m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=123378

Edited by rassi on Wednesday 3rd June 12:56

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

247 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
It is just a different throttle map, alot more agressive, that is it.

Rawhide

977 posts

236 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
The throttle responce curve is Linear as opposed to concave.

This basically means press 1/2 = get 1/2 throttle opening. As opposed to press 1/2 and getting about 1/3 throttle opening.

Full throttle is the same opening on both but it will open quicker with the sport button on.

No changes to the steering.

Edited by Rawhide on Wednesday 3rd June 10:38

Paul_M3

2,517 posts

208 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
The throttle response is much more linear in Normal compared to Sport. (Although still not completely linear)

As an example, at 1/3 throttle in 'Normal' the butterfly will be 39% open. At the same throttle position in 'Sport' the butterfly is 62% open.

I never use it personally, I much prefer the control you get using the normal linear response.


The Restorer

845 posts

251 months

Wednesday 3rd June 2009
quotequote all
As other have said just increases the throttle map. To me the car feels extremely lethargic up to 4k without the sport button on. Saying that I don't use it all time though.

deano23

116 posts

208 months

Thursday 4th June 2009
quotequote all
The Restorer said:
As other have said just increases the throttle map. To me the car feels extremely lethargic up to 4k without the sport button on. Saying that I don't use it all time though.
I agree. Even more so after I had a sprint booster cable removed as it was messing with some warning lights. I'd be tempted to put it back on but don't wanna risk it.

f13ldy

1,432 posts

224 months

Thursday 4th June 2009
quotequote all
The Restorer said:
As other have said just increases the throttle map. To me the car feels extremely lethargic up to 4k without the sport button on. Saying that I don't use it all time though.
Spot on, it feels pretty wheezy without it on, like it's being strangled.

I don't use it around town or when parking, but elsewhere it is on most of the time.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

247 months

Thursday 4th June 2009
quotequote all
Huh?? why would you have a sprint booster on when you have the sport button?? The Sprint Booster is just replicating the sport button.

I hate the sport button, not enough control with it on, far better with it off, and you shouldn't be below 4000rpm in an M3 anyway!! biggrin

Paul_M3

2,517 posts

208 months

Friday 5th June 2009
quotequote all
I don't understand people saying it feels slower, etc.

That's because YOU are not pressing the pedal down far enough.

It's the only difference. 2 cars at 3000rpm, one with sport on and the other with sport off will accelerate at the same rate for a given butterfly position. It's just that the driver with sport off will have had to push the pedal further to achieve that opening.

It's all psychological. (And basically an easy gimmick for BMW to install)

deano23

116 posts

208 months

Friday 5th June 2009
quotequote all
gizlaroc said:
Huh?? why would you have a sprint booster on when you have the sport button?? The Sprint Booster is just replicating the sport button.

I hate the sport button, not enough control with it on, far better with it off, and you shouldn't be below 4000rpm in an M3 anyway!! biggrin
I didn't even know it was there to be honest until it was taken out - it was fit by whoever had it prior to me.

Its probably all psychological anyhow.


RatBoy M3CS

1,490 posts

219 months

Sunday 7th June 2009
quotequote all
Paul_M3 said:
The throttle response is much more linear in Normal compared to Sport. (Although still not completely linear)

As an example, at 1/3 throttle in 'Normal' the butterfly will be 39% open. At the same throttle position in 'Sport' the butterfly is 62% open.

I never use it personally, I much prefer the control you get using the normal linear response.
+1... i dont use it .. on the track its easier to modulate the throttle with a longer more progressive travel.. flat out is still flat out..!

gareth h

4,183 posts

253 months

Monday 8th June 2009
quotequote all
Down changes are accompanied by a fruitier blip with sport on (obviously in an SMG car).

nottyash

4,671 posts

218 months

Tuesday 9th June 2009
quotequote all
I thought it made the steering more responsive aswell as throttle response. Mine did.
I remember showing my wife the difference in wheel movement to the way the car steered.

I always had it off as its very sensitive and made it jerky with me driving through town. I only used it when giving it some beans.... all empty back roads!

Paul_M3

2,517 posts

208 months

Tuesday 9th June 2009
quotequote all
nottyash said:
I thought it made the steering more responsive aswell as throttle response. Mine did.
I remember showing my wife the difference in wheel movement to the way the car steered.
Not on an e46 M3 it didn't. On an M5 it might do.