[lajollabeach]

Originally Posted by BPC

I took that course as well. I highly reccommend it.

Yeah it was super fun. We drove 340s in AM, M235s in PM. M235s must have staggered 225/245s like my M Sport 228? The driving school takes those tires off and puts on cheaper unstaggered 225s on. Accelerating hard as possible out of the corners those tires didn't squeal. My assumption is that was the work of the DSC, but I don't know that for sure.

[EternalVendetta]

Sport or Sport+ when I'm by myself, Comfort when my wife is with me.

[kindofblue]

Originally Posted by raleedy

Comfort mode as a rule; ECO on long highway stretches. Generally going for good mpg.

Agreed though Sport can be fun!

[isthar]

m235 w/ M perf exhaust, so... comfort mode except:
- if a fellow enthusiast car is around (lol), since the exhaust is lovely sounding
- if the road conditions are smooth and twisty, or on track

On an autocross I would do sport+, on an unfamiliar track I start in Sport (especially one with walls all the time around you!). edit: ah, on the track I configure Sport to be Chassis only to keep a linear throttle and steering. On the street, use Sport for both settings for "fun".

Eco only on long drives but you just end up going so slow! (because I try to take advantage of the transmission dis-engage when you apply no gas)

[Stones1970]

Originally Posted by murderwasthebass

Starting with the 2016 model year (or was it 2015, I cant remember), even without Track Handling Package, it still makes a minor adjustment to the suspension. Just a little bit stiffer. Though, nowhere near as noticeable as when you have THP.

Can confirm, 2015. I've driven a 2014 that didn't have this feature and a 2015 that did. In my '17 I immediately notice it over bumps and imperfections.

[Questofthetune]

I like how it sounds on e85 in ECO with the shifter in S. It holds revs and builds boost slowly so it sounds cool.

[morphomeman]

Lately, I have been using ECO on my drive to and from work, about five miles, where there is always some traffic. Trying to get some extra miles makes the trip, which I have done daily for years, a little more amusing.

[eleniki]

Sport

[nikman011]

Always Sport+, roughly 50% shifter Left

[K8_M235i]

Traction on the street (most exhaust overrun).
Dsc off the rest of the time, aka shenanigans and track.

Sometimes sport on the highway because it doesn't feel as floaty.

[tennisfreak]

Sport+ 90% of the time

Comfort occasionally

Eco mode needs to be kicked, beaten, and shot

[dsmclone]

Comfort mode 80%/Sport Mode 20%

I don't notice a steering change when I switch modes

There is no use in me using sport mode on the interstate, I just get worse gas mileage and it's louder for no reason. When I'm in town, I do use sport mode because it sounds better and the car doesn't shut when I'm at the lights.

[K8_M235i]

Originally Posted by dsmclone

Comfort mode 80%/Sport Mode 20%

I don't notice a steering change when I switch modes

There is no use in me using sport mode on the interstate, I just get worse gas mileage and it's louder for no reason. When I'm in town, I do use sport mode because it sounds better and the car doesn't shut when I'm at the lights.

If you don't notice a change in steering your sport mode is probably configured to only be sport throttle. It's a setting in I drive. It's definitely noticeable.

Same with auto off. I have mine turned off so it will idle even in comfort. That's the button next to the drive mode selection.

[XutvJet]

DSC Off most of the time. If it's cold out (i.e., sub 50s), I typically do Traction mode to get a softer ride since the tires and shocks are naturally stiffer. If it's warm and wet out, I typically do Sport with only the suspension/steering set to Sport. I find the Sport throttle settings too aggressive for the 6MT. I've learned to like the Comfort throttle settings.

[smchuck]

Comfort mode. Too many speeding tickets already. Sport mode on the track.

[TwistedX]

I've turned the setting for sport to just chassis only so I can get the heavier steering but still retain most comfort setting.

[SpartacusV]

Comfy for commute

[RPM90]

I dislike driving "modes".
This trend, which has been going on for well over the past 5-7 years, really sucks.

If I want a sport sedan or sport coupe, then I have no desire for a "comfort" mode, and even less so for an "eco" mode.
If I want a comfort oriented and fuel economy automobile, then I'll not seek and get a sport-anything.

With adjustable dampers I like and understand the need for being able to set a range or setting for that particular item. However, even if there was no driver made setting the self adjusting dampers would suite me fine.

As it is, about 75% of my miles are on "sport" and the rest on "comfort/base" mode.
At times I will turn ESC off for more driver control. And I will engage DTC when there is snow on the road so that I can get more wheel spin when needed to get throw some spots or hillier terrain as needed.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by RPM90

I dislike driving "modes".
This trend, which has been going on for well over the past 5-7 years, really sucks.

If I want a sport sedan or sport coupe, then I have no desire for a "comfort" mode, and even less so for an "eco" mode.
If I want a comfort oriented and fuel economy automobile, then I'll not seek and get a sport-anything.

With adjustable dampers I like and understand the need for being able to set a range or setting for that particular item. However, even if there was no driver made setting the self adjusting dampers would suite me fine.

As it is, about 75% of my miles are on "sport" and the rest on "comfort/base" mode.
At times I will turn ESC off for more driver control. And I will engage DTC when there is snow on the road so that I can get more wheel spin when needed to get throw some spots or hillier terrain as needed.

May we presume you tend to drive solo? The modes are a "marital aid" for us; my wife doesn't complain about the ride in Comfort. I tend to always drive in Sport when alone...and that setting she does not enjoy.

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

May we presume you tend to drive solo? The modes are a "marital aid" for us; my wife doesn't complain about the ride in Comfort. I tend to always drive in Sport when alone...and that setting she does not enjoy.

Yes you may, and you would be correct.

Allow me to elaborate.

However, and again, marital status really has nothing to do with the need for "driving modes".
Even a non driver mode selection would allow a self adjusting suspension to provide the proper ride and control within a particular cars intended performance range.

For example, with the adjustable suspension "sport" mode does not at all greatly alter the cars ride dynamics such that it feels like a brick on bumps.
And, "comfort" does not make the car's ride drastically smoother or more passenger car like.
Passengers in my M340i have never complained of harsh or bumpy ride when I am in "sport" mode, nor have they been thrilled if I leave it in "comfort" mode. And that includes passengers from pre-teen nieces and nephews to my parents who are in their 70s.

I do not wish to negate your wife's experiences and likes, as that is impolite and not necessary.
I will simply offer that, when a person knows there are settings that alter something, then they become primed and prompted to "look for" or "feel for" some difference. And with that can come heightened awareness along with an exaggerated sensation to any change. This is one reason why placebos can work.

IMO, "Driver modes" are a gimmick to be sure.
It's become a selling feature like having blue-tooth or Apple car-play, and yet those two features have more obvious usability than driving "modes", as it pertains to certain cars and/or variants.

If I want an M240i or M340i that means that I am already favoring and accepting a certain initial or base performance level along with any aspects that are increased and/or decreased.
By including these modes manufacturers like BMW dilute all of the modes as they attempt to try and be some of many things rather than maximize all of one thing.

A "sport, Msport", or whatever name is given to a more driver oriented variant, should be maximized to deliver the best performance capability of the particular niche.
This is why an "eco" mode is a ridiculous notion on sport or Msport.
I find it silly that a person would use "eco" mode in a sport or Msport variant, other than on a long highway trip where the AC compressor will simply run shorter run cycles to help increase MPG, as that pretty much is what the benefit is at steady state driving.

Using "eco" mode in daily commute or city driving puts the sport/Msport into a seriously unresponsive and numb level of driving.
For a sporty coupe or sedan the drivers want a level of engagement and response that comes with choosing those variants.
I can limit how much fuel I am using during acceleration from a stop or a pass by the proper method, which we call the "throttle or gas pedal."
In Eco mode throttle response is ridiculously unresponsive.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by RPM90

Yes you may, and you would be correct.

Allow me to elaborate.

However, and again, marital status really has nothing to do with the need for "driving modes".
Even a non driver mode selection would allow a self adjusting suspension to provide the proper ride and control within a particular cars intended performance range.

For example, with the adjustable suspension "sport" mode does not at all greatly alter the cars ride dynamics such that it feels like a brick on bumps.
And, "comfort" does not make the car's ride drastically smoother or more passenger car like.
Passengers in my M340i have never complained of harsh or bumpy ride when I am in "sport" mode, nor have they been thrilled if I leave it in "comfort" mode. And that includes passengers from pre-teen nieces and nephews to my parents who are in their 70s.

I do not wish to negate your wife's experiences and likes, as that is impolite and not necessary.
I will simply offer that, when a person knows there are settings that alter something, then they become primed and prompted to "look for" or "feel for" some difference. And with that can come heightened awareness along with an exaggerated sensation to any change. This is one reason why placebos can work.

IMO, "Driver modes" are a gimmick to be sure.
It's become a selling feature like having blue-tooth or Apple car-play, and yet those two features have more obvious usability than driving "modes", as it pertains to certain cars and/or variants.

If I want an M240i or M340i that means that I am already favoring and accepting a certain initial or base performance level along with any aspects that are increased and/or decreased.
By including these modes manufacturers like BMW dilute all of the modes as they attempt to try and be some of many things rather than maximize all of one thing.

A "sport, Msport", or whatever name is given to a more driver oriented variant, should be maximized to deliver the best performance capability of the particular niche.
This is why an "eco" mode is a ridiculous notion on sport or Msport.
I find it silly that a person would use "eco" mode in a sport or Msport variant, other than on a long highway trip where the AC compressor will simply run shorter run cycles to help increase MPG, as that pretty much is what the benefit is at steady state driving.

Using "eco" mode in daily commute or city driving puts the sport/Msport into a seriously unresponsive and numb level of driving.
For a sporty coupe or sedan the drivers want a level of engagement and response that comes with choosing those variants.
I can limit how much fuel I am using during acceleration from a stop or a pass by the proper method, which we call the "throttle or gas pedal."
In Eco mode throttle response is ridiculously unresponsive.

Philosophically, I understand your position. In practicality, our actual experience varies notably. Factors possibly at work include that your 3 Series has enough superiority in ride harshness that it is not the same factor as in a shorter wheelbase 2 Series. When I drive my garage-mate 330i GT, the ride harshness experience is far superior anything the 2 Series' range of calibration could accomplish.

It is also possible that on the lunar surface of southeast Moonchigan, our series of connected potholes, which some delusional folks in Lansing call "roads", may exacerbate the problem. In any event, my beloved can feel the difference quite easily. Consciously innoculating against the placebo effect, I can feel it as well in my 2, as one who participated in evaluation drives at my prior employer's proving grounds. Sensitivities and stimuli vary, no doubt.

[genadyl]

Comfort on the streets, Sport or Sport+ in the hills, depending on road conditions