[Luftwaffe1O1]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I think one feels the differences in the driving modes more if you've got a manual. Having a torque converter and quick shifting automatic takes out some of that connection and decision making. I couldn't imagine driving my 6MT in Eco under any conditions except for perhaps trying to get up a hill in the snow.

Eh you would be surprised, with sport+ and manual mode or S mode, the shifts are way more ferocious.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffe1O1

Eh you would be surprised, with sport+ and manual mode or S mode, the shifts are way more ferocious.

I understand that. My point was that an automatic mode, the 8AT isn't going to let you linger in the wrong gear. It will either downshift, will unlock and slip the torque converter a bit, or both to give optimal response for the driving mode you're in. With a 6MT, it's up to you to select that appropriate gear. In Eco mode, the driving dynamics of the 6MT are downright terrible.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Luftwaffe1O1

Eh you would be surprised, with sport+ and manual mode or S mode, the shifts are way more ferocious.

Than what? sport+ and manual or s gives the same shift performance as sport and manual or s.

[Kiwi]

Comfort around town Sport or Sport plus on road trips. I never use Eco rubbish mode and why would you for a saving of 1 cent as well the totally poor driving and performance.
You buy a BMW as it's a drivers car not a slug

[jsbird]

For a long time did what many did here- comfort mode around town, sport when needing extra oomph or twistys.
But never liked suspension in Comfort- too soft and in corners too much leaning. So, like Anthony235, I find sweet spot is Sport using suspension only (much better in corners) and drivetrain off. Then push stick to the left to get Sport drivetrain mapping when needed. Much better por moi.

[Xenny]

sport mode in manual mode all the time.

[Kiwi]

Originally Posted by jsbird

For a long time did what many did here- comfort mode around town, sport when needing extra oomph or twistys.
But never liked suspension in Comfort- too soft and in corners too much leaning. So, like Anthony235, I find sweet spot is Sport using suspension only (much better in corners) and drivetrain off. Then push stick to the left to get Sport drivetrain mapping when needed. Much better por moi.

Driving freeway their's no point in being in sport mode as there is no corners to talk about. Around town their's to many things to concentrate on to worry about how the car drives in sport, but get out of town and onto the country roads that's when it changes and sport + is the go. I'm also to lazy to push the button to sport on town trips.

[murderwasthebass]

I stay in Comfort most of the time. My car has the M Sport package and I like the feel of the M Sport suspension as standard. Ill put it in sport when I get into the mountains or windy roads with the setting of chassis only. I have 6MT and don't like the way sport changes the throttle.

Before I got this car I honestly thought id be putting it into sport mode 100 percent of the time. Boy was I wrong. Comfort is just fine for me and I think a lot of this has to do with the M Sport suspension's standard behavior and that I have a manual.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by murderwasthebass

I stay in Comfort most of the time. My car has the M Sport package and I like the feel of the M Sport suspension as standard. Ill put it in sport when I get into the mountains or windy roads with the setting of chassis only. I have 6MT and don't like the way sport changes the throttle.

Before I got this car I honestly thought id be putting it into sport mode 100 percent of the time. Boy was I wrong. Comfort is just fine for me and I think a lot of this has to do with the M Sport suspension's standard behavior and that I have a manual.

You don't mention the Track Package as part of your car's equipment. Without that, don't you have the non-adjustable 704 suspension option that is part of the M-Sport package? If so, your car's suspension setting isn't changed by switching between Comfort and Sport or Sport+.

[Beartato]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

In Eco mode, the driving dynamics of the 6MT are downright terrible.

It feels like a Corolla with that combo.

I'm driving to Seattle from Salt Lake City later this month, I plan to use Eco Pro just to see if there is any significant difference. Going for an hour in light to medium traffic on the highway in Eco Pro seems to yield a 5-10% increase in MPG so there is something there.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Beartato

It feels like a Corolla with that combo.

I'm driving to Seattle from Salt Lake City later this month, I plan to use Eco Pro just to see if there is any significant difference. Going for an hour in light to medium traffic on the highway in Eco Pro seems to yield a 5-10% increase in MPG so there is something there.

I haven't measured it in detail while spending hours across the flatness of Ohio or southern Ontario on trips, but I do recall seeing an impressive number of "miles earned" shown in the cluster while in Eco and on Speed Control.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by jsbird

For a long time did what many did here- comfort mode around town, sport when needing extra oomph or twistys.
But never liked suspension in Comfort- too soft and in corners too much leaning. So, like Anthony235, I find sweet spot is Sport using suspension only (much better in corners) and drivetrain off. Then push stick to the left to get Sport drivetrain mapping when needed. Much better por moi.

Although for sport type driving I prefer DSC off, when cruising on the freeway I use Comfort most of the time. The M235 has "adaptive" suspension, the suspension and steering gets stiffer as you drive faster or drive aggressively.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by Beartato

It feels like a Corolla with that combo.

I'm driving to Seattle from Salt Lake City later this month, I plan to use Eco Pro just to see if there is any significant difference. Going for an hour in light to medium traffic on the highway in Eco Pro seems to yield a 5-10% increase in MPG so there is something there.

I think it is unlikely to make much difference on the highway, where speeds are relatively constant, unless you engage in "hypermiling". There will be some reduction of cabin heating and cooling, though. I think the best way to get good highway mileage is to limit your cruising speed.

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

Although for sport type driving I prefer DSC off, when cruising on the freeway I use Comfort most of the time. The M235 has "adaptive" suspension, the suspension and steering gets stiffer as you drive faster or drive aggressively.

Just an FYI, there's nothing "adaptive" in those systems. Pushing the sport button takes the suspension for soft to stiff and the steering from light effort to more effort. Nothing is adjusting while you drive.

[AlpsRider]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

Just an FYI, there's nothing "adaptive" in those systems. Pushing the sport button takes the suspension for soft to stiff and the steering from light effort to more effort. Nothing is adjusting while you drive.

I have to disagree with you there. My car can be in Comfort mode in town and I merge on to the freeway at 90 mph, the steering gets stiffer and the suspension does as well. Whether it changes itself to sport mode, I don't know, but it gets stiffer.
edit: from the M240i website

"Adaptive M suspension.

The low-set Adaptive M suspension with variable damper control allows the driver to choose between comfortable or dynamic suspension settings.

The Adaptive M suspension is set ten millimetres lower, further increasing the vehicle's full dynamic potential. The driver can adjust the driving characteristics via the Driving Experience Control to enable whichever driving style is most appealing at the time – from comfortable to extremely athletic. Whichever setting is chosen, the Adaptive M suspension's electrically controlled dampers calibrate to suit the road conditions within fractions of a second. The system also uses numerous sensors that measure wheel vibrations, as well as vehicle speed, in order to achieve optimal damping and vehicle safety."

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by raleedy

I think it is unlikely to make much difference on the highway, where speeds are relatively constant, unless you engage in "hypermiling". There will be some reduction of cabin heating and cooling, though. I think the best way to get good highway mileage is to limit your cruising speed.

I noticed today that Eco-Pro mode on the highway will also take longer to resume the cruise control speed if you have to brake for traffic. Seems to apply throttle more slowly than Comfort mode.

[murderwasthebass]

Originally Posted by raleedy

You don't mention the Track Package as part of your car's equipment. Without that, don't you have the non-adjustable 704 suspension option that is part of the M-Sport package? If so, your car's suspension setting isn't changed by switching between Comfort and Sport or Sport+.

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.

[SLSMan100]

Only had the car just over a month - 228 x drive w/adaptive. Lately using Sport set to chassis only as I like the heavier steering feel (coming from 3 series and 1 series 1995-2013) and only need the aggressive throttle and shifting occasionally as a daily driver. I'm on the highway 2 hours per day on average and Eco Pro is more encouraging of conservative acceleration, anticipatory braking and of course benefit with coasting. Driving economically is not just about the car, it's about your approach to these variables. Still experimenting (that's why I'm interested in this thread!).

[Sinkhole]

I've had my car for 3 days and can't seem to keep it out of Sport. The wife has been driving in comfort mode. I haven't gotten a chance to try Sport+ and give it a real flogging yet.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by AlpsRider

I have to disagree with you there. My car can be in Comfort mode in town and I merge on to the freeway at 90 mph, the steering gets stiffer and the suspension does as well. Whether it changes itself to sport mode, I don't know, but it gets stiffer.
edit: from the M240i website

"Adaptive M suspension.

The low-set Adaptive M suspension with variable damper control allows the driver to choose between comfortable or dynamic suspension settings.

The Adaptive M suspension is set ten millimetres lower, further increasing the vehicle's full dynamic potential. The driver can adjust the driving characteristics via the Driving Experience Control to enable whichever driving style is most appealing at the time – from comfortable to extremely athletic. Whichever setting is chosen, the Adaptive M suspension's electrically controlled dampers calibrate to suit the road conditions within fractions of a second. The system also uses numerous sensors that measure wheel vibrations, as well as vehicle speed, in order to achieve optimal damping and vehicle safety."

This language is cleverly ambiguous and could literally describe a passive system that is electrically switched between two shock absorber settings, which is what I believe it actually is.

[pikcachu]

Originally Posted by raleedy

This language is cleverly ambiguous and could literally describe a passive system that is electrically switched between two shock absorber settings, which is what I believe it actually is.

The suspension when in comfort mode gets stiffer by itself when going over bumps or rough terrain without having to change any mode

It's documented in a few places

"Adaptive Drive adjusts the suspension settings to suit the character of the road surface. Each axle has its own independent motor that can adjust the dampers on each individual wheel. When the road surface under one side of the vehicle differs in character from that on the other side - such as when driving on roads with gravel shoulders - Adaptive Drive instantly adjusts the suspension settings of the wheels on one side to practically eliminate any perceptible unevenness in the road. In addition, you can choose between a more comfortable default setting for the suspension, or a more sporting setting."

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by pikcachu

The suspension when in comfort mode gets stiffer by itself when going over bumps or rough terrain without having to change any mode

It's documented in a few places

"Adaptive Drive adjusts the suspension settings to suit the character of the road surface. Each axle has its own independent motor that can adjust the dampers on each individual wheel. When the road surface under one side of the vehicle differs in character from that on the other side - such as when driving on roads with gravel shoulders - Adaptive Drive instantly adjusts the suspension settings of the wheels on one side to practically eliminate any perceptible unevenness in the road. In addition, you can choose between a more comfortable default setting for the suspension, or a more sporting setting."

I've seen that language and studied it. I think what it tells you is that one a wheel goes over a bump, the spring compresses and the shock absorber piston moves. I would add that the wheel also revolves, providing an automatic, controlled recovery from the deflection. (The reference to the axle motor describes the two-state shock adjusters.)

But before we get too far into this debate, I'd just point out that the 2-series has Adaptive M Suspension, not Adaptive Drive. According to BMWUSA, Adaptive Drive is the guts of the $3,500 Dynamic Handling Package on the 5-series, consisting of Active Roll Stabilization and Dynamic Damping Controls.