Sport Mode
 

Does "S" Sport mode on the selector lever change anything other than throttle response and gear change point? Does it affect the steering or the suspension too, for example, or is it purely engine/transmission changes only?

purely transmission, and only the change points. Throttle response is the same in D as it is in S mode. The transmission ECU has a number of shift programs and it dynamically alters based on your input via the throttle. If you make rapid throttle changes, as opposed to gentle then it assumes you want a more sporty style of driving and will adapt to suite. The main differences between D and S are that in S change points are higher and in S mode 6th gear is locked out, so you have 5 gears only.

For sporty suspension, you need to place the car suspension into Dynamic mode. That drops the suspension 20mm and stiffens it slightly.

Thanks mannyo, but what you said there is a bit odd, as my D3 selects 6th in S mode. You're going at a fair lick when it does, but it deffo changes up into 6th.

Thanks for the info though. Interesting.

Mine will change to 6th in S mode as well.
I could have sworn the steering tightened up too
If your suspension is in Auto mode, it will, when pushed, move its self into dynamic.

Early D3s didn't do 6th in S (my 53 5.2 didn't anyway), but my FL happilly does.

From my experience some of the early cars, 2003/2004 for example will lock out 5th gear in sports, where the later 2005 ish onwards seem to give you 6th gear back again..... +++

Really? I've never seen that. Crumbs, you must have given it some welly... Good man +++

No.... I've never seen that either.... obviously not pushing it hard enough... ha ha

When you hit a certain speed it drops to the same level as dynamic on the motorway, etc. then when you slow down it raises back up to the 'comfort' level. Not sure on whether it stiffens the suspension as I almost always have it in Dynamic :)

I think when in Automatic, it drops to Dynamic height at just over 80mph. I'm sure I read that when swatting up on the manual. Automatic mode is cr@p though in my opinion. You get the ride height of Comfort mode but with the 'comfort' of Dynamic!

The same as when in Dynamic and travelling just above 80mph, it drops down again (only a tiny bit though - 5mm if I remember correctly). Just trying cruising at a steady 85mph and after 10 or 20 seconds the down arrow on the MMI screen will illuminate (indicating that the air suspension is is lowering).

After you drop to 50mph for 10 or 20 seconds, it will revert back to the standard height for Dynamic or Automatic.