[nozydog]

I drive a 340i M Sport with standard (704) non adaptive suspension. Is the only difference between the Sport & Sport+ settings the switching off of DSC (traction control) or does it affect throttle/steering responses even further?

[2015M4inCT]

It's a less aggressive setting for traction but still active. I find it allows a fair bit of fun before kicking in. That's all it does.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by nozydog

I drive a 340i M Sport with standard (704) non adaptive suspension. Is the only difference between the Sport & Sport+ settings the switching off of DSC (traction control) or does it affect throttle/steering responses even further?

I think it does, but maybe I convinced myself that it does. Wouldn't bet big money on being absolutely sure especially when it comes to steering. Throttle response to me feels a bit "better". Not as big difference as "normal to sport/sport+". (Mine is older 5 series with DHP so things might be slightly different).

Originally Posted by 340i6MT

It's a less aggressive setting for traction but still active. I find it allows a fair bit of fun before kicking in. That's all it does.

True, but to OP, I would suggest to find an empty parking lot on the day roads are wet (can't be that hard in UK) and try it for yourself. Dry roads, no issues, on wet, a lot easier to lose the rear end in Sport+. This is nearly impossible to do, even on snow in other modes. You owe it to yourself to try this, it can be fun, but also terrifying how quickly rear end can snap on wet in Sport+ (especially with run flats).

[bimmer456]

It feels noticeably more aggressive in sport+ than sport. Transmission holds gears longer and throttle response is quicker. I use it all the time. The traction control is dialed back somewhat as well. It's great even at low speeds in rush hour traffic. I still find myself using the paddles from time to time tho.

[2015M4inCT]

I drive a manual. Perhaps there is different programming with the 8speed. Definitely same throttle, steering and adaptive dampers in sport and sport+ in my 6speed.

[hollandog]

everything is same between sport and sport+. you get more wheel slip with sport+.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by hollandog

everything is same between sport and sport+. you get more wheel slip with sport+.

This! Nothing else changes

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by nozydog

I drive a 340i M Sport with standard (704) non adaptive suspension. Is the only difference between the Sport & Sport+ settings the switching off of DSC (traction control) or does it affect throttle/steering responses even further?

Dynamic Traction Control turned on is the only difference.

[Katin]

Quicker shifts but not always. ? I find it shifts super quick but sometimes it seems the same?

[eluded]

With sport plus you're allowed some slippage as others have noted. I love it because the amount of slippage the car allows depends on its mood. Sometimes it lets you move the rear end out a little while clearly abusing the throttle. Other times it let's the rear go sideways. sport plus allows one to more easily crash the car, Especially in less than ideal conditions. I always thought electronics would catch the car. Played with it on the track and no. .

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by eluded

With sport plus you're allowed some slippage as others have noted. I love it because the amount of slippage the car allows depends on its mood. Sometimes it lets you move the rear end out a little while clearly abusing the throttle. Other times it let's the rear go sideways. sport plus allows one to more easily crash the car, Especially in less than ideal conditions. I always thought electronics would catch the car. Played with it on the track and no.

Those nasty laws of physics!

[Daftasabrush]

If you have sport set up so the chassis is in comfort, putting it in sport+ will make the steering heavier too. If you leave the sport set up so that chassis is sport as well as drivetrain, it won't make any difference to the steering, only the traction control as stated above.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by eluded

With sport plus you're allowed some slippage as others have noted. I love it because the amount of slippage the car allows depends on its mood. Sometimes it lets you move the rear end out a little while clearly abusing the throttle. Other times it let's the rear go sideways. sport plus allows one to more easily crash the car, Especially in less than ideal conditions. I always thought electronics would catch the car. Played with it on the track and no. .

This is exactly "warning" I wanted to pass to OP as well. Sport+ is very tricky mode in less than ideal conditions, in my opinion, best to be left alone when roads aren't dry.

What someone assumes to be "a bit of slippage allowed" isn't as easy to predict on wet or snow covered roads.

[Wunsch]

I have a fuzzy recollection that on automatic transmission cars, if you put it in manual shift mode in Sport+, it'll bounce off the rev limiter instead of automatically upshifting at redline. Does it do that in Sport too, or is that also a Sport+ difference?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Wunsch

I have a fuzzy recollection that on automatic transmission cars, if you put it in manual shift mode in Sport+, it'll bounce off the rev limiter instead of automatically upshifting at redline. Does it do that in Sport too, or is that also a Sport+ difference?

Not sure about that. Best way to know is to try it t in both modes. When I use the paddles it is pretty much like driving a manual but I've never tested if it will shift at redline or stay in the gear.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

This is exactly "warning" I wanted to pass to OP as well. Sport+ is very tricky mode in less than ideal conditions, in my opinion, best to be left alone when roads aren't dry.

What someone assumes to be "a bit of slippage allowed" isn't as easy to predict on wet or snow covered roads.

I was afraid to use sport + in the wet because I heard you could spin out as the traction control is almost turned off completely. I have used it in the rain and just exercise common sense caution. It does still work on this mode (meaning traction control) but you should exercise common sense judgement. You could also use sport mode and shift with the paddles if you want full traction control in the rain but still want to have some fun.

[shawntech]

I prefer holding traction as that with my adaptive susp car tightens the wheel, the suspension and fully disengages traction control... while leaving the throttle normal as it is in comfort.

however you don't get the overrun and decel burbles/pops from the exhaust unless in sport+ which has the annoying oversensitive throttle.

[Bbb34]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

I was afraid to use sport + in the wet because I heard you could spin out as the traction control is almost turned off completely. I have used it in the rain and just exercise common sense caution. It does still work on this mode (meaning traction control) but you should exercise common sense judgement. You could also use sport mode and shift with the paddles if you want full traction control in the rain but still want to have some fun.

No doubt, it's just that my "common sense judgement" is, don't use it in wet and snow on public roads.
Not sure what you meant by "shift with paddles", those of us with manual, don't get any additional traction in Sport+

I drive on snow 4+ months every year, and in other modes, it's nearly impossible to lose it. In Sport+ it ranges from as you say a "wiggle/fun" to "oh, is that my rear end that just blew past me" I guess my point (in my experience) is that it's tricky to predict exactly how much assistance you will get, so in new car when you start using Sport+, assume "none".

[BEAR-AvHistory]

[Wunsch]

Originally Posted by Bbb34

I drive on snow 4+ months every year, and in other modes, it's nearly impossible to lose it. In Sport+ it ranges from as you say a "wiggle/fun" to "oh, is that my rear end that just blew past me" I guess my point (in my experience) is that it's tricky to predict exactly how much assistance you will get, so in new car when you start using Sport+, assume "none".

I generally drive with DTC (the traction control mode used in Sport+) in the winter. However, I generally do it by tapping the traction control button to put the car in a mode it calls "traction," which is basically comfort mode with DTC. The more aggressive throttle of Sport+ can be a bit too much in the winter

For the most part, I find the more relaxed stability control of DTC to be a better fit for mildly slippery streets. The only exception is when things start to get too cold and too icy, where I find these Sottozeroes don't work as well as other winter tires I've used in the past, and I need all the help I can get to keep the rear end from passing me.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Wunsch

I generally drive with DTC (the traction control mode used in Sport+) in the winter. However, I generally do it by tapping the traction control button to put the car in a mode it calls "traction," which is basically comfort mode with DTC. The more aggressive throttle of Sport+ can be a bit too much in the winter

For the most part, I find the more relaxed stability control of DTC to be a better fit for mildly slippery streets. The only exception is when things start to get too cold and too icy, where I find these Sottozeroes don't work as well as other winter tires I've used in the past, and I need all the help I can get to keep the rear end from passing me.

Here in socal we don't get snow or ice so I don't have anything to compare to, but would imagine you would need full traction control and snow tires

[Thisisdudewhoru]

Originally Posted by BEAR-AvHistory

So sport plus will somewhat still try and save you if the rear starts coming around?