Believe it or not, I have never pushed the "sport" button in my 2012 Roadster S. Now I am wondering, what am I missing, if anything. Thought I would ask for an explanation in MA language to see if anyone thinks it is worth using.
It gives better throttle response for one and suppose to tighten steering. I use it all the time on my Countryman.
Countryman is most fun with the button. If I am in Stop and go on a commute = no Sport button If I am Zipping around town = Sport button My experience: Sport = less MPG Sport = more smiles per mile I use the Sport button and smile more. The rest of life is better when Sport is engaged. :beer The R53 requires no button..... -Steve
When I forget to turn on the sport button I think I have a flat tire, or the handbrake is still on. So tempted to buy one of those mods that keep it on all the time.
The automatic transmission shifts sooner and stays in the next lower gear than without the sport button engaged. On the highway, it stays in fifth gear, I have to switch off sport mode to get it to shift into sixth gear. The only other thing I notice is improved throttle response, the steering feels the same.
It Sport Mode, it's not for mileage, it's for performance. Holding the transmission in fifth keeps the RPMs up and in it's power zone.
Sport mode affects mileage moreso in an automatic than a manual because it will tell the transmission to shift more aggressively and hold gears instead of pushing for an upshift to save fuel economy. Also, you get some more weight in the steering, and some fun burbles and pops from the exhaust. Highly recommended.
Well yes, but at Highway speed? . . . I guess you never know when you suddenly will want to slam it on the highway...