BMW Sport Plus Mode: What You Need To Know

Have you ever felt that your BMW could deliver more behind the wheel? That there’s an extra edge of performance hidden within, just waiting to be unlocked? Well, for many modern BMW models, activating Sport Plus mode is the key to unleashing the car’s full potential.

So what exactly is BMW Sport Plus mode and what does it do?

BMW’s Sport Plus driving mode takes the acclaimed BMW driving experience to an even higher level. It’s an optional setting that can be activated in a wide range of BMW’s sportier models to make the vehicle more dynamic, responsive, and fun to drive.

When Sport Plus is engaged, it adjusts various components and settings in the car for reduced body roll, quicker throttle response, enhanced steering feedback, firmer suspension damping, aggressive transmission shift points, louder engine sound, and optimized traction control.

The result is a tightly tuned sports car with razor sharp reflexes that can carve up twisting backroads and leave drivers with exhilarating grins. BMW designed Sport Plus mode specifically to deliver maximum driving enjoyment when you really want to experience your car’s full performance potential.

In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into BMW Sport Plus mode. We’ll cover what models have it, how it works, the settings it changes, how to activate it, the benefits it brings, and tips for using it responsibly so you can unlock your BMW’s passion for performance.

How Does BMW Sport Plus Mode Work?

So how does this specialized driving mode manage to make BMWs feel so much more eager and responsive? It all comes down to how Sport Plus adjusts the settings of various interdependent systems and components.

Here are some of the key changes it makes:

More Aggressive Throttle Response – Sport Plus decreases the amount of pedal travel needed to open the throttle, allowing you to accelerate faster. It also sharpens the sensitivity of the throttle to be more reactive to your inputs. Stomp the gas and you’ll really feel it!
Enhanced Steering Precision – The electrically-assisted power steering gets recalibrated for noticeably improved responsiveness and feedback through the steering wheel. This allows you to place the car precisely through corners.
Firmer Adaptive Suspension – Models equipped with electronic adaptive dampers see the suspension firm up for reduced body roll and improved cornering stability. You’ll feel more confident driving at higher speeds.
Sportier Transmission Shift Points – The automatic transmission holds lower gears longer and downshifts more quickly for better acceleration. Gear changes also happen at higher rpm for spirited driving.
Louder Engine Sound – Flaps in the exhaust system open up allowing for louder, more aggressive engine tones to build excitement. Bimmers sound fantastic in Sport Plus!
Optimized Traction/Stability Control – While not defeated completely, the electronic stability control and traction control systems give a bit more leash for controlled oversteer and wheelspin before intervening. You can explore the car’s limits with greater precision.

As you can see, all of these changes happen in harmony to make the car feel tighter, more eager to react, and deliver performance capabilities that match how assertively you want to drive. If you ever feel your BMW could use an extra jolt of passion, Sport Plus mode is the prescription.

Which BMW Models Have Sport Plus Mode?

Nearly all of BMW’s sportier model lines come equipped with the specialized Sport Plus driving mode. Here are some of the main ones:

3 Series – Since the release of the current G20 generation 3 Series, Sport Plus has been included on 330i and M340i models as well as the M3.
4 Series – The latest G22/G23 4 Series Coupe and Convertible also have Sport Plus on higher level trims like the 430i, M440i, and M4.
5 Series – Sport Plus comes standard on the 540i along with the high-performance M550i and M5 models.
7 Series – You can engage Sport Plus on the sporty 750i model as well as the V8-powered M760i and iconic M7.
8 Series – 840i Coupe/Convertible/Gran Coupe variants have Sport Plus as do the fire-breathing twin-turbo V8 M8 models.
X3/X4 SUVs – BMW’s sportier SUVs like the X3 M40i and X4 M40i come equipped with the enhanced driving mode.
X5/X6/X7 SUVs – Larger performance SUVs including the X5M, X6M, and Alpina XB7 feature Sport Plus mode capability.
M Models – BMW M cars like the M3, M4, M5, M8 all have the mode to fully exploit their immense power.
iPerformance Electrified Models – Even high-performance plug-in hybrids like the 745e boast Sport Plus to sharpen responses.

While not every BMW will benefit from having the mode, Sport Plus comes standard on the sportier trims where the more dynamic changes are best matched to the car’s eager personality.

If yours didn’t come with it, the mode can often be added through coding the vehicle computer or an aftermarket tuning module. A BMW service center can let you know if it’s possible based on your model’s architecture.

How to Activate BMW Sport Plus Mode?

Using Sport Plus driving mode couldn’t be easier. Here is the simple process to activate it:

Locate the circular Driving Dynamics Control switch on the center console. It’s usually near the shifter or iDrive controller.
When the car is running, toggle the switch from the default Comfort mode to Sport mode. You’ll see the instrument cluster change colors.
Now toggle the switch one more click to the right to engage Sport Plus mode. The Sport Plus logo will illuminate in yellow.
The various vehicle settings will now be adjusted for maximum performance capability.
To turn off Sport Plus, simply toggle the control back to the left to revert to regular Sport mode or Comfort.

Engaging the enhanced mode only takes a second. Some vehicles like BMW M cars have a dedicated M button on the steering wheel that can be programmed specifically for Sport Plus as a shortcut.

It’s smart to try activating it both from a stop and while driving to feel the changes take effect in real time. The transformation can be eye-opening if you’ve never used Sport Plus!

The Benefits of Unlocking Sport Plus Mode

Why would you ever want or need to use BMW’s most aggressive and responsive driving mode? What are the specific benefits of tapping into Sport Plus?

Here are some of the biggest advantages you can expect:

Quicker Acceleration – The improved throttle response and aggressive transmission tuning helps acceleration feel significantly stronger. BMW engines love to rev, and now they can reach higher rpm faster for crushing g-forces.
Enhanced Handling – Between the tighter suspension reducing body roll, steering precision improvements, and balanced electronic stability control, Sport Plus allows you to attack corners, swerves, and chicanes with more control.
Increased Confidence – The communicative steering and responsive powertrain breed confidence to push your driving harder through tight sections of curvy backroads where you want ultimate control.
Improved Traction – When accelerating hard out of turns, the optimized traction control helps maximize grip and prevent wheelspin so every ounce of torque propels you forward.
Adrenaline Rush – Hearing the louder engine notes and feeling the sharper reflexes triggers your adrenal glands to release epinephrine, creating an addicting thrill. Driving in Sport Plus mode gets your heart pounding!
Better Balance – For BMWs equipped with electronic limited-slip differentials like the M3 and M4, Sport Plus ensures the e-diff is calibrated for balanced power delivery and stability during aggressive cornering.

Unleashing your car’s performance potential with Sport Plus leads to big smiles each time the road gets twisty. It’s the ultimate setting when you want to dance with your Bimmer across epic driving roads.

Using Sport Plus Mode Responsibly

While the increased aggressiveness of Sport Plus mode can exhilarate experienced drivers, it’s not something to be used irresponsibly. This setting makes it much easier to drive fast and should be treated with respect.

Here are some tips for using Sport Plus responsibly:

Mind the Speed Limit – It’s extremely easy to hit triple digit speeds without realizing it thanks to the improved acceleration, so be sure to keep a close eye on your speedometer. Avoid speeding tickets or accidents.
Increase Focus – Be extra alert with your attention levels since the sharper reflexes require precise inputs. Reduce distractions and be fully in tune with your car.
Leave Room to Slow Down – Brake earlier and maintain bigger gaps from other cars since stopping distances are increased at higher speeds.
Steer Smoothly – The sensitive steering demands a silky-smooth touch. Avoid abrupt inputs that can unsettle the chassis. Be one with the car.
Know the Limits – Learn your and your car’s limits progressively on safe roads. Don’t make sudden maneuvers at the edge of adhesion without experience. Smooth is fast.
Assess Road Conditions – Only use Sport Plus when traction is ideal. Wet or compromised roads require toning back down to Sport or Comfort settings until things dry out.

Exercising smart judgement ensures you can relish the increased performance without taking unnecessary risks. Drive with respect and enjoy the capabilities BMW put at your fingertips with Sport Plus mode.

Unleash the Passion in Your BMW

If you’ve ever watched a professional racer hustle a snarling BMW M car around a circuit, you’ve witnessed the incredible potential BMWs have waiting to be exploited through skill and advanced technology.

And while only a select few can extract everything from an M car on track, we normal drivers can still unlock our inner Schumacher on public roads using Sport Plus mode.

This specialized setting makes the Ultimate Driving Machine live up to its name by achieving the perfect harmony of power, handling, grip, sound, and feel. Driving a BMW in Sport Plus is an experience guaranteed to put a cheek-splitting grin on your face each time.

So embrace your inner driving enthusiast, find some curvy backroads without heavy traffic, and activate Sport Plus in your BMW. Feel the increased urgency in the engine, the tighter reflexes of the chassis, and the adrenaline coursing through your body. Your BMW was engineered for this.

Sport Plus mode brings out the passionate performance personality BMWs are revered for. Now you can finally exploit your car’s capabilities and bond with it on a higher level. Revel in pushing yourself and your Ultimate Driving Machine to new heights. Just remember to keep safety top of mind so you can continue enjoying this thrill.

BMW went through immense efforts perfecting their specialized driving modes. Don’t let Sport Plus go to waste. Experience how capable your car truly is and just how involuntarily good driving can make you feel. Unlock performance. Unlock passion. Unlock BMW’s incredible engineering prowess hidden away within Sport Plus mode.

Conclusion

BMW Sport Plus driving mode noticeably transforms your Bimmer for the better. By optimizing multiple systems to work in harmony, Sport Plus sharpens throttle response, improves steering feel, firms up the suspension, holds gears longer, enhances the engine sound, and optimizes stability control so you can attack corners with more speed and control. While not all BMWs have the mode, it comes standard on sporty model trims and unlocks your car’s passion for driving. Use the tips here to activate Sport Plus mode easily and experience your BMW’s potential.

Just be sure to drive smart so you can continue enjoying the improvements safely. BMW’s Sport Plus mode hands you the keys to unleash your car’s true performance personality so both you and your machine can dance across roads joyfully.