I don't remember the last time I used the SPORT button. Useless to me, if I want to go faster, I just step harder on the accelerator.

 

On my R56 I use it to tighten the suspension when driving curve roads.

 

Come up and drive my daily roads and you will appreciate the tighter steering resopnse

 

i dont drive the car without the sport button on. it doesnt make the car faster just more responsive, which is great.

 

I find it useless too.

 

 

I use it, too. I like the crisper throttle response sometimes and actually find the steering weight more to my liking, except maybe when cruising. I do have friends who never use it though...I think it's all a personal-preference thing.

 

I like it a lot better on the automatic car than the six speed. I like the more agressive shift points with the automatic. I never use it on the six speed any more.

 

Does the Cooper actually do this? I thought it just messed with the steering ratios or something.

 

I think it makes a significant difference in the steering response on my Clubman, less so on throttle response. I have the base Clubman with a manual. I prefer the sport setting, so I use it every time I drive.

 

The sport button on mine turns on the second turbo. I leave it on whenever I am driving.

 

I don't notice it so much on the throttle...

But I do notice it in the steering. Although a bit stiffer, it seems to tighten up the response.

I did hear someone complain that the sport button is useless only because the MINI should respond that way anyway.

I guess the default mode keeps your MINI safe when your wife/mom drives it.

(Sorry ladies... I try to avoid sweeping generalizations)

 

2008 MCS manual - huge difference in the throttle response. When I first got the car, i didn't notice it, but now I can't believe the difference. I'll be honest, I don't notice any steering difference because I'm so preoccupied with the throttle response, but I love SPORT mode. if it weren't for possible increase in fuel consumption, i wish the R56 was always like that.

 

I love my SPORT button but when I am just cruising around town I don't use. I find it great when I am trying to make through traffic on the interstate.

 

I'd use the sport button more if it quickened the throttle, but not the steering.

 

Can't recall when I last drove without the Sport button on. The standard mode is useless.

 

First couple weeks after I got my MCS, I drove all the time with Sport on and thought I like the heavier steering. Now that I'm use to the way the car handles and the steering feel, I don't see a need for the sport mode. As for the throttle response, an ON/OFF switch for the accelerator pedal is useless to me. I can reproduce that with a heavy foot. It's not like we're getting more power from the engine when the sport button is engaged.

 

 

You've just gone soft, that's all.

 

The car will accelerate/steer exactly the same without the sport button. I use it around town, tend to turn it off if I'm going through a lot of turns because steering effort is easier with it off. I do have to push a little more on the throttle with it off though. Strictly a matter of preference as you can tell from the responses here.

 

I don't drive without it enabled...

 

It's like night and day to me. The accelerator feels more like my old 350z with it on, it's more precise.

 

Makes a huge difference with the auto trans, can't comment on the manaul. I'd drive with it on all the time if it wasn't for these damn gas prices ($3.76 per at my last fill up ). Even so I drive with it on probably about 50% of the time - just can't resist! Makes me do this

 

That's cheap! Yesterday it was $4.17 here. Since oil when up $2 today, it will probably be higher tomorrow.

 

is a real difference that isn't present in the manual version. I'm sure that makes more than just a perception difference.

Matt