S2 or S3 ?

[Simon H]

Hi Guys,
I know obviously that S3 is the quickest/hardest setting for the gearchange, but does anyone think that S2 feels just as quick, but without the big thump, therefore, smoother, on the change ?. Regards, SIMON.

[bobblehead]

On the S mode, I have only used S3 and sport. But on an ordinary daily drive, it's D1 and Efficient for local traffic.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by bobblehead

On the S mode, I have only used S3 and sport. But on an ordinary daily drive, it's D1 and Efficient for local traffic.

I tend to use modes in the following order of frequency:
D2
D3
D1
S3

Don't recall ever using S1 or S2

[avlnch]

From 0-450 miles I drove in S1. I had no problem with it besides how it shifted from gear 3-2 when traveling at about 10-15mph. After the first/second time I never did it again.. felt counterproductive for break-in.

At about 500 miles I tried S2, and it's not just much faster, but the car allows blips and proper de-throttling if that makes sense. I have only used it for about 100 miles so far.

I'll say it again, this M car has the most variance from comfort to sport than any M car before it. It almost feels like your driving a 750 in D1, and then a true M car in S3 (haven't gotten much time in S3 yet, only on the M5/M6 I test drove a while back).

[RPiM5]

Having just clicked over 13,000 miles last weekend on my M5 here's my driving style as far as DCT modes go.

Keep in mind, because I have a VERY loud exhaust setup my driving style is somewhat different than most.

D1: I actually use a lot now, whenever I am rolling through my neighborhood so as not to piss off my neighbors. I also do a quick shift into D1 mode whenever I see Police around in order to keep the rpms low and the exhaust note as quiet as possible.

D2: I use this one a lot too, but mostly on the highway when I just want to relax. In D2 mode the DCT will go all the way up to 7th gear when cruising at 65-70mph, which is nice, but when you punch it on the highway the DCT will still go from 7th to 4th gear in a flash or even sometimes from 7th to 3rd gear. Or if I am driving in an S-mode on the highway and I suddenly come up to bumper to bumper traffic, I'll go ahead and shift the M5 into D2 mode in order to just make life easier in those traffic conditions. I also use Auto Start Stop while in bumper to bumper traffic on the highway, and in fact I always leave the A.S.S. "ON" because I spend about 70% of my time driving in an S-mode anyways. Saving a little gas here and there doesn't hurt, I always say.

D3: I use sometimes also, but only when I don't want to shift the gears my self on the highway but yet still drive agressively. It will cruise at 6th gear on the highway and when you punch it, it's like engaging warp speed. The shift from 6th to 3rd gear is amazing when you punch it and the DCT will keep the car in a high gear for a while when you let off the throttle. It'll do this in D2 also, but it won't keep the car in a higher gear for as long as D3 will.

S1: I almost never use. No point really. It's too slow for me, when I'm in manual mode.

S2: I use pretty much everyday. It's great for everyday street driving and on the highway.

S3: I only use this when I'm on a mountain run or driving spiritedly from time to time. This is my favorite mode along with D3.

Pretty much whenever I get in the M5 I'm always switching between modes and almost use all of them depending on my driving situation on a daily basis (except for S1). I love the DCT and it is the best transmissions I have ever used, especially combined with my exhuast setup, the DCT causes my car to have explosions when ever I downshift and cracks when I upshift. The F10 M5wouldn't have the race car feeling that I love and need without the DCT.

[URBAN LEGEND]

I keep mine in D3 for mustang whippings.

[nugent]

i hit my m2 button everytime i get in the car, which puts me in sport throttle, comfort shocks, comfort steering, MDM and S3. i like having control over the gear the car is in. i also like the thunk of gears being changed. and the car is faster and more fun with MDM on. in heavy traffic or rain, i just push the shifter right and go into D1. i'm pretty much an all or none kind of driver.

[Danmar]

Early days for me but so far I usually have it in S3. I figure with a car like this you would want the shifts to be as fast as possible. I am pleasantly surprised how smooth and fast D3 is in comparison to my previous E60 M5. M1 button programmed for sport settings and M2 for sport plus. I have been using M1 mostly. Afraid to take the traction control off. i'm a bit of a wimp I guess.

[Hunter5179]

Daily normal driving always D2 with sport throttle and MDM. Aggressive D3 or S3 MDM or traction full off engine in sport+.

[Rob///M5]

S3 MDM

[M54ccibo]

Daily driving, M1 set to D3 DSC ON, S+ throttle, comfort suspension, comfort steering. Hard-driving mode M2 set to S3, MDM, S+, sport susp., comfort steering.

I usually fluctuate 50/50 between these two based on my needs. Kids to practice, D1...until I hit that corner where I want to get a little oversteer, hit M2.

No Auto start-stop for me.

[rickf325]

I'm still waiting for my car to arrive from ED. However, reading this thread has caused me to wonder about the specific drive modes and exactly what each does. I had posted this ( http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831349 ) right after getting back from Europe, but alas, no replies.

I'd love to know if I am correct in my understanding of the configurability of the beast!

Thanks.

[Simon H]

Originally Posted by rickf325

I'm still waiting for my car to arrive from ED. However, reading this thread has caused me to wonder about the specific drive modes and exactly what each does. I had posted this ( http://f10.m5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831349 ) right after getting back from Europe, but alas, no replies.

I'd love to know if I am correct in my understanding of the configurability of the beast!

Thanks.

Rick,
I think the settings depend on the type of roads you have, and are using. Over here in the UK, some of our back roads, and good driving roads, are best suited to say comfort suspension, where the suppleness, actually allows for the car to,"dig in", and grip, so thats one setting. The throttle, i always have on sport +, on both M buttons. Steering is a personal setting imo, how heavy you want it, but im a sport fan here. Traction, is on MDM , for both buttons atm, and that leaves gearchange speed, which is where this question comes in. I know S3 is fastest, but it also brings a thump, and i think S2 feels smoother, and almost as quick, but again personal preference. You will have fun fiddling with the settings, and its great learning abiout them all. On smooth Germanic roads etc, all these settings may be hogwash, and should all be set to the max, so they all depend on your surroundings, regards, SIMON.

[LOYLTY]

Hello - While in D3 mode in my M5, I noticed that it's not getting out of 2nd gear and holding to a high RPM. It will shift to third once I let the RPM go down around 3000. Anyone else experience this? This doesn't happen in D1 or D2. Is this a software issue in the car?

[Maximo1970]

I use a very simple setup in mine. Here they are below. M2 is my day to day mode and when I fancy a little bit of fun M1 it is. Although as said above the UK roads give a harsh ride with the suspension in Sport Plus mode, so I usually drop this to comfort.

M1:

Engine: Sport Plus
Suspension: Sport Plus
Steering: Sport
DCT: S3
MDM: On

M2:

Engine: Sport Plus
Suspension: Sport
Steering: Comfort
DCT: D2
MDM: Off

I very rarely drive the car in the default setup, it just seems way to slugish.