Drive in sport+/S3 24/7?

[bsmf8x]

Hi, I have a M4 with 40k miles (bought it and have put about 12k on it)

I drive 10-12k miles a year; mostly on local roads, a mix of light traffic and open roads and some highway.

I've recently realized that I drive the car in sport plus throttle and S3 manual shifting literally all the time, the main reason being that I like the dct feel and I'm just used to the sport plus torque and sound. Driving it in efficient or sport is just boring and I have to dig into the throttle to move, sport plus is where I'm adjusted, and I've figured out how to modulate the throttle so that S3 (the quickest shift setting) is smooth and I never deal with unnecessary jerkiness.

My question is, am I wearing the shit out of my engine doing this ? You do hear a lot of barking/gargling/burbling because of the way I drive and while it's not good for my mpg (I don't mind) I'm hoping I'm not wearing the shit out of my transmission (Dct) or engine.

I've heard that s1 is the worst for the Dct because the longer the shift takes the more wear is put on the clutch. I follow BMW's guidelines for maintenance.

I could just stay in efficient and d2/s2 when I'm commuting and put it back in s+ when I'm hooning, if it's better reliability long term (I care more about reliability than commuting throttle feel lol, but I do enjoy sport plus and s3 on my daily drive)

I plan to drive the car up to roughly 80k, I'm stock.

I think you'd have to know the s55/M-DCT well mechanically to answer this question properly. If you don't you'd probably just say do what you want but I do prioritize reliability, I don't wanna deal with my car being in the shop or having to pull over when I'm going to work and get it towed etc as this is my only vehicle. Also out of warranty.

[clutchdj]

Potholes do more damage. I recommend the full crankhub fix with no warranty. Keep an eye on engine mounts; you’re not doing anything wrong enjoy the car.

[maddmatth]

Sport + would likely just use more fuel because it keeps the engine at a lower operating temp (optimal for performance, not efficiency).

Efficient mode doesn't spool up the turbos while cruising, which may also save a little fuel.

And of course, how you shift in S3 mode would affect fuel consumption.

But harm... no. This car handles being thrashed on a track all day just fine. A little spirited driving on the street is nothing.

[rmanm4]

I only know Sport + mode! The only time my car has been driven in efficiency/comfort mode is when my wife drove it that one-time!

[GA335i]

I use S3 only but leave the throttle in efficient or sometimes sport. Sport+ is too sensitive to me

[bsmf8x]

Originally Posted by clutchdj

Potholes do more damage. I recommend the full crankhub fix with no warranty. Keep an eye on engine mounts; you’re not doing anything wrong enjoy the car.

Engine mounts? I've research issues on this car a ton never heard of that guess I must've missed it

[clutchdj]

At the 80k+ mark is when they generally start to go. Prob closer to 100k. I was referring to your mileage comments.

Back in the E36m days, the fan was driven by a fan-clutch. The whole shroud would shift fwd and aft depending on the torque (think racing when rowing gears). On worn engine mounts, the fan would actually hit the radiator and explode. We would pack big ass 32mm wrenches and rubber mallets in our trunks in case the fans grenaded. Then the fan delete mod save our lives.

Anyway f8x systems are robust and the fans have been electric for over the last 15 years. I have no idea why i went on a rant but it was something I would never forget while wrench on my pile of sh!t.

[N1rve]

Should be fine as long as you keep up your maintenance. Just remember there are things that will break that are out of your control, for example if your coolant expansion tank starts to leak through the seams, no amount of babying the car or whatever would prevent that. It's just poor QC.

[Karlooch]

Originally Posted by GA335i

I use S3 only but leave the throttle in efficient or sometimes sport. Sport+ is too sensitive to me

I agree, I honestly prefer efficient because I like the more linear throttle sensitivity but sport+ feels way faster even though I dont think it should technically make the car faster?

[GA335i]

Originally Posted by Karlooch

I agree, I honestly prefer efficient because I like the more linear throttle sensitivity but sport+ feels way faster even though I dont think it should technically make the car faster?

Yeah I think Sport+ just changes the pedal travel vs throttle % so that it's more like an on/off switch