Eco/Normal/Sport S/S+ Mode... the literature doesnt say much except it changes throttle response and power output. For the Sport modes it says that "The rear-wheel drive IS 350 F SPORT's Sport S+ mode also tightens the suspension..." Are the shocks somehow adjustable, or is this just marketing BS?

 

Yes, on the 350 F Sport models, the suspension is adjustable, known as AVS - Adjustable Variable Suspension.

 

Sport just adjusts the throttle mapping, and shift points slightly. Sport plus also tightens the steering feel, and adjust the damping of the shocks to a stiffer setting to tighten things up, and eliminate a little more body roll than usual.

 

Sport and Sport+ will hold the gears lower, which increases throttle response, but will reduce your mpg a little. Kinda wish I could have the stiffer suspension and steering but with normal mode throttle and transmission settings. You can kind of do that by doing Sport+ in Snow mode but the throttle feels so weak in snow mode.

 

The AWD IS350F-Sport also gets the adjustable suspension.

 

just hack that ***** lol

 

I wonder what it would be like to drive in Eco and Snow mode. haha

 

Pop your hood and look next to your strut towers and you'll see the little black box and wiring to each strut that controls electronic aspect of the suspension changes when you switch modes

 

Excellent, great to know! I have less than 300 miles on mine so far. But now I feel much better about the handling when I start pushing it.

 

How does the AVS work? I don't feel a difference between S and S+ mode in terms of suspension. I thought the AVS is only on the S+ mode? I guess it only stiffens up when it needs too? like on a straight smooth road it should be as loose as S mode?

 

Don't say that, the F-Sport folks get all pissy. That $4,000 had to go somewhere other than a grille.

 

go over a speed bump in both modes, you can definately tell the difference. If you open the hood you can see an actuator on each of the shock towers that changes the dampening rate between two different settings.

 

Nah we don't care much about AVS. I hardly notice it too, probably more noticeable on a track. $4000 goes to LFA gauge.

 

I think that is where I cannot feel the difference. Maybe that is where AVS is doing its job? It's suppose to loosen up on bumps so it is comfortable and stiffen right back up for body roll etc.

 

no it changes over to a different damper setting so its stiffer at all times in that mode. Its not an active suspension, on something like the new Benz S550. Its an adaptive suspension meaning different modes. Active is when it is actively changing on its own based on road conditions.