After my first real drive with the car on highway and in the city, I'm wondering how many of you just leave the car in Sport+ all the time? Yes, the ride is firmer, but even on city bumps, I actually think the ride quality (and of course the handling) is better in Sport+. I can't think of any reason to ever drive in one of the other modes. On the highway, the car doesn't feel nearly as planted in normal as it does in Sport+.

 

Sport + is great, I definitely like the more immediate character the is350F takes on. However, I have mine defaulting to ECO because I prefer a relaxed throttle response, transmission programming, and the creamy ride quality in daily driving versus the always hyper mode of Sport +

 

I like Sport+ but during traffic I leave it on Normal. When I engage the cruise control, I switch to Eco to make it more relaxing. Any other time, it's Sport+.

 

How do you set the certain mode as default?

 

Don't think you can get it to stay in Sport+ the next time you start the car.

 

95% of the time I'm in Eco, unless I'm feeling a little aggressive.

 

If not for the eighth gear lockout, I'd be in Sport+ 100% of the time.

With the eighth gear lockout, 0% of the time. Can't imagine driving around at 50% higher revs all the time. Dumb programming.

Ever drive over 45mph?

"Vroom vroom, you're in sport mode, listen to it scream as you drive on the interstate at a steady speed. Three miles later, yep, still screamin'... hey, should I find the closest gas station 'cause you're getting about 15 highway right now... Vroom...".

 

i like normal mode the best

 

I like driving in sport better in the highway when driving under 70mph. Idk why the computer says I get better fuel mileage. In the the city I drive in normal. I can't drive in eco, I find the car always down shifting all the time.

 

Upshifting?

 

Always in Sport+ and if i get stuck in traffic and need less throttle response i stay in sport+ and hit the snow button.

 

The dual personality in sport+ sealed it for me; this car didnt win comparison tests for no reason Truly an art in how frisky it feels despite objective numbers being low (mainly because of the summer grand touring tires), but hey, e36 M3's were the same way too.

 

I guess it may depend on what you're used to. Coming from an RS4 and then an E90 335i w/ sport pkg, the IS350 feels "normal" in Sport+. Actually Sport+ is more comfy than the e90 BMW. In the normal mode, the car feels much softer than what I'm used to. Although I must admit, I put it in normal mode while driving in the city last night and the ride quality was amazing. Bumps that used to crashy and bang under the BMW where barely noticeable with the IS350 in normal mode. Loving this car so far!

 

^^
I come from an E46 M3 (supersprint stepped headers + evolve tune), E92 335 (bms backend flash E85), then an E90 M3 (evolve stage 2 + supporting mods)

 

Loe, I see you're in FL. I used to live in FL and remember the roads being in pretty good shape. With the mild winters, FL roads don't seem nearly as beat up as our poor roads up here in the Northeast. The fact our overall infrastructure is pretty old doesn't help matters either.

Anyway, whenever I had the BMW out on smooth-ish country roads, the ride quality was great. Firm, planted, not harsh. But as soon as I got home and drove around in the city, I was getting punched in the kidneys and going deaf from all the clatter. Given your previous cars, you might be able to relate.

The IS ride quality is amazing compared to the BMW. I've only had the car for a day but am a very happy camper.