S = Sports Mode E = Economy M = ??

[sven007 0]

Hi, Just borught a bmw 318is but dont know what the M stands for and what it does. Can someone help me out? cheers

[E30stz 0]

it means Motorsport

nah I believe it means manual shift mode ?

Edited December 12, 2005 by E30stz

[318is 0]

Yes the M = manual mode

[sven007 0]

So if I put it into Manual Mode do I do nothing else, it doesnt seem to have much power? Could I put it into Manual and then start from 1 to 2 to 3 then into Drive? Sorry not a bmw tech here.

[Guest Andrew]

So if I put it into Manual Mode do I do nothing else, it doesnt seem to have much power? Could I put it into Manual and then start from 1 to 2 to 3 then into Drive? Sorry not a bmw tech here.

None of the modes have any more or less power - just different shifting characteristics. E will change gear early keeping the engine at lowest possible RPM while cruising round town. The sport mode - at least on the later cars seems to be much more intelligent - slight throttle openings does very quick gear drop downs and will hold it there etc etc while your caining round twisities.

M mode could be useful if you want to make sure the auto box won't change gear in a corner etc etc

[Dnz 0]

M mode is basically for snow/ice.

Its good if you want to save petrol, as it will drive like a nanna.

Its the exact oposite of S.

[sven007 0]

So would it save more petrol than Economy mode?

[Dnz 0]

Yes, as it is even more low revving early gear changing.

But again, we're talking slight amounts here, but i def noticed savings.

Try it for a week in each.

[bmwsparkle 3]

i didnt save gas in M mode when the 5 was auto

esp round manfeild

[E30SIX 0]

S = Sports Mode E = Economy M = Manual

Was the above mode avaliable on all E36 auto models or was it a factory option?

My E36 328i is on a boat right now and I was wondering if it has the above modes.

[Dnz 0]

Im pretty sure it doesnt mean 'Manual' as much as it did for the US.

They got a 4spd box, with manual mode holding each selected gear.

We have the euro 5spd box, where in M it will use 3 as its starting gear, making it lazy/economical/slow

[318is 0]

Well from a year ago, when I tried it, it made the box 'stay' in that gear.

I pressed it and took off in "d" and it was like taking off in fourth...dur.

So - I assume what ever gear it is IN at the time it will not change UP ( or down ) until you select in with the shifter.

I will confirm this friday night when I drive mine again.

[cainchapman 0]

A real iS is not an automatic!

[sven007 0]

Well when your've just turned eighteen, Bordering with cash on hand, feeling like your broke with no Job besides hooking people up from goods overseas I think im doing alright with a BMW 318IS Automatic. Proud of my mfirst car as before I was driving my dads Galant VR4 which howver is alot more powerful. But I just love the shape of the E36 and even the E30 3 series! For some reason I find the 5 Series 1985-1993 more for older males/Females who can guzzle petrol down and noy worry! All to themselves! ( Now wheres tthat staple gun to hold the roof upholstery up!!)

[318is 0]

What makes a 'real' iS then? A clutch pedal?

Are you saying BMW puts out dummy iS's compared to the 'real' iS's?

Or is it just a clutch V's auto thing? Factory dispute?

Intrigued.

[sven007 0]

Same here.. I am also Intrigued!!

[318is 0]

Yeah - interesting.

My observations were when purchasing my car were:

iS ( 318's E36 )

twin cam 1900cc, not the SOHC

Upgraded suspension

Upgraded brakes

Motorsport aero kit

End of the day I will still keep mine ( give to wife for a shopping cart ) even when I upgrade to a E46, purely because it's a sporty little economical and sexy car.

[a13antichrist 0]

I did come to the conclusion that all the iS, even the Sedan version, had a 1.9L as 318iS says... don't know about the rest of the stuff though, sounds plausible.

[Guest Andrew]

I don't have an M mode in my e36 (97 323) - its a snowflake.

The REAL 318iS were used to homologate a racecar - there are very very few around. They have build plates in them etc.

The 318iS you see around mostly is just a normal 318 with a few bolt ons.

[martyyn 2]

My understanding from having S, E and M in the 750 is that the M mode will simply keep you in the gear that is currently selected.

From take off its third from memory, the snowflake on Andy's is the give away.

Its for when you dont want to change gears whilst driving on snow and ice....at least thats the reasoning in the UK.

Im sure I read all this in the manual.

[Eagle 1661]

Yep i got the manual for my 5 series and is pretty much what is said above, good stopping your car changing gear while in a corner instead of spinning off like some series

Edited December 14, 2005 by Eagle

[cainchapman 0]

As Andrew has stated, the REAL iS is a homologation special. I'm not saying that you don't have a very nice car.

But put it up against a manual iS on a track and see which one has the performance.

No, a clutch pedal is not the driving factor. I'm not sure of any manufacturer who is racing an Automatic.

This is an E36 318iS.

[m325i 709]

The 4 336s that have been through my family have all had '*' not an m.