Modern BMWs offer a host of drive modes to fiddle with – here’s what they all do.
Depending on the BMW model in question, you’ll find the choice of driving modes on the centre console or in a touchscreen menu.
What BMW driving modes are there?
In new BMWs, the driving modes are:
- Personal
- Sport
- Efficient
- Expressive
- Relax
- Digital Art
In slightly older models, the driving modes are:
- Sport
- Comfort
- Eco Pro
What is BMW Sport mode?
BMW Sport mode is a setting that adjusts various parameters of the car to make it feel sportier, funnily enough. Typically, the throttle response will feel sharper so you don’t have to press the pedal down as far to access the power, and the steering will feel heavier. For automatic BMWs, the gearbox will also hold onto gears longer to keep you in the power band for faster driving.
If your car has adaptive suspension, Sport mode will firm up the dampers to improve the body control and handling.
You’ll notice the change to Sport mode by the dials and/or ambient lighting turning an orangey red colour.
If your car also has a Sport+ mode, this adjusts the sensitivity of the traction control and may hold onto gears for even longer.
What is BMW Efficient mode?
In newer BMWs, Efficient is your eco-focused setting. It aims to improve fuel economy by giving you a softer accelerator pedal (so you don’t use as much power), and will limit the power of the air conditioning system. You can also take tips from a digital Efficiency Coach, which suggests ways to save fuel while driving.
Many BMWs with the Efficient mode will be electric or plug-in hybrid, and this mode may increase the strength of the regenerative braking system.
What is BMW Expressive mode?
The BMW Expressive mode is an unusual one. It doesn’t change how the car drives, but puts ‘dynamic artwork’ onto the touchscreen and may add a unique soundscape.
To be honest, you’ll probably try it out once and then wonder why BMW has bothered to put it in.
What is BMW Relax mode?
BMW Relax mode pipes peaceful sounds through the speakers and ‘calm’ images on the touchscreen. More expensive models may also adjust things like the seat massaging function.
What is BMW Digital Art mode?
Arguably the least useful of all the BMW modes, Digital Art replaces some of your important driving or media info with a swirly pattern that looks like it’s better suited to the Tate Modern.
What is BMW Personal mode?
Personal mode is an extension of the older Comfort mode, letting you fine-tune the setup of the car to your preferences. To configure the mode, click into the Personal mode and then click the settings button.
In older cars, this is typically called the BMW Individual mode.
What is BMW Comfort mode?
Comfort mode is essentially the neutral setting for BMW cars, and it’s the default configuration for most models. It sets up the car in a way that is ideal for ‘normal’ driving, giving you a halfway house between the stricter eco mode and the racier sport mode.
What is BMW Eco Pro mode?
Eco Pro is the older version of BMW’s Efficient mode, where the car aims to consume as little fuel as possible. As well as limiting throttle response and the strength of the air conditioning, automatic models will shift up gears earlier to keep the engine at low revs.
You’ll notice that the displays change when in Eco Pro mode, too.
How do I change driving modes in my BMW?
On older models with Eco Pro, Sport and Comfort modes, you should find that there are dedicated buttons for each driving mode on the centre console, typically next to the gear lever.
On newer models with the wider choice of drive modes, you’re either looking for a button or a settings screen called ‘My Modes’.
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