I don't have experience with automatics. Does DS mode change throttle position mapping so the engine revs faster? Does it change Servotronic maps so steering heavier and more direct? If so then it's the same.

My car came fully loaded with every option. It was one of the first E60's ever built. Of course I added the CCC retrofit and updated all the software in 2009 but at 133K miles I still have all original parts except for sparks, plugs, air filter, belts, belt tensioner, fuel filter sending unit and suspension components. I do not have a sport button other than shifting to DS mode. I'm not interested in doing anymore work or upgrades to the car but if you have some literature, post it up.

Interesting ... so you tapped in to the pin 8 & 10 from behind the center console or behind the glove box?

LCI = Life Cycle Impulse AKA facelift for the current generation just to keep things fresh.

@BlaSTiWi yours is pre-LCI, behind the center console. There are no wires to tap, you install new wires in positions 8 and 10 and short them for a second.

Ahh... so from behind center console switch center ... What wires you are using into the plug? I'm assuming you have to use contact socket for those terminal.

Very interesting. I have an 523i lci manual, and I'm volunteering to try this. :)

I've seen this on the net before. A lot of people have done this mod (pretty sure it works on pre-LCI as well) and say it's different from DS mode. Anyways, here are the pics. Pics are from CustomE's DIY.

http://a.d-cd.net/3b4c08u/960.jpg

http://a.d-cd.net/a8cc08u/960.jpg


http://a.d-cd.net/62cc08u/960.jpg


http://a.d-cd.net/36cc08u/960.jpg


http://a.d-cd.net/cecc08u/960.jpg

http://a.d-cd.net/5ecc08u/960.jpg

Thanks for confirming my findings. Pictured vehicle is pre-LCI. In pre-LCI vehicles pins to short are 8 and 10. Notice 8, 9 and 10 are empty. This is where FDC button is connected from factory.

Be interesting to see if anyone with an auto has done this. If it simply just lights up the "sport" symbol in the cluster or actually changes the performance. Worth someone doing it.

Problem is, bmw changed the power steering pump from pulley driven, to electric at some point, so I imagine the pulley driven's assistance can't be changed, as opposed to the electric pump, which will have a direct effect on the ability of this sport button...