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I have a newly acquired 2012 that also only allows "S" mode. Going to check into it and will post on this thread what I find.
The previous owner probably had it re-coded so it only works in Sports mode, which is for the gear box control, unless you talk about Airmatic?
If it is the gear box control (button left side of the Comand control knob) all it does is you start on the first gear from dead stop and your gear shifty points are slightly higher. Car is more responsive for the gas pedal, which suites city driving better.
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