[n55x3]

I'm in the market for a lightly used CPO 2011 550i. In a perfect world I'd be going with the M Sport package because I really love the front end. But what is most important to me is the option list, specifically those items that relate to the driving experience.

I know the M Sport package has changed a bit over the past couple model years but my question is this: Can I buy a regular 550i non M Sport equipped with all the handling goodies and essentially equal that of what came in the M Sport package in 2011?

I think the options I need to look for are:

Dynamic Handling Package (ZDH)
Sport Package (ZSP)
Sport Tranny (2TB)

Were there other M Sport ONLY options that increase performance that I wouldn't be able to get in a regular 550i with the above options?

I'm finding that M Sports are a bit harder to come by and as such I've decided to 'lower' the bar a tiny bit and look for a regular 550i with the right options. I could learn to live with the front end if the driving experience equaled that of an M Sport equipped 550i.

[ibimmer954]

Possible? Certainly. The M-Sport didn't come out until a year after the car was released. It's all a matter of how the car was originally optioned. All of the above options are separate from one another. I think in the first year, the ZDH was part of ZSP. But they were eventually sold separately.

[MBrown1003]

I think one other key difference is the steering wheel. To me, the M steering wheel makes a huge difference -- much thicker and a smooth leather. It makes your hands-on connection to the car much more enjoyable.