Help me understand M Sport

kwilkins · 04-04-2011, 03:00 PM

I'm getting ready to order a 550i xDrive and am in the process of selecting options. The M Sport package offers a number of options that are also included in other packages. It appears the only things that are in M Sport but not other packages are the Aerodynamic kit and the M Sport steering wheel. Does this mean that if I were to get the other packages (Dynamic Handling Package, etc) that the only thing I would be missing from M Sport is aesthetics?

Said another way, does the M Sport drive or handle any differently than a car specked with Dynamic Handling Package?

Thanks for you help,

Ken

Needsdecaf · 04-04-2011, 03:43 PM

If you equipped a car with DHP and Sport packages, all you would be getting with M Sport would be:

Different wheels (same size).
Thicker steering wheel
M Sport Body Kit
Ability to add Carbon Black, inability to select Black Sapphire]
Metal Pedals
kickplates (I think?)

However, when you consider Sport + DHP, IIRC the cost to go from there to MSport is only $1,500, so it's pretty reasonably priced.

But no, there will be no performance difference. Suspension, steering is the same.

kwilkins · 04-04-2011, 04:21 PM

Thanks for the reply, and you confirmed what I thought I understood.

So, why do people spend the extra $1,500 for the M-Sport? If it's for the appearance of the car, then I get that. However, it would seem that purchasing a "Sport" option would enable your car to drive "Sportier" not just look sportier.

gatoman39 · 04-04-2011, 04:45 PM

I think you also get a anthracite headliner, different rear diffuser, blacked out exhausts. Also the rear fog reflectors are higher on the bumper for some reason. I think it looks good on darker cars, less so on lighter cars.

bmwarchitect · 04-04-2011, 06:34 PM

In addition to posts above, you get some M badging on the steering wheel and door sills.
Many get the M sport for the additional $1100 (assuming you want the anthracite headliner which looks great with certain interiors) for the body kit. I have seen the carbon black color on a 550 in a dealer showroom, plus the photos here and it is the most significant reason I would get the M sport. The color changes in different lights, blue to black and in between. If none of this appeals to you, then no reason to get M sport.

Losco · 04-04-2011, 08:47 PM

once you go with thicker steering wheel, you can't go back....

0_steve · 04-04-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwilkins

Thanks for the reply, and you confirmed what I thought I understood.

So, why do people spend the extra $1,500 for the M-Sport? If it's for the appearance of the car, then I get that. However, it would seem that purchasing a "Sport" option would enable your car to drive "Sportier" not just look sportier.

M Sport includes the "Sport" option with cosmetic upgrades. The result is a "sportier" look AND drive!

caramanza · 04-05-2011, 04:16 AM

Doesn't the M-Package include a different, harder suspension ?

And, the aerodynamic kit does look good. Especially, after a couple years, when a lot of BMW 5's are driving around, the ones equipped with the Aero Kit look a bit more modern.

At least that used to be the case with the E60.

bmwarchitect · 04-05-2011, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramanza

Doesn't the M-Package include a different, harder suspension ?

And, the aerodynamic kit does look goood. Especially, after a couple years, when a lot of BMW 5's are driving around, the ones equipped with the Aero Kit look a bit more modern.

At least that used to be the case with the E60.

The M-sport package in the US comes with the sports package, and with the Dynamic Handling Package (DHP). The DHP changes the handling on the car. Both the Sport and the DHP are available without the M-sport, but if you get the DHP, the Sport package is added automatically.

Needsdecaf · 04-05-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caramanza

Doesn't the M-Package include a different, harder suspension ?

And, the aerodynamic kit does look good. Especially, after a couple years, when a lot of BMW 5's are driving around, the ones equipped with the Aero Kit look a bit more modern.

At least that used to be the case with the E60.

There is an M Sport suspension that's non-adjustable. But not in the US. The only suspension change we have is the DHP.

caramanza · 04-05-2011, 09:47 AM

So the Dynamic Handling Package in the US seems to be what we have here as Adaptive Drive, which is Dynamic Drive (or tilt stabilization) and the Dynamic 'Dämpfer' (or absorber) Control...

This letter salad drives me crazy.

'17 750i Msport · 04-23-2011, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0_steve

M Sport includes the "Sport" option with cosmetic upgrades. The result is a "sportier" look AND drive!

Think the cosmetic upgrade is worth getting the M pack. Had an '04 545i and after 3 years everycar on the road looked like it.

Kayman · 04-24-2011, 03:58 PM

All I can say is that for now an M-Sport separates your look from the herd and gets alot more looks. How many will be sold is anyone's guess but fewer once the M5 hits the road I expect.

04-04-2011, 03:00 PM	#1
kwilkins Private 34 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S e Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Help me understand M Sport I'm getting ready to order a 550i xDrive and am in the process of selecting options. The M Sport package offers a number of options that are also included in other packages. It appears the only things that are in M Sport but not other packages are the Aerodynamic kit and the M Sport steering wheel. Does this mean that if I were to get the other packages (Dynamic Handling Package, etc) that the only thing I would be missing from M Sport is aesthetics? Said another way, does the M Sport drive or handle any differently than a car specked with Dynamic Handling Package? Thanks for you help, Ken
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04-04-2011, 03:43 PM	#2
Needsdecaf Major General 6599 Rep 6,697 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	If you equipped a car with DHP and Sport packages, all you would be getting with M Sport would be: Different wheels (same size). Thicker steering wheel M Sport Body Kit Ability to add Carbon Black, inability to select Black Sapphire] Metal Pedals kickplates (I think?) However, when you consider Sport + DHP, IIRC the cost to go from there to MSport is only $1,500, so it's pretty reasonably priced. But no, there will be no performance difference. Suspension, steering is the same.
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04-04-2011, 04:21 PM	#3
kwilkins Private 34 Rep 52 Posts Drives: 2023 Porsche Cayenne Turbo S e Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the reply, and you confirmed what I thought I understood. So, why do people spend the extra $1,500 for the M-Sport? If it's for the appearance of the car, then I get that. However, it would seem that purchasing a "Sport" option would enable your car to drive "Sportier" not just look sportier.
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04-04-2011, 04:45 PM	#4
gatoman39 Major 116 Rep 1,346 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 335 M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: LA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 E92 335i M Sport [1.00]	I think you also get a anthracite headliner, different rear diffuser, blacked out exhausts. Also the rear fog reflectors are higher on the bumper for some reason. I think it looks good on darker cars, less so on lighter cars. __________________
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04-04-2011, 06:34 PM	#5
bmwarchitect Enlisted Member 0 Rep 49 Posts Drives: 03 BMW X5 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: upstate ny iTrader: (0)	In addition to posts above, you get some M badging on the steering wheel and door sills. Many get the M sport for the additional $1100 (assuming you want the anthracite headliner which looks great with certain interiors) for the body kit. I have seen the carbon black color on a 550 in a dealer showroom, plus the photos here and it is the most significant reason I would get the M sport. The color changes in different lights, blue to black and in between. If none of this appeals to you, then no reason to get M sport.
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04-04-2011, 08:47 PM	#6
Losco Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 231 Posts Drives: F10 528i M-sport Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Japan iTrader: (0)	once you go with thicker steering wheel, you can't go back....
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04-05-2011, 04:16 AM	#8
caramanza Enlisted Member 0 Rep 34 Posts Drives: BMW F11 525d Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Doesn't the M-Package include a different, harder suspension ? And, the aerodynamic kit does look good. Especially, after a couple years, when a lot of BMW 5's are driving around, the ones equipped with the Aero Kit look a bit more modern. At least that used to be the case with the E60.
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04-05-2011, 09:47 AM	#11
caramanza Enlisted Member 0 Rep 34 Posts Drives: BMW F11 525d Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	So the Dynamic Handling Package in the US seems to be what we have here as Adaptive Drive, which is Dynamic Drive (or tilt stabilization) and the Dynamic 'Dämpfer' (or absorber) Control... This letter salad drives me crazy.
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04-24-2011, 03:58 PM	#13
Kayman Private 11 Rep 76 Posts Drives: 2011 535i X M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Oakville, Ontario iTrader: (0)	All I can say is that for now an M-Sport separates your look from the herd and gets alot more looks. How many will be sold is anyone's guess but fewer once the M5 hits the road I expect.
	Appreciate 0 Quote