[cclhuzhou]

It was a must for me when I was searching for my f30.

[mybmw4]

Totally agree. M-Sport should not be skipped.

[bavarianride]

My take is the ZSL/ZMM(and 320i's ZSP) are mainly cosmetics with additional cooling capabilities. The M performance kits(power, exhaust, suspension, brake) are the ones that will provide quantifiable improvements.

[SH89]

Personally I would never even consider a non m sport model. The non sport seats are so unsupportive and the steering wheel feels so cheap in comparison. M sport models hold their value more due to them being most desirable, so it's any easy decision. The m sport suspension on 19's rides way harder than standard suspension on 18's however, I couldn't believe how big the difference was.

[bahasad]

Originally Posted by rolltidef32

M Sport does have a different exhaust and muffler than the Sport line. At any rate, my 4 sounds better than my old 3.

No it does not.

Your new car has probably has the Active Sound, which if your 3 was older than 2013, does not. All 2014+ 3/4 have Active Sound which enhances the exhaust noise in the vehicle's interior.

Unless you have the MPE, which does not come stock with M-sports, and is a dealer/port-installed option on any lines.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by kimchee411

What performance does M-Sport itself get you over Sportline?

I think the M-Sport (non-convertible) gives you the additional radiator on driver side of the front end. Oil cooler on the passenger side.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by bahasad

In terms of performance, the cars should all be exactly the same. The m-sport is worth it, however it has no bearing on performance.

So you're saying a car without sport suspension (no line) is exactly the same as a car with a stiffer sport oriented suspension (m sport)? What's the argument here, suspension doesn't affect performance? Of course it does.

[bahasad]

Originally Posted by chrisny

So you're saying a car without sport suspension (no line) is exactly the same as a car with a stiffer sport oriented suspension (m sport)? What's the argument here, suspension doesn't affect performance? Of course it does.

If the base m-sport comes with different suspension than the stock-line than absolutely it does have an effect on performance. My understanding was it does not (could only be the xdrive though). BMWs website doesn't indicate any differences between them suspension wise unless you order the "adaptive m-suspension"

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Bassthe1st

You are comparing a 3yo no-line 328 to a new 428GC and you think all those differences are from the MSport?

My brother has a 2014 no-line 328i xDrive while I have my M-Sport RWD.

Last time we were all home together were for the holidays so I snapped a quick phone quality photo of the two cars after washing them:



It really is no comparison. It looks exponentially better. The stance is just so much more aggressive, not having xDrive helps with the slightly lower ride height.

[Dcarter15]

Originally Posted by bahasad

If the base m-sport comes with different suspension than the stock-line than absolutely it does have an effect on performance. My understanding was it does not (could only be the xdrive though). BMWs website doesn't indicate any differences between them suspension wise unless you order the "adaptive m-suspension"

All X-drives come with the same suspension regardless of the line. Suspensions vary by line if you opt for RWD.

[bahasad]

Originally Posted by Dcarter15

All X-drives come with the same suspension regardless of the line. Suspensions vary by line if you opt for RWD.

Hmm interesting...do you have links for this?

Just googling doesn't indicate any difference between RWD sport/m-sport with respect to suspension.

Genuinely curious.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=791292
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=827630
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=802149

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by bahasad

Hmm interesting...do you have links for this?

Just googling doesn't indicate any difference between RWD sport/m-sport with respect to suspension.

Genuinely curious.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=791292
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=827630
http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=802149

Here you go:

For model year 2013 BMW released the F30 3 series with their all wheel drive, xDrive system. There has been some confusion about the suspension options available for xDrive F30s. The 2013 3 series ordering guide is clear that BMW is not offering the sport suspension on the xDrive F30. BMW however is offering the Adaptive M Suspension and the Dynamic Handling Package, which also includes the Adaptive M Suspension. The Adaptive M Suspension offered for the rear wheel drive F30 includes a 10mm lower sport spring, the same spring that is offer on the sport suspension.

On the xDrive all wheel drive variants of the 3 series the Adaptive M Suspension will NOT lower the ride height of the car. Regardless of package and options all xDrive F30s will have the same ride height. We believe this is to keep the front drive axle CV joint angles as straight at possible as additional lowering would put them outside of allowable factory specifications.

I know this will be a disappointment to some of you that have an xDrive F30 in your future.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/news/63948...r-ride-height/

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by chrisny

So you're saying a car without sport suspension (no line) is exactly the same as a car with a stiffer sport oriented suspension (m sport)? What's the argument here, suspension doesn't affect performance? Of course it does.

Especially an XDrive model without DHP, the softest setup BMW has ever offered.

[bahasad]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

Here you go:



http://www.bimmerfest.com/news/63948...r-ride-height/

Looks like for the RWD vehicles, the 704-sport suspension is the same for the Sport line and M-sport line.

So in short,

the sport and m-sport RWD vehicles have the same 704-sport suspension, base/luxury lines do not have that suspension. No other performance difference (suspension, exhaust, powertrain).

the base, luxury, sport, and m-sport xdrive vehicles have the same suspension. No performance differences.

This should clarify all questions in the thread relating to performance differences.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by bahasad

Looks like for the RWD vehicles, the 704-sport suspension is the same for the Sport line and M-sport line.

So in short,

the sport and m-sport RWD vehicles have the same 704-sport suspension, base/luxury lines do not have that suspension. No other performance difference (suspension, exhaust, powertrain).

the base, luxury, sport, and m-sport xdrive vehicles have the same suspension. No performance differences.

This should clarify all questions in the thread relating to performance differences.

Yup, that's pretty much it.

[joewalton]

Originally Posted by bahasad

Looks like for the RWD vehicles, the 704-sport suspension is the same for the Sport line and M-sport line.

So in short,

the sport and m-sport RWD vehicles have the same 704-sport suspension, base/luxury lines do not have that suspension. No other performance difference (suspension, exhaust, powertrain).

the base, luxury, sport, and m-sport xdrive vehicles have the same suspension. No performance differences.

This should clarify all questions in the thread relating to performance differences.

The main callout that is missing is that XDrive models have the softest suspension BMW makes and an enthusiast needs to put DHP on any XDrive car to make it feel like a BMW.

So many people make that mistake, don't spend the $1000, and then spend years chasing aftermarket parts. Same for Sportline vs. M-Sport, so many people don't spend the $2000 and then attempt to bolt-on the pieces they're missing to get the same look.

If you don't go M3 or M4, you need to go M-Sport RWD or M-Sport XDrive + DHP. That's really the moral of the story if you care about performance and appearance.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by bahasad

If the base m-sport comes with different suspension than the stock-line than absolutely it does have an effect on performance. My understanding was it does not (could only be the xdrive though). BMWs website doesn't indicate any differences between them suspension wise unless you order the "adaptive m-suspension"

Exactly.. OP is comparing a no line to an m sport. Different suspension. Yes xDrive takes that advantage away, but I don't think he indicated he had an xDrive unless I missed that..

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by joewalton

Especially an XDrive model without DHP, the softest setup BMW has ever offered.

DHP helps but still too much body roll. I misread the details that were initially out and thought DHP still gave me a stiffer sport suspension but it doesn't, just the active dampers, not stiffer springs. My own ignorance I guess, I knew it wasn't lower but thought it would still be stiffer.

[spuntyb]

For me, it was all about the M steering wheel. Otherwise, it looks pretty good, but is expensive for what is essentially an aero kit. I know the lowered suspension is part of it, but we don't get that on the xdrive.

[chrisny]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

For me, it was all about the M steering wheel. Otherwise, it looks pretty good, but is expensive for what is essentially an aero kit. I know the lowered suspension is part of it, but we don't get that on the xdrive.

I hated the front facia without it. Hated it. I like the entire m sport package (save what x drive steals), but for me it was also just about how awkward the lower grille is without it. Just my opinion, no offense to anyone else, just seemed sort of, unfinished, to me.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by chrisny

DHP helps but still too much body roll. I misread the details that were initially out and thought DHP still gave me a stiffer sport suspension but it doesn't, just the active dampers, not stiffer springs. My own ignorance I guess, I knew it wasn't lower but missed that it also wasn't stiffer than standard suspension.

Correct, DHP is just a regular bmw suspension. Definitely not enthusiast worthy.

[Dcarter15]

Originally Posted by joewalton

If you don't go M3 or M4, you need to go M-Sport RWD or M-Sport XDrive + DHP. That's really the moral of the story if you care about performance and appearance.

That's a fact!