M-Sport or non-M-Sport?

J

jr795

Member
 Scotland
Hi, I'm looking at getting an E89 within the next couple of months. I've settled on a 30i as the N52 seems like a really solid engine, and I fancy a straight-6. Is it worth paying the extra for an M-Sport over a standard car?

The main thing concerning me about an M-Sport is the adaptive suspension, obviously the 30i is at least 11/12 years old now so they are getting on in age, is the adaptive suspension known to fail? Is it expensive to replace? (compared to the non-adaptive).

Is the adaptive suspension noticeably better than the standard car? I've seen some reviews that say the standard car feels a bit wallowy at speed but that could always be rectified with some aftermarket shocks if needs be.

Any other general advice on the E89 would be appreciated, thanks
 
Adaptive suspension can fail and yes its hugely expensive to replace the shocks, you can though have them refurbed by a specialist. Are you sure the 30i has adaptive? i thought it was 35i as an option or 35is cars...

I replaced mine with an Eibach after market system, a LOT better than adaptive and a LOT cheaper....
 
Msport models do not necessarily mean they have adaptive suspension. This was a costly extra that is not fitted to many cars other than 35i or 35is.
The main differences between se and msport models are seats, steering wheel, gear stick, bumpers, and trim.
The suspension on msport models is slightly lower than se models.
 
Ah right my bad, I should have researched more thoroughly. So the M-Sport is mainly just visual upgrades? Are the se's optional upgraded seats the same as those found in the M-Sport?
 
As nictrix says MSport is really just a trim level. Everything is interchangeable, my SE has Msport wheels / seats / steering wheel. Couldn't find a msport in the spec/colour that I wanted at the time
 
Zed Baron said:
Couldn't find a msport in the spec/colour that I wanted at the time
Click to expand...
That's the problem I'm finding at the moment. There are a few SEs within reasonable distance but only 1 M-Sport. Looking like an SE is the best bet, hopefully more will be coming up for sale as the weather improves
 
I had the same chat same chat with myself - and come across the same market availability issue.
Being an older driver, I go for the SE because of its softer ride. No doubting the Msport is more pretty, however.

The main thing I really dislike about the SE, particularly as I drive an Msport X5 daily - the skinny steering wheel.
 
e89 was in production right up to 2016 (maybe even early 2017).

Budget depending - lots are out there that are less than 11-12 years old.
 
A lot of those made after 2011 use the N20, I've heard some horror stories about timing chain guides on those built before 2015 (although probably overblown as usual). The N52 has a good track record (and I'd rather have a 6 than a 4) so it's my preference, but they stopped using it when they replaced the 23i/30i after 2011
 
The SE has much more 'compliant' suspension. The M-sport has lower (and stiffer) springs; that allied to a lot of them having 19" wheels makes for a.......rather harsh ride TBH (aka terrible). This is made worse with run flat tyres.

M-sport spec look a bit prettier, admittedly. Your dentist will love them! :)
 
t90ark said:
The main thing I really dislike about the SE, particularly as I drive an Msport X5 daily - the skinny steering wheel.
Click to expand...

Totally agree on the steering wheel, I swapped mine out for a Msport one with the newer paddleshift (mines an auto) and had it refurbished by Royal Steering wheels, they thickened it also, far more comfortable
 

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Zed Baron said:
t90ark said:
The main thing I really dislike about the SE, particularly as I drive an Msport X5 daily - the skinny steering wheel.
Click to expand...

Totally agree on the steering wheel, I swapped mine out for a Msport one with the newer paddleshift (mines an auto) and had it refurbished by Royal Steering wheels, they thickened it also, far more comfortable
Click to expand...

I had the wheel in my last z done by Royal. Thickened and in Alcantara - was nice!
 
single function - on left / + on right (new paddles)
This is the way it works on just about all flappy paddle gearboxes ever (except ealy BMWs)

push pull (up & down) on both sides (old paddles)
Confusing - abandoned after a couple of years by BMW, and they reverted to the paddle style understood by everyone else.
 
matsmith749 said:
single function - on left / + on right (new paddles)
This is the way it works on just about all flappy paddle gearboxes ever (except ealy BMWs)

push pull (up & down) on both sides (old paddles)
Confusing - abandoned after a couple of years by BMW, and they reverted to the paddle style understood by everyone else.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:
 
Zed Baron said:
t90ark said:
The main thing I really dislike about the SE, particularly as I drive an Msport X5 daily - the skinny steering wheel.
Click to expand...

Totally agree on the steering wheel, I swapped mine out for a Msport one with the newer paddleshift (mines an auto) and had it refurbished by Royal Steering wheels, they thickened it also, far more comfortable
Click to expand...

Christ, what’s that doing outside?/ :poke: :D
 
As others have said the M Sport is just a trim level. The sport seats are nice but were available as an option so many SE spec cars have them, comes with a thicker steering wheel with black spokes but I wouldn’t call the standard SE wheel thin, M sport also has M liveried door sills and a black roof lining as opposed to cream / beige in the SE. On the outside different bumpers front and back, front ones nice not so sure about the back, looks like a bit is missing unless it’s a 35is with the colour coded valance, I think most M sport cars have 19” alloys whereas SE may or may not and finally M Sport has slightly lowered stiffer suspension but from what I’ve seen and heard just makes the ride stiff and harsh without adding much to the handling to compensate. It would be very rare to find a 30i with adaptive suspension if at all, adaptive suspension do fail amd is very expensive to fix, can’t say how much better a car equipped with adaptive will ride and handle as opposed to the standard suspension though.
 
Silverstar said:
As others have said the M Sport is just a trim level. The sport seats are nice but were available as an option so many SE spec cars have them, comes with a thicker steering wheel with black spokes but I wouldn’t call the standard SE wheel thin, M sport also has M liveried door sills and a black roof lining as opposed to cream / beige in the SE. On the outside different bumpers front and back, front ones nice not so sure about the back, looks like a bit is missing unless it’s a 35is with the colour coded valance, I think most M sport cars have 19” alloys whereas SE may or may not and finally M Sport has slightly lowered stiffer suspension but from what I’ve seen and heard just makes the ride stiff and harsh without adding much to the handling to compensate. It would be very rare to find a 30i with adaptive suspension if at all, adaptive suspension do fail amd is very expensive to fix, can’t say how much better a car equipped with adaptive will ride and handle as opposed to the standard suspension though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info, sounds like a 30i SE is the best option for me
 
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