Sport or SE Coupe

S

Simon 3.2M

Senior member
If I was to become a Terry Tin Top and jump into a Coupe, is there an enormous difference in the values come resale time and is it better to go for a Sport over an SE? Is it better to buy a well sorted SE over a standard Sport ie one with uprated suspension, nice wheels, good history etc? I've seen a nicely spec'd SE but the interior didn't feel as plush as my SI interior.

Thanks in advance for the possibly obvious questions.
 
There isn't a massive difference, the sport came with the M sport seats, wheel and suspension as standard over the SE, I don't think there was anything else, and all of these could be specced on an SE model too.

Of all 3, the seats would generally be the most expensive to retrofit, seen electric heated M Sport seats selling for £750+
 
Rule of thumb - go for the Sport as it comes with M Sport seats and M steering wheel (also has harder M sport suspension)
I bought a 3.0si SE because it was the right colour and low miles then retro fitted M seats and Wheel - very expensive and seats were a nightmare to source and retro fit. (As mentioned above, some rare SEs have M seats and M wheel as optional extras so don't rule out an SE just be aware)
 
Always Msport, my current z4 is SE with msport suspension/steering/seats because the SE spec wasn't great, so I swapped it out
 
I would normally say go for the M Sport models for the seats / suspension, but the M Sport Z4 seats are pretty terrible, although I'm not sure if the stock seats are any better..

Sure they look good, but are damm uncomfortable for long journeys and only really work when adjusted pretty upright. It's the only car I've ever had back ache in. Quite a common complaint on here (and elsewhere), as they lack lumbar support

They do look nice though and if adjusted as per the Nat Geo Z4 video, are just about passable. Mine would have been long gone, if it wasn't for those instructions.
 
I started with an SE and thought it was excellent and was very happy with it. We now have a sport Coupe and can say that it is the better car out of the two. Whilst owning the SE I didn’t fully appreciate the difference in the seats, which at the time didn’t bother me but now I wouldn’t want to go back to the standard ones. Never had a problem on long journeys, took the Alpina (same seats I believe) down through Spain the other year and didn’t cause any problems with my back.
Also I would say that the M sport suspension is altogether better plus having the thicker multi function steering wheel is another big improvement over the standard SE wheel.
Which ever you decide upon I would try to find one with xenons rather than the standard 1 candle power headlights.
All the best :thumbsup:
 
I've viewed a car but its an SE however, it has xenons, and eibach / bilstein suspension. My SI has the M Sport interior hence I noticed a bit of a difference. My interior is amarone too so its lovely but if I swapped it over before selling my SI I'm sure it would devalue my car considerably.
 
abar121 said:
I would normally say go for the M Sport models for the seats / suspension, but the M Sport Z4 seats are pretty terrible, although I'm not sure if the stock seats are any better..

Sure they look good, but are damm uncomfortable for long journeys and only really work when adjusted pretty upright. It's the only car I've ever had back ache in. Quite a common complaint on here (and elsewhere), as they lack lumbar support

They do look nice though and if adjusted as per the Nat Geo Z4 video, are just about passable. Mine would have been long gone, if it wasn't for those instructions.
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Am inclined to agree with you.
yes the m sport seats look better, but the standard sport seats to me felt more comfortable on a longer run.
Not to say I would turn down a set at the right price :wink:
 
Standard SE seats don't offer enough cornering support for me. Had them in my first Z4 soft top and you do slide around if cornering at pace.
SI seats offer more support but I do think they could be a shade better. Haven't had any comfort issues with them and I drive 2000ish miles through France every year.

I really liked the thinner SE steering wheel though!

Suspension is better but the ride isn't that much different on long journeys for me comfort wise.

You also get an added 20bhp with the SI model I believe?
 
jlp123 said:
Standard SE seats don't offer enough cornering support for me. Had them in my first Z4 soft top and you do slide around if cornering at pace.
SI seats offer more support but I do think they could be a shade better. Haven't had any comfort issues with them and I drive 2000ish miles through France every year.

I really liked the thinner SE steering wheel though!

Suspension is better but the ride isn't that much different on long journeys for me comfort wise.

You also get an added 20bhp with the SI model I believe?
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We are talking of the Coupe here, all engines are the same 3ltr N52 265bhp (there is an ///M Coupe too of course)
 
jlp123 said:
Standard SE seats don't offer enough cornering support for me. Had them in my first Z4 soft top and you do slide around if cornering at pace.
SI seats offer more support but I do think they could be a shade better. Haven't had any comfort issues with them and I drive 2000ish miles through France every year.

I really liked the thinner SE steering wheel though!

Suspension is better but the ride isn't that much different on long journeys for me comfort wise.

You also get an added 20bhp with the SI model I believe?
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You're confusing facelift and trim models.

The i designation ie 3.0i is pre facelift with M54 engine
The Si designation ie 3.0Si is facelift with the N52 engine

Sport and SE are trim levels on the facelift cars (all pre facelift were SE, although some do have sports seats and 3.0 came with Msport suspension as standard)
 
For the seats Sport. I have Se seats in the roadster and as said they are not as support when hitting the bends.
But it's your choice.
 
My coupe is an SE but I specified all the things I wanted - m sport seats, anthracite headlining, multi-function wheel (albeit it comes with the thin SE width which I prefer). SE suspension was a conscious choice which works for me (I like fast bumpy B roads - no tracks).

I reckon the sport is more desirable come sale time but there are definelty some great specd SEs out there.
 

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I'm on my 2nd Sport Coupe.

When I was looking for my current one I would have looked at an SE if there had been one with the M-Sport seats, because they tend to be cheaper and they don't have the black headlining that all Sport models have!

Xenons are a definite bonus - my 1st had them but this one doesn't. :( It was the colour combination that swung it in the end. :roll:
 
DaveD said:
My coupe is an SE but I specified all the things I wanted - m sport seats, anthracite headlining, multi-function wheel (albeit it comes with the thin SE width which I prefer). SE suspension was a conscious choice which works for me (I like fast bumpy B roads - no tracks).

I reckon the sport is more desirable come sale time but there are definelty some great specd SEs out there.
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Agreed - I found the Sports suspension too unforgiving, which is why I've kept the SE springs (much prefer the thicker M steering wheel however) :driving:
 
Marlon said:
Agreed - I found the Sports suspension too unforgiving, which is why I've kept the SE springs (much prefer the thicker M steering wheel however)
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I would probably prefer the SE suspension, but would also prefer the SE steering wheel! :)

Now I've had 2 I think I know what my ultimate colour choice and spec would be - but it probably doesn't exist. :lol:
 
The only issue I have with the SE steering wheel is that the leather on it is pretty cheap. At some point a royals job is on the cards.
 
Sports have anthracite headlining. If you're not into the dark & cosy feeling an SE might be the lighter choice you are looking for.
If you don't like the SE seats you can easily replace them with E46 3 Series seats which are cheap to buy and more comfortable than the M-Sport seats. My Sport now has E46 M3 seats in it.
 
NickDE said:
Sports have anthracite headlining. If you're not into the dark & cosy feeling an SE might be the lighter choice you are looking for.
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Yes, that's why I am glad both of my Sport Coupes had Pearl Grey seats! If I'd had black seats and an anthracite headlining I'd feel like I was in a coffin, and I'm not ready yet! :rofl:
 
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