X3 30d SE or M Sport? - XBimmers

SomeRandomer123 · 05-14-2011, 12:33 PM

We currently have an E90 330d (245hp Engine) SE and every 3 years, we change. So next April it sadly must go and the car of choice at the moment is the new F25 X3 30d (258hp). I like the looks of both the SE and M Sport - perhaps the M Sport more but the M Sport adds about 3k to the price and is it worth it? We will be deleting the M Sport suspension as it is too stiff for the knackered roads of North West England!! Also, what colour?! In the UK, you lose a lot of choice of colour on the M Sport.

Thoughts and recommendations please!

Dan

inamik75 · 05-14-2011, 01:01 PM

was there too, its all about power vs looks and price and given what i have heard on the 20d, its good enough, but thats me!

sfax · 05-14-2011, 01:17 PM

If M Sport was available when I ordered my SE last October, I would have ordered it despite having never seen one. Now, I'm not so sure, mainly because of how small it makes the wheels look for anything less than 20" alloys. I also prefer the 309s to the 369s and like the staggered back wheels in particular. The M Sport front is a definite improvement over the SE. The back is debatable as it makes it look narrower and more like the old X3 IMO. Also not sure on the side skirts and wheel arches. For the X5, it's M Sport all the way, on the X3, only time will tell. I need to some M Sports in the flesh.

X3buyerScotland · 05-14-2011, 01:21 PM

I had the choice & went with SE as unless it is white or black the M to me looks like a kit car. Also colour coded side skirts are not always practical. All down to personal taste tho.

SomeRandomer123 · 05-14-2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sfax

If M Sport was available when I ordered my SE last October, I would have ordered it despite having never seen one. Now, I'm not so sure, mainly because of how small it makes the wheels look for anything less than 20" alloys. I also prefer the 309s to the 369s and like the staggered back wheels in particular. The M Sport front is a definite improvement over the SE. The back is debatable as it makes it look narrower and more like the old X3 IMO. Also not sure on the side skirts and wheel arches. For the X5, it's M Sport all the way, on the X3, only time will tell. I need to some M Sports in the flesh.

Hmm yes I definitely need to see an M Sport in the flesh. I'm not sure about that big black plastic bumper on the back of the SE and I would prefer colour coded wheel arches. There are 2 factors putting me off the new X3 however. 1) The brake lights - for such a big unit, the brake lights are tiny!! 2) Condensation in the head lights - there have been many reports of this and there's nothing uncooler than that! Not what you expect from a 40k BMW!
Any colour suggestions? For M Sport it's between Titanium Silver and Vermillion Red and for SE, Mineral Silver and Deep Sea Blue although I wish they did Le mans Blue!

SomeRandomer123 · 05-14-2011, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inamik75

was there too, its all about power vs looks and price and given what i have heard on the 20d, its good enough, but thats me!

After having a 3.0, there is no going back! BMW invited us for a test drive in the 20d at launch and we were impressed actually but not a patch on the blistering straight 6! Do you have the 8spd Auto box?

inamik75 · 05-15-2011, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeRandomer123

After having a 3.0, there is no going back! BMW invited us for a test drive in the 20d at launch and we were impressed actually but not a patch on the blistering straight 6! Do you have the 8spd Auto box?

I will be ordering with the 8 speed box, i left manual 10 years ago.

Kota · 05-15-2011, 04:30 AM

I did order the M Sport right away but then changed back to SE, which looks more classy and understated IMO. I also agree on those 19" wheels looking too small on the bulky M Sport, and in a supposed to be sporty car the wheels shouldnt look small!

05-14-2011, 12:33 PM	#1
SomeRandomer123 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: F30 328i Luxury - Sport Auto Join Date: May 2011 Location: Lancashire, North West England, UK Posts: 1,941 iTrader: (0)	X3 30d SE or M Sport? We currently have an E90 330d (245hp Engine) SE and every 3 years, we change. So next April it sadly must go and the car of choice at the moment is the new F25 X3 30d (258hp). I like the looks of both the SE and M Sport - perhaps the M Sport more but the M Sport adds about 3k to the price and is it worth it? We will be deleting the M Sport suspension as it is too stiff for the knackered roads of North West England!! Also, what colour?! In the UK, you lose a lot of choice of colour on the M Sport. Thoughts and recommendations please! Dan __________________ Gone: 2006 BMW E60 520d SE 6MT Gone: 2009 BMW E90-LCI 330d SE 6MT - Awesome! 28th May 2009 - 28th May 2012 Current: 2012 F30 328i Luxury 8AT - Loving it! My 328i thread!http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=712673
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05-14-2011, 01:17 PM	#3
sfax Brigadier General Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 3,774 iTrader: (0)	If M Sport was available when I ordered my SE last October, I would have ordered it despite having never seen one. Now, I'm not so sure, mainly because of how small it makes the wheels look for anything less than 20" alloys. I also prefer the 309s to the 369s and like the staggered back wheels in particular. The M Sport front is a definite improvement over the SE. The back is debatable as it makes it look narrower and more like the old X3 IMO. Also not sure on the side skirts and wheel arches. For the X5, it's M Sport all the way, on the X3, only time will tell. I need to some M Sports in the flesh. __________________ BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE . . titanium silver . . titanium front grille . . 309s . . xline . . xenons . . black leather . . alu trim . . professional multimedia package . . dynamic package . . climate package . . electric seats . . folding mirrors . . servotronic steering . . DAB radio . . business speakers . . sun protection glass . . split rear seats . .

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05-14-2011, 01:01 PM	#2
inamik75 Captain Drives: E60 5 series Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 696 iTrader: (0)	was there too, its all about power vs looks and price and given what i have heard on the 20d, its good enough, but thats me!

05-14-2011, 01:21 PM	#4
X3buyerScotland Lieutenant Drives: 3.0d SE F25 & loving it Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Scotland Posts: 464 iTrader: (0)	I had the choice & went with SE as unless it is white or black the M to me looks like a kit car. Also colour coded side skirts are not always practical. All down to personal taste tho.

05-15-2011, 04:30 AM	#8
Kota Enlisted Member Drives: BMW M3 coupe, X3 3.5i on order Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Italy Posts: 33 iTrader: (0)	I did order the M Sport right away but then changed back to SE, which looks more classy and understated IMO. I also agree on those 19" wheels looking too small on the bulky M Sport, and in a supposed to be sporty car the wheels shouldnt look small!