[IHATEPINK]

Hello, I will soon be buying a preowned X3 and I was wondering if i should go for the M Sport package or not. Both The M Sport and normal look pretty good, but I will be also using the car on some country roads, not really offroad, but there might me some big bumps in the road. Is the M Sport package a downside for such roads? Does the M Sport package lower the car? Does it get scratched easier?
Thanks in advance for the help.

[Peter_R]

There is no down side to any of the packages. Go for the one that you like.

[Crassus]

M-Sport models have stiffer suspension and typically come with bigger rims 19 or 20 versus 18 or 19 inches for non M-sport models.

In my opinion there is no substitute to test driving. Spend at least 20-30 minutes driving each on both bumpy and smooth roads. I also suggest driving a more comfort biased SUV such as the X5 or GLC to give other reference points.

[Tjalle]

From what I have seen of the roads in Romania, I recommend non-M package. I believe front spoiler is lower on M Sport. I also recommend 18" wheels, which should be less sensitive to potholes.

I would also carry sealent/slime/gunk and 12V compressor - as discussed in another thread- even if you have Run Flat Tyres.

Your vehicle will stand out regardless

[sharpharp]

I have the M-Sport, as long as you can live with the stiffer ride then it's the one to go for, especially on staggered wheels. Got mine with scratchguard as a freebie (whether they applied it or not is another question)...

If I was using bumpy roads a lot, I'd get one with Adaptive Air suspension (very rare to find one with this option) or get the non m-sport

[IHATEPINK]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

From what I have seen of the roads in Romania, I recommend non-M package. I believe front spoiler is lower on M Sport. I also recommend 18" wheels, which should be less sensitive to potholes.

I would also carry sealent/slime/gunk and 12V compressor - as discussed in another thread- even if you have Run Flat Tyres.

Your vehicle will stand out regardless

Yeah, I was looking to change the rims to be honest. The stock ones don't really appeal to me. And that's why I asked, because the front spoiler really does look lower than standard does.

Originally Posted by sharpharp

I have the M-Sport, as long as you can live with the stiffer ride then it's the one to go for, especially on staggered wheels. Got mine with scratchguard as a freebie (whether they applied it or not is another question)...

If I was using bumpy roads a lot, I'd get one with Adaptive Air suspension (very rare to find one with this option) or get the non m-sport

Hm, I did not know that. Yes the roads in Romania are pretty bumpy, so I guess I may be going with the non M Sport.
Now the only problem is finding a White one, With Black Fabric interior and Professional Navigation (for the wider screen).

[Greg2010]

MSport with DHP in comfort mode is a smoother ride than any other alternative

[Pinewood]

You can go for an M Sport with "suspension deletion". This means it was ordered with normal (SE) suspension. I saw a few like this when looking for mine.

[Peter_R]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

You can go for an M Sport with "suspension deletion". This means it was ordered with normal (SE) suspension. I saw a few like this when looking for mine.

When I was looking in the UK, I never saw that option specified on any used vehicle. I would expect that to be the case where the original poster comes from.

[Smithy2014]

When buying new you can opt to have the sports suspension omitted from the Msport, i doubt few people do, why tick an option to have something taken off?? (albeit in hindsight probably not a bad idea - sport suspension can be a bit stiff at times....)

[Pinewood]

Originally Posted by Peter_R

When I was looking in the UK, I never saw that option specified on any used vehicle. I would expect that to be the case where the original poster comes from.

@peter - over the 6 months i spent looking, only 2 were available. I didn't go look at them as i wanted the full fat M Sport version :-)

[nickb3]

After market suspension could be an option if the stock suspension is not the liking of the OP

[Crassus]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

@peter - over the 6 months i spent looking, only 2 were available. I didn't go look at them as i wanted the full fat M Sport version :-)

They are rare but do exist. There's an over supply of M-Sport X3s on the market and every dealer you speak to will try to hustle you into one they have in stock.

I managed to find a sales guy who accepted that I didn't want M-Sport suspension and 20 inch rims. He searched the national inventory, even cars on their way to the UK, and found me several M-Sport models with M-Sport deletion.

You just need to push the sales guys hard enough to look at inventory outside of what their dealer has.

[IHATEPINK]

In the end I decided not to get the Msport. I would feel a bit safer on bumpy country roads without the MSport spoiler. This, combined with the ussualy stiffer ride makes me go for the normal version. I hope I will find the perfect car soon, as I am very eager to have my very own car

[Pinewood]

Good choice for your country :-)
Which engine will you go for?

[IHATEPINK]

Originally Posted by Pinewood

Good choice for your country :-)
Which engine will you go for?

2L Diesel Engine. Can't go for 3L, the taxes for it skyrocket like crazy... It's like over 10 time more for a 3L. It depends on lots of factors, but it's generally more expensive.

I have one more question. It seems like some cars have the SPORT and ECO PRO buttons, some don't. Do the options just miss from the cars that don't have the buttons? or are they placed somewhere else, like on the steering wheel?

[Tjalle]

There are three versions of the ZF-8 speed for BMW:
-STD
-Sport with ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport+
-Sport with also paddles on steering wheel.

Your 2.0D will, unfortunately, very possibly, have the STD gearbox. The good thing is that you can concentrate on potholes

[Pinewood]

Mine has paddle shift, and the button for eco pro, comfort, sport and sport +

[IHATEPINK]

Originally Posted by Tjalle

There are three versions of the ZF-8 speed for BMW:
-STD
-Sport with ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport and Sport+
-Sport with also paddles on steering wheel.

Your 2.0D will, unfortunately, very possibly, have the STD gearbox. The good thing is that you can concentrate on potholes

I will be going for the Manual transmision. Hm, guess that some have, Sport, Sport+ and Oce Pro, and some don't.

[monkawekrue]

personally think the msport looks better. just my .02

[zoppp]

Well worth getting the msport with the msport wheels. I get sick seeing the non msport models.

[Shu3y]

M Sport comes standard (NCO) here in Australia. But I really do like its more aggresive look as oppose to the non-M Sport. Ride is still quite comfortable. Wished I had opted for the 20" rims option though