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      04-10-2014, 04:37 PM   #1
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x- Line or Not

Im ordering a new X3 tomorrow. I still haven't decided on the x-line. It's a $1500 option that gives you 19" wheels and some satin aluminum trim. You can order style 309 19" wheels for $600. So, the remaining $900 goes for trim? Those of you that have seen them in person, what are your thoughts?
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      04-10-2014, 06:43 PM   #2
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Get the M package
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      04-10-2014, 08:27 PM   #3
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So that the car says M while it isn't an M? Lame.
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      04-10-2014, 09:02 PM   #4
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go with x-line, the trim makes a difference
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      04-11-2014, 02:52 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flavius View Post
So that the car says M while it isn't an M? Lame.
I've genuinely wondered about the anti-MSport sentiments in the US.

With the X3 I can understand that part of it is due to the MSport not coming with sport suspension whereas it does across most of the planet.

Secondly, does the US have a long history of MSport versions of BMWs being available? Certainly in Europe we've had MSport versions for decades - no one confuses them for M-cars, indeed an M version of an SUV/SAV seems like an oxymoron anyway, it should only apply to cars that are close to being track racers, not cars with a high CoG.
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      04-11-2014, 09:20 AM   #6
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$900 for satin trims, thats pretty expensive. These new BMW lines are big money makers for the company.
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      04-11-2014, 10:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clivem2 View Post
I've genuinely wondered about the anti-MSport sentiments in the US.
Is there one? I have seen some car reviewers asking for what I would like to do - order sport seats, the steering wheel etc without M badge - but plenty people in the BMW forums that I visit have *M-Sport* and I have not seen a lot of resentment, but I'm fairly new to BMW land. I also grew up in Germany and know what an M series car is - which informs my resentment.

There you have it.
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      04-12-2014, 04:56 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flavius View Post
Is there one? I have seen some car reviewers asking for what I would like to do - order sport seats, the steering wheel etc without M badge - but plenty people in the BMW forums that I visit have *M-Sport* and I have not seen a lot of resentment, but I'm fairly new to BMW land. I also grew up in Germany and know what an M series car is - which informs my resentment.

There you have it.
I've read a lot of anti-MSport sentiment based on MSport vehicles pretending to be M cars.

It's best to have my full quote for the full context on my point:

Quote:
Originally Posted by clivem2 View Post
I've genuinely wondered about the anti-MSport sentiments in the US.

With the X3 I can understand that part of it is due to the MSport not coming with sport suspension whereas it does across most of the planet.

Secondly, does the US have a long history of MSport versions of BMWs being available? Certainly in Europe we've had MSport versions for decades - no one confuses them for M-cars, indeed an M version of an SUV/SAV seems like an oxymoron anyway, it should only apply to cars that are close to being track racers, not cars with a high CoG.
The distinction between MSport and M cars has been very obvious at least in European markets for decades. I can't speak for other markets. M cars are more out and out genuine sports cars that are at home on the track on track days. Quite how an SAV/SUV would fit this category is beyond me but something like an X5M sells cars I suppose. An MSport is a sports spec including many of the options a sports oriented driver is likely to want, this makes ordering easier (and money for BMW). Also in the vast majority of cases MSport include sports suspension so there is some handling difference vs standard spec. I'm not aware that MSport has ever included any engine upgrades. This is well understood in Europe. This is far from MSport cars pretending to be M cars.
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      04-12-2014, 07:26 AM   #9
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Seems to me that x-line and M-Sport are mostly cosmetic updates.
BMW like most manufacturers make more profit on the 'pimped' up cars. Throw in some extra satin trim (or fashionable black trim), larger alloys, body kit etc.

You are buying a look- not much in terms of engineering.
Nothing wrong with paying for 'better' looks- that's marketing.

I note that most UK users delete Sports Suspension on their cars, because the roads are poor in some area.
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      04-12-2014, 07:45 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by philtrick123 View Post
Seems to me that x-line and M-Sport are mostly cosmetic updates.
BMW like most manufacturers make more profit on the 'pimped' up cars. Throw in some extra satin trim (or fashionable black trim), larger alloys, body kit etc.

You are buying a look- not much in terms of engineering.
Nothing wrong with paying for 'better' looks- that's marketing.

I note that most UK users delete Sports Suspension on their cars, because the roads are poor in some area.
I agree that the spec includes items that pimp up the looks somewhat. The body kit is the main offender, the other items such as sport wheel, larger alloys, sports seats are probably what many want.

Re sport suspension I retained it on my 30D as I find the ride better than with standard suspension. It might seem counter-intuitive that the harder suspension rides better (on UK roads too). What I found was that the standard suspension bounced too much and wasn't sufficiently controlled for my taste. The sports suspension on the X3 seems well judged to me, unlike my previous car which was a 335i, the sports suspension on that was just way to hard and had the car being deflected all over the place on UK B-roads. RFTs are part of the issue too. The X3 though is not a sports car and BMW have setup the sports suspension on it sensibly.
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Last edited by clivem2; 04-12-2014 at 08:14 AM..
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      04-12-2014, 08:10 AM   #11
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I like the looks of the xLine. You will be driving it, so if u like how it looks get it and don't listen to anybody on here. I haven't seen good LCI msport pics yet, in my opinion xLine in LCI looks better than msport. I do like and own pre LCI msport! Would $900 really make a difference on 50k car?
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      04-12-2014, 09:03 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by romanonj View Post
I like the looks of the xLine. You will be driving it, so if u like how it looks get it and don't listen to anybody on here. I haven't seen good LCI msport pics yet, in my opinion xLine in LCI looks better than msport. I do like and own pre LCI msport! Would $900 really make a difference on 50k car?
I agree, get the spec and looks you prefer, if that costs you $900....well it's not much over 3 years or so.

You have to take everything into account. In the LCIs I prefer the x-line from the photos though I've not seen an MSport in the flesh yet. But....I'm going to have to get an MSport as it's the only option with the engine I want (35D).
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      04-12-2014, 10:13 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by clivem2 View Post
I've genuinely wondered about the anti-MSport sentiments in the US.

With the X3 I can understand that part of it is due to the MSport not coming with sport suspension whereas it does across most of the planet.

Secondly, does the US have a long history of MSport versions of BMWs being available? Certainly in Europe we've had MSport versions for decades - no one confuses them for M-cars, indeed an M version of an SUV/SAV seems like an oxymoron anyway, it should only apply to cars that are close to being track racers, not cars with a high CoG.
BMW's M-sport packages as of late have been really hit or miss. Sometimes, the designs are classy and understated. Other times, the M-sport package makes an otherwise well sorted exterior design look silly--sort of aftermarket and, at worst, lumpy. The M-sport on the pre-LCI X3 was already ricer-y enough…this new one looks downright stupid. The cars with the best execution of M-sport bumper design: 7-series, 5-series GT, 4-series, 2-series. Cars with the worst: 3-series GT, F15 X5, and LCI X3 and X4. The difference here is that the M-sport packages of the EXX cars and earlier looked similar or were exactly the same as the M-model variants, which have always been spot-on. I loved all of those M-sport body kits…I can't stand these FXX M-sport designs. I resent them even more because now, sport seats can't be optioned unless I get the M-sport package.
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      04-12-2014, 12:04 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by romanonj View Post
Would $900 really make a difference on 50k car?
That is exactly how BMW marketing want you to think, you have been trained well
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      04-12-2014, 01:10 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
That is exactly how BMW marketing want you to think, you have been trained well
Apparently so have you, judging by your sig...

Btw, it's not the marketing that determines package pricing, but simple economics... Lol

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      04-13-2014, 12:57 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by romanonj View Post
Apparently so have you, judging by your sig...

Btw, it's not the marketing that determines package pricing, but simple economics... Lol

Cheers!!
We didn't get the X-line or the MSport, could not justify it, opt for the 6 cylinder turbo engine instead. If I had extra money, I would have probably bought the handling package before the X-line or MSport.
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      04-13-2014, 02:05 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
We didn't get the X-line or the MSport, could not justify it, opt for the 6 cylinder turbo engine instead. If I had extra money, I would have probably bought the handling package before the X-line or MSport.
Understandable.. I personally prefer the looks of msport and hate then non sport seats. That and the fact that the black plastic trim care is not something that I have mastered, I opted to get msport. I regret not getting the handling package.
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      04-13-2014, 03:45 PM   #18
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Does the M Sport package still include the fat steering wheel?

My 2011 has the M Sport option and that did include the very thick wheel. I just really like the feel of it. Usually not too much into non functional expensive options but the thick wheel is one of the few I am willing to pay extra for.
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