Quote:
Originally Posted by chrisny
Respectfully, you're still missing a couple of points though:
First, on anything except your 50i, the MC seats are not standard. So the sport seats are in fact a big upgrade for everyone with anything less than a 50i, unless they're paying extra for the MC seats. I do agree the MC's are better, but that's irrelevant to the conversation unless the conversation (as you seem to be taking it) is only in regards to 50i's.
Second, the Sport + does give you the dynamic traction control, whether that's useful or not depends on the buyer…
Third - "All X5 comes with the same excellent 8 speed transmission." simply not true. Yes it's the same mechanical transmission, but the Sport Auto that comes with M Sport has different programming for faster, more fluid shifts. It is different than the standard 8AT, and certainly changes how the car drives. Also gives you the paddles which are not purely aesthetic. Again, whether or not they're useful depends on the driver… but they're not just for show.
M sport is called M sport not ///M for a reason. It is in no way a major performance upgrade like a true M car and is mostly aesthetic. But it DOES offer some actual upgrades beyond the aesthetics as well. I don't know if you have the Sport Auto on your F15 or not, but I would recommend driving a no line with its 18" wheels and bubbly tires, standard transmission and standard seats before you assume these upgrades are just aesthetic (and you can't see the software upgrades in the sport auto, so it can't be aesthetic  ). |
I have driven both M sport and non M sport 35d/50i, I can safely say they are are both exactly the same except for the sport + mode which isn't available in other trim.
In my opinion, you have to like give me more than sport + to qualify as performance upgrade. Shift paddle and sport auto shift are basically the same thing. Sucks that adaptive suspension is an extra option. Even on the 35i/35d sport seats are for comfort and really have nothing to do with performance. This topic has been previous discussed here.
http://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=883030
Don't get me wrong, I like M sport and have been torn on the issue for a very long time. The price difference is very minimal on 50i between the trims, just to point out there is very little "driving/performance" difference M sport offers.
Karthik, the look of exterior/interior = cosmetic thank you.