X5 - M-Sport not not?

[jdmdohcpower]

Hey guys.. Looking for some advise. Im a performance driven person and I currently have a 2014 x3 35i M-sport with BMS stage 1 and a K&N. I've now been doing a lot of racing in my 2015 Z06 and I want to get an aluminum trailer and start towing it so I'm thinking of getting out of the x3 which I do honestly love driving for an under 15k mile 14 or 15 X5 35D. My question is with the 14 and 15 being so new the M-sport package is selling at a premium and besides the wheels which is an easy fix along with the shadow line trim which is also easy to have powder coated. What else does the M-Sport pack give you. I mean I like the fat steering wheel but not a deal breaker. I don't care about the paddle shifters. I do use them a little in my x3 but the x5 is larger and I don't think I will be able to whip it in the back roads like the x3. But, is there any other differences as far as drive and performance. Is the suspension different or the tune or anything?
I do plan on adding race-chip ultimate so I think I will be happy with the power at that point.

[batmanken]

M Sport option is mostly cosmetic. I personally think F15's look so much better with the m sport pkg,, which is why I got it haha. you do get the sport + option which I rarely use, turns off traction but had this car for like ten months and I used it like twice. M sport pkg along with the 20" wheels really complete the look of this car.

[jdmdohcpower]

Wheels are easy. I can get the 20in reps like I did on my x3 and love still them 29k miles later. I do a lot of snowboarding up north so I throw blizzaks on the stock wheels whatever they are for the winter. Does sport + make and more power then sport? or just traction which can be turned off anyhow? I never use it in my x3 either

[Kzang]

If you plan to upgrade the suspension to DHP or DDC then you don't need the Msport package.. but if you want the Adaptive M suspension option for $900 then you will need to have the Msport package.

Here are my reasons for picking the Msport..

1. Msport aero body trim looks the best.

2. I didn't want to pay for the upgraded suspension DHP, so I am settling for the Adaptive M suspension.

3. Sports Auto Transmission with paddles shifts faster and crisper.. some say that Sport auto transmission is no different from the other line transmission, and it can be coded for the sport+ etc. I can't confirm this..

4. The sport shifter looks better than the standard shifter

Sport shifter


Standard shifter


5. 20" staggered 469M wheels with summer performance tires.

6. Hexagon Alum trim makes the interior of the X5 more modern and sporty and not Buick or Cadillac like with the wooden trims.

7. Shadowline trim

8. Ordering 2PW (20" 469M Wheels) adds 840 Increased Top
Speed Limiter.

*** this is just my opinion***

[jdmdohcpower]

can you explain the differences and cost please..
So to make sure I understand as I do want to be able to control the suspension and firm or soften it, I would be buying used to I need either an M-sport or a base with DHP in order to control the ride stiffness?

[batmanken]

any X5 you get has a sport button, which affects chassis/steering/transmission etc. I would love to have the DHP on my car, which is a pricey option and few ppl have it. m sport with adaptive m would be the way to go, since with the adaptive m, you can configure the suspension setting separately. (without adaptive m, you can't configure it separately. sport mode just engages everything including tranmission which keeps it in high rpm all the time). both the m sport pkg and the DHP are pricey options, around like 4k.

[jdmdohcpower]

So I guess what is the difference between the msport active suspension and the DHP non msport suspension. Also is there a way to tell by pictures if its equipped with or without it?

[twelve535i]

There is a sticky thread with suspension comparison on top of the forum. You'll get your best explanation there.

If you're buying used, you may not run across too many cars with DHP or Adaptive suspenion.

[akhter]

It comes down to below:

1) M exterior body kit: this is the obvious one but for me it makes the car look much better. the front looks much more aggressive. the sides look more muscular, the rear looks better with the trapezoid exhausts.
2) this is a perf & looks improvement because the M sport comes with wider rears for a staggered setup for better grip and aggressive looks.
3) sport transmission: looks and feels better in hand and have the sport+ mode and launch control
4) m steering wheel--so much better than stock.
5) door sills, anthracite headliner--why not...
6) m key--so much nicer than regular key.
7) M adaptive suspension-electronic dampers are better than stock suspension (comfort vs sport actually makes a difference) and a nice middle ground between stock springs and DHP.

imho if you even want 2-3 of above, the cost of M sport is justified. if you want most of them then its a steal...

[salukutinaveen]

You can code the Sport+ option for a non sport X5 as well.

[dcg71]

If your buying used and want at least some of the options included in the M sport package, then your best bet will be to buy an M sport. As someone else said I think it will be difficult to find a non-msport with some specific options.

Building a car from scratch is a different story and comes down to what you think of the cosmetics. Every other part of the M sport package can be optioned. Personally I never liked the chunky look of the M sport front bumper so I went luxury line.

[jdmdohcpower]

Can someone please confirm something for me about the suspension that I don't fully understand. If its an msport does it have the adaptive suspensive? I have attached the build sheet and I want to know if this car has suspension that I can control or not because it had the sport/comfort button next to the shifter

[va_lemon]

I don't believe the build you posted includes the Adaptive M Suspension (option code 2VF) which costs $900. It says Standard Suspension at the end of the first column of features in your image.

Without the Adaptive M Suspension, I believe the Sport/Comfort button only controls the throttle response and shift points.

[akhter]

USA M sport for f15 doesn't include m suspension and need to be added as an option.

[jdmdohcpower]

Can anyone chime in as to how the 14 rides with the standard suspension. Im getting a good deal here but I really wanted the adjustable suspension. I like that my x3 in comfort is softer then the standard suspension. Will I miss the adjustability?
Also Im going to be towing my race car on a trailer if that means anything with the suspension

[Kzang]

^^ I suggest you visit your dealer and test drive a standard X5 on the lot to come up with your own assessment. More than likely you will be fine with it until you test drive a M suspension and then you would most likely agree that the upgraded suspension is better and to your liking. Unfortunately, the M suspension would not likely be available to test.

[Chem14]

As an xline owner I can confirm that you can code sport+ and the shifter looks exactly the same on my x5 as the m sport model. All X5s have the same shifter and button setup. Getting various packages will give you more buttons than others.

[akhter]

i know that when my wife is in the car, i always put the car in comfort. but when its just me or me and my son it is sport all the way hahahah....

comfort (with air in the rear due to 3rd row) really does smooth things out especially over speed bumps and cracks but tend to roll a lot on slow bumps. however it feels like the big heavy car that it is.

sport is much tighter but to stiff over bad surfaces.

I don't have DHP but that supposedly is on another level...and probably brings car like levels of handling...

[wjbender]

Originally Posted by jdmdohcpower

Can anyone chime in as to how the 14 rides with the standard suspension. Im getting a good deal here but I really wanted the adjustable suspension. I like that my x3 in comfort is softer then the standard suspension. Will I miss the adjustability?
Also Im going to be towing my race car on a trailer if that means anything with the suspension

Adaptive M includes air rear which keeps the car level with extra load on tow hitch

[hanman]

M sport 100%

[Kzang]

Originally Posted by Chem14

As an xline owner I can confirm that you can code sport+ and the shifter looks exactly the same on my x5 as the m sport model. All X5s have the same shifter and button setup. Getting various packages will give you more buttons than others.

I just built an Xline on BMWNA website and the shifter is this type


The Sport shifter type that looks like this


Is exclusive to Msport line.

[PnP]

Originally Posted by Kzang

I just built an Xline on BMWNA website and The Sport shifter type that looks like this


Is exclusive to Msport line.

I got this Sport shifter and Sport+ on my Lux-line