To Sport or Not to Sport

Originally Posted by ClubSpec330i

Bigger tires slow you down...

They put 225/255 on SP for appearance and safety reason so people like you don't crash from oversteer. 325 handles best with 225 all around. Go ask any racer, square setup is always better than stagger..

I am no pro...but just from the seat feel...I will say that the 255 set up for the rears made a huge diff. in me deciding to get the sport pkg. on top of the seats and the wheel.....maybe it depends how you drive the car...but I love taking a sharp turn and as I am going into the turn hit the gas and turn even harder the car just sticks like on rails....I did the same thing with my loaner non sport car...and I am sorry to say that the wheels squeeled and the back went out...overall I still liked the car it still felt in control for the most part...but my favorite part of a BMW is the handling and the non sport car just did not have that extra grip that I love so much about my car...just my .02

Originally Posted by whiskey.org

on the XI the suspension's not even different

no effect on ride quality with sport pack on the XI, but you do get better seats

If the new SP seats are anything like the E46's SP seats then they are IRON MAIDENS IMO


Glad somebody likes them.

Originally Posted by westwest888

I was making fun of your cost conciousness on the most important option on the damn car - it was satire. Arguably the only option that improves vehicle dynamics. Everything else is fluff or icing.

If I was truely cost concious I would'nt have BOUGHT a BMW .

Improves dynamics?
To me it worsens the ride and takes away the tossability of the car .

SP = Firm and well-damped but somewhat isolated. More isolated than earlier 3-series models.
Non-SP = Buick

Sport!

Originally Posted by TD

SP = Firm and well-damped but somewhat isolated. More isolated than earlier 3-series models.
Non-SP = Buick

Buick?

Originally Posted by TD

SP = Firm and well-damped but somewhat isolated. More isolated than earlier 3-series models.
Non-SP = Buick

WRONG he's talking about an XI


the suspension is the same

Buick? You haven't driven a Lexus lately. Now THAT is a Buick ride.

Originally Posted by RGRAY

That is wrong.

ZSP Sport Package (325)
Includes 8-way manual front sport seats with adjustable backrest width and thigh support, 3-spoke sport steering wheel with audio and accessory phone controls, 17" Star Spoke (style 159) light alloy wheels with 225/45R17 run-flat all season tires. (Deletes spare tire.)

ZSP Sport Package (330)
Includes 8-way power front sport seats with adjustable backrest width and thigh support, 3-spoke sport steering wheel with audio and accessory phone controls, 17" x 8" Star Spoke (style 158) alloy wheels with 225/45R17 run-flat all season tires.

It's smaller and fatter and it has thumb rests.

I have the 330xi Premium/Cold/no Sport Package, but I have the 3 spoke steering wheel. Standard on the 330 not the 325. I am not wrong. Check www.BMWUSA.com Feature and Options Interior it is a 3 spoke Steering wheel.

Are the all season tires that come with non sport acceptable for snow driving?

I priced the SP option on the 330i and the 330xi. The SP option on the 330xi is less expensive, I guess because they do NOT mess with the suspension (as has been mentioned here).
I odered the SP on my (coming) 330xi because I wanted to go up to the 18" (SP is required to get the 18"s). I have heard about, and I am OK with, the harsher ride with 18"s. The reason I still went with 18"s was because I (honestly) want the staggered look of the tires. I imagine the stickiness is different, but I have not compared them, so I will tell you in July.
BTW, I know I have to get SNOW TIRES because the 18" are (as I have heard, and makes sense) horrible in the snow. I considered this future wheel and tire purchase when making my final decision. I can imagine the 17" are a little better in the snow, but I would personally rather get SNOWs even with 17"s. Have fun with your final product.

Originally Posted by garretttt

I have the 330xi Premium/Cold/no Sport Package, but I have the 3 spoke steering wheel. Standard on the 330 not the 325...

All 330s have the 3 spoke steering wheel, but the sports package steering wheel is smaller, fatter and has thumb rests.

1, sport steering wheel pre Sept. without thumb rests

2. sport steering wheel post Sept. with thumb rests.

Here's the 330 3 spoke non sport steering wheel.

Bigger, thinner and no thumb rests.

sport!!!

Originally Posted by coppertone

What are are you talking about. My concern is the road conditions that I drive on. I was trying to find out peoples opinion on whether the sport package would make the ride to harsh. That is it. If that is the case why would I spend the extra $$ for something that would decrease my enjoyment of the car. None of what I was asking had anything to do with maintanance costs. My priorities if you must know is to get a great car that I will enjoy driving everyday. I am merely trying to decide what configuration would maximize my enjoyment. But thanks for you concern about my gas cost.?

For everyone else thanks for you input. I am test driving the car tomorrow and hopefully they will have one with and w/o a sport package so I can feel if there is much difference.

Since your new, i will tell you that:
westwest888 posts are a waste of time to read. Just check out his history. He went from "not getting a sport package to" "BMW is probably not you, Check out a Scion TC"

Originally Posted by whiskey.org

on the XI the suspension's not even different

no effect on ride quality with sport pack on the XI, but you do get better seats

You get 17 inch tires and 161 wheels instead of 16 inch wheels with the xi sports package which look better.

I'm not sure about the difference in ride quality.

You also get the smaller fatter sports steering wheel with thumb reast.