X3 35i M Sport Review/drivers opinion

I have not been able to fine much information on the 2012 X3 35i M Sport.

Has anyone found a road test/review of the X3 35i M Sport online? Or a comparison of the X3 35i vs the X3 35i M Sport?

Would also like to get the opinion of owners of both previous x3's and the current X3 M Sport.

A US spec m sport won't drive any differently in the real world - it's basically just a cosmetic package.

Like bren said, all lipstick.

Here in Canada it is the only way to get the paddle shifters and sport seats plus it is only available on the 35i here so thats $4K more than the 28i plus $2.9K for the M-Sport package.

So here in Canada the M-Sport package is basically a $7,800 after tax.

The poll choices are poorly set up. What about someone who would answer yes or no to all of them?

And lbjgh's comment is unfair, as adding the cost of the 35i over the 28i is not valid. In Canada, the MSport option costs $2900 plus DCP at $1500.

Is it worth it? For me, the MSport looks better and the sport seats are excellant. If I wanted a real handler and sports vehicle, I would have kept my M3.

Point taken, the difference is $2900 for the M-sport over the non M 35i.

LOL- unintentional comedy in the poll creation.

And its just cosmetic.

The poll was my mistake not understanding how to use the system.

Well, coming from an aesthetic point of view, I think the M Sport is much better looking... But as we all know, aesthetics is ALL opinion...

As for the other added options, I can say yet, haven't seen our new X3... And if you think you'll get my wife to read/post on a car forum, forget it!! Haha!!

I am a big fan of the M sport steering wheel. It's a lot beefier than the standard or sport wheel. It feels much more substantial.

JupiterX3. I feel your pain. I had the same problem when my wife once said she didn't care what I bought for a car and I came home with a Mercedes SLK. My dealer didn't have a M Sport to test but after driving the 28i I knew I needed more horses here in Germany and with the 2012 price reductions the 35i with M Sport package was still within my budget so I ordered it. But still would like to get some input about the transmission and handeling which I understand to be tuned differently that the standard 35i.

Netter- Wow, you must be lucky! My wife definitely had a lot of input, mostly because this is technically HER car... I'm just saying that I haven't driven it yet. She took delivery a week ago, but I won't be home from work until late April, so she'll be enjoying it all her own for the first few months. She says she loves it so far, but I haven't really heard her say what she loves about it. To her its just a nice new car.

Originally Posted by Nettermann

...would like to get some input about the transmission and handeling which I understand to be tuned differently that the standard 35i.

You needed more input than the half dozen people who have already tried to explain that it's the same?

JupiterX3 Like most women they don't wraped around the axel about tech stuff. My wife however was trained at the mercedes school and knows more than I do.all that said she is a huge VW fan. This will be my 3rd BMW not counting my current Mini Cooper. It will be my first SUV, I usually go for sport cars.

Bren I an interested in other people thoughts about their cars because they are very different from one person to the next.

Originally Posted by Nettermann

Bren I an interested in other people thoughts about their cars because they are very different from one person to the next.

Sure, don't let facts get in the way of getting the answer you want.

Bren. That is the whole point of getting peoples thoughts because they vary. A lot is based on criteria people have for an auto and other things are just a matter of personal taste. I for example think the 28i is under powered others find it perfect for their driving habits. Which would make for different opinions for the same SUV despite the FACT it has the same HP. So I would like to know owners view of the X3 and if the M Sport is worth the extra money based on their personal view.

The 28i is underpowered, no question there.

Doesn't change the fact that msport is a cosmetic pkg.

Bren. I am not understanding your negativity. Facts and opinions are not necessarily the same thing. It is an opinion the 28i is under powered. If the X3 M Sport worth the money or not is also an opinion. I am looking for peoples opinions. I think you have made YOUR opinion clear. I would also like to get the thoughts of others if you don't mind.

Originally Posted by Nettermann

Bren. I am not understanding your negativity. Facts and opinions are not necessarily the same thing. It is an opinion the 28i is under powered. If the X3 M Sport worth the money or not is also an opinion. I am looking for peoples opinions. I think you have made YOUR opinion clear. I would also like to get the thoughts of others if you don't mind.

Not negative, just trying to help. Maybe adjust your sarcasm meter.

I'm willing to bet that most people on the forum are buying msport - it's a personality thing.

Oh, and while all that fact/opinion stuff is true, it's not what you asked originally.

My opinion. I LOVE the look of the Msport better than the non. With that said, I wanted a Mineral Silver 35i and you can't get that in Msport. I opted to go with the sport activity package on the 35i and love it. If I could have ordered it in a Msport I would have. I still have the normal and sport/sport + modes and the 19" wheels. Happy with my choice.

Msport was also not available in Blue Water Metallic which I really wanted. I like the trim and the lack of the black plastic, but I don't like the Msport badges. I also prefer the 309 wheels over the 369M's.

Originally Posted by mibmwx3

Msport was also not available in Blue Water Metallic which I really wanted. I like the trim and the lack of the black plastic, but I don't like the Msport badges. I also prefer the 309 wheels over the 369M's.

The second 28i that we test drove was blue water metallic. What a nice color! We both agree with you on the trim and the black 'stripe' on the bumper of non M-sports, so it was an easy choice for us, especially since we both agreed that Alpine White was our color of choice...

As for M Sport badges...?? Are there special badges? I only received one photo of our X3 from my wife, and its a front quarter shot... I don't see any special badges...? Or are you talking about the door sill pieces?

Originally Posted by JupiterX3

As for M Sport badges...?? Are there special badges? I only received one photo of our X3 from my wife, and its a front quarter shot... I don't see any special badges...? Or are you talking about the door sill pieces?

I was referring to the badges on the steering wheel and door sills. No biggie, just not my cup of tea. It wouldn't have stopped me from ordering the M Sport package.

Ahh ok... I'm assuming the steering wheel badge is the same M badge that comes on all other BMWs? The small badge at the 6 o'clock position? That never bothered me, heck, I doubt most people would even notice it. As for the door sills, umm, yeah, I can kind of agree they are a LITTLE flashy, but still cool. I just have to teach the wife not to step all over them and get them all f'd up!

Hmmm I wonder now if all the M Sport badges will be on my X3 since I selected the de-badging option. For me less is better.

Originally Posted by Want the Thrill

My opinion. I LOVE the look of the Msport better than the non. With that said, I wanted a Mineral Silver 35i and you can't get that in Msport. I opted to go with the sport activity package on the 35i and love it. If I could have ordered it in a Msport I would have. I still have the normal and sport/sport + modes and the 19" wheels. Happy with my choice.

Do you notice a big difference in the normal vs sport modes?