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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Schwepps" data-source="post: 197003" data-attributes="member: 3592">Hi Guys! I went for a back-to-back test-drive of the Standard and Sports with the specific intention of guaging the differences in sportiness, comfort and luxury. I was very pleasantly surprised that the Sports won on ALL 3 counts!Sportiness:  On the road, both cars have the same engine response of course, but the Sports with the M steering wheel and seats feels much sportier and begs to be driven harder. The lateral support of the sports seats hold you tight in the corners. The fast curves around the Glenmarie golf course showed that the Sports feels more planted than the Standard. The steering also felt more precise without steering assist and the M steering wheel feels wonderful. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> Comfort:  I deliberately drove over the same ridges and potholes in the factory section of the Glenmarie area, expecting the Sports to lose what with the M Sports suspension and 18" wheels.  Surprisingly, there was no difference! In fact I felt the Sports handled the ridges better and quieter! The M Sports suspension does it's job very subtly indeed. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />Luxury:  With the 2nd dashboard hump, i-Drive and Satnav, the Sports wins hands-down. In the driver's seat, it feels definitely the lux model of the E90 range, even beating the E92 on that score IMO. The i-Drive was a breeze to use compared with the button menus on the Merc. More functions too. The Satnav worked very well, with a soft feminine voice helping me to find the golf club, telling me when to turn left or right in good time. each time I ignored her instructions, she would adjust her instructions seamlessly. The parking range indicator was a surprise and worked well. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />I have to say, after driving the Standard and then the Sports, the difference is night and day. Both are 2007-build CKDs and there are no pre-regs available. At that 18k price differential, there is no question which is the car to get. The Sports is one honking machine!  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />The only gripe I have about the Sports is that the headliner comes in only one colour - anthracite, which is basically black. The seat choices are black, grey or tan. So there is no real choice but black seats and I find a totally black interior with brushed aluminium trim too oppressive. I'm sorry, but I feel black is a very boring colour, both externally and internally.My finger is on the trigger! Only 2 more things to do: check out how the grey seats look with the black headliner, and convince the home affairs minister that I'm not thinking like JPB and do not intend for this car to be a venus fly trap with seats that automatically melt womens' clothing on contact. <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite8" alt=":D" title="Big Grin    :D" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":D" /></blockquote>

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