M sport or not M sport?

[james lindsey]

I am looking for a late edition E39 525/530 M Sport and have seen a few, including a 525 yesterday which, despite being advertised as an M Sport, had very un-MSport wheels (apart from the spare), had the 'aluminium' interior trim, except the gear lever console was obviously spray painted to 'match' the other trim, it had 'M5' side badges on the front door trims, didn't have the 3 spoke steering wheel, but did have the 'M' door mirrors. I believe it has been made to LOOK like an M Sport. Question: What are the differences between a standard E39 and the M Sport version..?

 

[james lindsey]

M Sport or fake?

Can anyone list the differences between a standard 525/530, and an M Sport version?

 

[solo]

Can anyone list the differences between a standard 525/530, and an M Sport version?

Just to enlighten you, normal, M-sport and ///M series bimmers are totally different cars.

M-sport and normal bimmers share many characteristics, but ///M series bimmers may only have the same chassis as a normal bimmer, everything else from the engine to the wing mirrors, is different

Salut

 

[haywire]

Look for:

M-Sport seats (semi bucket, can be changed but very expensive, so not many people do it)

M sport steering (this is the later one, post 2002 i think, earlier one is still a 3 spoke steering wheel but with bigger centre airbag)

New type

Old type

M-sport wheels

M sport bumpers

M sport suspension

I didnt include photos of the wheel, bumpers and suspension since these are easily changed by the previous owner even if its not m sport, those interior elements are harder to change.

Silver interior trims are quite common in M-sport. (Standard equipment) The wood trims are just options.

Mine have the M strip at the door(all 4 doors) as well, as you can see in the photo. But i think not all m sport have this strip? I'm not sure.

Side mirror is common to be changed to M5 type mirror.
I think the best thing to look for in all of these is to look at the seats. very expensive to replace.

 

[xstatic]

Just to enlighten you, M-sport and ///M series bimmers are totally different cars.

M-sport and normal bimmer share many characteristics, but ///M series bimmers may only have the same chassis as a normal bimmer, everything else from the engine to the wing mirrors, isdifferent

Salut

my fren, i believe james is enquiring about the difference btwn the msport n the normal version..there was nvr a question regarding the ///m series...
cheers brader...

 

[bmw7833]

M Sport = window trim in black

Non M = window trim in chrome

 

[solo]

my fren, i believe james is enquiring about the difference btwn the msport n the normal version..there was nvr a question regarding the ///m series...
cheers brader...

Oh I thought he was confused because he posted in the M series forum. Sorry my bad :rock:

Salut

 

[M5POWER]

M-Sport and the normal is different. The normal one is... normal of course. But in the M-Sport version, you'll hav different suspension, aero, and several extra options. Doesn't sounds much but it does makes a whole lot of differences.

 

[terencehilary]

I love my M Sport....

 

[kayzhen911]

actually sifus....
MSport is hard to define.
mine has black window trimmings.
totally black cockpit
older MSport steering
recaro like bucket seats.
...but no exterior trimmings...skirts etc.
its M54 engine tho....
does it qualify to be MSports?

 

[niceputera]

actually sifus....
MSport is hard to define.
mine has black window trimmings.
totally black cockpit
older MSport steering
recaro like bucket seats.
...but no exterior trimmings...skirts etc.
its M54 engine tho....
does it qualify to be MSports?

IMHO believe a M Sport version must has:

-full m sport bodykit
-m sport sport rims (few versions with 235(f) 265(b))
-m sport seats (electric or manual)
-m sport suspension system (spring, shock, arb)
-m sport steering wheel(2001 -old type, 20002-03 new type)
-black window trimming
-black interior for normal M Sport, champange and montana grey for those 600 special edition version - like haywire owns now. (those 600 only comes in 530 and 530d 2002 and 2003 in UK at least)
-engine capacity as in 525, 530 & 530d only (not sure about 535 and other d models though)
-2001 - 2003 production date (if I'm not mistaken)

not sure whether we can check from the vin no though.

Those unit that have some but not all of the listed criterias might not be genuine M Sport versions but rather having an options tick on the accessories columm by the previous owner.

:rock:

 

[heng1028]

i saw some japan spec 530 m sport with fabric (alcantara) seat

 

[haywire]

i saw some japan spec 530 m sport with fabric (alcantara) seat

Yes Msport seat does have alcantara fabric, but the shape is still the same bucket type.