History of the m sport package?

[Red Shirt KRT]

I searched around and couldn’t find any info.

Anyone know the history behind the m sport package?

Also a few questions, is the E34 the first model to have a trim level designated msport? And what other models have it.

And finally does an msport e34 have “msport” on the build sheet or can one only tell it’s an msport by it having all of the different pieces on it?

[atl530i]

The 540i M Sport was created as a send off for the E34 before BMW switched to the E39. The 540i M Sport came in both manual and automatic totaling 205 cars (other figures say 200 but there were 5 pre-production M Sports made in early 1995). If you're looking at the build sheet for one of these cars, the main option that'll be listed is P337a which is the M Sport package. S223a is the EDCIII option and S220a is the SLS (rear only) option that was also offered on these cars as well. If the car you're looking at doesn't have any of these options then it is not a real M Sport. All M Sports came with these options. The E34 540i was the only non-///M E34 to have the M Sport designation in the US. Other markets do vary which is why you see some 525i's and 535i's with Mtech parts on them from BMW.

Here is a link with more info for the E34 540i M Sport. http://www.kindel.com/bmw/m540_info.htm

I help run the Facebook M Sport registry group also. There's about 70 M Sports still going. We are still looking for more because there are a lot of unknowns on the VIN list.

[Red Shirt KRT]

Thanks for the info! Very informative!

Any info if any cars were a true “m sport” trim level from the factory before the e34? I know there were some called the Mxxx or some with m tech items.

So build sheet is 100% true. Can you get the build sheet easily on a car that isn’t yours then? I will be looking for an msport/540/m5 in the next couple years so just trying to see my options.

[CarterH]

My E34 535 had an M steering wheel and M sport suspension from factory. I confirmed it when I found the little piece of paper tucked under one of the seats with all the option codes. It doesn't make it an M Sport exactly but still, I haven't heard of many non-M E34s getting around with M sport suspension from factory.

[Red Shirt KRT]

So I did a little research and it appears the “m sport” trim package was only offered for these years.

E34
1995 - 540i

E39
2003 - 540i or 530i

E46
2005-2006 - not sure what models.

After that it’s been offered on multiple platforms it seems.

So the E34 was the first true “m sport” trim level car then?

The e28 was offered in an m535 and a sport version but not a “m sport” version.

Does this seem right?

[m60power]

So I did a little research and it appears the “m sport” trim package was only offered for these years.

E34
1995 - 540i

E39
2003 - 540i or 530i

E46
2005-2006 - not sure what models.

After that it’s been offered on multiple platforms it seems.

So the E34 was the first true “m sport” trim level car then?

The e28 was offered in an m535 and a sport version but not a “m sport” version.

Does this seem right?

Yes, by nomenclature the first M-Sport car was the e34 540i. In terms of non-M cars equipped with M-technic suspension and other bits, I would say that goes to the E12 M535 and E28 M535.

[atl530i]

So I did a little research and it appears the “m sport” trim package was only offered for these years.

E34
1995 - 540i

E39
2003 - 540i or 530i

E46
2005-2006 - not sure what models.

After that it’s been offered on multiple platforms it seems.

So the E34 was the first true “m sport” trim level car then?

The e28 was offered in an m535 and a sport version but not a “m sport” version.

Does this seem right?

If we're talking about models not available in the states, then the E28 M535i, E34 M540i6 (Canada), and other M Sport models would qualify. The E12 M535i was the first "M Sport" model even though it wasn't called that and many consider it as a precursor to the E28 M5.

The E46 would have had the ZHP but BMW didn't call it an M Sport. I don't think there was ever an E39 530i M Sport for the states, just a sport pack model. This is a shame because the E46 330i ZHP came with a ZF 6 speed in 2003 and after. 2003 was the last year for the E39 530i so it would have been cool if BMW offered 6 speed for the 530i in 2003 for the US market. I would own one right now if that were the case.


Yes, by nomenclature the first M-Sport car was the e34 540i. In terms of non-M cars equipped with M-technic suspension and other bits, I would say that goes to the E12 M535 and E28 M535.

Agreed. You also have the E30 Mtech vert.

[E38740iMD]

E36 got a Msport 328is in 98-99

- - - Updated - - -

E36 got a Msport 328is in 98-99 or maybe M Tech. Like the e28

[Red Shirt KRT]

I think the e36 was names sport with m tech parts not a true m sport trim.

[E38740iMD]

Oh ok

E38 is has an msport as well 99-01

[Mutley48]

Now in the UK, there was the E34 535i Sport,(M30 engine), as standard it came with the following; Full MTech body kit,( front bumper was slightly different to the M5) otherwise the same as the M5. Full MTech suspension, 25% LSD, Auto or Manual option,(manual is the most sought after and very hard to come by). The manual was a five speed close ratio box. Full sports seating in either Leather or Cloth, M steering wheel. The car could be purchased with ASC and EDC as an option. All the BMW UK dealers i have dealt with describe the car as the MSport,(due to the trim level in these cars) which was the middle road between the 535i SE and the full M5.

[Minicupr2.0]

The facelift for the e46 3 series actually occurred half way through 2004 everyone says m sport e46s we’re only 2005- 2006 but that’s not the case they started back up in the early 2000s with the 2003 5 series and the next year took the opportunity To show that m sport was not just for the upper class by introducing it as a dealer option half way through 2004 when they gave the facelift clear turn signal lights and clear on red tail lights but 2005- 2006 was the first year they started coming from the factory to the dealers as m sports, the reason you don’t see them often in 2004s was no one really knew what m sport was yet and if you were getting a 3 series you often didn’t have extra money for expensive packages so the following year they just made them from the factory to make the process more simplistic for the buyers at the dealership to just get in and take one home rather than waiting on a gamble of an expensive trim, mine is a hellrot red convertible (unfortunately the color was originally japrot red, but was repainted to hellrot) Msport e46 either a late July car or early august. It came with m3 suspension and sport seats as well as m3 rims which I was told by the previous owner were sold off of the car because of the rarity and I mean who doesn’t love that peace of similarity to the famous v10 m5. Hopefully I can acquire a set to restore it to its former glory I believe the car also comes with a different rear bumper but cannot confirm because the dual color portion was painted over but does feature the m badge between the controls for the heated seats.

[E24man]

Oh ok

E38 is has an msport as well 99-01

I don't think any E38's were designated 'M-Sport'; there were a small number designated as 'Sport'.

[Mayorchuck]

I don't think any E38's were designated 'M-Sport'; there were a small number designated as 'Sport'.

Correct.