Is the Sport Package worth it on 335i sedan?

[beeemer]

I have a question about the Sports Suspension that is part of the Sport Package. Does it just have lower and stiffer springs? Stiffer shocks? Bigger swaybars?

Also, does anyone know how much more the bigger rims weigh than the standard ones?

[wrxfool]

Not sure about the sway bars, and wheels but the seats alone are worth it IMO

Claude

[wopperjr]

I'm in the same deal...would it just be better to get nice rims / tires that are aftermarket like lowenharts and spend the 2,500 bucks somewhere else...

[E90Toad]

It's really all about the seats, steering wheel and ride height. The sport seats are the best I've ever sat in and the standard steering wheel just feels wimpy in comparison. The last bonus is the car sits a bit lower and that makes it look better as well. Well worth it imo.

[docross]

I have a question about the Sports Suspension that is part of the Sport Package. Does it just have lower and stiffer springs? Stiffer shocks? Bigger swaybars?

Also, does anyone know how much more the bigger rims weigh than the standard ones?

Isn't the sport suspension standard on 335? Sport just adds the seats, wheels, etc things already said.

[awise1961]

No, although the stock suspension on the 335i is quite good, the "Sport Package" is a little lower and tighter.
I agree with E90toad, the sport seats are awesome. I do not regret at all getting the "Sport Package".
With the single digit temps. here in NH. today and tomorrow I am also enjoying the "Cold Weather Package" Love those bun warmers in the early morning.

Al. Wise

[Lightngsvt]

The Sport suspension, etc is standard on the coupe but not the sedan correct?

[Ruff Rider]

The sport wheels on my 335i are 20.2 lbs front and 22.6 lbs back

[DrMz]

The sport wheels on my 335i are 20.2 lbs front and 22.6 lbs back

You mean that the 18" 162 wheels on the 335 Sport package are that light??

I heard/read that the 162 rims were "162 front 25.8 lbs rear 26.4 lbs."


By the way, I completely agree about the sport package. I LOVE the seats. I would absolutely buy the package again.

[docross]

The Sport suspension, etc is standard on the coupe but not the sedan correct?


That sounds correct.

[E90Toad]

The Sport suspension, etc is standard on the coupe but not the sedan correct?

Only the spt suspension is std on the coupe, the rest, seats, wheels, steering wheel are not. Just a clarification since you added "etc."

[Nemesis335i]

I drove both the sedan and coupe with and without the sports package. In my opinion it is a must. The car handles and responds 10x better than the stock setup. I think the suspension, wheels, and seats upgrade is easily worth the 3000$.

[sblument]

I have a 2006 330i with the sport pkg and got to drive both 330i and 325i automatic loaner cars, both without sport pkg. Surprisingly, very little difference in ride quality but obviously less grip and the standard seats and larger steering wheel felt weird to me.

That said, for regular driving it's not worth it. But if you're going to do any type of performance driving it's a must.

It also lowers the car -- I have had a couple of scrapes going in and out of city parking garages. Something to be careful about...

[mkaresh]

I wouldn't get the car without the Sport Package, if only for the wheels and the seats. Love the seats. Singled them out for praise in an early piece on my blog:

Adjustable side bolsters: why so rare? (http://www.truedelta.com/blog/?p=4)

Note: I know the photo I have is from the E46 M3. The BMW media site didn't have any good shots of the E90 sport buckets.

[Walked U]

Yes it is worth it. youll kick yourself in the ass if you dont get it.

[lauyeung]

I really wanted the sports package on the 328i, but I dislike the rims that comes with it. Why doesn't BMW make the 5 star spoke 18" available on the 328's?

[Walked U]

I believe you can order the rims you like. But you have to pay an extra fee.

[tyler9595]

+1 it is worth it. The seats are worth it alone. Also, I dont like the ride height of the base car.

[lauyeung]

I believe you can order the rims you like. But you have to pay an extra fee.

Roughly, how much would that cost?

[docross]

Roughly, how much would that cost?


I bet an actual BMW dealer might have that figure for you. I thought you were getting a CLK, anyway...

:kb

[wrxfool]

I really wanted the sports package on the 328i, but I dislike the rims that comes with it. Why doesn't BMW make the 5 star spoke 18" available on the 328's?

Sell them or depending on where you live use them for winter setup, and go aftermarket. Personally for the price of BMW rims I would rather invest in something more unique and probably better looking

[Rover]

The sport package is great for the seats alone. As well....it's wheels are better looking.

[Walked U]

Roughly, how much would that cost?

Depends which kind of rim style you want.

[mose121]

The Sport suspension, etc is standard on the coupe but not the sedan correct?

Yes, it's not standard on the sedan's.




It also lowers the car -- I have had a couple of scrapes going in and out of city parking garages. Something to be careful about...

45 degree approach should take care of that with the factory SP ride height.

[vanillarice19]

I read somewhere that the 335 equiped with Sports Package have a 7KRPM redline. Without the sports package, it shuts off short at 6500 or 6750 RPMs.

[mose121]

I read somewhere that the 335 equiped with Sports Package have a 7KRPM redline. Without the sports package, it shuts off short at 6500 or 6750 RPMs.

the top speed limiter is set higher, but I don't think there's a redline change. Although the e46 zhp package had a higher redline iirc.

[BMW MotorSport]

can you get the sport package on the 328i sedan? and have the same sport seats as the 335i?

[boorapper]

In my opinion....I would rather get the sports pkg.. it's more worth it than the premium...IMHO...

[CrazyHohol]

Yeah sport package is a must. Its the only option imho that you really need.

[mose121]

can you get the sport package on the 328i sedan? and have the same sport seats as the 335i?

yes.

[thammel]

I ordered a 335 sedan with premium cold weather packages and a 6 speed manual about 2 weeks ago. I did not order the sport package. Now I'm having second thoughts about that one. I know all you guys think it's a must. The biggest reason to get it for me is the wheels - I think they look better than the stock ones. I realize they're bigger OD and wider on the rear so performance will be a bit better. But of course, future tires will also be probably a lot more expensive. And is performance really all that much better? I mean, the stock wheels are pretty darn good size as are the tires. As for the slightly different steering wheel - that's not all that important to me. And the higher speed limit? Where in the world can I ever hit that? The seats look a tad better than the premium package ones in that they have side bolsters. Are they that important? How is the suspension tuned differently? Springs and shocks a bit different? I wonder, in the bottom line, how the performance characteristics improve with the sport option. Has anyone seen test results comparing the two? By the way, the sport package is an extra $1600.

I'm looking to hear also from those who did not get the sport package and who are still very happy with their 335!

Thanks,
Tom

[mose121]

I ordered a 335 sedan with premium cold weather packages and a 6 speed manual about 2 weeks ago. I did not order the sport package. Now I'm having second thoughts about that one. I know all you guys think it's a must. The biggest reason to get it for me is the wheels - I think they look better than the stock ones. I realize they're bigger OD and wider on the rear so performance will be a bit better. But of course, future tires will also be probably a lot more expensive. And is performance really all that much better? I mean, the stock wheels are pretty darn good size as are the tires. As for the slightly different steering wheel - that's not all that important to me. And the higher speed limit? Where in the world can I ever hit that? The seats look a tad better than the premium package ones in that they have side bolsters. Are they that important? How is the suspension tuned differently? Springs and shocks a bit different? I wonder, in the bottom line, how the performance characteristics improve with the sport option. Has anyone seen test results comparing the two? By the way, the sport package is an extra $1600.

I'm looking to hear also from those who did not get the sport package and who are still very happy with their 335!

Thanks,
Tom

Performance is definately better with the SP, but it's all relative. If you don't drive aggressively than you don't need it. If you are a bit on the heavy side physically, the sport seats will beat you up and you'll hate them. If you do drive aggresively and are average weight, the sport seats are a must. THe standard seats have no side support, and the thigh bolster in the SP seats is awesome for those of us about 6 foot. It really helps on long trips. The steering wheel is sweet, and something you constantly come in contact with so I'd think hard about how important that is to you. But obviously, the standard wheel should be fine. The non SP steering wheels are a bit on the skinny side for me, but that's a preference of mine. I like them thick and chunky and easy to toss around. Suspension gets stiffer springs with lower ride height, larger sway bars, wheels with high performance tires, and what they call sport calibration which is basically stiffer struts/shocks. You also get the sport mode buttom which dramatically changes the throttle response for performance driving situations. It does not give you any more hp though, which is a big misconception.

I've had the oppurtunity to drive both SP and non-SP cars and there's definately a difference, but to a normal non-aggressive driver you'll probably never know the difference. Hope that helps.

[Mark335i]

I ordered a 335 sedan with premium cold weather packages and a 6 speed manual about 2 weeks ago. I did not order the sport package. Now I'm having second thoughts about that one. Thanks,
Tom
If your vehicle has not actually gone "Into Production" yet, it's not too late to have your dealer change the order to include it. For me, I couldn't imagine mine without the Sport Package. :shifty

[thammel]

Well, the question of whether to get the SP is decided. I called the dealer and the car is in mid production already so it's too late to add it. I"m not a heavy guy and I drive moderately to agressively. I would probably appreciate the SP but I'm sure I'll be happy without it. I was happy with a 1995 Maxima for years and I know it was a far cry from the 335i. The main reason for my wanting it was the wheels and the fact that it is not all that expensive. Oh well.

Interestingly, I ordered the car on 1/27 and they expect it to arrive around 3/1. That's a lot faster than I expected and much faster than I see others on this forum receiving their cars. I need to clean out the garage!!

Tom

[Sea2Ski]

Thanks for that great summary Mose!! After reading all the posts on here, I was worried that I perhaps should have got the sports package, but now after reading what you wrote up, I am not disappointed. I am a smaller guy, do not drive aggressively, though fast (those are two different things to me), I do not care about the ride height, and I think I will enjoy the slightly softer suspension. All in all, I will be happy. You can't miss what you never had! Thanks again!!!!

[mose121]

Interestingly, I ordered the car on 1/27 and they expect it to arrive around 3/1. That's a lot faster than I expected and much faster than I see others on this forum receiving their cars. I need to clean out the garage!!

Tom

There was most likely a car that matched the exact specs as the car you wanted in production already, and the dealer either traded for it or it was in their order bank already. I've never seen a car show up in less than 47 days, and that was a car that went into production the day after it was ordered. You ordered a pretty standard car so that's why I'm assuming this is the case, as dealers order similar options for most of their stock units.

[Brocken]

Even us heavy guys(over 250) like the sport seats. At least, I do.
I really like the side bolsters and the contour of the seat. Most comfortable seat I've had in a car.
The 335 rims are pretty cool. If you don't want aftermarket rims later then it's worth the package to get those and the seats.

[mose121]

Even us heavy guys(over 250) like the sport seats. At least, I do.
I really like the side bolsters and the contour of the seat. Most comfortable seat I've had in a car.
The 335 rims are pretty cool. If you don't want aftermarket rims later then it's worth the package to get those and the seats.

Almopst every single client I have that's above 240 lbs or so (eyeball scale) has hated the SP seats. You must be the exception, which I don't doubt since you're on bf.c.

[Brocken]

Almopst every single client I have that's above 240 lbs or so (eyeball scale) has hated the SP seats. You must be the exception, which I don't doubt since you're on bf.c.

Maybe I just carry my weight well...haha. The seat fits me like a glove.
The only thing that bothers me a little is the center console rubbin on my shin. If I reposition my leg I'm ok. I'm 6'1" but I have long legs. The car does have a ton of leg room though.
My wife really likes the slide out leg support, it helps her short legs.

Congrats on the order thammel. That's a pretty quick turn around time for ordering a car it sounds like. I'd still be antsy for that month waiting....:woot:

[thammel]

Hey Brocken,

I guess I just lucked out. I've been dreaming of a bimmer for years now, really wanted an m3 because of the engine. I was thinking 330 with performance package but when I heard of the 335 knew it was time to make the move. This is by far the most $$ I've even spent on a car, but it'll be worth it. Proportionately, it's about the same as I spent on the 260Z way back in 1974!! Anyway, I'm about 5'11" and 175 pounds with short 30" legs so believe it or not my concern was head room in the car. There's a ton more headroom in the 335 than in the comparable Lexus, for example. I'm getting a bit antsy! Have to get the loan set up, the 3M clear film application set up, order some floor mats, etc. I'll get floor mats on line and save $. I can get the clear film applied at about HALF what the BMW dealer charges.

I recall when I picked up my Mazda 626Gt in 1986 - turbo engine that was fast. Then in 1995, when I got the Maxima with good engine. I thought these were cool cars! Ha! The one test drive in the 335i was cool enough! I'm going to have fun (and hopefully avoid a speeding ticket!)

By the way, I was surprised that the insurance estimate from State Farm on the new 335i was just a tad more than on my 2002 Explorer than is worth about a quarter of the 335i!

Tom

[hwrdcur]

Sport package seats are the BEST!!!

[steveo242]

Lot's o good info. Thanks!

[Brocken]

This is the most expensive car I've ever purchased as well, but definitely worth all the money. I never thought I'd own a BMW but as soon as I test drove one I was screwed...haha. My wife knew right away that I had to have the car. A week later I was in the dealer buying one.

I was surprised on the insurance too. I think it's cheaper than my wife's new Murano. I think it has to do with how well the BMW's are built and the type of drivers.
the 350Z I had was cheaper to insure than my WRX. I think part of that is the WRX had a lot more young drivers that were getting in wrecks. The Z was more expensive and had more horse power, less doors and 2 wheel drive.