True M-Sport differences

[jfj707]

Can anyone outline the differences between a 540i/6 M-Sport and a regular 540i? Does the package add much value?

What would you guys pay for an excellent condition 2001 540i/6 M-Sport, Silver/Black, 126K miles? The prices I am seeing for E39's are all over the place.

[TommyFTR]

May want to include the year of said 540i/6 M Sport and a list of options. Any maintenance records, etc???

[jfj707]

May want to include the year of said 540i/6 M Sport and a list of options. Any maintenance records, etc???

Not sure of the options other than the M-Sport package. Maintenance records for 7 years. Year of the car has been added =)

[Lord DRIFT]

Planning on crossing over I see. You won't be disappointed. As much crap as the e34 clan throws at this car. Sport package is key (in stock guise anyway)! My only gripe so far is drive by wire.

[Def]

Was there an M-Sport package in the US other than in '03? I sure didn't see any when I was shopping for E39s.

The M-Sport package is mostly cosmetic additions over the regular Sport package(frt/rear bumpers, different rear exhaust section, side sills, shadowline trim, shift knob, steering wheel?).

[TommyFTR]

Assuming it's a very clean 01' 540i/6 Sport, maintenance issues have been addressed I would think this car should be in the $9K range.

[BCBJr]

This is what I can piece together from various sources. The M-Sport package was only offered in the US for the ‘03 model year and was designated by a specific order code. This option code only shows up in the production codes for ’03 model year here in the US. That’s not to say there were no E39 sports in the previous years. They were just not at the same packaging level with as many items included.

IMO the ’03 M-Sport was the height of the sports option packaging for the non-M5, E39 model. The sub parts of this package contained some items directly taken from the M5 mixed with other items specific to the M-Sport package. For example, the front bumper cover has the same part number as the M5 unit. The difference is when applied to the M-Sport package, the lower mesh grill insert has a "t" bar that is painted the same color as the exterior versus the M5 that has only the mesh. This gives it a slightly different look than the M5. The suspension also uses many of the same forged aluminum parts as the M5 but substitutes slightly softer springs & sway bars to account for the M-Sport's lower weight of approx. 200 lbs. Below you will find the specific items from the production code for my 03 540iA M-Sport that I believe pertain to the package:

P337A M SPORTS PACKAGE
S202A STEPTRONIC
S481A SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
S705A M SPORT SUSPENSION II
S710A M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
S715A M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
S760A INDIVIDUAL HIGH-GLOSS SATIN CHROME (shadow line)
S775A INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
S780A M LT/ALY WHEELS PARALLEL SP.MIXEDTYRE BMW

I read somewhere that included with the steptronic option came a performance high-stall torque converter along with a 3.15:1 rear differential gear ratio for cars that had the auto trans.

BTW, I've seen '02 sports go for $11-14K dependent upon the mileage and/or condition.

[f355spider]

Was there an M-Sport package in the US other than in '03? I sure didn't see any when I was shopping for E39s.

The M-Sport package is mostly cosmetic additions over the regular Sport package(frt/rear bumpers, different rear exhaust section, side sills, shadowline trim, shift knob, steering wheel?).

The primarly difference is the suspension. The 2003 M-Sport package included the M-Sport Suspension II. This included M5 struts/shocks, and presumably M5 springs. Otherwise, yes, mostly cosmetic stuff, but very COOL cosmetic stuff.

BTW, the M-Sport package was sold in all other markets (canada, UK, Asia, etc) from 2001 to 2003, and you could even get it on a 530 and in Europe a 525! The 6 cylinder cars did not get the M5 shock/struts though.

I have an 2001 540 M-Sport out of Canada, it is identical to the 2003 USA car except mine came with 17" Style 66 staggered wheels, and the M5 lip spoiler on the trunk. Not sure why, but the USA cars did not come standard with the M5 trunk spoiler that all other markets got.

[Def]

The '03 M-Sports do NOT have M5 springs. No idea on the shocks, they all look the same really, and all wear out very early.

I think the M-Sport Suspension II is the same as the earlier M-Sport suspension for all purposes. They also ride about the same as an M5 with the exception of the swaybars, so the ride frequency is likely the same or very close between an M5 and a 540i sport package car.

[Qsilver7]

The highlighted options are the only ones that are additional to the 2003 (M) Sport Pkg versus the sport pkg offered on the 99-02 540iA:

• P337A M SPORTS PACKAGE
• S202A STEPTRONIC
• S481A SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
• S705A M SPORT SUSPENSION II
• S710A M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
• S715A M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
• S760A INDIVIDUAL HIGH-GLOSS SATIN CHROME (shadow line)
• S775A INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
• S780A M LT/ALY WHEELS PARALLEL SP.MIXEDTYRE BMW (except the 03 540iT...it & previous sedan/Touring sport pkgs included 17" wheels)

The 540i/6 has always been a "sport" model from it's inception...meaning that it was optioned with a suspension geared toward sport handling versus the 540iA. Then BMW offered ala-carte "optional" sport features on the automatics in 1998...then in 1999 the sport pkg started receiving inclusive features many of them listed above that aren't highlighted.

There is a thread in the FAQ that gives EVERY feature & options for the e39 from 1997-2002. Find that thread and you can see how things progress and change based on model year. As I keep reiterating...the sport pkg is NOT one-size-fit-all...it changes from model year to model year, and model to model. Sometimes things are added, sometimes things were removed.

BTW, the 3:15 rear end is not exclusive to the 03 540i M-Sport Pkg...the 540iT has had them since the 99 sport pkg option.

EDIT: here ya go...if you really want to know what's in the various sport pkgs...here's a direct link to the thread in the FAQ that gives the model option info for every year & model from 1997-2002: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...3&postcount=11

[jfj707]

OK, he claimed it was an M-Sport. I guess it is just a sport =)

[weasel like]

People claim all sorts of things on online sales! Good to do your research and know for sure before getting tricked into buying something that was falsely represented.

[jfj707]

People claim all sorts of things on online sales! Good to do your research and know for sure before getting tricked into buying something that was falsely represented.

Oh, I know it... somehow "immaculate" gets used a lot to describe an interior which, at best, does not have cigarette burns and torn seats... I always run the VIN and check the car out thoroughly before buying one

[Qsilver7]

OK, he claimed it was an M-Sport. I guess it is just a sport =)

This happens a lot...even enthusiasts at times add the "M" to the 99-02 sport pkg. And it's kind of easy to call it that (by a casual owner/seller) since there are "M" markings on the steering wheel, and if you have the 540i/6...I believe the gear shift knob has the "M" emblem on it.

So that's why there are threads like the one that I linked to in the FAQ...which spells out exactly what was offered on the e39 with a year by year list of additions/changes/retractions. And you'll see, if you hang around, some of our fellow forum members even tend to shoe-horn all sport pkgs into a ONE-SIZE-FIT-ALL when this topic comes up...when the answer to this oft asked/discussed topic arises and the answer is right there in the FAQ at the top of the e39 forum.

[Lord DRIFT]

T wheel, and if you have the 540i/6...I believe the gear shift knob has the "M" emblem o

My 530i/5 does also

[ViolinARC]

Remember that part of the sports package includes the software upgrade, which means higher shift points for the auto and the speed limiter is OFF FTW! Not sure if this was included in all sports models though...Q is the real expert on e39 matters!

[Lord DRIFT]

Remember that part of the sports package includes the software upgrade, which means higher shift points for the auto and the speed limiter is OFF FTW! Not sure if this was included in all sports models though...Q is the real expert on e39 matters!

Seems odd to have to pay the factory to remove a limiter. Are you sure about this? I thought the limiters were placed to satisfy the suits in legal.

[DHoang]

.... the front bumper cover has the same part number as the M5 unit. The difference is when applied to the M-Sport package, the lower mesh grill insert has a "t" bar that is painted the same color as the exterior versus the M5 that has only the mesh. This gives it a slightly different look than the M5.

Why M-sport came up with that particular grill and the T-bar isn't strictly for looks, but to provide the requisite air ducts for maintaining existing brake cooling functionality. The M-sport grill has clips behind the grill to attach air ducts onto, and the ducts then channels all the way through the fender liner to force the air onto the brake discs.

The M5's grill is closed off at the two ends, with no means to duct forced air through the back side of the fender liners.

[BimmerBreaker]

Remember that part of the sports package includes the software upgrade, which means higher shift points for the auto and the speed limiter is OFF FTW! Not sure if this was included in all sports models though...Q is the real expert on e39 matters!

No

IIRC the speed limiter was set at like 130 in non-sports and set at 155 as all other cars in the sport models

If that is not true, then all cars were limited at 155. BMW has not and will not sell a top speed unlimited car to the US population.

[Lord DRIFT]

No

IIRC the speed limiter was set at like 130 in non-sports and set at 155 as all other cars in the sport models

.

Seems iffy to get a higher limit because you got a sport package also. I dunno

[ViolinARC]

No

IIRC the speed limiter was set at like 130 in non-sports and set at 155 as all other cars in the sport models

If that is not true, then all cars were limited at 155. BMW has not and will not sell a top speed unlimited car to the US population.

OK...I am only repeating what I have been told but I know for a fact (and from experience) that the 130mph limit is off on my sports model and the 155mph max is on.

Seems iffy to get a higher limit because you got a sport package also. I dunno

Well, that certainly is the case and I can only recommend that you look it up. Also know for a fact that I have the taller gear ratio as well. I was provided with the factory spec sheet for my y/m and you can get one too if you request it from the dealer with the proper owner paperwork and your VIN.

[Scolirk]

Hate to resurrect an old thread, but I want to ask quickly before I go to production on a new video. I'm filming a 2001 (production date 13/2/2001) 540i with M Sport Package. It is a Canadian car. The VIN decoder gives me all the options mentioned above:

• P337A M SPORTS PACKAGE
• S202A STEPTRONIC
• S481A SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
• S705A M SPORT SUSPENSION II
• S710A M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
• S715A M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
• S760A INDIVIDUAL HIGH-GLOSS SATIN CHROME (shadow line)
• S775A INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
• S788A BMW M Lt/aly Wheels

I want to make sure that this is considered a 'M Sport' model before I get roasted on the internet after publishing it. Thanks in advance!

[Mach540]

Just make sure to mention that it's a Canuck model, and that they got them before the US and you should be safe.

[Nyc Dito]

Hate to resurrect an old thread, but I want to ask quickly before I go to production on a new video. I'm filming a 2001 (production date 13/2/2001) 540i with M Sport Package. It is a Canadian car. The VIN decoder gives me all the options mentioned above:

• P337A M SPORTS PACKAGE
• S202A STEPTRONIC
• S481A SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER
• S705A M SPORT SUSPENSION II
• S710A M LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
• S715A M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE
• S760A INDIVIDUAL HIGH-GLOSS SATIN CHROME (shadow line)
• S775A INDIVIDUAL ROOF-LINING ANTHRACITE
• S788A BMW M Lt/aly Wheels

I want to make sure that this is considered a 'M Sport' model before I get roasted on the internet after publishing it. Thanks in advance!

it's the internet, you'll be roasted anyhow lol. Those options seem to check the correct boxes....

[bE34ST]

Looks good to me!