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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > BMW E90/E92/E93 3-series General Forums > General E90 Sedan / E91 Wagon / E92 Coupe / E93 Cabrio > 330 with sport pkg or without?



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      11-15-2005, 11:18 PM   #1
wantmye90
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330 with sport pkg or without?

I'm getting ready to order and can't decide on sport or no sport for my new 330. Any advice? While the sport package on 330 provides beautiful wheels and bolstered seats, I am concerned the ride will be too rough and the wheels expensive to maintain, plus the seats not so comfortable for the longer trips. The 330 without sport pkg has smaller wheels but the tires can be rotated and will last longer, the car a gentler ride and no side bolsters digging in. Am I missing anything and are my thoughts correct? Appreciate any input from experienced owners.
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      11-15-2005, 11:22 PM   #2
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I regret I did not order Sports (for sake of max. ride quality)
Yes, you will give up a little bit ride quality, but the outlook of lower springs and larger wheels will make you smile.
And, believe me, not that many sports cars doubled the price of a E90 out there will have better ride quality than your E90 sports - if that makes you feel happier. :rocks:
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      11-15-2005, 11:24 PM   #3
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Sport Package

I would not order any non-M BMW without it.
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      11-15-2005, 11:45 PM   #4
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Most readers of this board will advise you to get the sport package. That is why we read this forum. We're enthusiast's. Everyone will also advise, you to do what makes you happy. I have never regretted getting the ZSP, ride, expense and everything else considered.
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      11-15-2005, 11:47 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCA
Sport Package

I would not order any BMW without it.
I agree,Bmw is not the same without sport.The ride is just fine,for the little you give up on ride,you get a huge return in the handling.You just don't get that glued to the ground,and on rails feeling without sport.But as allways,you should test drive both.As for tires,get a set of high performance winter tires.I just put on a set of replica 162 wheels and nokia wr 17's.It works great.And the nokia tire will easily get 50,000.I will use the stock for summer only.

Good luck
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      11-15-2005, 11:53 PM   #6
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the seats are far more comfortable with sport pack
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      11-16-2005, 12:12 AM   #7
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For people living in northern part of the U.S. or Canada, you have to consider the fact that sport package comes with summer performance tires (with treadwear rating of 140!) . So the true cost of sport package is...

Sport Package $1600 + Run Flat Winter Tires and Rims $2500 = $4100

Are the sport suspensions, sport seats, sport steering wheels and larger rims worth extra $4100? If you answer yes, go ahead and get the sport package. Since I live in Chicago, I am more than satisfied with non-sport 330i with $4100 in my pocket.

Even if you live in the south, the OEM tires have treadwear rating of 140, which means they need to be replaced every year or so. Are you willing to spend $1500 / year on tires? If you answer yes, go ahead and get the sport package. If not, save your money and enjoy your non-sport E90!
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      11-16-2005, 12:15 AM   #8
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I think most people who enjoy driving expect to pay more for tires

I've had some really nice tires (ps-2, S-03) last for 20-25K miles

some would prefer to save money, some would prefer better handling
both decisions may be correct depending on what you're into
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      11-16-2005, 12:15 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SCA
Sport Package

I would not order any non-M BMW without it.
I agree with SCA.

And the sports seats are an added bonus - they are fantastic.
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      11-16-2005, 12:43 AM   #10
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3 words: adjustable thigh support! I can't even imagine sitting in my seat without the leg extension which gives me so much more comfort and support. I can afford to recline the back a little more to a more comfortable position and pull back the steering wheel. Get ZSP!!!
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      11-16-2005, 01:06 AM   #11
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what are the differences between sport and non-sport in terms of suspension set up??? are they just shocks and struts or are there more than that???

Basically, what do i need to turn a non-sport to a sport???
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      11-16-2005, 08:11 AM   #12
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Until I took delivery of my car, i thought it was a tough call for the same reason you mention, but now I couldn't be happier with ZSP. The wheels look awesome with the lowered stance; but what really does it for me are the sport seats and steering wheel. For me, comfort was the biggest consideration, and I can tell you that what everybody here has been talking about is true -- so long as you aren't too big to fit in the sport seats, they are extremely comfortable over the long haul, much more comfortable than stock. I can't remember another car where I've ever felt refreshed after driving it, including my old E46 with stock seats.


Expensive to maintain compared to stock? Only if you damage a wheel. Otherwise, the cost increase is minimal. Rotating doesn't add that much life to your tires, however if the rubber compound on the Bridgestones is softer then yes you'll be buying a couple more sets of tires over the life of the car.

E90 is a sport sedan with luxury features in the "near luxury" category; it's not a luxury car. If you're looking for glass-smooth ride, go for a Town Car.

Guess I've got pretty strong opinions on this...good luck!
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      11-16-2005, 08:24 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bertuzzi
For people living in northern part of the U.S. or Canada, you have to consider the fact that sport package comes with summer performance tires (with treadwear rating of 140!) . So the true cost of sport package is...

Sport Package $1600 + Run Flat Winter Tires and Rims $2500 = $4100

Are the sport suspensions, sport seats, sport steering wheels and larger rims worth extra $4100? If you answer yes, go ahead and get the sport package. Since I live in Chicago, I am more than satisfied with non-sport 330i with $4100 in my pocket.

Even if you live in the south, the OEM tires have treadwear rating of 140, which means they need to be replaced every year or so. Are you willing to spend $1500 / year on tires? If you answer yes, go ahead and get the sport package. If not, save your money and enjoy your non-sport E90!
I agree, as I live in Michigan near within 1 mile of the lake and winters are pretty tough. I would have had to purchase wheels and tires in addition to the increase price of sport package. I do like the seats in the sport package much better- and I wish BMW offered them as an stand-alone option but oh well.
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      11-16-2005, 08:29 AM   #14
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Thumbs up

Get the sports package, you will not reget it. The difference in the ride quality is minimal. I drove the e90 325i non-sport for two months before I upgraded to the 330i with ZSP. From experience, the handling is so much better with the ZSP and the ride is actually just slightly hard. The sports seats are great and has great back support.

You will be getting better shocks and springs so you don't need to mod at all and void your warranty. Also, the larger wheel size is the bomb! In fact, I'm thinking of putting in 19" rims later to make it look better.

If you think of buying a new set of rims later, be prepared to shell out at least $1500. So for $1600, it is a very fair deal.
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      11-16-2005, 08:42 AM   #15
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I would get the sports pkg hands down. Many will say a bimmer is a bimmer no matter sports or not, but I disagree. I only get that "hair standing up on the back of my neck" feeling with the sports pkg. It is if the car is on rails. The comfort level is not much different at all. The seats rule, the steering wheel rules, sports pkg rules period. Get it and you won't regret it.
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      11-16-2005, 10:49 AM   #16
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I got my run-flat winter tires with some decent al rims for $1420 (including shipping) from tire rack.

225/45HR-17 Dunlop Winter Sport M3 DSST RunFlat

17x8 Mille Miglia HT3 Bright Silver
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      11-16-2005, 11:14 AM   #17
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In Europe, I think you can get the sports seats without the sports mags.

All I can say is that the sports seats are in fact very comfortable and I would prefer them to stock seats - unless you are a very large individual, the side bolsters do not dig.

Bertuzzi's calculation is half correct : if you get the rim/mag combo the cost is $2,000 CDn or less ($1,700 - if you get the 16 in on the 325 ers) BUT at that point BOTH tires last longer because you only use them half the time.

So discounting that from his equasion would, in the same scientific manner mean, either (i) deducting from the calculation the cost of replacing the tires once - let us say $1,000, or ading that cost to the cost of buying the non ZSP cars. Either way it dimishes the acquisition cost and this for the very long run since you now OWN the rnd set of mags which you can use until you die (because of course none of us are ever getting another make of car - right )



PS, this is why I flunked math in highschool.
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      11-16-2005, 11:20 AM   #18
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buy the sport packaged.
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      11-16-2005, 11:26 AM   #19
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      11-16-2005, 11:49 AM   #20
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I'm not so sure.

I think this was a bigger issue with the e46.

I think an e90 330i w/o sport package, but with a manual transmission will still be pretty sporty.

Also, there are plenty of our larger bretheren here who wish they might not have gotten the sport seats. Those side bolsters can be kidney crunchers if you have a bigger waist than a 34.
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      11-16-2005, 08:32 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by noflash
I'm not so sure.

I think this was a bigger issue with the e46.

I think an e90 330i w/o sport package, but with a manual transmission will still be pretty sporty.

Also, there are plenty of our larger bretheren here who wish they might not have gotten the sport seats. Those side bolsters can be kidney crunchers if you have a bigger waist than a 34.
Me again - who started this thread - thanks everyone for your input. I test drove both set ups (zsp vs non zsp) and the ride stiffness/comfort is much the same on straights; the zsp is very active yet forgiving. However taking turns is noticeably different. Sport pkg shines here.

However, for me the seat is a major concern. I am 5' 9" and have a 35 inch waist and have noted that the bolsters feel like they dig in to my sides more than I like. I let them all the way out and they still feel like the seat is small. I do like the extendable leg support. On the other hand, the standard 330 seats feel little more than like a park bench, and they leave a lot to be desired. Perhaps if I lost some weight!

And as for tires - summer tires suit me fine year round. We don't get snow hardly ever. And a good buddy owns a tire store and he can hook me up. When I replace the sport treads, can I get a longer wearing compound that'll go say 30 to 50K?
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      11-16-2005, 08:43 PM   #22
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Resale value might be better with the Sport Package...but not sure. The wheels sure look a lot better with the SP, but you might want to go for comfort. If you are not really into the stiffer ride, then it will probably get old after the excitement wears off.

Good luck,
Mike
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