To sportspack or not

[Jackie]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum.

After years of driving Mercs, I've decided to go for a Bimmer. I have have my eyes on a 330i but have a few concerns with the suspension/tyre size options.

I've driven the standard (non-sportspack) 330i with 17" wheels and found the ride to be suitably comfortable. A friend of mine has a 325i sportspack with 17's and it was a bit firmer but still acceptable to me. However, the car I am interested in has 18" wheels. I think the ride may be unacceptable to me even without sportspack. I often have to drive over pothole infested roads and the car would need to be able to cope with this. I don't have much faith in 18" runflats on Joburg roads! What do you guys think?

The car looks like a good deal. Should I think of changing the 18's for 17's?

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Jackie

 

[freerider]

Welcome, rather buy the car you are happy with, and then swap the 18s for 17s with a cash difference. The dealer is going to give you nothing in return for the swap.

 

[///Marksman]

If you're looking mainly for comfort, then i'd say pass on the sports pack.

A non sportspack equipped car should be allright for you with 18's imo.

I personally think the MSport with non run-crap 18" wheels would be a perfect compromise. Agile and responsive with some level of comfort at least. Because the best way to describes run-flats = they are shit. A nice set of 18" wheels will certainly improve road feel, comfort and reduce noise.

oh yeah, welcome:wave:

---

Edit.

"car would need to be able to cope with this"

the car will be just fine, but your butt and spinal cord may not

 

[Jandre]

I agree with Freerider. Go back to 17" wheels.

 

[zabbo]

Agreed. Buy the car that you like most (Sportpack looks and drives better imo) and then either change the 18's to 17's or the the runflats to non-runflats.

 

[zaleonardz]

And there is nothing stopping you from giving the car to a couple of enthusiasts such as us, and we'll finish your 18" run flats on the track, and then you can put normal 18" on it.

 

[Jackie]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll see what I can get for the 18's. Otherwise, I'll keep looking for a non-sportspack with 17's.

 

[freerider]

If you dont get a sportpack, you will ALWAYS look at others driving past you and wish that you hadnt been so stupid. Ask me

 

[Jackie]

And there is nothing stopping you from giving the car to a couple of enthusiasts such as us, and we'll finish your 18" run flats on the track, and then you can put normal 18" on it.

Lol! That would be the perfect solution!

Freerider, I agree. The sportpack does look quite a bit nicer, especially on the facelift models.

 

[Gizmo]

Yeah, I bought a non-sportpack 330i as a blank canvas to start with, I then built it into a sportpack by buying sportpack parts from the scrapyard. I couldn't afford a SP to start with, plus the cost of converting one to SP was way cheaper than buying one.
Overall costs:
R600 Sport Pack front seats.
R980 re-dye seats from tan to black.
R450 SP front bumper cover.
R2200 SP front bumper accessories from BMW.
R1000 SP rear bumper.
R1000 Black roof lining and accessories.
R6000 6 speed gearbox conversion.
R1800 Clear tail lights (BMW), car had clears on front and sides when I first got it.
R300 Electric roller sun blind.
R650 BMW Business front loader (plays MP3's)
R650 E46 M3 steering wheel.
R2000 Xenon headlights.

I didn't pay anything for the wheels 'cos I swapped M Contours for them, I still need the SP sideskirts to complete the kit but Im not bothered because the difference is so small...

 

[p1ay3r]

doo it u know u want it!:excited:

 

[STREETRACER]

ive got a 2008 E90 320D sportswagon with the complete M motorsport kit! tried to get rid of the car and seems the F*ckers wants to give me R260k for the car wich is less than what i owe on it! they offer me R10k for almost R160k extras!!

So ive you do the extras just dont expect getting your $$$ back you spent! but must say BMW with M kit is a head turner always!!!!

The Sport suspension is not a bad drive at all! Ive got the sport comfey bucket seats with air adjustable kidney support! Get your hands on those seats! extra that is worth it!
Drove straight to east - london from w-city and no pains anywhere!

 

[Scouse]

And if you buy it with 18's and want 17's, i will be willing to swap

 

[dlk001]

If you dont get a sportpack, you will ALWAYS look at others driving past you and wish that you hadnt been so stupid. Ask me

I felt exactly the same with my E90 325i with non-sportpack.

Since 2005, this has been my experience with runflats

1. The ride on my 2005 325i, 17" runflats with non-sportpack was unbearable. I replaced them with non-runflats and difference was chalk and cheese.

2. The ride on my 2008 335i, 19" runflats, sportpack is better than my 2005 325i with 17" runflats.

3. I have driven a friend's 320i, 18" runflats, non-sportpack and the ride felt the same as my 2005 325i with 17" non-runflats.

To me, it seems either BMW has been improving the suspension or the runflats have improved. I'm definitely loving the 19" runflats with sportpack. The only problem is price and stock availability.