bmw 320d, se or m sport touring?

dalglish1970 · 02-09-2011, 01:32 PM

hello everyone, new to here so bare with me.i currently have a ford focus. thinking of getting an 08 320 d touring. Can anyone help me out weather or not to opt for the se or the m sport?? whats the main differences , and whats the rough combined mpg?

chris330D · 02-09-2011, 01:36 PM

Welcome to the forum. Interesting topic to start with as it has caused a lot of debate before! M Sport basically gives you bigger wheels, body kit, sports seats, sports steering wheel and sports suspension. I have had both SE and M Sport tourings. TBH the seats are better and I like the thicker steering wheel. The grip is better on the larger wheels. Is it worth the money? Good question. The mpg is the same for both.

dalglish1970 · 02-09-2011, 01:40 PM

thanks Chris, what about the run flats,i live in the countryside and the potholes and the edges of the roads are not great, would there be much of a problem if i went with the m sport?

chris330D · 02-09-2011, 01:43 PM

Potholes and runflats will knock your teeth out. Lot of run flat haters on here. They do make the ride firmer but the later runflats have a much better ride. I went from an SE on continental sport contact 2 runflats to Michelin Pilots PS2s on M SPort and the M Sport rides better.

kaishang · 02-09-2011, 01:44 PM

M Sport is more expensive and less comfortable. SE is cheaper and more comfortable. I had an M Sport loan car and couldn't wait to get back to my SE

M Sport has stiff suspension and low profile tyres meaning you frequently lose traction on non smooth roads. M Sport may weigh slightly more so it may actually be marginally slower.

OTOH a lot of people like the M Sport look.

dalglish1970 · 02-09-2011, 01:49 PM

Thanks , great info. ill bare it all in mind and let you know what i decide. Now too persuade the Mrs. Got to be better than a ford i hope, lol

edowen · 02-09-2011, 01:50 PM

some important things to note:

both SE and M Sport have run-flats. Ride is worse the bigger the wheels. The later the car, the better the ride - they've improved it over the years.

you can add M SPort suspension and sports seats to SE. M Sport seats are very good, so if possible get SE with sport seats.

M Sport isnt any heavier - cars will vary by options - but there isnt much in it.

CarAbuser · 02-09-2011, 02:48 PM

My last car was a Focus, I think it's the best in its class for ride quality. I really miss the ability to just ride over potholes.

You will find with the runflats on sport suspension that you spend a lot of time planning routes around potholes and recessed drain covers. Luckily most of my regular routes are twisty country roads with no potholes so the sport suspension really shines.

The M-Sport pack does give good value if you like all the options. There's a lot of small details like the black headlining that people forget about but make such a difference to the interior.
A lot of it depends on personal preference but it's definitely worth trying a car with sports seats since they are such an improvement over the standard seats.

Steve vRS · 02-09-2011, 03:45 PM

What about an Efficient Dynamics? Same spec as an SE with better economy, lower tax but a bit less power.

Steve

edowen · 02-09-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve vRS

What about an Efficient Dynamics? Same spec as an SE with better economy, lower tax but a bit less power.

Steve

He wants a Touring. ED is saloon only (oddly, I am sure it could be done).

Steve vRS · 02-09-2011, 04:19 PM

Sorry, missed that important bit!

Steve

justa · 02-09-2011, 04:20 PM

I have recently bought a 320d M Sport - the ride with run flats is truly terrible...

But I personally only like the look of the 3 series in M Sport guise - even SE with m sport alloys doesn't quite look right imo

Thankfully fitting non RFT tyres does make the ride bearable - not great, not even good but definitely bearable.

edowen · 02-09-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justa

I have recently bought a 320d M Sport - the ride with run flats is truly terrible...

But I personally only like the look of the 3 series in M Sport guise - even SE with m sport alloys doesn't quite look right imo

Thankfully fitting non RFT tyres does make the ride bearable - not great, not even good but definitely bearable.

18's or 17's?

Ride was great in my 17'd car.

justa · 02-09-2011, 04:34 PM

mines got 18's

surely an inch can't make that much difference !

edowen · 02-09-2011, 04:36 PM

it does, trust me.

kaishang · 02-09-2011, 04:45 PM

Ask your girlfriend.

Em135eye · 02-09-2011, 05:22 PM

I've got an SE on 17s with M sport suspension and non run flats. Seems to strike a really good ride/handling balance even if the cool kids don't like smaller wheels. Small wheels are lighter and appear to be stronger too.

Cafe.Racer · 02-09-2011, 05:47 PM

I had an SE 163 with sports suspension and 17" (staggered) and now have a 184 M-Sport

Might not be a fair comparison, but the ride is much better in the new one, not that I found the ride harsh in the SE, just more tramlining, and "lurching" over the potholes, surface changes etc. Grip is significantly better in the new one. I've you're happy with wallowly soft suspension, go for the SE. But I would say definitely get the M-Sport.

In E91, the SE looks mundane, whereas the M-Sport feels more special.

Of course, people that think the M-Sport is a waste of money "just a body" etc will say otherwise, but that's why BMW do the two models - horses for courses...

edowen · 02-09-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cafe.Racer

I had an SE 163 with sports suspension and 17" (staggered) and now have a 184 M-Sport

Might not be a fair comparison, but the ride is much better in the new one, not that I found the ride harsh in the SE, just more tramlining, and "lurching" over the potholes, surface changes etc. Grip is significantly better in the new one. I've you're happy with wallowly soft suspension, go for the SE. But I would say definitely get the M-Sport.

In E91, the SE looks mundane, whereas the M-Sport feels more special.

Of course, people that think the M-Sport is a waste of money "just a body" etc will say otherwise, but that's why BMW do the two models - horses for courses...

Agree to a point, but I dont think anyone could really call an SE 3 series wallowy...

Indeed, a lot of reviews of the "ed" 3 series with it's 16's, skinnier tyres (and slightly lower ride) as being the peach of the range now from a balance/handling/ride/compliance point of view (I am of course biased I admit).

Em135eye · 02-10-2011, 04:26 AM

Let's try and avoid opinions (some prefer the SE look, others prefer the M Sport look end of) and stick to useful facts and information.

rich1068 · 02-10-2011, 06:35 AM

Sounds obvious but have a good drive in both if you can. I'd read all the horror stories about run flats and M Sport suspension so I was very wary. In fact I seriously considered an SE purely on this basis. As it happened I borrowed a 320d M Sport Plus Touring on 18" run flats for the day and threw everything at it, the worst Sheffield could offer. I was pleasantly suprised and ordered at the end of the day.

bimmaguy · 02-10-2011, 06:59 AM

m sport interior is a must and i would say ditch the runflats.

02-09-2011, 01:32 PM	#1
dalglish1970 New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: ford Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: kent iTrader: (0)	bmw 320d, se or m sport touring? hello everyone, new to here so bare with me.i currently have a ford focus. thinking of getting an 08 320 d touring. Can anyone help me out weather or not to opt for the se or the m sport?? whats the main differences , and whats the rough combined mpg?
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02-09-2011, 01:36 PM	#2
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	Welcome to the forum. Interesting topic to start with as it has caused a lot of debate before! M Sport basically gives you bigger wheels, body kit, sports seats, sports steering wheel and sports suspension. I have had both SE and M Sport tourings. TBH the seats are better and I like the thicker steering wheel. The grip is better on the larger wheels. Is it worth the money? Good question. The mpg is the same for both.
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02-09-2011, 01:40 PM	#3
dalglish1970 New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: ford Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: kent iTrader: (0)	thanks Chris, what about the run flats,i live in the countryside and the potholes and the edges of the roads are not great, would there be much of a problem if i went with the m sport?
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02-09-2011, 01:43 PM	#4
chris330D Major 36 Rep 1,135 Posts Drives: F31 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sussex, UK iTrader: (0)	Potholes and runflats will knock your teeth out. Lot of run flat haters on here. They do make the ride firmer but the later runflats have a much better ride. I went from an SE on continental sport contact 2 runflats to Michelin Pilots PS2s on M SPort and the M Sport rides better.
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02-09-2011, 01:44 PM	#5
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	M Sport is more expensive and less comfortable. SE is cheaper and more comfortable. I had an M Sport loan car and couldn't wait to get back to my SE M Sport has stiff suspension and low profile tyres meaning you frequently lose traction on non smooth roads. M Sport may weigh slightly more so it may actually be marginally slower. OTOH a lot of people like the M Sport look.
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02-09-2011, 01:49 PM	#6
dalglish1970 New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: ford Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: kent iTrader: (0)	Thanks , great info. ill bare it all in mind and let you know what i decide. Now too persuade the Mrs. Got to be better than a ford i hope, lol
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02-09-2011, 01:50 PM	#7
edowen Major 39 Rep 1,194 Posts Drives: E90 330i, 991 GTS, Cayenne S D Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	some important things to note: both SE and M Sport have run-flats. Ride is worse the bigger the wheels. The later the car, the better the ride - they've improved it over the years. you can add M SPort suspension and sports seats to SE. M Sport seats are very good, so if possible get SE with sport seats. M Sport isnt any heavier - cars will vary by options - but there isnt much in it.
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02-09-2011, 02:48 PM	#8
CarAbuser Lieutenant Colonel 468 Rep 1,535 Posts Drives: Z4 35i DCT / E92 335i DCT Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	My last car was a Focus, I think it's the best in its class for ride quality. I really miss the ability to just ride over potholes. You will find with the runflats on sport suspension that you spend a lot of time planning routes around potholes and recessed drain covers. Luckily most of my regular routes are twisty country roads with no potholes so the sport suspension really shines. The M-Sport pack does give good value if you like all the options. There's a lot of small details like the black headlining that people forget about but make such a difference to the interior. A lot of it depends on personal preference but it's definitely worth trying a car with sports seats since they are such an improvement over the standard seats.
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02-09-2011, 03:45 PM	#9
Steve vRS Private First Class 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 320d ED Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	What about an Efficient Dynamics? Same spec as an SE with better economy, lower tax but a bit less power. Steve
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02-09-2011, 04:19 PM	#11
Steve vRS Private First Class 6 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 320d ED Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Cheshire iTrader: (0)	Sorry, missed that important bit! Steve
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02-09-2011, 04:20 PM	#12
justa Private First Class 20 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2006 320d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pride Park iTrader: (1)	I have recently bought a 320d M Sport - the ride with run flats is truly terrible... But I personally only like the look of the 3 series in M Sport guise - even SE with m sport alloys doesn't quite look right imo Thankfully fitting non RFT tyres does make the ride bearable - not great, not even good but definitely bearable.
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02-09-2011, 04:34 PM	#14
justa Private First Class 20 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2006 320d M Sport Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pride Park iTrader: (1)	mines got 18's surely an inch can't make that much difference !
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02-09-2011, 04:36 PM	#15
edowen Major 39 Rep 1,194 Posts Drives: E90 330i, 991 GTS, Cayenne S D Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	it does, trust me.
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02-09-2011, 04:45 PM	#16
kaishang Colonel 54 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London iTrader: (0)	Ask your girlfriend.
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02-09-2011, 05:22 PM	#17
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	I've got an SE on 17s with M sport suspension and non run flats. Seems to strike a really good ride/handling balance even if the cool kids don't like smaller wheels. Small wheels are lighter and appear to be stronger too.
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02-09-2011, 05:47 PM	#18
Cafe.Racer Captain 27 Rep 896 Posts Drives: 320d Touring Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (1)	I had an SE 163 with sports suspension and 17" (staggered) and now have a 184 M-Sport Might not be a fair comparison, but the ride is much better in the new one, not that I found the ride harsh in the SE, just more tramlining, and "lurching" over the potholes, surface changes etc. Grip is significantly better in the new one. I've you're happy with wallowly soft suspension, go for the SE. But I would say definitely get the M-Sport. In E91, the SE looks mundane, whereas the M-Sport feels more special. Of course, people that think the M-Sport is a waste of money "just a body" etc will say otherwise, but that's why BMW do the two models - horses for courses... __________________ Phil
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02-10-2011, 04:26 AM	#20
Em135eye Banned 175 Rep 4,302 Posts Drives: M135i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South West iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW M135i 5 door [0.00]	Let's try and avoid opinions (some prefer the SE look, others prefer the M Sport look end of) and stick to useful facts and information.
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02-10-2011, 06:35 AM	#21
rich1068 has left the building 90 Rep 3,359 Posts Drives: F30 330d M Sport Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Sounds obvious but have a good drive in both if you can. I'd read all the horror stories about run flats and M Sport suspension so I was very wary. In fact I seriously considered an SE purely on this basis. As it happened I borrowed a 320d M Sport Plus Touring on 18" run flats for the day and threw everything at it, the worst Sheffield could offer. I was pleasantly suprised and ordered at the end of the day.
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02-10-2011, 06:59 AM	#22
bimmaguy Major 83 Rep 1,070 Posts Drives: BMW F01 730d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (3)	m sport interior is a must and i would say ditch the runflats.
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