[E92William]

I've always wondered this because here in the US to find an E9x that comes stock w the m package is super rare. If you go on any car classifieds in Europe every other car has it, almost like it was mandatory lol. Maybe it's just what was shipped here to the US? Pricing when new? It's easier to find a 320d m sport in the UK classifieds that it is to find a 335i with it here

[IllSic_Design]

Originally Posted by E92William

I've always wondered this because here in the US to find an E9x that comes stock w the m package is super rare. If you go on any car classifieds in Europe every other car has it, almost like it was mandatory lol. Maybe it's just what was shipped here to the US? Pricing when new? It's easier to find a 320d m sport in the UK classifieds that it is to find a 335i with it here

Most people buy off the lot and most dealerships probably didn't get/buy tons of m-sport optioned cars, so less out there.

[cabmwdrive]

Maybe cause all dealers are filled with E9X models

[E92.Dom]

Honestly I didn't think it was that rare, most lci models that I see are equipped with the m sport package

[minicrazy592]

More common on LCI models, especially the last two year models for E92/E93s. Pre-LCI you could not order a factory M-sport. It existed only as an aerokit accessory up till that point.

2009 MY introduced it as a factory option on the E90/E91. I think 2010 MY is when it was offered on the E92/E93 if my memory serves me right. My 2010 E90 M-Sport was ordered to get it with a manual in summer of 2009. At the time, there were only 2 other M-sport 335i E90s in the whole US sitting on a dealer's lot with a stick. Neither had folding rear seats which pushed me into a custom build.

Now I feel like every E9X forsale here is a M-sport which wasn't the case back then. lol

[desertman123]

Can't speak for E90 specifically, but for E82 the M-Sport package wasn't available until 2010 I think. Before it was just sport package - which is all the suspension and chassis upgrades (and blackline trim!) without the bumpers/interior bits

[E92William]

For some reason yes LCI E9x are way more common to have m sport. Shame the bumper doesn't match right up to my pre lci e92. I've only seen one or two e92 M sports and they're usually 09 and up. Seems to be a bit more common on e90 lci. I guess you would have had to order it to get it in the earlier years. Seems The US often gets the short end of the stick

I believe all 135s are M sport however at least for the US market. I've yet to see one with merely sport package or base.

[B6T]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Can't speak for E90 specifically, but for E82 the M-Sport package wasn't available until 2010 I think. Before it was just sport package - which is all the suspension and chassis upgrades (and blackline trim!) without the bumpers/interior bits

I had a 2009 M-Sport 135i (E82).

Definitely had "M" logos all over the place.

[minicrazy592]

Originally Posted by B6T

I had a 2009 M-Sport 135i (E82).

Definitely had "M" logos all over the place.

Yes, but it wasn’t a “M-Sport”. 1ers were the weird ones with M-sport bumpers, shifter, and steering wheel on Sport Packaged spec’d cars. Really the only difference was wheel choice and the anthracite headliner. I think you even got the M-sport suspension, but a vin decoder would be the fact checker on that one.

2009 Order Guide:

http://www.bimmerfile.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/bmw-2009-ordering-guide.pdf

2010 Order Guide:

https://www.e90post.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=289649&d=1248565196

Further looks like 2010MY was the start of M-Sport packages for 1er and 3er models. Neat!

[B6T]

"ZMP" in that 2009 ordering link you sent clearly states "M-Sport Package".

There is a sport package "ZSP" too. Both cars have the same bumpers, which is I think the confusion here since M-sport traditionally has unique bumpers.

I had one, it was an M-Sport, the dealer sold it to me as such. There's no question about this anymore haha.

[neilvan]

For the E90/E91 the M-sport package started mid 2009 whereas E92/E93 I believe was 2009 or 2010?(someone correct me if im wrong there). And most were only on the highly optioned 335s; 328 M-sports are uncommon

Europe got M-sport right from the intro year and on every model. Fuel over there is insanely priced so instead of going for the bigger engine , leather and all of the features. Many cars have the base engines/base features but the M-sport package to feel sporty(sounds like a trend that is coming over here too)

[E92William]

Lol I've noticed that. I go on some used car sale website on Europe and you've got a 320d e92 with m sport then we couldn't get that over here on a 335i

If most companies over there didn't charge an arm and a leg for used m sport parts and shipped to the USA I would have converted my car already

[minicrazy592]

Originally Posted by B6T

"ZMP" in that 2009 ordering link you sent clearly states "M-Sport Package".

There is a sport package "ZSP" too. Both cars have the same bumpers, which is I think the confusion here since M-sport traditionally has unique bumpers.

I had one, it was an M-Sport, the dealer sold it to me as such. There's no question about this anymore haha.

wtf, how did I miss that?. Must have looked at the 128i. Let me just put my foot in my mouth. Ignore me.

[Emilime75]

Originally Posted by neilvan

...Europe...Fuel over there is insanely priced so instead of going for the bigger engine , leather and all of the features. Many cars have the base engines/base features but the M-sport package to feel sporty(sounds like a trend that is coming over here too)

This was my thought, as well. Not only is fuel expensive, they also get taxed more on bigger/higher performing engines. Buying cars that look sporty, or modding them to look sporty, while keeping base engines, has been a thing over there for decades.

[krhodes1]

It was an expensive cosmetic-only upgrade over the sport package is the biggest reason. Lousy value.

I can't remember the exact numbers from way back when I ordered my car, but it was something like $2K for the Sport Package, which got you the seats, suspension, and bigger wheels and stickier tires. But then another something like $2K for M-Sport just to get the different bumpers (and IMHO, unattractive), a black headliner, and some tacky ///M badges. No thanks.

I didn't even want the sport package - I don't fit comfortably in those narrow seats, and the roads in Maine are entirely too rough for a lowered, stiffened, bigger wheeled car.