330CI SPORT M POWER

[Parker_mlady]

Just bought this 330CI with M power sport etc, all the bells and whistles.. But, can someone actually take the time to tell me what exactly is the difference between a car with M power and one without..??? Performance wise etc. Where it's been tweaked..

Many thanks.

[toastboy]

IIRC M Power are the department within BMW that produce the sporty models. The 330ci M sport only has suspension and cosmetic upgrades, there is no difference to the power compared to a non sport model.

HTH

[Dunk76]

The E46 Sport models do have different throttle mapping to make them feel sharper than the standard car.

[T-bagger]

As far as i'm aware the sports don't have a different map. The DME is the same part no. on sport and non sport cars, also the basic and programmed part numbers (inputted during programming) don't differ.

That is unless anyone can prove me wrong? Shame really as i've always felt the newer sports should have an LSD and a little more power/torque.

In answer to the original question, the 330ci sport has; M-tech suspension, sport seats, M-tech body kit, M-tech steering wheel, Black M-cube interior trims (standard - you can order wood, silver etc.), sill panels with M logo, MV1 or MV2 wheels (18 inch) and option standrds such as IHKA and a couple of other bits I forget now...

Edited by T-bagger on Thursday 31st May 22:06

Edited by T-bagger on Thursday 31st May 22:07

[m3evo2]

Dunk76 said:

The E46 Sport models do have different throttle mapping to make them feel sharper than the standard car.

Sorry Dunk, don't think this is true. The Sport option is for cosmetic and possibly suspension options only.

[baz1985]

Anti-Roll bars, springs and dampers, aero kit

[m3evo2]

Parker_mlady said:

Just bought this 330CI with M power sport etc, all the bells and whistles.. But, can someone actually take the time to tell me what exactly is the difference between a car with M power and one without..??? Performance wise etc. Where it's been tweaked..

Many thanks.

M Gmbh (Motorsport Ltd) are a company in their own right who develop the M3, M5 and M6 (current crop). Once upon a time some cars/engines where handbuilt and used seperate production lines from the standard models. M Gmbh develop their own engines, suspension and chassis components for the M models to proved a faster, more driver focused better handling more overtly sporting car and originaly more exclusive. In the same vein as Audi's RS, Honda's Type-R and Mercedes AMG brands etc. In the old days M options were exclusive to M power models having to provide chassis numbers to order replacement parts. Recently more and more M badged items are appearing on Sport models, I think this trend started with the late E36 328i Sport models (omitting the M535i for the time being). Items such as M badges steering wheels, rubbing strips, sill plates, gear knobs etc. These M options found on current Sport models are purely cosmetic (upgraded suspension is also an option and has been for a long time with the M-Tech stuff (E30 325i Sport for example)). BMW have also used the M brand in their racing history thus creating the homologated E30 M3 (had to get it in somewhere )

ETA - HTH

Edited by m3evo2 on Thursday 31st May 22:28

[Dunk76]

m3evo2 said:

Dunk76 said:

The E46 Sport models do have different throttle mapping to make them feel sharper than the standard car.

Sorry Dunk, don't think this is true. The Sport option is for cosmetic and possibly suspension options only.

Hmmm, heard it said before - I think from both Chandlers, and Munich Legends. It's also been mentioned on here and E36coupe before. Seems it was a marketing thing to make the throttle pot, or mapping thereof, more aggressive.

However, it just be an urban myth, so I reserve the right to stand corrected

[m3evo2]

Dunk76 said:

m3evo2 said:

Dunk76 said:

The E46 Sport models do have different throttle mapping to make them feel sharper than the standard car.

Sorry Dunk, don't think this is true. The Sport option is for cosmetic and possibly suspension options only.

Hmmm, heard it said before - I think from both Chandlers, and Munich Legends. It's also been mentioned on here and E36coupe before. Seems it was a marketing thing to make the throttle pot, or mapping thereof, more aggressive.

However, it just be an urban myth, so I reserve the right to stand corrected

I'll check it out. I think it may just be marketing to make prospective Sport owners feel there getting a slightly more modified, quicker, sporty car over the standard model.

ETA - I'm curious now

Blackspider, you out there?

Edited by m3evo2 on Thursday 31st May 22:54

[daveco]

I actually went looking for an answer on this as well and from what I gathered it's cosmetic tweaks and a stiffer suspension on a slightly lower car, but here's the thing; The e46 330ci non m-sport came with the sports suspension as standard anyway!

[m3evo2]

daveco said:

I actually went looking for an answer on this as well and from what I gathered it's cosmetic tweaks and a stiffer suspension on a slightly lower car, but here's the thing; The e46 330ci non m-sport came with the sports suspension as standard anyway!

The Coupes come with sports suspension, sport pack or not. I know this to be true with the E36.

[Boulder]

The Msports e46s also have modified 'M' lower front wishbones for improved geometry,steering feel ect.