04-21-2018, 11:33 AM | #1 |
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G31 Touring SE vs M-Sport Comparison help
Hi all,
I am about to pull the trigger on a new G31. My only concern is if the M-Sport pack is really worth the extra cash. I am already adding VDC and want to see what the differences really are. trying to find a side by side image comparison on the internet is a struggle, so hoping someone on here can help. Looking to get a 530d. Apologies if this has been converted to death already? TameAutumn |
04-21-2018, 12:41 PM | #2 |
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Just use BMW's configurator, or download the current G31 brochure and price list.
IIRC the main thing the brochure fails to list for Msport is the sports seats. Not everyone gets on with the sports seats anyway.... |
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04-21-2018, 12:43 PM | #3 |
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Have you looked at nearly new cars ? Great savings even against discounted new prices. And you get to see lots of pics of the car you're actually buying...
Anecdotally the premium for MSport 2nd hand seems to be less than the £3k+ you pay for new. |
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04-21-2018, 05:19 PM | #4 |
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I'm not an M-Sport snob but the G30/G31 can look a bit anonymous and soft in SE trim. The M-Sport kit almost finishes the design. Understandably it's not an insignificant premium and that budget could be put towards Sun Protection Glass, Comfort Seats, Surround View Cameras or other options that would make a bigger difference from the front seat.
Whatever you do, tick the box for Adaptive Dampers. I have driven the G30 with and without them and it transforms the car from being good to outstanding.
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04-22-2018, 02:13 AM | #5 |
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I've always gone for M Sport whatever the car I've had for past 12 years. I believe M Sports kit add to the overall design of the car and I prefer lower suspension and sports seats. Those were my reasons for adding M Sports to my cars.
In your case, if you are adding VDC that negates suspension, so you are more or less down to aesthetics. Then it really is a personal preference question and how much would you value it. |
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04-22-2018, 03:14 AM | #6 |
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I had an SE spec F10 before I bought my G30 M Sport and I must say I personally much prefer the M Sport look. The different bodykit and wheels make a significant difference to the appearance of the car but it depends what look you ultimately want to go for. SE gives you a "softer" appearance, M Sport adds some more aggressive elements... For me it is worth the increase in cost. When I was looking at ordering a G30 I started with the SE spec, but then realised that a lot of the options I wanted were standard on the M Sport - i.e. sports seats, better wheels etc.
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04-23-2018, 01:50 AM | #7 | |
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Have switched to a 530 SE Touring estate now. The main problem with UK model specifications is you cannot tailor your build sufficiently with the standard configurator. Dealers not that helpful either, if the dealer configurator won't allow then that's it. My reason for going SE was primarily:- Limited colours in M Sport. Couldn't specify Ventilated Comfort seats in Cognac on M sport 18 inch wheels not available on standard 530d M sport. 19 standard. Not keen on the Busy alum Rhomboid trim standard on M sport. Whilst disappointed I couldn't spec the M sport version to my liking, the circa 3 grand saving went towards my other bits which add far more to the car than some bigger wheels and sportier look. Comfort seats. Head up display Adaptive cruise. VDC Alum Trim Hi if Loudspeakers 5000 miles in now and overriding impression excellent. Fantastic economy circa 40+ . My only reservation is VDC and RFT tyres. VDC does improve overall comfort across certain types of poorer surfaces and undulating road surface, but it does NOT eliminate or massively improve the "crash bang wallop" across potholes and some of our grimmer road surfaces in UK. That's wholly down to RFT tyres and I'm a bit unimpressed with overall ride comfort and noise as a result. I've had RFT's on an E60 before, removed them after 2 years , my second E60 M sport 535d had bigger 19 inch wheels and standard "normal" tyres from the factory but ride was compliant and quiet, sublime when cruising, in fact better than the G31 I now have on a smaller wheels with VDC...a mistake on my part to assume Runflats have evolved and improved. Unsurprisingly new factory order cars can be specced with 18" wheels and standard tyres since January but after my order. No M cars can be ordered with RFT Tyres. That tells you something. It's more than likely that I will take the current RFT tyres off and fit Michelin Cross Climates before next winter sets in. If I get a puncture in the meantime, all 4 will come off - they're that bad.
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04-23-2018, 02:14 AM | #8 | |
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04-23-2018, 02:52 AM | #9 |
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"VDC does improve overall comfort across certain types of poorer surfaces and undulating road surface, but it does NOT eliminate or massively improve the "crash bang wallop" across potholes and some of our grimmer road surfaces in UK."
Agreed, though some RFTs are definitely better than others. I'm running non-RFT 245/45 18 Rainsport 3's on my G30 on MSport suspension and the ride quality over potholes and cats eyes etc is really good. They're cheap as chips and brilliant in the wet, and quiet to boot. Turn-in isn't as sharp but the slight loss there is worth it. |
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04-23-2018, 04:00 AM | #10 | |
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However, Adaptive dampers are very good but have limitations that even non-RFT can't resolve. I have had the pleasure of driving a G12 730d M-Sport on 20 inch alloys for a few days. Some people casually say that the G30 is so good it makes the G11 redundant. This is not true. The 7-Series filter potholes and levels speed bumps in ways the 5-Series on VDC can't rival. My local roads in Kent are outright ghastly and the G12 glide over anything I chuck at it without crashing or dipping. If you appreciate a smooth ride then you should consider the G11.
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04-23-2018, 04:34 AM | #11 | ||
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I find the g30 with adaptive drive on my 19" rfts on winter or summer absolutely fine. Potholes should be avoided in any car on any tyres. My wife's car had 17" non rfts and the potholes basically ruined 3 tyres. The 5 deals with them very well and maybe it's the adaptive drive that does it but I doubt it. Comfort rides over unevenness better than sport for sure. But in sport it's more composed when I want to quickly steer around a pothole
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04-23-2018, 05:20 AM | #12 |
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I'm a bit surprised at some of the ride quality comments.
I was surprised how well a G30 530d xDrive on 20" wheels and M-sport suspension coped on typical broken roads, where I've been very critical of BMW on any RFT wheel combination over the years. Not so smooth as my F11 on 18" RFTs with Adaptive Drive. Then I didn't expect it to be as good as it was. I know the rear air suspension helps a little in the F11, over the worst of surfaces, but with 20" run-flat shod wheels and passive M-sport suspension? Shows how BMW have moved the game on for sure. My concern... are we still seeing some wheel-tyre combinations don't work as well as others? And it may not just be the biggest rims and lowest profiles at fault. |
04-23-2018, 09:15 AM | #13 |
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Maybe, Pete. I also test drove a 530dx on MSport and 20s and thought it rode slightly better than my own 530dx on MSport when it arrived on 19s. Seemed like the deflection of the wheel on a pothole edge was better controlled. GY Eagle F1 Asy 3's in both cases. I thought it was odd at the time.
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04-23-2018, 10:55 AM | #14 |
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Another cosmetic item to consider is that sport models come with anthracite headlining as standard (well at least in the U.K. they do). So if that's of consideration....
Of course you can option that separately as well if you want. |
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04-23-2018, 11:20 AM | #15 |
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I'd forget the VDC. I didn't have it on my previous G30 and I do on my current one. it's not worth it. If anything the non-VDC car rode better. Spend it on HK or something.
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04-24-2018, 12:48 AM | #16 | |
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In response to one of the comments here I try and avoid "potholes" wherever possible,..! albeit that's not always successful in the dark or very wet conditions. My main issue with with my setup up (SE / 18" / VDC / Michelin Primacy RFT) is the ride is a bit disappointing compared to a previous 535d M sport on normal rubber and larger wheels. The VDC is very effective generally but cannot compensate for a tyre that does not yield to any imperfections on the road. I thought the Tyre technology had moved on a bit from my first E60 M sport which had 18" runflats; I don't think it has, and the ride Comfort in my wife's Polo on the same roads confirms it...... Another downside to these dreadful RFT things is the tendency for the car to skip/lose grip across uneven surfaces when cornering, something I have not experienced in my last 4 cars.. probably due to normal tyres adapting to to the road contour more readily.
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04-24-2018, 01:46 AM | #17 | ||
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Running: I20 IX M60 Oxide Grey Gone: F15 X5 40d M Sport (N57) Glacier Silver, E61 520d SE Auto (N47D20) Titanium Silver, F31 330d M Sport (N57D30A) Estoril Blue, E87 120d SE Auto (M47TU2D20) Sparkling Graphite |
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04-27-2018, 12:41 AM | #18 |
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I have always preferred the look of MSport compared to SE versions. In fact I retrofitted a MSport front bumper on my SE F10
However I saw an SE g30 in Mediterranean Blue yesterday and I was wowed by the front end. In fact I went round the roundabout twice in order to appreciate the car more So if you are getting an SE, one in Mediterranean Blue would be a very good option
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04-29-2018, 04:43 PM | #19 |
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I decided to go SE with my new G31 530d xdrive. I liked the sport seats, sensatec dash covering, and the LED fog lights on an MSport. However I wasn’t that crazy about 664M alloys and the styling I could take or leave, having had an F31 330d MSport. The luxury / comfort thing seems more appropriate for a 5 than a 3. But, yes, it does look more conservative. I was going for VDC either way. I went with sports seats and fogs on top of my SE spec, went for 18” rims, and saved £2,500+. I may have spent most of that on other extras though!
One of my priorities was ride comfort and was not disappointed when I picked the car up on Pirelli P7s and Style 684s. However I also bought some nearly new 662M wheels from a 520d MSport as a platform for my winter set up. As these came with Summer tyres Michelin Primacy 3s, I thought I’d swap and use them until this coming winter. OMG, the Michelin’s are noisy and harsh by comparison to the Pirellis. My 91 year old father noticed the change instantly before I even mentioned the change. So watch out those of you looking for that comfort - make sure you are not given Michelins. |
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04-29-2018, 05:16 PM | #20 |
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That is a bit surprising. I have run Primacy 3's on 18s (on my last F10) and they were fine, pretty much identical for ride and noise to other tyres on the same vehicle (Dunlop SportMaxx RT's, Uniroyal Rainsport 3's).
Are the tyre pressures correct ? |
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04-30-2018, 05:43 PM | #22 | |
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On the wheel sizes, g30 and g31 are the same so wider rims at the rear are fine. One issue I was less clear on was winter tyres on the 662ms. BMW recommend all square 245/45 r 18 for winters but the 662m rims are staggered. I am told it should be ok to fit these on the wider 9J rim at the rear, but I’m not so sue. To get round this I might use the 684s supplied with the car for winter as they are 8J all round, and use the 662 for summer - I prefer their look anyway. |
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