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In Reply to: Then what is the 'sport package' if it doesn't posted by cole on June 03, 2001 at 23:23:57:
The xi comes with its own specialized suspension. This includes longer springs but stiffer shocks than the stock 3-series suspension, I believe with the same anti-roll-bar thickness, but I can't say for sure (haven't put it on a lift yet). The increase in ride height is to provide for better handling in xi-type situations, most notably, snow. I haven't comparison-driven the xi suspension against an OEM sport suspension (I'm still too young to test drive dealer cars), but I can say that the ride is noticeably "sportier" than stock and has better road feel. I feel no noticeable difference in body roll during cornering, though some xi owners and drivers claim to have felt it. I don't know why BMW hasn't made the sport suspension an option available on the xi, presumably it's not to hurt 330i sales by giving xi buyers too much of a good thing.
The good news is, upgrading the suspension is as easy as on any other car, and costs about as much. H&R sport springs for the xi are available for around $200-300, and if you're looking for really extreme handling, H&R makes specialized coilover kits for the xi which also feature adjustable ride height, for about $2000. A caveat with the sport springs, some xi owners have reported premature OEM shock absorber failure when running these. There is still no word on whether anti-roll-bars designed for the RWD setup will also work with the xi setup. I'm also unaware of anyone who has tried upgrading an xi to OEM sport suspension, but I'm pretty sure it can be done. As with all ride height-changing operations, a 4 wheel alignment must be done to ensure even tire wear (camber must be adjusted). The real handling bottleneck is not with the suspension, but with the ContiTouring Contact all-season tires that come with the car.
The AWD sport package, available only on xi models, consists of sport seats (which, true to the word of every sport package owner, are worth the price of the sport package alone), the 3-spoke steering wheel (also a nice addition to the look of the car, includes the circular airbag if you're planning on upgrading to the M3 wheel), upgraded wheels (325xi goes from 16" star spokes to 17" radials, even though the radials don't look all that cool the 17" upgrade is worth it; 330xi goes from 17x7 raidals to 17x7 parallel spoke, the parallel spokes look much better IMO but it's a love-hate relationship with most), and in the case of the 330xi, the M-Aero package (again a love-hate relationship with most people).
Hope this helps.
Karl G
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