1 series, SE vs Sport vs M-Sport?

[5678]

Off to find a car for my Dad at the weekend so would like some help clarifying the differences between the 3 trim levels other than the obvious front and rear bumper differences.

I've had a look on BMW.co.uk but cannot find a direct comparison.

[daveco]

There are only two AFAIK, SE spec and M-sport. M-psort more agressive with larger alloys, SE for comfort.

This is an m-spec model

[5678]

Ta.

Shows how well I looked on bmw.co.uk though, I've since found this: http://bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/carcomparator/0,,1156_14873...

There are 4 trim levels it seems, ES/Sport/SE/M-Sport which exist in that order too. It's going to be between an SE and M-Sport.

[snorkel sucker]

i have a 130i m-sport (MY55)

they have a revised suspension setup to the SE, and also the aero pack, different splitter front and rear. The ride is firm, but not harsh.

I would definitely reccomend the sports seats if you can get them - they are wonderfully adjustable and superbly comfortable either when cruising or pushing on

[wrightyrs]

3 levels of trim now.

SE
Sport
M Sport

Sport has same look as an SE but sports seats,different wheels etc no idea about suspension.

[Vee]

I've a 118d SE and colleague a 118d sport.
The sport sits lower so I think it has different suspension.
Interior is worse though ie no climate, just simple air con. Some other bits too like seats are different.

[rich_vw]

M-sports has the best spec so if you can afford it, go with that...looks beter also

But from what I can remember the difference over the sports is:

Wheels
Front, rear bumpers and side skirts
Gear knob, steering wheel, door sill protectors all in 'm' spec
Dark head liner
Full dual air-con
Rear parking sensors
Bit of metal on the exhaust tail pipe

Otherwise I'm sure the rest it pretty much the same.

R

[5678]

I'm getting him to drive an SE and M-Sport this weekend. He wants the seats from the M-sport but doesn't necessarily want a "sporty" ride now-a-days.
If the M-Sport isn't too firm then I think that's what he will go for.

[snorkel sucker]

5678 said:

I'm getting him to drive an SE and M-Sport this weekend. He wants the seats from the M-sport but doesn't necessarily want a "sporty" ride now-a-days.
If the M-Sport isn't too firm then I think that's what he will go for.

ditching the run flats on an m sport car improves the ride somewhat, but there is an ongoing debate about whether this invalidates ones warranty/insurance

[mekondelta]

I have an ex-demo 118i SE which has the MSport suspension and seats although it does seem to ride ever so slightly higher than a true MSport. Also the tyres aren't the massive 225(IIRC) of the MSport which reduces the tramlining that I found with a recent 118d MSport hire car.

I love our SE and only prefer the rear bumper of the MSport over the SE.

[5678]

snorkel sucker said:

5678 said:

I'm getting him to drive an SE and M-Sport this weekend. He wants the seats from the M-sport but doesn't necessarily want a "sporty" ride now-a-days.
If the M-Sport isn't too firm then I think that's what he will go for.

ditching the run flats on an m sport car improves the ride somewhat, but there is an ongoing debate about whether this invalidates ones warranty/insurance

I'm aware of the debate, personally I think its a load of BS.

[LocoBlade]

Not sure there's much of an ongoing debate really, certainly not ongoing amongst owners etc. Insurance should be absolutely fine, at worst all you need to do is inform them of the change. Warranty likewise, BMW even sell 1 Series with optional non-runflats now and you can bet your house they don't change anything else (suspension etc) on the car depending on which option you tick. Even though mine originally came on runflats, the last time it went in for a service, the non runflat tyres were fairly worn and the dealership even gave me a quote to replace them like for like!

snorkel sucker said:

ditching the run flats on an m sport car improves the ride somewhat, but there is an ongoing debate about whether this invalidates ones warranty/insurance

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 15th October 13:23

[LocoBlade]

To the OP, there has been 4 main specs over the years (S, SE, Sport and M Sport), but confusingly there's 2 different "Sport" models depending on year. The original Sport was the predecessor to the M Sport that came out at launch in 2004, similar to SE spec, no exterior bodywork differences (apart from wheels perhaps) but with harder, lower (and not very good) suspension and different seats IIRC. The M Sport then arrived with its bodykit and with better suspension but there was an overlap in ~2006 where both the Sport and the M Sport were sold alongside each other, as well as the S and SE. The Sport was then dropped until roughly late 2008 when it was reintroduced as a lower spec model that seemed to sit between the S and the SE spec wise, but with a few sporty bits. I think that model had standard SE spec suspension but I might be wrong.

There's also the SE Dynamic to look out for which is a facelifted SE spec car but with M Sport suspension and sports seats.

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 15th October 13:26

[snorkel sucker]

LocoBlade said:

Not sure there's much of an ongoing debate really, certainly not ongoing amongst owners etc. Insurance should be absolutely fine, at worst all you need to do is inform them of the change. Warranty likewise, BMW even sell 1 Series with optional non-runflats now and you can bet your house they don't change anything else (suspension etc) on the car depending on which option you tick. Even though mine originally came on runflats, the last time it went in for a service, the non runflat tyres were fairly worn and the dealership even gave me a quote to replace them like for like!

snorkel sucker said:

ditching the run flats on an m sport car improves the ride somewhat, but there is an ongoing debate about whether this invalidates ones warranty/insurance

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 15th October 13:23

plenty of previous threads on the subject was what i was referring to. as i noted, i run a 1 series, and ive ditched the runflats

[5678]

LocoBlade said:

To the OP, there has been 4 main specs over the years (S, SE, Sport and M Sport), but confusingly there's 2 different "Sport" models depending on year. The original Sport was the predecessor to the M Sport that came out at launch in 2004, similar to SE spec, no exterior bodywork differences (apart from wheels perhaps) but with harder, lower (and not very good) suspension and different seats IIRC. The M Sport then arrived with its bodykit and with better suspension but there was an overlap in ~2006 where both the Sport and the M Sport were sold alongside each other, as well as the S and SE. The Sport was then dropped until roughly late 2008 when it was reintroduced as a lower spec model that seemed to sit between the S and the SE spec wise, but with a few sporty bits. I think that model had standard SE spec suspension but I might be wrong.

There's also the SE Dynamic to look out for which is a facelifted SE spec car but with M Sport suspension and sports seats.

Edited by LocoBlade on Friday 15th October 13:26

Thanks for that

[5678]

M-Sport it is in the end. The ride was firm but not crashy and those seats are superb.

[martin mrt]

Has he bought one yet? Which model (118,120) has he gone/going for?

[5678]

Hasn't yet. Looks like it will be a 118d though. He likes his Golfs so wants to try a 2.0Tdi and a 1.4TSI before buying anything.

[martin mrt]

Good choice, we are selling a 2008 3door 118d M Sport at the moment, if he is interested?

I like my VWs too and TBH they dont even come close to the 1 series for driver appeal

[5678]

Thanks, but he wants a 5-door.