X3 Sport vs SE spec

[Dino D]

Looking at auto X3 3.0 (1st gen around 04/05 MY).
What is the sepc difference between SE and Sport - I want to avoid the hard suspension of the sport but will I miss out on much else?
In the case of the E46 the SE seats were not a patch on the Sport seats and teh sport looked better IMO but on the X3 it looks the same and the seats seem ok on the SE (unlike the E46 which had seats that looked out of a 80's jap sedan).

[Ranger 6]

Seats are the main thing - the SE ones aren't as good as the Sport, but you need to be prepared for the ride as the 'sports suspension deletion' was not an option until later. The rest is pretty much the same between the two.

[Dino D]

Thanks.
I drove a 2.0d Sport briefly (about 100 miles on fast A roads in SA) and it was ok but it was fully loaded but every report I read criticise the ride and this will be a family bus not a track day machines so SE it will have to be I think.
Have you sat on the different seats - from the pics the SE seat are not 'bucket' but not as flat as the e46 SE seats so look all right...

[Ranger 6]

I had the SE seats in my old E46 320ds so the change was for the better. I think you'll find the SE seats are pretty much the same between the E46 and E83 models.

[mike325112]

I have an E46 SE and my wife has an X3 06 SE. The seats are fine in both to be honest. I was wary about the ride in the X3 after reading reviews, but ours is fine for a 4x4. Its actually quite a nice cruiser.

[p1tse]

Buy m sport with colour coded bumpers and swap the dampeners

[Dino D]

p1tse said:

Buy m sport with colour coded bumpers and swap the dampeners

Good idea but but how cheap/expensive is that?
What about the springs?
After market brands like Bilstein maybe?

[p1tse]

i was looking at a car which had koni fsd, after doing some search even with standard springs the ride quality improved and less harsh.

i don't think it's mega bucks, and the sport does look better to be honest and retain value better too

[Ranger 6]

In reality though the M-Sport is a more expensive car to buy in the first place and hence the perception that they retain more value. The Sport doesn't have colour coded bumpers, just the M-Sport.

I you want to change the dampers I think you'll find it's not a cheap excercise £600+ for just the parts. If you look closely the dampers, springs, bump stops and ARBs are all different.