E46 - Sport or SE suspension - Differences

[dhutch]

Simple question I am struggling to get good answers to.

- What is different between the 'Sports' suspension and that on a standard 'SE' spec.

Obviously dampers. Roll bar? Suspension Arms? Wheel size? Anything else?


Thanks

Daniel

[helix402]

Springs, dampers, anti roll bar diameter, front suspension arm design on some models (apparently different ball joint design).

[dhutch]

Right.

I ask because I have a 330ci that inwas always under the impression was a sport. Looks like a sport, sold as a sport, etc. I've fitted Bilstiens/Eibachs for a sport to it, and now there is a suggestion it's a SE.

How go I tell if it had different arms, and which is has now. What effect does it have on handling/alignment. Not particularly that I need one or the other, more I don't what a mismatched mess.

Cheers

[helix402]

The different front arms have “M” stamped on them if they are gen BMW. They do not affect any of the geometry. The wheel alignment specs for Sport and non Sport are slightly different, but not a lot.

[E-bmw]

dhutch said:

Right.

I ask because I have a 330ci that inwas always under the impression was a sport. and now there is a suggestion it's a SE.

What does your V5 say?

If it is a Sport it will say on the model bit.

[dhutch]

E-bmw said:

What does your V5 say?

If it is a Sport it will say on the model bit.

Ok, I'll check.

I do a weekly commute as be the documents are at home but I shall look later.

Apparently the trackrod ends are seized, today's news. £160 a side for new track rod ends and steering arms. And they have pulled the drivers door handle off.

Sigh

Daniel

[E-bmw]

The steering arms have pulled the door handles off?

[dhutch]

The garage has pulled the drivers door handle off, while doing the alignment.

[Total loss]

Give me your reg. or last 7 digits of the vin & I'll tell you if your car is a factory sport or not.

[dhutch]

Total loss said:

Give me your reg. or last 7 digits of the vin & I'll tell you if your car is a factory sport or not.

Ok, last 7 are : JU60051

Can you do one of those whole-car spec sheets I have seen? Would be very interesting to know and work from there.


Daniel

[4rephill]

What colour is your headlining? - Genuine factory Sports and Motorsports came with black headlining, SE's came with grey headlining.


Be aware to that SE's could be ordered with sports suspension, sports seats, sports front bumper, etc., etc., etc., from the factory.

[4rephill]

Put your vin number in here: https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/JU60051/...

and it shows option S226 Sports suspension settings

It also shows anthracite headlining, so it's a factory Sports model

[dhutch]

4rephill said:

It also shows anthracite headlining, so it's a factory Sports model

Excellent.

Which is what I thought, what I told the garage, but not what the garage said, or BMW said when I asked them to confirm..

The headlining is black, and I've previously had it confirmed the 'M' gear knob is factory, before I replaced it with a oem one from Cotswold BMW.

Will have to get back to the garage and get the alignment complete with time/funds allow.

Is £160 a side the right price to replace seized track rods ends?

Thanks as always chaps

Daniel

[E-bmw]

Don't know about £160 but I would call replacement a 2 or 3 hour job MAX + parts, so you need to know the labour rate.

[dhutch]

4rephill said:

Put your vin number in here: https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/JU60051/...

and it shows option S226 Sports suspension settings

It also shows anthracite headlining, so it's a factory Sports model

Sounds good. What does the aero package include? Is that the little boot lip spoiler?

[4rephill]

dhutch said:

4rephill said:

Put your vin number in here: https://www.etkbmw.com/bmw/EN/vin/decoder/JU60051/...

and it shows option S226 Sports suspension settings

It also shows anthracite headlining, so it's a factory Sports model

Sounds good. What does the aero package include? Is that the little boot lip spoiler?

It will be for the front spoiler, sill covers, and boot lip spoiler.

Even though they will have been included in the Sport model option, BMW will have listed them out individually as well.

Its like the anthracite headlining, that's a standard part of the Sports package, but then BMW list it also as a separate option.

I had the same with my previous 328i Sport - Several items that were standard fit for the model were also listed individually under their separate option numbers.

[dhutch]

Fair.

Just interesting to know how it left the factory. I believe it's reasonable standard which is backed up by the above, however is has at some point at very least acquired some clubsport cill badges.

There are photos from the listing, showing it as I bought it. Only change is its now on 17" type 44 wheels.





Thanks

Daniel

[helix402]

Something extra has been bolted to the front bumper. Looks a bit like Club Sport things.

[dhutch]

helix402 said:

Something extra has been bolted to the front bumper. Looks a bit like Club Sport things.

Right ok. They are not part of the sports/aero package, I thought that might be the case.

Daniel

[NickXX]

Looks like a Sport to me from the exterior. All 330ci's had Sport suspension regardless iirc. Do you have a picture of the seats/interior? Seats will be a giveaway if it's not a real Sport.

The bumpers, sills and MV1s are correct for a sport of that age. The black flippers are Clubsport parts. The rear lights have been upgraded to LEDs.