Noob question how to tell the difference between sp and non-sp?

Seagull · 02-07-2006, 03:01 PM

I was following a 330i today, and wondered if it was a sport package or non-sport packaged car. Yeah, I looked at the rims.... they were aftermarket winter rims so that didn't help. Externally, what are the indicators on spotting a SP vs non-SP car? Internally, I guess its the steering wheel and seats, but I couldn't see that from my car.

Is there a difference in:
Ride height
Exhaust
Front
Brake/rotor size

Also, people mod their cars so it can make it more difficult. What's the "definitive" way to determine what it is?

espo · 02-07-2006, 03:08 PM

Ride height and rims are the external features, interior you could look at the seats and steering wheel. The seats have an adjustable thigh support and the steering wheel should have 2 bumps at about 10 and 2 (at least for models built after 9/1/05).

Now if you go mod the car, you are blurring the line for the defination of a SP equiped car.

KL2DC · 02-07-2006, 03:11 PM

SP drivers always grin a tad bit wider

I know, I know I don't have ZSP on the order sheet...spouse overide

E36_325i · 02-07-2006, 03:12 PM

The only way to tell is ride height and it's not a huge difference between ZSP and non ZSP. Exhaust is the same. Bigger brakes come standard on the 330, regardless of it having sport pack. Body panels are all the same.

Brunotheboxer · 02-07-2006, 03:15 PM

the difference in ride height is 0.6 inches, so its not that easy to determine

ward · 02-07-2006, 03:37 PM

wheels are the major indicator, if it had aftermarket wheels I would guess the car is probably non sport pack

KL2DC · 02-07-2006, 04:16 PM

Also...depends how fast you were going, ZSP equipped E90s have a higher top end ...

Seagull · 02-07-2006, 04:44 PM

lol you guys are great. I'm actually awaiting a 330i with SP. I care about handling and better seats, but forgot to check about external highlights.

CALIF65GM · 02-07-2006, 11:50 PM

As all the others have already said, pretty much the wheels and the lower stance. The lower stance is only easier to notice when you see them up close to each other.

lux.sh · 02-07-2006, 11:53 PM

Lower stance is easy to notice in my opinion.
As for the rims, don't let it fool you, non-zsp cars with H&R sport springs and 162 rims can look exactly alike to ZSP cars.

Steering wheel / Sport seats is the only key. Then there will be people swapping the steering wheel to M-sport or ZSP, and get aftermarket sport seats, so sometimes you won't be able to tell at all.

02-07-2006, 03:01 PM	#1
Seagull Major 289 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: F87 M2, E84 X1 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Noob question how to tell the difference between sp and non-sp? I was following a 330i today, and wondered if it was a sport package or non-sport packaged car. Yeah, I looked at the rims.... they were aftermarket winter rims so that didn't help. Externally, what are the indicators on spotting a SP vs non-SP car? Internally, I guess its the steering wheel and seats, but I couldn't see that from my car. Is there a difference in: Ride height Exhaust Front Brake/rotor size Also, people mod their cars so it can make it more difficult. What's the "definitive" way to determine what it is?
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02-07-2006, 03:08 PM	#2
espo Captain 12 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2014 M235i Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sugar Land TX iTrader: (0)	Ride height and rims are the external features, interior you could look at the seats and steering wheel. The seats have an adjustable thigh support and the steering wheel should have 2 bumps at about 10 and 2 (at least for models built after 9/1/05). Now if you go mod the car, you are blurring the line for the defination of a SP equiped car. __________________ E46 325xi Oxford Green/Sand Leatherette/Myrtle Wood Auto ZCW - Retired E90 330xi Mystic Blue/Black Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZSP/ZPP/ZCW/CA - Retired F22 M235i Mineral Gray/Red Leather/Aluminum 6sp Manual ZPP/ZTP
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02-07-2006, 03:11 PM	#3
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	SP drivers always grin a tad bit wider I know, I know I don't have ZSP on the order sheet...spouse overide __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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02-07-2006, 03:12 PM	#4
E36_325i Private First Class 9 Rep 142 Posts Drives: E36 325i + '06 M3 Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Indianapolis iTrader: (0)	The only way to tell is ride height and it's not a huge difference between ZSP and non ZSP. Exhaust is the same. Bigger brakes come standard on the 330, regardless of it having sport pack. Body panels are all the same. __________________ '06 M3 \| Jet/Cinn \| ZPP \| Xenons \| NAV \| Military Sales.
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02-07-2006, 03:15 PM	#5
Brunotheboxer Colonel 371 Rep 2,984 Posts Drives: 2014 Shelby GT500. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston/Cape Cod iTrader: (0)	the difference in ride height is 0.6 inches, so its not that easy to determine
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02-07-2006, 03:37 PM	#6
ward Major General 155 Rep 6,158 Posts Drives: F Join Date: May 2005 Location: T iTrader: (0)	wheels are the major indicator, if it had aftermarket wheels I would guess the car is probably non sport pack
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02-07-2006, 04:16 PM	#7
KL2DC Moderator 318 Rep 17,767 Posts Drives: F36 428i,E90 328i, E85 Z4 3.0i Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Metro iTrader: (23) Garage List 2015 F36 428i [0.00] 2011 E90 328i [0.00] 2006 E85 Z4 3.0i [0.00]	Also...depends how fast you were going, ZSP equipped E90s have a higher top end ... __________________ Official DC Metro Registry - Current, New & Prospective Area Members Roll Call!
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02-07-2006, 04:44 PM	#8
Seagull Major 289 Rep 1,075 Posts Drives: F87 M2, E84 X1 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	lol you guys are great. I'm actually awaiting a 330i with SP. I care about handling and better seats, but forgot to check about external highlights.
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02-07-2006, 11:50 PM	#9
CALIF65GM Colonel 97 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: e93-35 May08 ED Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: SF, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 06 - Oct. 05 build ... [0.00]	As all the others have already said, pretty much the wheels and the lower stance. The lower stance is only easier to notice when you see them up close to each other. __________________ 5-2-08 e93-35 ED Montego w/Jade Grey, Step w/Paddles, PP, SP, CA, hot seats and iPod.Awaing re-delivery soon. Debadged 330xi ED 11/14/05 Auto/Mystic Blue/Gray leather with Alum/PP/SP/CA/Fold-down rear seats/Alarm. Sold to Carmax on 6/7/08 with 50,624 miles on clock Last edited by CALIF65GM; 02-07-2006 at 11:51 PM.. Reason: typo
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02-07-2006, 11:53 PM	#10
lux.sh missing two turbos. 577 Rep 4,859 Posts Drives: fast around corners. Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Curves iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 BMW E90 330i [0.00]	Lower stance is easy to notice in my opinion. As for the rims, don't let it fool you, non-zsp cars with H&R sport springs and 162 rims can look exactly alike to ZSP cars. Steering wheel / Sport seats is the only key. Then there will be people swapping the steering wheel to M-sport or ZSP, and get aftermarket sport seats, so sometimes you won't be able to tell at all. __________________ 06 AW E90 330i ZPP/ZSP/Step/Expired Warranty : Prior Design Front : ACS Rear : ACS Roof : BlackLines : Simota Intake : Carbon Fiber Interior Trim : : MTEC V3 : 24% Charcoal : V1 Hardwired : Solaris Invisibulbs/LED interior :
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