Wagon for sale - ATL area

[Catmint]

Okay, you all are probably tired of me posting cars for sale, but this one really intrigues me (for obvious reasons) and I have a question.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/532364963.html

First, it's a little pricey at $11k, but the mileage is very low (79K for a 1999). It says it has an "M Sport package", what does that mean? Does it mean this is an M5 wagon? If so, I've never heard of such a thing, but I would have thought they would have made a 540iT an M5, not a 528iT.

Cute car, huh? Anyone looking for a wagon? Sebastian? Anyone? Buehler?

[Mitch]

Very cool looking wagon! Its got a factory custom color interior, which is very rare. I like it!

[Hoss]

Okay, you all are probably tired of me posting cars for sale, but this one really intrigues me (for obvious reasons) and I have a question.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/532364963.html

First, it's a little pricey at $11k, but the mileage is very low (79K for a 1999). It says it has an "M Sport package", what does that mean? Does it mean this is an M5 wagon? If so, I've never heard of such a thing, but I would have thought they would have made a 540iT an M5, not a 528iT.

Cute car, huh? Anyone looking for a wagon? Sebastian? Anyone? Buehler?



first off, no, its not an m5 wagon. there were never any e39 m5 tourings made, aside from one or two that were basically one-offs from the plant in germany for like the wives of the execs or something. aside from that exception, there is no such thing as a production e39 m5 touring.

now, on the other hand, im pretty sure that there were exactly 269 03 e39 540iT's that were imported to the states- meaning m-tech aero, all sport package components plus little extras like m door sills, etc. these are rare and pretty expensive, but damn sweet if you like tourings. these came as steptronic or auto, i believe.

in THIS case, it looks to me like it is the SPORT PACKAGE, not necessarily the m-sport package. i believe from 99 up that the 528iT sport package came with 17 inch style 5's, sport suspension with self-leveling, shadowline, retractable luggage net, auto dimming interior mirror, rain sensor wipers, M sport steering wheel, and high gloss vavona wood. transmission varied, ive seen 5 spds and autos.

in this case, it would appear that this model does indeed have the sport package for sure. not sport seats though, but all around not too bad. id pay 9 or 10. it is probably is worth about 11 though, considering the mileage and depending on its condition.

[4ngie]

The sport package generally refers to things such as body kits, suspension, etc. It doesn't mean it has anything to do with an M5. :)

The "M" in M3, M5, M6 is for Motorsport.. which is not exclusive to those cars. Motorsport makes other things such as Mtech kits.

[mistertripps]

I'd buy this car for my wife, but she already has one.... :1eye:

[Hoss]

The "M" in M3, M5, M6 is for Motorsport.. which is not exclusive to those cars. Motorsport makes other things such as Mtech kits.

as 4ngie said, there are many cars that are modified by the motorsport division, but this is not to be confused with BADGING. there are only a handful of exceptions (usually from the late 80's and earlier) that carry an M badge (ex- e28 M535 or e24 M635csi). otherwise, you will never find an M-other.

[Catmint]

Wow, thanks for all the info! My wagon has a lot of the options you mentioned in the sport package, Hoss. Not sure about the shadowline or the sport suspension, but it's got most of the other things.

The M-badge is still a little confusing, but I'm starting to understand it a little more. I like this wagon, too, especially the mileage and the interior. But I like Alpine white better than the silver, and my wheels are better. :)

[Hoss]

Wow, thanks for all the info! My wagon has a lot of the options you mentioned in the sport package, Hoss. Not sure about the shadowline or the sport suspension, but it's got most of the other things.

The M-badge is still a little confusing, but I'm starting to understand it a little more. I like this wagon, too, especially the mileage and the interior. But I like Alpine white better than the silver, and my wheels are better. :)

shadowline is a trim option - if you dont have the sport package, the chrome trim and window lining is a dead giveaway. you most likely have the stock suspension if its not a sport, but the other things were also options that you could have chosen and were not exclusive to the sport package, simply included. do you have the m-sport wheel?

and as far as the badge goes, its not an ///M unless it is badged an ///M car. however, the motorsport division has modified versions and packages to many models as both 4ngie and i talked about, however this does not make it an ///M car by any means, it just has m options (m steering, m tech body kits, etc). since like 1991 or so, nothing but an m3, m5, and m6 has been badged ///M. they just have m options. the one exception since the 90's is the 850csi, which actually was an M car, made by the BMW GMBH Motorsport div and everything, just wasnt badged as such.

in fact, BMW recently made the decision NOT to badge the newer 4.8 L X5 an ///M car becuse it would "dilute the brand." but that machine is ridiculousnastyfast!

[BMRSEB]

....and my wheels are better. :)
:icon18: Any excuse to post.. :1eye: