How to identify sport package?

[mnhead11]

I am in the process of purchasing a 2000 to 2001 540ia. I am down to two cars. One is BMW certified (more expensive) and the other is being sold by a Mercedes dealer. Both are said to have the sport package. I trust the BMW dealership a bit more than I trust the Mercedes dealership.

My question is how does one identify that a 540 is equipt with the sport package? Thanks

Mark in VA

 

[Tom]

Take a look at the front seats, I believe the Sports Package came with sport seats that have front extensions for the thigh.

 

[M_Six]

Not necessarily true. I just bought a 2001 530i with the Sport Package and it does not have the thigh support. I don't know of other visual clues, though. [???1]

EDIT: I was considering a non-BMW-dealer car also. But the CPO warranty sold me. Don't discount the worth of that warranty.

 

[MyHarley]

The sports package contains performance tires, sport seats, sport suspension and usually an upgraded wheel. Any BMW dealership should be able to punch in the VIN and get a complete reading on the car. Sports package would not be added aftermarket. Plus, you can use CarCheck.com just to make sure about other things on the car...........

 

[mnhead11]

Thanks

Thanks for your responses. Mark in VA

 

[brahtw8]

I was considering a non-BMW-dealer car also. But the CPO warranty sold me. Don't discount the worth of that warranty.

Yes, but don't forget the warranty is transferable. In other words, although a MB dealer cannot make a non-CPO car into a CPO car, they are certainly capable of buying a car that is already CPO'd and selling it to someone else. Not sure which is the case here.

As for identifying the sport package, some research on the particular car, such as contacting the selling dealer or BMW USA with the VIN # may let you know all the options the car came with. Otherwise, you may want to check some of the E39 specific forums.

 

[SoonerE39]

Sport seats are an option on the sport package for the 5 series. My sport package has the comfort seats. The sport package will include 17inch wheels with a lower, firmer suspension, sport steering wheel (a 3 spoke wheel with multi-color stitching and an //M log on it) there is an //M logo on the shifter if it is a manual, and there should be shadowline trim (black moldings under the door windows instead of chrome.)