E70 ignorance

[sapphireblack]

So guys, i'm looking for help to better understand the badging of E70's.

I was recently interested in a 4.8 offered by a non franchise dealer as a Sport SE?

Its a 4.8 with dynamic pack etc, etc, colour coded and has flared arches but the lower halves of the bumpers are textured under the paint. It may be a daft question but would this not be smooth painted plastics from the factory on a sport spec? Its coded as a dealer launch car ref 0999 but what does or did that mean. If its a 'warmed over' SE then its less appealing than a sport despite the sport features this car has. Its in my sales link here
http://xdrivers.co.uk/forum/index.php/t ... 440.0.html

[AW8]

You have highlighted a significant abscene of info on this site...a lack of a comprehensive E70 buyers guide.

I seem to remember that at initially at launch In UK only SE were offered. The dynamic pack was very popular at launch as it was specced on most launch dealer demos. I think there were dynamic and sports suspension options plus the active steering. As model evolved more options became available.

With all the steering, suspension and wheel combinations there can be some driving characteristic differences between SE badged cars.

I would suggest checking spec lists on back of VIN provision either with BMW UK or online. I can't off top of my head recall the online whereabouts but there is a site you can enter VIN (or last to get the spec sheet list. 

As with E53 I think there were some global market spec differences re trim levels and packs so don't necessarily regard all you read online as necessarily being wholly representative of UK cars sold.

Personally I would be happy with a nicely specced SE. Note that the sport models came with bright metal window trim surrounds which is the opposite of the situation with our piano black trimmed Sport models.

I haven't covered E70 engine changes after launch as they will be less relevant to you but in UK in 2008 efficient dynamics was a big marketing change for BMW and with it came emissions changes to diesel cars. All E70 4.8 models sit in the higher road tax band.

For me if it looks the part and importantly drives nicely on a proper test drive I wouldn't get too hung up over any sport designation.

If I was in your position I would be researching the various packs plus suspension and steering options. More importantly I would be driving as many  as possible albeit mindful of the suspension & steering spec of each.

May also be worth sourcing some original brochures from back in the day circa 2007, 2008 etc plus looking for any detailed buyers guides in old editions of BMW car magazine.

I have got stacks of old BMW car mags plus launch and beyond brochures albeit I am in process of sorting out old literature at home. If I find any useful I will share it.

In meantime perhaps someone else might be able and willing to add some more info of potential use.

[sapphireblack]

As ever a comprehensive response thank you for troubling

Whilst i like the look of the car, a test drive was abandoned as i didn't know, nor does the selling dealer, quite what the car is.

An out and out sport spec is not necessarily relevant but as that's what i'm used to i'd want any replacement to at least feel generally the same, even accepting a younger more advanced replacement would feel better/different anyway.

FWIW the car i looked at needs a new power fold door mirror, complete with the painted shell/cover, its been whacked so is properly broken, ironic given i just replaced both mirrors on my car. Once i realised the bumpers had a painted over texture a lot of enthusiast dissipated too. Illogical to many but that's a look i've never been keen on, on any vehicle.

Since my first post a complete change of mind, though more a return of thought to a nice classy 6er has come back into focus and i've located what looks to be a peachy example so for now i'm pursuing that possibility. I've loved my X all the years i've owned it and would doubtless enjoy another but a complete change is also an attractive option too 

[AW8]

Just read your reply - thanks for feedback.

Please note I have just edited and expanded end of my last post

[pvr]

Not familiar with the pre-LCI E70 either, as I have the post LCI version which I did fully research with the differences between Sport (which I have) and SE - but that does not apply to the pre-facelift.

Regarding the 6 - nice cars to be in but severe on depreciation, so not sure what age you are looking at. Latest guise is extremely nice looking, but still subject to heavy depreciation.

[pvr]

Just for info - the aluminium running boards were not an option on the LCI Sport models and only on the SE versions. Can not swear that is the same for the pre-facelift of course.

All irrelevant of course as you are no longer looking at it, but just for info.

[graemeX5]

Hi I think PVR is right I've only ever seen the aluminium running boards on the SE models never on the M sport,

Which is odd as they were available on any model of the Older E53

[Nat]

I have an SE . You are correct that only SE models can have the aluminium running boards. M sport cars  have a sill cover that doubles up as a sort of running board that looks like it has a strip of wet n dry stuck to the top of  it . Also M sport  has painted wheel arch extensions in body colour and clear plastic film on the lower portion of the back doors for stone chip protection. SE models have wheel arch extensions as black and no clear plastic on the lower back doors as the aluminium running boards are wiser than the M sport sill covers which deflects the stones. SE also has the very lower section of the bumpers in black plastic and mine has the very bottom of both bumpers in a silver/aluminium  effect type plastic.
I chose SE over sport for various reasons. One was our roads are f****d and didn't want my fillings rattled out. I do have the dynamic package also so it still handles brilliantly. Also when I was looking so many M sports had chipped wheel arch extensions from car park doors or stone chips and they looked very tatty, so black plastic was the answer for me there. All the M sports had badly scuffed running boards as I think they are more for looks than for standing on and being painted heavy traffic area looked awful  . Of course SE models have round tail pipes and M sport have the oval/rectangular ones. I know some people are very bothered by this difference. Wheels were different , the parallel spokes being M sport only option. Also some paint  colours are model exclusive . I wanted Carbon black but its  is ONLY an M sport colour .
All that said, there were so many options available that its not always that easy to distinguish between an SE or M sport so  best to refer to the build/order sheet if you can for 100% confirmation of what you are looking at , but I would imagine its very few cars that you would have to do that with.

Regards
Nat.

[AW8]

Nat.....That post is very helpful & informative.

Other than external trim differences - Are you able to list the exact list of items in the dynamic pack  ?

[AW8]

Okay I may be getting somewhere......The following is taken from some googling & forum trawling

Dynamic pack includes: Sports Suspension, Sport Steering Wheel, Y Spoke Style 20" Wheels with Extended Wheel Arches, Colour Coded Door Handles, Sports Seats, High Gloss Shadow Line, Anthracite.....oh and running boards.


I also did more research & googling which caused me to recall that adaptive drive suspension & active steering. The adaptive drive cars should have a sport button next to the auto gear lever. Active steering is firmer at speed and easier parking etc.

None of the above breaking news, some info recycled & may need verification. Been too busyto dig out old brochures and bmw  mags yet...sorry.

[pvr]

I wonder if anyone ended up with an SE without painted door handles ...

[sapphireblack]

I did establish that this vehicle is irrefutably an SE with lots of 'model launch'  (code 0999) sport options added, including painted wheel arches and lower bumpers, all from the factory. I've passed on it now regardless. 

As to 6er's dropping value heavily, don't all BMW's and other premium makes generally haemorrhage value from new?  The 6er i was considering before the (main) dealer started with his copious BS was at £17K, so had already plummeted in value.

[pvr]

Yes, they do - but even within the BMW range, some drop faster than others.

Think the worst offender must be the M6 across the entire range.

What was the age of the 6 and which engine were you looking at?

[sapphireblack]

See the end of my (now aborted) sales thread 

[X5Sport]

There was a brand new pre-reg M6 at our Dealer a couple of weeks back, with a £30k discount!