What is the BMW M Sport?
Find out what BMW's M Sport trim package offers when it comes to performance enhancements and sporty styling
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BMWs carry a lot of appeal – they can be practical, economical and well-equipped. However, for many, the brand’s sporting history and its performance models really move the needle.
A BMW M Sport car offers all of that style right across the range, with just enough substance to strike a balance between performance and economy.
What does M Sport mean for BMW?
A BMW M Sport model is an extremely desirable pick – it’s high-spec, has plenty of kit and gets seriously sporty styling.
If you’re wondering ‘What is M Sport?’, it’s a trim level based on BMW’s M cars, including the M3 and M5, but without all of the extra performance. This means you get a sporty appearance without the high running costs of a big, powerful engine.
Every BMW car comes with plenty of high-quality and soft-touch materials inside, but an M Sport model turns the dial up a notch with even more style and quality.
M Sport trim is available on virtually every BMW model, which means you can choose from a choice of saloons, crossovers, and SUVs, as well as fuel types like petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid, and electric.
What’s the difference between BMW M and M Sport?
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The biggest difference between a BMW M car and an M Sport model is the engine. Performance M models get some of the most powerful engines of all BMWs.
BMW has M versions of most of its cars, even including many of its SUVs, like the X3 M and X5 M. Power usually comes from a straight-six or V8 petrol engine, depending on the model, but newer models have started to feature hybrid power for more performance and reduced emissions.
Exterior styling of M Sport models
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M Sport versions of BMW’s cars have plenty of sporty enhancements over lower trim levels, giving a good flavour of full M.
For example, an M Sport model will have aggressive bumpers with large air intakes and prominent side skirts along the sides of the car.
You’ll also get eye-catching alloys, with many M Sport versions having large, multi-spoke designs, typically ranging from 18-22 inches.
Around the back, M Sport models usually get a rear diffuser, which might not actually help with aerodynamics but definitely looks the part. In some cases, you’ll also get a spoiler.
If you’re unsure whether a car you’ve seen is an M Sport model, look for small ‘M’ badges dotted around the car, including in the alloys and on the side or back of the car.
Interior design and features with M Sport
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Just like the outside, the inside of a BMW M Sport model is filled with sporty upgrades and plenty of ‘M’ badging.
The front sports seats are the centrepiece of any M Sport model. They’re upgraded from standard to have plenty of side support and bolstering to keep you firmly in place.
Plenty of trim inserts get the M Sport upgrade, too, with the option of carbon fibre or aluminium. There’s also added leather in places like the dashboard and doors.
Depending on which model you choose and the exact model year, your BMW M Sport might also get some kit upgrades, such as an improved sound system, a better infotainment system and more car tech.
Performance upgrades in M Sport package
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It’s not style over substance, though. M Sport cars come with some mechanical tweaks to give them a more sporty feel.
For example, there’s firmer, lower suspension to improve cornering and give you a better feel of what the road’s doing under the car.
The spoiler and other exterior styling changes help with aerodynamics, and sometimes M Sport cars get a sportier exhaust system that gives off a more aggressive note.
The wheels also tend to get an overhaul, and not just the alloys. Expect to find things like bigger brakes and wider performance-oriented tyres to boost the handling further.
BMW models with M Sport option
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Every mainstream BMW model has the M Sport trim level option, and for some of the German brand’s sportier cars, like the 2 Series Coupé, it’s the only option other than a performance model.
That means popular models like the 1 Series and 3 Series, family models like the 5 Series, X3 and X5, and even people carriers like the 2 Series Active Tourer are all available in M Sport configurations.
BMW’s electric cars, like the i4 and iX3 are also available with M Sport variants.
It’s a little confusing, but worth mentioning, that some models have an ‘M Performance’ version that sits between the M Sport and BMW M car. For example, the BMW M340i sits between the 320i M Sport and M3, sharing many of its parts and styling with the M Sport trim and more performance parts from the full M.
Is the BMW M Sport package worth it?
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BMW M Sport cars are very attractive because they bridge the gap between regular models and sports cars.
An M Sport is mostly just a sporty-looking trim level, so you’ll actually have a wide range of economical engines to pick from.
Buying an M Sport car is also a sensible choice because these models usually retain more of their value than lower trim levels due to their popularity and desirability.