4.4 non sport, any regrets?

[somewhereinla]

I am becoming fairly eager to go ahead and order my 4.4 X5, I am planning to order it with pretty much everything minus heated steering wheel, cargo floor, adjustable ride height, and heated rear seats (live in southern CA). The one thing I am going back and forth is the sport pkg... And a couple of test drives in either (sprt pkg and non sprt) is not really enough to tell, and since I will get the comfort seats, well the sport seat is not an issue. I have heard and read all the pros and cons... Still can make up my mind. So here is my question... For those of you that didn't get the sport pkg do you regret it?

[ses4me]

No regrets. Love the smooth ride of my regular 4.4. But then again, I've never test-driven a sport pack X5, so I don't really know what I'm missing out on.

[bs90143]

I have a non sport and LOVE it. I thought that i wanted the most comfortable ride since I drive alot and didn't order the sport package. I did however put the sport wheels on, therefore giving me the grip without sacrificing the suspension. I think that the sports ride a little stiffer and give you a slighter harsher ride. I drove a sport and then my non sport with the sport wheels and couldn't tell a difference in handling other than it rides a little softer.

[pseto]

I have non-sport 4.4 and the ride is great. I really did like the sports suspension in my old e46, but very satisfied that I didn't get it. I find that I can actually have it both ways by adding 20" wheels. They hug the road, handle well, and very smooth.

[Thunder22]

I had an '01 4.4 sport when i lived in Hermosa Beach, you won't regret the sport package in So. Cal... handling is great, the ride is great... in fact, i wish I still had the '01, but now that i live back on the east coast, the 19"'s and big rubber was horrible in the snow. If you get the sport package and you plan on going to tahoe, big bear or any other ski/snow area, you might want to think about getting a set of snow tires/smaller rims, but if not, you won't be disappointed in getting the sport package at all.

You didn't say where in So. Cal you live, but stay away from Sterling BMW in Newport and Irvine BMW,.. I got my X at Long Beach BMW and not only was the sales process easy and quick, but their service department was pretty good too. Sterling was a nightmare and wasn't willing to deal. I actually got a letter from their GM about a month after leaving the showroom and not buying asking me to call him and explaing why i didn't buy from them, and when I respectfully told him that LB came in $3000 cheaper he hung up on me! So instead of me driving a Sterling BMW badged X5 to work every day (did i mention that I worked for about 70 automotive publications at the time?) and giving Sterling a ton of free advertising, Long Beach got the free boost.

[euroX]

I own a euro spec. 2004 4.4i non sport pkg. with comfort seats ( the best seats ) and I can tell you that I am very happy with my X5.
I live in Panama, and during the year I drive it to Costa Rica ( 14 hours ) on non-highway roads, and I arrive like if I had fly first class.
I am in the process of installing the 4.8is body kit and 20"wheels, and I am sure the ride will be as good but softer than a sport pkg. equipped X5.
Remember to opt for the comfort seats.

[SNaray8442]

I have a 2004 4.4i nonsport and I wasn't dissapointed with the ride or not getting the sport package. Next week I'm getting H&R Springs installed to lower it though, so I assume the ride will change.

[shahkg]

Not a single disappointment, but I bought the non-sport specifically for NYC potholes!

Came from an e46 330 sport so the ride is a lot more forgiving; and my girlfriend is happy that she can keep her coffee in the cup holders without it spilling over and me getting mad

[BlueX5guy]

I have a 2001 non-sport and appreciate the smoother ride. I have not noticed any handling problems as a result of the lack of the sport package.

Going through withdrawls X is at the stealer getting rear fan assembly replaced today, said it would take all day. My last full warranty repair

Good luck with your choice, you can't go wrong either way!

Dennis

[sdogg888]

i have a 01 non-sport and the only problem that i had with the non-sport is it not having the clear lights and having 18"s , but i got a good deal on it, changed the wheels to 20" and got clear lights all the way around..

now iam doing the face lift and 4.8 kit will post pics when i get it back.