I don't think you recall that correctly. Sport seats were included in the sports package which was standard in 'is' models. Sport seats could be ordered on cars without the sports package.

Navigation was as option as well. 4.6 and 4.8's do not have 'all' options by default. My 4.8is for instance does not have the load floor- it's an option.

I thought Comfort seats were standard with 4.8iS models and Sport seats were an option? They were an option on 3.0 and 4.4 models with Sports Package so it would make sense - mine has Sport Package and regular seats, the guy who ordered it originally did not order Sport Seats (which sucks)

That's odd. On my '04 3.0 Sport, they were standard. Maybe that changed with LCI.

Do you have premium package as well?

Here's a window sticker from an '06 Sport with the sport seats listed as included.

Below is a non-sport with no sport seats...

That's because your OE was a cheapskate. :stickpoke

Let's stay with the 2002-03 4.6is. later years standard equipment and options changed.

2002-03 4.6is

Full leather seats were standard equipment. They were sport seats.
Navigation was an $1,800 option.

Standard equipment
Used 2002 BMW X5 4.6is Features & Specs | Edmunds

VIN number is in ad, can look it up to see standard and optional equipment of that particular X5 4.6is

Yep I think it must have been an LCI thing - I have Sport Pkg and Premium, Rear Climate Package, and the 2-axle air (I know, rare and weird right) - I thought originally maybe it was a 4.4L thing but since you had an 04 3.0 with Sport Pkg/Seats that busts my theory -

I've ran VIN too and it shows standard seats so its not like mine were swapped

Now that I consider it, my mother in law's '01 3.0 sport package has leatherette and standard seats. Also, she has rear air only.

She does not have Premium Package though (dials for HVAC)- which I think also included leather seats. Adding Premium (or leather seats individually?) may otherwise have made way for leather sport seats to be included in the Sports Package without ticking the sport seats option.

My Sports seats were optional according to my 4.6is build sheet. This was similar to my 99 540i wagon which had the sports package but came with the comfort seats. I did not care for them and replaced them with a pristine set of sport seats. So its very possible that with the latter models of the X(like yours) that sport seats became the standard/norm.

At least with 4.8iS (I know we are talking about 4.6 primarily on this thread but fairly certain holds true) comfort/sport was a no-cost option. Original vehicle orderer picked which one they wanted. Factory options were NAV, heated steering wheel and rear side (door) airbags. Dealer installed options included slide out load floor, hitch,...