How can I tell if my car has sports package?

I'm sorry for the noobish question. I bought the car used and I'm confused. It has sport seats but standard chrome trim (I thought sport package was shadowline trim?) anyways I am looking for suspension and I noticed there are different part#s (such as the H&R touring cup kit) for cars WITH and WITHOUT sport package. What would be the difference for both aftermarket suspensions? Would only one work? And do you guys recommend H&R touring cup kit for a budget of about $700-800? Or should I just spend a little more and get something better? I'm coming from an E36 M3 so I'm not used to whats out there yet for the E46... thanks!

Here is a list of what my car has from a dealer I contacted with my VIN:

Vehicle information

VIN long WBAEV53482K******

Type code EV53

Type 330I (USA)

Dev. series E46 (4FL)

Line 3

Body type LIM

Steering LL

Door count 4

Engine M54

Cubical capacity 3.00

Power 170

Transmision HECK

Gearbox MECH

Colour TITANSILBER METALLIC (354)

Upholstery STANDARDLEDER/SCHWARZ (N6SW)

Prod. date 2001-12-20


Order options
No. Description
210 DYNAMIC STABILITY CONTROL (DSC)

249 MULTI-FUNCTION FOR STEERING WHEEL

255 SPORTS LEATHER STEERING WHEEL

403 GLAS ROOF, ELECTRIC

428 WARNING TRIANGLE

441 SMOKERS PACKAGE

459 SEAT ADJUSTM., ELECTR. W. MEMORY

481 SPORT SEATS F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER

494 SEAT HEATING F DRIVER/FRONT PASSENGER

522 XENON LIGHT

534 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONING

640 CAR TELEPHONE PREPARATION

650 CD PLAYER

672 CD CHANGER BMW FOR 6 CDS

674 HIFI LOUDSPEAKER SYSTEM HARMAN KARDON

715 M AERODYNAMICS PACKAGE

788 M LT/ALY WHEELS

863 EUROPE/DEALER DIRECTORY

880 ENGLISH/OWNERS HANDBOOK/SERVICE BOOKLET

926 SPARE WHEEL


Series options
No. Description
354 GREEN STRIPE WINDSCREEN

411 WINDOW LIFTS, ELECTRIC

473 ARMREST, FRONT

520 FOGLIGHTS

550 ON-BOARD COMPUTER

645 RADIO CONTROL US

661 RADIO BMW BUSINESS

823 HOT CLIMATE VERSION

832 BATTERY IN LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT

845 ACOUSTIC BELT WARNING

853 LANGUAGE VERSION ENGLISH

876 RADIO FREQUENCY 315 MHZ

992 NUMBER PLATE ATTACHEMENT MANAGEMENT

sport seats and steering wheel, I'd say its looking like sports package. are your rims 17"? I have sports package and it came with chrome trim so don't go by that.

it is very obvious by the stance and handling. if it feels like a boat, you dont have it. although the sport steering wheel and seats are available standalone, they are usually part of the package as jamex said

Lightweight Alloy M Wheels, Sport Steering Wheel and Sport Seats....sure sounds like it. Not sure why anyone would even buy those as separate options when it's cheaper as the Sport Package.
But what you seem to really want to know is if it has sport suspension. Which if I recall was standard on the 330i sedans after 3/01. If so your 12/01 build 330i should have it.

i dont mean to thread jack but i also wanted to know if my car is lowered.

it looks lower than average this is my first bmw so im not sure.

no, you're on stock sport suspension

thanx for the quick reply.ive ben wondering evrsince i drove the car home.so im guessing i will have a
wheel gap still evn when i mount some 19s on?one more thing im not a fan of the rear bumper it looks
like a ricey body kit imo wat is your opinions on it ?

wont look bad with 19"s, but it should be lowered in the future. I don't like the rear bumper/wing.. but that's just me.

neither do i.im actualy looking to get a stock rear bumper soon, but i dont know the exact color code or name of the car.
the wings going to be taken off this weekend.the 19s wont rub with the lowering springs?sorry for the endless questions i
want to fix this car rite.i went through four suspension set ups on my last car

Originally Posted by jcastro

i dont mean to thread jack but i also wanted to know if my car is lowered.
it looks lower than average this is my first bmw so im not sure.

That looks like you are on the factory Sport suspension that all Coupes have. So yes it's lower than the Standard suspension, but not aftermarket lowered.


Also that kit you have is a rare factory M-Aero kit. Some people really like it but it looks kinda dated. The sideskirts and Wing are also factory M-Aerodynamic. But your front bumper looks like it's a stock one early one.

Your color code should be by the driver's side strut tower next to the stock air filter housing.

This is more of what the Coupe M-Aero kit looks like. Although I think this guy added some mesh grilles to it>
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3132369

Originally Posted by jcastro

i dont mean to thread jack but i also wanted to know if my car is lowered.

it looks lower than average this is my first bmw so im not sure.

looks like ur stock with maybe a heavy subwoofer lol


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thanks for all of the help you guys.i didnt know the kit was kind of rare thats actually pretty cool.
hahaha and no subwoofer in the back.i was thinking of an m3 replica front bumper but i dont know if
it would flow well.so one important question i have is will i still have wheel gap if i put on some 19s
they are 19x8.5 5x120 offset 20.if i wil i will buy lowering spings.i just want to know if i will rub.
thanks for all the help.

depends on tire sizes. Your more safe with a 8.5" tire though.

The rims you have now are 16x7.5 If I remember correctly. They came stock on my dads 2007 328xi

i cant seem to find my color code at all ive searched and searched for it and nothing.i need to know what color it is becuase im going to buy some oem bmw paint and have my cousin (profesional painter)paint a m3 front bumper and hood.so if any one can tell me the color it would be greatly appreciated thank you.