I am about to purchase a 98 528i and noticed that the Sport Package replaces
the wood trim inside with what is called a "technical" Trim. It is a black
metal looking trim. While this looks good with a black interior, it looks
odd with the sand leather interior. Does anyone know if the wood trim can
be substituted for the technical trim with the sport package.
Also, what do you think of the exterior look of the sport package. 17"
wheels aside, they took away the chrome trim around the window sills and
replaced them with just black trim.
Andy
I read that in the UK this "technical trim" is actually carbon fibre, it
looks great. I just hope they haven’t followed down the path of a fake
lookalike substitute. (Ford, Mercedes !, etc). I was quite pissed off when I
heard about this as it wasn’t an option in Aug 97 when I bought mine. The
minute I saw the wood trim it was so obvious that Carbon Fibre would have
been a much better choice on the sportier versions. Somehow I dont think BMW
would have the cheek to use fake materials.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Andy wrote in message <6d913b$11c…@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com>…
>I am about to purchase a 98 528i and noticed that the Sport Package
replaces
>the wood trim inside with what is called a "technical" Trim. It is a black
>metal looking trim. While this looks good with a black interior, it looks
>odd with the sand leather interior. Does anyone know if the wood trim can
>be substituted for the technical trim with the sport package.
>Also, what do you think of the exterior look of the sport package. 17"
>wheels aside, they took away the chrome trim around the window sills and
>replaced them with just black trim.
>Andy
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
I ordered a 528ia with the sport package (and ever other option) for my
98 too. I wondered about how that technical trim (its carbon fiber and
not metal) would look with the different colored interiors. Here is what
I found out :
1) The factory wood kit will not fit the inside of the car with the
sport package (this was from my dealer who has tried it). I find this
odd since they both look like they are the same shape, but the dealer
insists taht it can not be adding through BMW (maybe aftermarket ?).
2) The charcoal color of the trim really looks bizzare with the Sand
interior as you noticed.. It also looks bizzare with the grey interior
since the black dash contrasts with the charcoal trim which contrasts
with the grey interior. An odd combo. I ended up ordering mine with a
black interior since it was the only color that "looked right".
3) As for the look of the sport package… I like it (after all I
ordered it). The ‘Premium Option" gives the car a softer look while the
"sport package" add a meaner look to the car. It’s a very subjective
thing. Remember that the sport pkg also means that you will now be
replacing your tires twice as often (they are much softer) and at twice
the cost each. Additionally, the ride is firmer with the sport pkg.
Good luck,
Bill
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
In article <6d913b$11c…@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com>, "Andy"
<Ac…@prodigy.net> wrote:
>I am about to purchase a 98 528i and noticed that the Sport Package replaces
>the wood trim inside with what is called a "technical" Trim. It is a black
>metal looking trim. While this looks good with a black interior, it looks
>odd with the sand leather interior. Does anyone know if the wood trim can
>be substituted for the technical trim with the sport package.
Packages includes a number of things as a "package." Ask your dealer about
two possible angles:
- getting the sports package plus the wood trim inside, or
- getting the sports suspension, wheels and tires instead of
the entire sports package
I much prefer the wood trim inside.
>Also, what do you think of the exterior look of the sport package. 17"
>wheels aside, they took away the chrome trim around the window sills and
>replaced them with just black trim.
It’s a matter of preference. I like less chrome. My ’97 328ic has chrome
only on the nostrils (like all BMWs), the "328i" on the tail, and exhaust
tips. I prefer no chrome around windows or rubbing strips. In any event,
you are about to enjoy a seriously fine car
-Steve Makohin | Remove dashes from email
| address before replying.
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
For the US, BMW NA brings in complete packages, unlike in Canada, where I
understand the components can be ordered separately.
However, if you want to order wood with the Sport Package, you should be able
to do it if you are willing to wait for your car. BMW has become very
accomodating to special orders.
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
In article <6d913b$11c…@newssvr03-int.news.prodigy.com>, "Andy"
<Ac…@prodigy.net> wrote:
> I am about to purchase a 98 528i and noticed that the Sport Package replaces
> the wood trim inside with what is called a "technical" Trim. It is a black
> metal looking trim. While this looks good with a black interior, it looks
> odd with the sand leather interior. Does anyone know if the wood trim can
> be substituted for the technical trim with the sport package.
> Also, what do you think of the exterior look of the sport package. 17"
> wheels aside, they took away the chrome trim around the window sills and
> replaced them with just black trim.
> Andy
I have the sport package with the silver/grey combo and think the technical
trim looks great. I also like the exterior "black-out" package.
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
Andy,
I ordered a new 528i a few weeks ago. Like you I considered the sports
package, however, the shadowline trim (around the windows and beltline),
technical surface trim (glorified brushed plastic), and extensive use of
rivets on the 17" 3-piece wheels was enough for me to . The shadowline
trim detracts from the appeal of the vehicle and was used on non-premium
package 5-Series vehicles in 97′. Why you would pay extra for something
that was included on the entry level models from the year before? The
technical surface trim does look out of place with the sand color
interior, not so bad with the black or grey interiors. The wheels are
nice, but lack the contempory ‘clean’ single-piece look that other
wheels of this caliber provide. Rivets should only be used on senior
citizen vehicles with landau tops. Unfortunately the premium package
does not include better wheels (15", same as the entry model, with
cross-spoke look). Resale of vehicles with the sports package could be
an issue as well. Stick with the base or premium packages, as BMW will
refine the sports packages in the future.
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -
Andy wrote:
> I am about to purchase a 98 528i and noticed that the Sport Package replaces
> the wood trim inside with what is called a "technical" Trim. It is a black
> metal looking trim. While this looks good with a black interior, it looks
> odd with the sand leather interior. Does anyone know if the wood trim can
> be substituted for the technical trim with the sport package.
> Also, what do you think of the exterior look of the sport package. 17"
> wheels aside, they took away the chrome trim around the window sills and
> replaced them with just black trim.
> Andy
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
My information is that BMW will soon have a wood package available as an
accessory for the 528i Sport. Buy whatever interior color you like. You may
find that the tech trim grows on you enough that you won’t want to spend the
bucks on the wood package by the time it debuts.
M
Comment by admin — February 27, 2010 @ 11:18 pm