BMW M – What’s Behind M Sport Package, M Engine Variant and True M Models?

Anyone who drives a BMW will quickly come across an “M” – sometimes in the M Sport Package, sometimes in a model name like X1 M35i. But what exactly do these designations mean? And how do the variants differ? And what is a 1 Series or 8 Series BMW? We explain it to you simply and understandably.

1. M Sport Package – for the sporty look

The M Sport Package is a purely equipment line.
It gives a standard BMW – like an X1 or 3 Series – a sportier appearance. Typical changes:

• Sportier front and rear bumpers

• Larger alloy wheels

• M sport steering wheel and special sport seats

• Visual details in the interior

Important: The engine remains the same as in the base version. It is only about sporty design – not more power.

2. M Sport Package Pro – the next level

BMW goes one step further: the M Sport Package Pro is an extended version of the M Sport Package and offers additional highlights:

• Even more dynamic design details

• Black accents (e.g. Shadow Line)

• Rear spoiler (depending on the model)

• M sport brakes (depending on the model)

Here too: No engine change – it is still only about looks, equipment and a sportier feeling.

M Sport Package and M Sport Package Pro are special equipment. They do not change performance, but give the car a particularly sporty appearance.

3. M Engine Variants – more power under the hood

If a BMW model has an “M” directly in the name, like X1 M35i or M340i, then it’s really about performance.

Here the BMW gets:

• More powerful engines

• Sport-tuned chassis

• Often also optimized brakes and sound

For example:

• An X1 20i has a normal petrol engine.
• An X1 M35i has a more powerful petrol engine and drives significantly sportier.

These M engine variants are performance-oriented – but still suitable for everyday use and not directly from BMW’s motorsport department.

4. True M Models – built sports cars

And then there are the so-called “true” M models:
M3, M4, M5, X5 M or X6 M.
Here the entire car was developed by BMW M GmbH – the motorsport subsidiary of BMW. These are vehicles with special engines.

• Special, particularly powerful engines

• Own chassis tuning

• Massive braking systems

• Wider bodywork

• Motorsport feeling on the road

These are not normal BMWs with a sport package – these are full-fledged high-performance sports cars.

5. Short overview: BMW model designations

BMW offers variety not only with the M Sport Package and the M Sport Package Pro – also with the models themselves, it quickly becomes confusing.
Here you will find a simple overview of the most important model designations, engine variants and drive types.

• 1 Series, 2 Series → Compact models (small and agile, ideal for the city)

• 3 Series, 4 Series → Mid-size class (larger and more comfortable, popular for work and everyday life)

• 5 Series, 6 Series → Executive class (more luxurious, more space, more equipment)

• 8 Series → Executive luxury class (very sporty, often as coupé or convertible)

The numbers rise with size, luxury and sportiness.

X models stand for SUVs:

• X1, X2 → Small SUVs

• X3, X4 → Mid-size SUVs

• X5, X6 → Large SUVs and SUV coupés

X always means at BMW: higher, more robust, often with all-wheel drive.

For electric cars and plug-in hybrids, BMW has the “i” series:

• i3 → Compact electric car (small and practical)

• i4 → Electric coupé (sporty and sustainable)

• iX3, iX4 → Electric SUV (e.g. iX3 = electric X3)

• iX → Large electric SUVs (flagship of BMW’s electric line)

Engine variants:

• “i” at the end of the model → petrol engine (e.g. X1 20i = petrol)

• “d” → diesel engine (e.g. X3 30d = diesel)

• “e” → plug-in hybrid (e.g. 330e = petrol engine combined with electric drive)

• “i” at the beginning of the model → stands for fully electric drive (e.g. iX3 = fully electric)

Even though we usually do not offer “true” M models at Carvolution, we have many great BMW models in our offering. Most even with the M Sport Package.