Used 330i with Performance Package vs. Sport Package

BMW came up with a Performance package for U.S. 330i sedans in 2003 to partially compensate for the lack of an M3 sedan. The buyer got a firmer suspension, some trim changes, more rubber, a shorter final drive, bigger wheels, a slightly tweaked suspension and very slightly more power/torque for $3900. The six-speed came with it, but could be had separately on any 3-liter 3-series.

The car books were unanimous in praising the chassis improvements, but very mixed w.r.t. the results of the added power. Some got a little better acceleration than a plain 330i and some actually got worse. An M3 it was not by any stretch.

These things are coming on the used market and the premium for the Performance package vs. Sport package is pretty small. The Performance package models are a little harder to find, though.

The question is whether the added search/ small cost increase is worth it. I live an area where I will not find either car, so I do my search via the web and comparison driving is essentially impossible. The local BMW dealer has very little inventory and is really a Toyota dealer that sells a handful of Bimmers each year. Of no use, in other words.

You folks who chose a 2003/2004 330i with Performance package vs. Sport package...is it really significantly better?

How does the fake suede BMW inflicted on these cars hold up?

Thanks.
G L

"It's good to want things."

S. Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist, Visual Basic.Net programmer)