Check out the list prices for any used BMW, and you will find that aside from full-fat M and special edition models, M Sport versions have the highest list prices compared to more basic trim levels such as ES, SE, Sport, and Luxury.

The saleability of BMWs with an M Sport badge is higher than those without because they have the M Sport package, which can add as much as £5,000 to the RRP of a BMW from new. For the extra dosh, you get sportier styling and a few technology upgrades, such as LED headlights and Drive Performance Control in the 3 Series F30.

Ultimately, you could say that 'M Sport' is only a badge, but that badge holds weight in saleability, carrying prestige and suggesting higher performance and exclusivity, even if the car isn't a true M or special edition model.

The different levels of BMW

M Sport is BMW's highest standard trim grade, adding only styling and technology upgrades. We occasionally get special versions like the 'M Sport Shadow Edition' towards the end of production, like in the F30 (a ploy to flog old parts).

Sometimes, a model will also have an M Performance model, a perfect case in point being the BMW M240i for the 2 Series Coupe.

At the pinnacle of BMW's range, we have full-fat M cars, such as the BMW M2, which sits above the M240i. M cars are standalone models in terms of performance and pricing, with a unique market and desirability.

Returning to the M Sport badge, this is a trim level – it doesn't give you a more powerful engine. Depending on the model and year, you usually get big alloy wheels, sporty bumpers and headlights, full leather, and sports seats.

Sometimes, it's about more than the badge!

Plenty of people in the market for a used BMW will only buy one with an M Sport badge because every other model looks too basic. For others, they want the extra equipment on offer that is not available in a basic SE or Sport model.

For example, the 3 Series F30 M Sport (2014) added Drive Performance Control (ECO PRO, Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ modes) and M Sport suspension for better handling. Both these are fantastic upgrades for keen drivers.

We must also consider resale and residual values because M Sport versions depreciate slower than their non-M Sport counterparts. Strong residual values translate to lower monthly payments if leasing or financing the vehicle. The higher the projected residual, the lower the depreciation calculated into the payments.

Most car buyers also don't plan to keep their vehicles forever. The expected resale value down the line impacts the overall cost of ownership, and M Sport models typically fetch higher prices when it comes time to trade in or sell.

For us, there is great comfort in knowing a car is likely to retain its value better as a hedge against depreciation, and this makes the M Sport badge worth it.