mtn---- His commute was mixed between highway and suburbia. I'd guess that his mileage is pretty typical for mixed driving.
You are in Chicagoland right? If you are anywhere near the city, I'd imagine your mileage would be similar....or a bit worse. He's in Huntsville AL--- a bit less traffic than Chicagoland!
Joe Gearin wrote: mtn---- His commute was mixed between highway and suburbia. I'd guess that his mileage is pretty typical for mixed driving. You are in Chicagoland right? If you are anywhere near the city, I'd imagine your mileage would be similar....or a bit worse. He's in Huntsville AL--- a bit less traffic than Chicagoland!
I'm actually down in central Illinois; my commute is Peoria to Bloomington 2 days (78mph or so) and then 7 miles to catch a car-pool 3 days (45 mph... but that is so short, who cares?).
That being said, I hope to be back in Chicagoland within a year--hopefully we'll be able to keep the commute low though.
I average 24mpg in my ZHP. 22 miles one way to work, 10 miles of city/55mph and 12 miles of pure 75mph highway.
I've read that the ZHP package will wear out rear tires faster than the other package cars.
Mr_Clutch42 wrote: I've read that the ZHP package will wear out rear tires faster than the other package cars.
There's nothing really significantly different in the rear suspension...mildly different spring/sway bar rates, and larger wheels/tires. Actually, the issue is probably the tires in the 18" sizes are more performance oriented compounds, so likely wear faster.
I think you guys have convinced me I need the ZHP. Not that that needed much doing.
Do you guys know, do all of them have the pass through (trunk to rear seat), or do I need the cold weather package?
Fold down rear seats were standard on coupes and optional on sedans; if a sedan had the ZCP (cold weather package), they were included. Convertibles did not have fold down seats available, but did have a ski pass-through...I just can't figure out whether all convertibles had them or just ZCP models, though. It SEEMS like they all had it, but I can't say for sure.
In my searches, it appears that there are a LOT more M3 convertibles than ZHP convertibles, and they subsequently go for not that much more money.
Are the running costs of the M3 much higher in the long run? Also considering just a standard "Sport Package" 325 or 330 if it is much cheaper. I will not go without the sport seats though.
I see tons of E46s around still, but since I live in California the $$$ catalytic converters room them off my list permanently. I don't know how often they actually fail, but they are expensive enough to make replacement not really a reasonable option.
If you can afford an M3, go that route. The s54 is probably the greatest 6 cylinder motor BMW has ever produced. I have a friend with an S54 Z3 //M Roadster and it is a manic little beast 
E36 M3, man, you can get a facelifted 325i sedan, and swap in an S54 for less than a ZHP. I know I sound like a broken record around here lately, but there's so much more value in a "lesser" E46. It's 90% of the car for 50% of the price.
When I was looking for a car, I just went for the best condition I could find. I'd have preferred a 330i, but I settled on a better-condition 325i. Still better than any car I've owned previously.
unevolved wrote: E36 M3, man, you can get a facelifted 325i sedan, and swap in an S54 for less than a ZHP. I know I sound like a broken record around here lately, but there's so much more value in a "lesser" E46. It's 90% of the car for 50% of the price. When I was looking for a car, I just went for the best condition I could find. I'd have preferred a 330i, but I settled on a better-condition 325i. Still better than any car I've owned previously.
I'm seeing the same thing as well. I need to test drive one, and if I like it probably will try hard to not test drive the 330.
mtn wrote:unevolved wrote: E36 M3, man, you can get a facelifted 325i sedan, and swap in an S54 for less than a ZHP. I know I sound like a broken record around here lately, but there's so much more value in a "lesser" E46. It's 90% of the car for 50% of the price. When I was looking for a car, I just went for the best condition I could find. I'd have preferred a 330i, but I settled on a better-condition 325i. Still better than any car I've owned previously.I'm seeing the same thing as well. I need to test drive one, and if I like it probably will try hard to not test drive the 330.
I'm having a hard time finding that 50% price difference, at least in Atlanta on C-list and Autotrader. There is savings there, but it isn't $4-5K for comparable cars (mileage, condition, transmission, etc.). Seems more like $2-2.5K, on average at least.
That said, I did see this 330i coupe manual for what seems like a deal and is more in-line with the statements above. It is the only one with a manual transmission not approaching 200K though. It's got minor/solvable cosmetic issues and I'm not personally excited about the color, but could be a great deal for someone here who isn't quite as picky as myself.
Not a bad find Matt, and I'm in ATL. But just like the OP, I've got to have a 'vert. So it narrows it down more...good condition, well cared for, manual 'vert at a good price. Not quite a unicorn, but on the endangered species list.
My wife's ZHP easily gets 28mpg on the highway. 25mpg mixed seems about right.
The issue with the car wearing tires is the ZHP came with low treadwear tires from the factory and you can't rotate them since it has 8" fronts and 8.5" rears. Square the setup and rotate with a less aggressive tire and it should wear the same as every other car out there.
Klayfish wrote: Not a bad find Matt, and I'm in ATL. But just like the OP, I've got to have a 'vert. So it narrows it down more...good condition, well cared for, manual 'vert at a good price. Not quite a unicorn, but on the endangered species list.
Manual 'vert in good condition that isn't grey leather (Seriously, why are there so many grey leather interiors? So ugly)
mtn wrote:Klayfish wrote: Not a bad find Matt, and I'm in ATL. But just like the OP, I've got to have a 'vert. So it narrows it down more...good condition, well cared for, manual 'vert at a good price. Not quite a unicorn, but on the endangered species list.Manual 'vert in good condition that isn't grey leather (Seriously, why are there so many grey leather interiors? So ugly)
Bleyach. Maybe ugly wasn't the word, but bland certainly fits. Makes me think of a cheap rental car.
But the black interior, at least in '01, was fake leather.
bravenrace wrote: But the black interior, at least in '01, was fake leather.
I'd expect that there was an option for leatherette or leather. I believe in the ZHP, that the Alacantra was standard and leather was an upgrade--you couldn't get leatherette. Could be wrong though.
Anyways, I'd prefer the saddle/natural brown colors, with tan a close second.
unevolved wrote: I know I sound like a broken record around here lately, but there's so much more value in a "lesser" E46. It's 90% of the car for 50% of the price.
Could one of you E46 guys elaborate on exactly what is included in the ZSP and ZHP packages? All I know is that my E36 has the "sport" package and it got me much better seats and that it sits way lower than most stock E36's, even M3's.
Looking online in my area, the folks with ZHP packages sure think their cars are worth 25%+ more than a regular 330i - darn close to E46 M3 money.
SEADave wrote:unevolved wrote: I know I sound like a broken record around here lately, but there's so much more value in a "lesser" E46. It's 90% of the car for 50% of the price.Could one of you E46 guys elaborate on exactly what is included in the ZSP and ZHP packages? All I know is that my E36 has the "sport" package and it got me much better seats and that it sits way lower than most stock E36's, even M3's. Looking online in my area, the folks with ZHP packages sure think their cars are worth 25%+ more than a regular 330i - darn close to E46 M3 money.
I'm not entirely sure on the specifics, but the ZHP is basically halfway between the regular 330 and the M3. 10HP more, I think a different final drive so it is quicker to 60, and the suspension is different as well.
On the 25% more front, it is entirely possible to find people who don't know what they have advertise it as just a sport and not that much more money.
ZSP I think basically just had sport seats and maybe a little firmer ride. Not sure at all on that one.
In reply to Sonic: In Performance BMW magazine, they talked about how the ZHP has an aggressive alignment from the factory so the tires wear out faster because of that, along with performance tires.
Performance package (ZHP)[edit]
The performance package was an inclusive option given to E46 sedans from 2003 to 2005, coupes and convertibles from 2004 to 2006.[20] It included various aesthetic changes over the regular 3 series, as well as functional and mechanical enhancements. It had M badges on each of its Style 135 wheels, with additional M badging on the multi-function steering wheel and atop the 6-speed short throw weighted shifter. In addition to the standard color options, the ZHP was available in the "Motorsport-only" color Imola Red. It received the "M-Tech II" bodykit standard, 18-inch staggered Style 135 wheels, high gloss anthracite window trim, and the coupe received clear turn signals (headlights, side-markers, and tail-lights) instead of the amber turn signals found on the standard 330Ci.[20] The interior had also been modified with half cloth-half alcantara sports seats (optional upgrade to leather), an alcantara-wrapped sports steering wheel (switched to perforated leather in mid-2005), a shorter M-badged shift knob, anthracite colored cloth headliner, and aluminum "cubed" faux-carbon fiber interior trim (available in silver or black). The instrument gauge cluster was also modified with red needles and polished metal trim rings.[21]
In the performance department, the ZHP was equipped with the more aggressive DME tune to increase power from 225 hp (168 kW) to 235 hp (175 kW).[20] The engine redline raised from 6,500 rpm to 6,800 rpm to take advantage of the new power band and higher power output at higher RPMs.[21] As a result of the higher redline, the nut that fastens the oil pump's sprocket came with threadlocker pre-applied from the factory to keep the nut from falling off.[22] The car also received a shorter final drive ratio which allows for faster acceleration; 3.07 vs. 2.93 for manuals and 3.64 vs. 3.38 for the automatic.[21] Car and Driver magazine track-tested the car, which returned a 0-60 mph time of 5.6 seconds and passed through the 1/4 mile in 14.3 seconds.[21] In 2003 the ZHP featured a 6-speed manual transmission (the Steptronic automatic transmission was not available the first model year (2003), but it was offered from 2004 to 2006).
Suspension was modified over the standard suspension with firmer springs and dampers, larger anti-roll bars, stronger front control arm ball joints, a lower ride height, and slightly more negative camber.[21] The Style 135M wheels also came equipped with the much stickier compound, Michelin Pilot Sport tires, in a staggered configuration with 225/40-18 tires in the front and 255/35-18 tires in the back.[21]
I'd still rather have a Boxster 
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