My new DD - 2004 BMW 330i ZHP

Very very nice. Love that generation of BMWs.

So how do you tell a ZHP car from a regular 330i?

dculberson wrote: So how do you tell a ZHP car from a regular 330i?

Copied from the ZHP Mafia website:

Question: How can one tell that a particular BMW E46 330 is a ZHP?
Answer: We've already mentioned the interior trim (either silver cube or black cube), but other things to look for include: red needles on the instrument cluster (remember, no red needles on the Canadian M performance package), a 6800 RPM redline (remember, the redline is located at 6500 RPM in the Canadian M Performance Package), 135M style wheels, M-tech II body kit, Alcantara seats, Alcantara-clad steering wheel, shadowline window trim (it's high-gloss black on ZHPs), trunk lid spoiler (unless the customer ordered it without; see below), anthracite headliner (looks black), sport seats, etc. Coupes, meanwhile, also had clear turn signals, which could be found on the headlights, sidemarkers and tail lights. Sedans retained their amber turn signals.

Question: So, if the car doesn't have all of those features, it's not a ZHP-optioned 330?
Answer: Not necessarily. Customers could order the car with leather seats (option) and a perforated leather-wrapped M steering wheel (option). What's more, during the spring of 2005, BMW stopped putting Alcantara steering wheels on the ZHP (because of problems with premature wear), which means there are many ZHP-optioned cars on the road today without Alcantara steering wheels. Moreover, before BMW discontinued the Alcantara steering wheel, it also replaced many wheels under warranty, replacing them with leather wheels. Yet another reason why you'll find leather wheels coupled with Alcantara-clad seats. Additionally, while the trunk lid spoiler came standard, there was an option to have it deleted (option code 326). And this side note: some ZHPs, in early 2004, did not come with the trunk lid spoiler (even though customers did not choose option code 326) -- because of a parts shortage. Customers who complained eventually got them installed at the dealer at no cost (covered under warranty).

That M3 wagon had "sold" on eBay for $17,100 and the buyer backed out. Then the seller wanted $23k for it, I told him the market had spoken and the market was $17-18k and I offered him $18k.

At the time he wanted to get more for it, then months later he relisted it on eBay and it sold for the $18k I offered him. Too bad he didn't accept my offer, it looked like a well built car.

dyintorace wrote:

docwyte wrote: Ha! I almost bought that E46 M3 converted wagon too. At the time he wanted way too much money for it. Just recently he listed it on eBay and it sold for $18k, which is what I offered him 9 months ago...

I was looking at it after you passed on it. Man...for $18k, I probably would have pulled the trigger. @ Per, if you get up this way (or even to Ocala), you're welcome to drive it. Compared to my 2002 325 wagon, this car is very similar, just better. And better is most every way. It's much closer to the e36 M3s I've owned in the past, just without the instant throttle response those cars had.

The E46 ZHP is the near equivalent to an E36 M3. While a little heavier and it makes AWESOME use of dual vanos, it just didn't have that kick in the pants like the 96-99 E36 M3.

Strike_Zero wrote: The E46 ZHP is the near equivalent to an E36 M3. While a little heavier and it makes AWESOME use of dual vanos, it just didn't have that kick in the pants like the 96-99 E36 M3.

Having owned both, I pretty much agree. The performance stats are quite similar, but the E36 M3 is more raw and visceral. The E46 is a much nicer DD, in my opinion, it's quieter, roomier, and has a noticably nicer interiior. The ride is about equivalent, I'd say.

Just a quick update. I replaced the headlight lenses (made a HUGE difference), some interior bits that were worn, took off the ill-fitting CAI and went back to stock, deleted the front license plate holder and added the new wheels. Here is a current shot.

I didn' t think you would let those go. Man they look hot on that car!

Spinout007 wrote: I didn' t think you would let those go. Man they look hot on that car!

Let what go? I sold the OEM ZHP wheels to MrJoshua for his e46. The wheels I am running now are new reps of the OEM M3 comp pkg wheel. I love the look!

dculberson wrote: Yessss! I love it. I keep looking at 330's but like Javelin says they're almost always silver or black. MAyyybe charcoal gray. Red is pretty.

Interesting... I sold some E30 wheels to a guy and his daily driver was a red ZHP. Definitely a nice looking car.

Oooof!

I need some alone time now...

Nice! The ZHP 6-speed has a wonderful, positive engagement that I've never felt replicated on any other BMW. That car with black alcantara seats = zomg

calteg wrote: Nice! The ZHP 6-speed has a wonderful, positive engagement that I've never felt replicated on any other BMW. That car with black alcantara seats = zomg

I was originally searching for an Imola red over alcantara ZHP sedan when I found this car. Generally speaking, I love the BMW alcantara interiors (especially from the e36 M3 era) but, from what I learned during research, most folks seemed to sour on the ZHP cloth/alcantara interior over time. Many claimed that the alcantara got really shiny eventually. I stumbled across this car and didn't even know that the natural leather was an option. I love this color combo!