Another ZHP Touring...........almost

[gronsay]

Sorry about being late to introduce myself but here I am now...my wagon is a wannabe ZHP in the works. This is my 4th BMW, 6th between the wifey and I. Anyways, I love the ZHP and I love the tourings as I have had 2 before this as well as a B5 avant, woops. So I figure I would give it a shot to combine the two as others have done before. I searched and searched to find a AW wagon with natural brown like my previous xi but was unsuccessful so I settled on the beige interior. It was in fantastic shape when I received the vehicle last summer. This touring started as an '02 with 91k miles. The vehicle came with every option (I believe) except for NAV and PDC, which I was okay with although I loved having PDC in my last wagon. I tried to keep it real and use all OEM BMW parts during the transformation, except for the stereo/headrest monitors/backup camera and springs/struts. Here is a list of what I have done so far and what I plan to do soon. If anyone else has any ideas of what I should do next, feel free to throw ideas out here. And yes, my touring is automatic (although I am looking to acquire a 6-speed tranny to do a swap one day)....I have two kids and the wife needs to be able to drive it.

Done:
ZHP engine swap from an '05 with 70k (replaced all belts, tensioners, and seals in the process)
Custom Active Autowerke tune
OEM Touring M Tech II body kit
BMW Performance strut bar
BMW Performance intake
BMW Performance exhaust
OEM Style 135 wheels
Coby wheel
H&R Sport Cup kit
50% tint all around
OEM rear shade screens (for my kids)
Eonon D5150 head unit
Eonon headrest monitors
Back-up Camera
OEM Roof carrier bars
OEM surf board rack (the ocean is my gym)
fan delete

on the radar or about to be done:
ZHP needles and gauge cluster face to show higher RPM limit(see pic)
330 brakes
Shadowline window trim (not sure whether to paint, plastidip, wrap, or get matte black from an '00 touring)
SMG wheel to be able to paddle shift so the auto isn't so boring (I already have the clock spring, just need a wheel in good shape for a decent price, lol)
3.64 diff
ZHP cube trim (leaning towards black instead of silver, but I wish I natural brown interior first)
wheel spacers (what brand? and what size, 12mm?)
Any other ideas?????

Here are the pics I took today, all I have is an old iPhone, sorry
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4344_zps14b5fb3f.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4344_zps14b5fb3f.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4345_zps8aa1e2c4.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4345_zps8aa1e2c4.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4346_zps78f0df47.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4346_zps78f0df47.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4347_zpsae5107fe.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4347_zpsae5107fe.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4349_zps566305cd.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4349_zps566305cd.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4350_zps5ce3dff4.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4350_zps5ce3dff4.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4351_zps930a5d26.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4351_zps930a5d26.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4343_zps8f7af9c0.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4343_zps8f7af9c0.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4339_zps8a401e05.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4339_zps8a401e05.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4340_zpsd1f2ea05.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4340_zpsd1f2ea05.jpg.html)
http://i827.photobucket.com/albums/zz196/gronsay/IMG_4352_zps6f7bda2f.jpg (http://s827.photobucket.com/user/gronsay/media/IMG_4352_zps6f7bda2f.jpg.html)

Cheers!

[ryankokesh]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OKQih2CCqQM/Tb80z6qeICI/AAAAAAAABIs/e1o2fUxA0XQ/s320/jaw-drop.jpg


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[slater]

VERY nicely done!

i love wagons. i also have two kids and also have a B5 A4 Avant. :) in fact, that dang Avant is really messing with me, and i am torn on which car to keep since i love the Avant utility and AWD. if i had the time and money to build a 'ZHP Touring', i would!

good stuff!

peter

[danewilson77]

Love it. Welcome

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[cakM3]

I like it so far! Looking forward to more pics and updates :thumbsup

[alexandre]

:drool

You're missing the exhaust :)

[mindspin311]

Umm, sell that to me. now. Please?

[johnrando]

Welcome. Very nice car.

[fredo]

Wow, white ZHP touring. Looks SUPER sharp ! :biggrin

[PKR]

Love it! Really!
Beautiful car.

[QC_ZHP]

Awesome. Who did the work?

[gronsay]

VERY nicely done!

i love wagons. i also have two kids and also have a B5 A4 Avant. :) in fact, that dang Avant is really messing with me, and i am torn on which car to keep since i love the Avant utility and AWD. if i had the time and money to build a 'ZHP Touring', i would!

good stuff!

peter

Thanks Peter, If I still lived in northern Virginia I would have kept the Avant for the weather.

-Collin

[gronsay]

thanks for all the warm welcomes and comments everyone, I look forward to adding to the transformation of my Touring!

[derbo]

I love it! Throw a ZHP 3.64 rear end into it too so the automatic feels like a true zhp :)

[Avetiso]

Awesome!

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[gronsay]

Umm, sell that to me. now. Please?

wasn't thinking about it, but if the price is right, you never know :)

[Hornung418]

Tastefully done!

Sent from my GS3.

[gronsay]

Awesome. Who did the work?

Thanks! a friend that works at a performance Indy shop specializing in BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche, etc did the engine swap. Last time I went by the shop he was installing a titanium x-pipe on a RWD Gallardo, so crazy. He is a BMW guy all around and has done multiple swaps on different platforms before. Everything came together without hiccup, except for the AA tune. It took them a week to figure it out. I did everything else.

[Smilez]

so "hawt" makes me want to sell mine for a wagon :drool

[Vas]

That is pretty awesome

[mindspin311]

wasn't thinking about it, but if the price is right, you never know :)

Go on....

Im flying to Kansas to pick up a ZHP sedan on Saturday. Do I need to call if off? :D

[trancenation]

Looking good their sir!

[gronsay]

I love it! Throw a ZHP 3.64 rear end into it too so the automatic feels like a true zhp :)

yes indeed, I forgot to add that to the list of items to be done soon, thanks derbo! If you anyone selling one, let me know

[gronsay]

Go on....

Im flying to Kansas to pick up a ZHP sedan on Saturday. Do I need to call if off? :D

PM'd you

[gronsay]

Thank you all for the kind words! Alternator was just changed now it's time to get back to completing the ZHP transformation.


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[midlandtech]

Awesome I want to do this so badly

taptalk + Note 3

[MsRN]

I miss my wagon...Graugrün metallische on gray with ZCP, T-boned by an inattentive driver. The iTs are the best-looking of the E46es, IMO. A Touring with a 3L M54, 6MT and a S/C would still rock my world!

[Hornung418]

Car looks great OP. Welcome to the forum!

Sent from my GS3.

[Johal E32]

looks great!

[gronsay]

Thanks Hornung and Johal!


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[gronsay]

I miss my wagon...Graugrün metallische on gray with ZCP, T-boned by an inattentive driver. The iTs are the best-looking of the E46es, IMO. A Touring with a 3L M54, 6MT and a S/C would still rock my world!

Agreed! Also, supercharging this wagon would be awesome...something to consider down the road!


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[Pip]

Great looking car!

[Lanister]

Another surfer!!! Welcome and thumbs up to your ride. Your setup is exactly what I've been pondering for the past while. Where do you surf?

[gronsay]

Another surfer!!! Welcome and thumbs up to your ride. Your setup is exactly what I've been pondering for the past while. Where do you surf?

I'm in north county SD, my home break would be Cardiff reef, but I often hit grandview in Encinitas or even Terramar in Carlsbad since it's close to the office. How about you?


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[Lanister]

Oh I'm way up in Santa Cruz. I surf Steamer Lane and the North Coast. I've never surfed in socal but I hear the crowd factor is pretty bad.

Sent from outer space...

[gronsay]

Oh I'm way up in Santa Cruz. I surf Steamer Lane and the North Coast. I've never surfed in socal but I hear the crowd factor is pretty bad.

Sent from outer space...

Not bad at all, there is plenty of consistent breaks to have to yourself. Of course te popular spots have lineups but never too bad like trestles in OC.


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[gronsay]

I have the 330 brakes in hand now...any recommendations on cleaning the calipers to look like new? I have searched and seen various techniques

[Overlord475]

This... is... EPIC! Can I haz?

[slater]

This... is... EPIC! Can I haz?

get in line... ;)

and, YEP, this thing is indeed super-duper. i would gladly empty my fleet for this thing.

peter

[330i ZHP]

awesome project - keep us up to date

[gronsay]

thanks Overlord, Peter, and Stuart...I need to tackle the window trim next and still haven't decide which way to get to Shadowline from my chrome.

[gronsay]

the gauge cluster is done, on to the window trim now!

[Johal E32]

where did you get gauge cluster parts from?

[330i ZHP]

What did you do to cluster

[gronsay]

where did you get gauge cluster parts from?

I bought a used zhp cluster on eBay then took in apart for the needles and gauge face. Got lucky and only paid $70.


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[gronsay]

What did you do to cluster

Swapped out the needles and gauge face plate from a zhp cluster into my 325 one. Everything went smoothly until the speedo needle came off with the pin in it. I had to take the back apart and rebuild it. Everything is golden now. Got lucky it didn't break permanently.


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[TWong1200]

Beautiful project! I have a spare set of 330 front calipers, if needed!

[gronsay]

Beautiful project! I have a spare set of 330 front calipers, if needed!

Thanks! I actually picked up a set with carriers not long ago that I want to clean and paint. Any recommendations on best way to clean and prep? I've seen different techniques but don't know what's best. I will probably paint them black or dark gray. I want them to stay clean but not stand out too much


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[JupiterBMW]

Thanks! I actually picked up a set with carriers not long ago that I want to clean and paint. Any recommendations on best way to clean and prep? I've seen different techniques but don't know what's best. I will probably paint them black or dark gray. I want them to stay clean but not stand out too much


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When I did the brakes on my ZHP, I went with black paint as I wanted them clean, but not stand-out-ish as well. I felt it was the perfect balance. You don't even see them until you shine a light in there, and they look all shiny and nice...

For prep, I suppose it really depends on the starting condition. Obviously you have to get them really clean. I honestly just douched the hell out of everything with Brakleen. For the crevices and stuck on stuff, use a wire bristle brush and just scrub it off. Afterward, douche everything with Brakleen some more. If you have an air compressor, blow them clean and dry with air and then paint. I didn't have an air compressor, but the Brakleen worked great for me. Afterwards, set them in the sun and paint. Obviously, use a high heat paint. I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel, gloss black, with gloss clear coat over it. I did 3-4 coats of paint and another 3 coats of clear. I made sure to paint them in the sun too as the sun helped to heat them up which helped the paint dry.

See below..

14818

[WOLFN8TR]

Wow those turned out Nice!!

[gronsay]

When I did the brakes on my ZHP, I went with black paint as I wanted them clean, but not stand-out-ish as well. I felt it was the perfect balance. You don't even see them until you shine a light in there, and they look all shiny and nice...

For prep, I suppose it really depends on the starting condition. Obviously you have to get them really clean. I honestly just douched the hell out of everything with Brakleen. For the crevices and stuck on stuff, use a wire bristle brush and just scrub it off. Afterward, douche everything with Brakleen some more. If you have an air compressor, blow them clean and dry with air and then paint. I didn't have an air compressor, but the Brakleen worked great for me. Afterwards, set them in the sun and paint. Obviously, use a high heat paint. I used Duplicolor Engine Enamel, gloss black, with gloss clear coat over it. I did 3-4 coats of paint and another 3 coats of clear. I made sure to paint them in the sun too as the sun helped to heat them up which helped the paint dry.

See below..

14818

Awesome! Thank you for the info. I am gonna duplicate your process. I'm on it next week. I will post pics before and after.


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[JupiterBMW]

Awesome... just remember to mask the areas that shouldn't get painted... Take your time... Multiple thin coats are much better than one thick coat... Patience is key...

[gronsay]

Awesome... just remember to mask the areas that shouldn't get painted... Take your time... Multiple thin coats are much better than one thick coat... Patience is key...

Thanks for the the tips!


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[Pip]

I said it before and I'll say it again this car is sweet. Stu's takes the cake, but this is still a cool car.

[gronsay]

I said it before and I'll say it again this car is sweet. Stu's takes the cake, but this is still a cool car.

Thanks Pip, I couldn't agree more....his definitely takes the cake.


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[slater]

Thanks Pip, I couldn't agree more....his definitely takes the cake.


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i dunno, i like yours better - more OEM-looking.

peter

[gronsay]

i dunno, i like yours better - more OEM-looking.

peter

Thanks Slater, I have battled with putting aftermarket parts on. My original intent was to keep it 100% OEM. Not too sure why I went with the H&R cup kit. I actually don't like it very much and am think of going back to stock zhp suspension.


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[330i ZHP]

I found that h&r with stock dampers was bouncy

[JupiterBMW]

i dunno, i like yours better
Ummm, Heelllllooooo!! Of course this one is better... BECAUSE ALPINE WHITE!!! :biggrin



I found that h&r with stock dampers was bouncy
I can verify this is true.

[gronsay]

I found that h&r with stock dampers was bouncy

I agreem, on my first touring, I had a black manual xi with sport pkg. I put the H&R sport springs on and it was definitely bouncy. The cup kit I have on the this AW wagon is definitely better (bounciness), but there is always room for improvement.

[gronsay]

Ummm, Heelllllooooo!! Of course this one is better... BECAUSE ALPINE WHITE!!! :biggrin

that would be correct sir Joop!

[gronsay]

uh oh...I may be selling this wagon soon. I might be moving to where I will need an AWD vehicle. I am torn of what to do.

[BCS_ZHP]

Let me know if you're going to sell, the only e46 of 8 or 9 I've sold that still keeps me up at night for selling was an AW wagon. She resides in Chicago now with less than 75K miles and he's not ready to sell. Given the chance, I will buy another in a heartbeat.

Forgot, she was a ZSP, 5 spd, no sunroof, black manual seat unicorn.
Bruce

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/11/546967ad5a0e4ae6a7fc9a05234100ff.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/11/9132b2b3f5b583d945f4757b6c4765d4.jpg

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/09/11/d9920dba0c41273fe3c2eec9c74fdd43.jpg

[ELCID86]

Now we're taking!


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[danewilson77]

Bruce, please edit your post and delete the sideways attachments.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[ELCID86]

They're straight up on my iphone.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[BCS_ZHP]

They're straight on my iPad.

EDIT: Dane, turn your phone, lol.

[danewilson77]

Ok. If everyone else is good, I'm good. I see three sideways, that I deleted, and then 3 that I flipped the right direction.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[BCS_ZHP]

I see dead people...

[jakksfor20]

Bottom 3 are rotated 90 degrees CCW on desktop. I miss our xiT wagon. :(

[danewilson77]

Yes. So Bruce, if you could go into edit, then go advanced and delete those attachments, it would be great.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[gronsay]

Let me know if you're going to sell, the only e46 of 8 or 9 I've sold that still keeps me up at night for selling was an AW wagon. She resides in Chicago now with less than 75K miles and he's not ready to sell. Given the chance, I will buy another in a heartbeat.

Forgot, she was a ZSP, 5 spd, no sunroof, black manual seat unicorn.
Bruce


Nice Wagon Bruce! I will send you a message if it happens. I should know soon.


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[danewilson77]

Forget it. I fixed your post Bruce.

[BCS_ZHP]

Yes. So Bruce, if you could go into edit, then go advanced and delete those attachments, it would be great.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

Thanks for the fix, it was a school night, I was already in the rack, this old fart needs his beauty sleep.

[danewilson77]

Riiiiiiiiiight

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[boilerboy95]

Quite a project! Very nice.

[BCS_ZHP]

This thread caused me to reach out to the current owner of my old AW ZHP-look touring, and he finally got back to me. He's coming up on 2-1/2 years of ownership, he drives it once a week, only if the weather cooperates, it hibernates from Nov to Mar in Chicago, he bikes during nice weather and uses his Vanagon for bad weather. He's starting to pondering selling the touring for lack of fully using it, and he said I'd be his first call if he goes in that direction. Fingers crossed.

[az3579]

This thread caused me to reach out to the current owner of my old AW ZHP-look touring, and he finally got back to me. He's coming up on 2-1/2 years of ownership, he drives it once a week, only if the weather cooperates, it hibernates from Nov to Mar in Chicago, he bikes during nice weather and uses his Vanagon for bad weather. He's starting to pondering selling the touring for lack of fully using it, and he said I'd be his first call if he goes in that direction. Fingers crossed.

Would you actually keep it this time?? :)

[BCS_ZHP]

Never know?!?! And doesn't matter, if I can get it back not asking to be buried in it just want to play with it again.

[gronsay]

Never know?!?! And doesn't matter, if I can get it back not asking to be buried in it just want to play with it again.

I hope it happens for you! I wish I won't have to be selling mine. I would love to keep it as a garage queen but can't afford two cars.


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