ZHP or E30 for DD/Autocross

[poke08]

Long story short, I wanted to get into auto crossing a year ago but I decided to hold off because I had a lot going on at the time. Now I have the time and means to get into auto crossing so I've decided to get started this summer.


My options are to:
A. Mod my current ZHP (maintenance comes first of course)

B. Pick up a clean S52 swapped E30 coupe with tasteful mods

I've always been a fan of classic BMW's but I've never driven or owned one. My only main concern is how well of a dd are E30's? Are they good on long road trips?

In a perfect world, I'd keep both but I'm a college student living away from home so its one or the other.

Thanks in advance guys!

[Avetiso]

ZHP = money pit.
E30 = money pit.

Pick your poison. Both cars are capable autocrossers and capable daily drivers. I'd say the E30 would have the edge in autocross, while the ZHP is obviously the more comfortable, modern daily driver. I'd stick with the ZHP if autocross is going to be a rare thing.

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[brettbimmer]

ZHP = money pit.
E30 = money pit.

Pick your poison. Both cars are capable autocrossers and capable daily drivers. I'd say the E30 would have the edge in autocross, while the ZHP is obviously the more comfortable, modern daily driver. I'd stick with the ZHP if autocross is going to be a rare thing.

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+1. Owned both. E30 has a bit of an edge in raw handling, but the ZHP is a more comfortable DD.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

[ZHPRegistry.net]

E30 parts are cheaper, the car is much easier to work on, less computers, better accessibility to things (s52 will take some of that away). The purchase price should be better on an E30 I would think.

On the flip side, why do you want a ZHP specifically? You can get a 330i Sport for less money. If you plan to mod a lot of things you can even get an non-sport 330i for little money. I mean don't get me wrong, ZHPs are great, but if you are torn between a ZHP and an E30 then you are not fixated on the ZHP part I would think.

[E_Rak]

He already owns a ZHP, asking if he should sell and get into an E30 instead

I don't know much about classic BMWs, but I do know that E30s have a huge following and are always praised for their driving characteristics. Something similar can be said about E46s as well I suppose. A modern ZHP will have a few more "modern car" issues, but you should probably have them identified by now. An older car might have rust, fitment, or other age-related issues. Those can be addressed before purchase though.

[poke08]

Correct. I have an 04 ZHP sedan w/ a sunroof already. As of now, Im planning on doing multiple autocross throughout the year.

I love the styling and I've heard great things about the E30's driving capabilities, I'm just not sure how comfortable it would be as a daily.


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[derbo]

E30 parts are cheaper, the car is much easier to work on, less computers, better accessibility to things (s52 will take some of that away). The purchase price should be better on an E30 I would think.

On the flip side, why do you want a ZHP specifically? You can get a 330i Sport for less money. If you plan to mod a lot of things you can even get an non-sport 330i for little money. I mean don't get me wrong, ZHPs are great, but if you are torn between a ZHP and an E30 then you are not fixated on the ZHP part I would think.

Funny, I think the ZHP is easier to work on compared to the E30. Most of the mechanics don't like working on the E30 either. I think even though its mainly mechanical work, the parts then to be alot older and have a higher chance of being rusted and frozen on. In my experience with E30s, I have yet to see one that didn't have a stuck frozen bolt. A ZHP may also have similar problems but it's definitely less likely because it's got a few years on the E30.


I personally think the ZHP is a better daily and it will do fine at the Auto-X. It won't be the fastest of the bunch but I'm sure it will still give you smiles in the parking lot.



An E30 as a daily can be good but it really depends on the example you find. Majority of them now have alot of issues due to its age and mileage but if you get them to a good working order, it can be a wonderful daily driver. I personally would love one for a daily but I'm not sure I'm ready for the headaches to get it to a perfect daily..LOL

[Hermes]

e30

[stephenkirsh]

E46s do just fine at autocross.

[Hermes]

E46s do just fine at autocross.

Power to weight ratio... S52 E30 is more like E46 M3


My 2300lb M52 alloy stroker 3.0 Frankenmotor E21 will demolish (and pass smog)

[brettbimmer]

Have you tried an autocross in the ZHP? May be worth it first before making a major change.

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[derbo]

e30

You are bias to the stuff old man ;)

[poke08]

Have you tried an autocross in the ZHP? May be worth it first before making a major change.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

Good idea. I haven't tried that yet.


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[danewilson77]

ZHP....hands down.

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[ZHPRegistry.net]

For me personally, working on my E30 is easier than the ZHP. Granted my E30 is like a time capsule, there is absolutely 0 rust on it anywhere.

[Hermes]

You are bias to the stuff old man ;)

Your gf has a swapped M5x dirty thirty :p

[derbo]

Your gf has a swapped M5x dirty thirty :p
And everytime I have to work on it, I hate it. LOL


She also has an E90 stick sooooo :P

[stephenkirsh]

Have you tried an autocross in the ZHP? May be worth it first before making a major change.

Sent from my pineapple under the sea.

This +1000

[stephenkirsh]

Power to weight ratio... S52 E30 is more like E46 M3


My 2300lb M52 alloy stroker 3.0 Frankenmotor E21 will demolish (and pass smog)

I never said there was anything wrong with an e30. If you already HAVE a zhp, may as well use it!

[LivesNearCostco]

If you haven't autocrossed at least 3 times, go with the car you have (ZHP). Once you've gone at least 6 times with the local BMW CCA, you will find someone with an E30 that will let you ride and possibly even drive it at AutoX to see what it's like. Of course if you're autocrossing with another group, you might get that ride along in a Honda S2000, Subie WRX, Ford Mustang, or Miata, instead of an E30.

[M0nk3y]

If you're going to autocross with SCCA, I'd take a serious consideration with what mods you're planning on doing...and what class you will end up in.

Time and time I see this again overlooked where people throw mods on a car, bump it into a prepared class or something where they will never be competitive.

With that being said, I can tell you that the ZHP will fall into STX with suspension, wheels, intake, exhaust (if you do headers), diff, seats...etc etc. But just forcast IMO.

Also, if you really want to get serious into autocross, be ready to throw money. I'm easily around $5500-$6000 into my 128i that I'm prepping for STX and I'm at a very light STX build (Suspension, Wheels/Tires, Swaybar, Brakes, Harness)..

Good luck!

BTW - The E46 ZHP is a very nice car to have in STX...it CAN be competitive at national level with the right driver and mods, IMO

[midlandtech]

I'd drive the car I have concentrating on improving my own skills so when I moved to a more capable one (what ever that may be) I had a solid base from which to expand.

taptalk + Note 3

[danewilson77]

Moved to "Track and AutoX".

[John V]

With equal mods the ZHP will be a better autocrosser than the E30. The E30 may be more fun. Then again, maybe not.

14837

[Hornung418]

John, are you up on two wheels!? Thats an awesome picture.

Sent from my GS3.

[stephenkirsh]

Damn that car looks serious

[M0nk3y]

With equal mods the ZHP will be a better autocrosser than the E30. The E30 may be more fun. Then again, maybe not.

14837

Since when did you jump on here John? (PS - It's the 128i you met at Toledo)

Car looked awesome this weekend.

[Johnmadd]

e30

+100

Best car I've ever owned is my e30, I seriously abuse it and it just takes it... and with minimal maintenance.

[danewilson77]

Since when did you jump on here John? (PS - It's the 128i you met at Toledo)

Car looked awesome this weekend.
John V has been on here for a while.

The friendliest forum on the planet!

[John V]

Since when did you jump on here John? (PS - It's the 128i you met at Toledo)

Car looked awesome this weekend.

I've lurked around for years, but my account went away at some point so I rejoined.

Thanks Kyle. It's a blast to drive.

[Bob1035]

Way old thread here, but this is relevant to my interests as I'm picking up a ZHP soon, had a bunch of E30s, and autocrossed them pretty regularly.

For a true "only car" (DD + autoX), the E46 seems so much better. If you have a true daily, I think the E30 is a better 2nd car. I *love* E30s, but they are no longer the cheap option they once were.

[BMWCurves]

Way old thread here, but this is relevant to my interests as I'm picking up a ZHP soon, had a bunch of E30s, and autocrossed them pretty regularly.

For a true "only car" (DD + autoX), the E46 seems so much better. If you have a true daily, I think the E30 is a better 2nd car. I *love* E30s, but they are no longer the cheap option they once were.

Very true. I remember when I was looking for my ZHP in 2014. You could have a sub 100k mile E30 in decent shape for under $8k. Now I see moderately maintained E30s with 200k miles going for that kind of money.

[t.er]

Very true. I remember when I was looking for my ZHP in 2014. You could have a sub 100k mile E30 in decent shape for under $8k. Now I see moderately maintained E30s with 200k miles going for that kind of money.

Heck, when I bought my ZHP back in 2015, a few months prior I saw what appeared to be a mint Estoril on Dove E36 M3/2/5. A clean Estoril E36 M3 coupe tickles me in all the right places... and that one was listed for $7500 CAD. Now their prices are through the roof - not as much as the E46 Ms but clean ones are definitely up there.

[RP3340]

To jump on an old thread - the ZHP is no longer competitive in autocross in G Street. Prepare to be spanked by newer Honda Civics.

[Galapolis]

What mods are allowed in G street? I'm sure the right parts could make it competitive again. Assuming it's a non-folding sedan in the lightest trim.

[JPMo]

To jump on an old thread - the ZHP is no longer competitive in autocross in G Street. Prepare to be spanked by newer Honda Civics.Really?? Why is that?