WTB: Manual ZHP Convertible

[TinParade]

Hi,

The lease on my Honda Accord is almost over and I can't wait to get back into a fun car to drive. Although I've never driven one, ZHPs seem to be the perfect balance of fun and practicality. I am currently in the market for one with the following specs:

ZHP package
Must be a convertible
Must be a manual
MY 04+
< 100K miles, but the lower the better
Open to all exterior colors, but prefer blue, graphite or white
Must be clean, without major modifications
Budget is flexible

I'm located in CT, but would buy from anywhere if it's the right car.

Thanks!

[danewilson77]

Good Luck. Welcome.

[ELCID86]

Welcome. Keep your eyes peeled here, autotrader, carmax, cars.com and use the Craigslist Pro+ app to add various cities to search.

[BCS_ZHP]

There was an imola red, black leather conv, 6MT with about 85K advertised in Winchester, VA a couple weeks ago. The price was low in my opinion, $12.5K, so don't know if it's still available or not. Do some searching on the Winchester area.

[TinParade]

Thanks guys, I'm optimistic I'll find one before Dec.

[mbeckel]

http://houston.craigslist.org/ctd/4598022414.html

Very nice, like the colors and miles, but it's AT

[BCS_ZHP]

The one in my sig pic, my wife's, was sold last Oct with 49K miles and I understand it just was sold again to a guy in NH, 5K more miles and the exact same price. Low mileage verts are hard to find.

[oldzilla]

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=80128&endYear=2006&vehicleStyleCodes=CONVERT&modelCode1=330CI&showcaseOwnerId=765463&startYear=2004&makeCode1=BMW&searchRadius=0&mmt=%5BBMW%5B330CI%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&listingId=374082067&Log=0

[jwalther]

I've been watching this one since it arrived on the lot several weeks ago. It' been relisted several times, and after never breaking $12k, it looks like it might finally sell. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331288360311?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[TinParade]

I've been watching this one since it arrived on the lot several weeks ago. It' been relisted several times, and after never breaking $12k, it looks like it might finally sell. http://www.ebay.com/itm/331288360311?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Yes I did see it, but the price seems high, thoughts? I mean for 2K more I can drive an M3 convertible, so I'm somewhat puzzled.

[BCS_ZHP]

Yes I did see it, but the price seems high, thoughts? I mean for 2K more I can drive an M3 convertible, so I'm somewhat puzzled.

And the M3 comes with more maintenance costs, worse fuel economy, and higher insurance premiums. For that you get more power, stiffer/tighter suspension, a more visceral ride. I have never driven a m3 vert but have been told by 2 different owners that on occasion the power of that engine can overpower the chassis and you will feel the body flex.

Regarding the eBay ad for the ZHP conv, his price is exactly where expected. Basing that off what I sold ours for last Fall.

[ELCID86]

http://cnj.craigslist.org/cto/4527200057.html



Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[ELCID86]

http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/4570699147.html


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk.

[TinParade]

http://harrisonburg.craigslist.org/cto/4570699147.html


This is is intriguing (low miles, reasonable price it appears.) Thanks

[ELCID86]

This is is intriguing (low miles, reasonable price it appears.) Thanks

Vas lives over that way. He might be able to put eyes on it for you. I'ts about 2.5 hours form me.

[TinParade]

Vas lives over that way. He might be able to put eyes on it for you. I'ts about 2.5 hours form me.

That would be of huge help. I'll send him a PM.

[ELCID86]

2003 bmw m3 convertible 61k miles beautiful "MUST SELL BEFORE END OF AUGUST" pri - $19900 (Gaithersburg MD)

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/cto/4624400953.html

[Vas]

Vas lives over that way. He might be able to put eyes on it for you. I'ts about 2.5 hours form me.

Car is roughly 15 minutes away from me. I can take a look at it.

[TinParade]

Car is roughly 15 minutes away from me. I can take a look at it.

Thanks Vas, I just sent you a PM.

[Vas]

Just took a look at the imola convertible. It is a good buy with some small flaws. If you can over look them then I say go for it. Offer a lower price to the owner.

[Vas]

Op, so any updates ?

[TinParade]

Thinking about coming down this weekend to check it out. Seller won't budge on the price, but it's probably still a good buy. I am puzzled by the undersized rear tires you mentioned and she insists that she ordered them per the 'sticker that came with the car' - not sure what sticker she is referring to.

[wsmeyer]

Thinking about coming down this weekend to check it out. Seller won't budge on the price, but it's probably still a good buy. I am puzzled by the undersized rear tires you mentioned and she insists that she ordered them per the 'sticker that came with the car' - not sure what sticker she is referring to.

There's a sticker on the driver door jam that lists tire size and recommended inflation. In the ad it mentions the previous owner took delivery in Germany so it would be very interesting if the sticker lists different tire sizes than US.

[wsmeyer]

+++

This actually makes sense on the tire size. I've always joked that my car had the "California ski package" as despite having the Cold Weather Package with ski pass through, the manual specifically states you can't use tire chains with the optional wheels, presumably because of clearance. This wouldn't fly in Germany as all cars are required to have at least 20mm clearance to allow the use of tire chains. One size narrower tires in the back probably meets the requirement.

[TinParade]

+++

This actually makes sense on the tire size. I've always joked that my car had the "California ski package" as despite having the Cold Weather Package with ski pass through, the manual specifically states you can't use tire chains with the optional wheels, presumably because of clearance. This wouldn't fly in Germany as all cars are required to have at least 20mm clearance to allow the use of tire chains. One size narrower tires in the back probably meets the requirement.

Interesting thought; do you think 225 tires would fit fine on an 8.5" wheel (assuming the car has that wheel size in the rear)?

[Vas]

All 4 tires were 225 section width.

Car was euro delivery then shipped to Maryland. Then sold to the current owner who replaced the original tires with the current set.

[wsmeyer]

All 4 tires were 225 section width.

Car was euro delivery then shipped to Maryland. Then sold to the current owner who replaced the original tires with the current set.

I'd be surprised if the sticker called for 225's. ZHP's in the US call for 255's in the rear. I've run 15mm spacers on my car and couldn't get it to rub. I can't say for certain there is 15mm clearance throughout the entire suspension travel but it must be close. To meet German requirements you'd only need another 5 so you'd have to go with a 10mm narrower tire -> 245.

That pretty much debunks my theory lol.

[BCS_ZHP]

225, 255, someone being dyslectic, it'd be an easy mistake to make.

Earlier question, do 225's fit on 8.5" wheels, absolutely. 25.4mm per inch so a 225 tire is just under 9" wide.

[az3579]

225, 255, someone being dyslectic, it'd be an easy mistake to make.

Earlier question, do 225's fit on 8.5" wheels, absolutely. 25.4mm per inch so a 225 tire is just under 9" wide.

They'll fit but they'll stretch.

[BCS_ZHP]

BP, that ain't real stretch, ask Stuart what wheels/tires he has on Wagone.

[Vas]

225 do fit on a 8.5 wheel but they are not stretched.

Seller said all 4 tires were the same so I looked and it was 225s on all 4 corners. Don't recall the brand but they were not anything special.

[Vas]

The tires are not that big of a deal. I'm more curious to why the bumpers,fender and quarter panel were repainted on the car.

Clean carfax?

[TinParade]

I checked out the car today. I think it is a great deal for the condition it is in, and I loved the color combination. The car looks stunning to me. The paint issues you pointed out were not noticeable at all, but I'm not a professional. The car had a clean AutoCheck report and corroborates the history as she explained it. Regarding the tire situation, it turns out she DID have the staggered setup (wheels+tires), but the 255's were on the front of the car and not the rear. Whomever rotated her tires did a bad job not noticing something so basic.

Trouble with this whole thing is....I made the mistake of test driving an E46 M3 before going down. While the ZHP was awesome, the price differential (to me) is such that it's worth splurging and getting the M3 instead.

Someone really ought to buy that Imola ZHP convertible; I'm surprised it hasn't yet sold. I was really close to pulling the trigger and agonized over the decision while I was down there, but it's over now.

[Vas]

Maybe I am just picky but I rather point out every little detail about the vehicle.

[TinParade]

Maybe I am just picky but I rather point out every little detail about the vehicle.

What you did makes sense; that's what I would do too

[Easily Bored]

The maintenance on the M3 is horrendously more expensive compared to the ZHP (e.g. Inspection I $1,000+). I'm also contemplating the sale of mine, which fits your criteria. '06 6MT vert, triple black, Alcantara, xenons, HK, 52K miles.