bluecoupe
08-20-2014, 04:22 PM
My ZHP affair started over 10 years ago when I drove my first one. I was looking for a replacement for my '92 VW Corrado VR6 and looked at several types of cars. After stopping by the local BMW dealer, I was convinced an M3 was for me. But since I'm very particular about what I drive, the car went on order. The thing is, I kept testing them at dealers while waiting for the five month build period and discovered while it was a great car, the ride was brutal. Was I getting too old? Soft? All that kept going through my mind was, "it's a lot of money if you don't really like it". So I cancelled the order but kept looking. One day I noticed something that looked like an M3 but better. After researching it, discovered it was the Performance Package. Nobody was calling it ZHP back then. I was ready for a drive - but not a stick was to be found in the state of Texas. Because I don't buy cars without driving them, I asked the dealer where I could test a stick. California. It so happens I was taking a business trip there and contacted the dealer for a test ride. After my business meeting, a red coupe with Alcantara interior was waiting. In one mile I knew it was the right car. Great shifter, ride, steering, exhaust note - the total package. I was hooked.
Around the same time, I discovered Euro Delivery and decided to go all the way. Ordered the car in January for May pickup. Turns out they built it in February because they were discontinuing Orient Blue, my color of choice. So they built it while still using that paint and stored it. These were the days before the Welt but the experience was still amazing.
After driving the car about a mile I told my wife they were the best brakes I'd ever felt. Incredible feel and modulation. In fact the whole car was amazing with one exception. It rode very hard. And on German roads it was all over the place. Lateral stability? What's that? Until the Autobahn.
It's a tough decision. You've been told not to exceed 100 MPH until 1000 miles on the clock. But you're on the Autobahn. So with 500, I took it to 100. At that speed, a transformation occurred. No longer was the handling an issue; it just sat down and took on a totally serious demeanor. Sort of like "OK bub, let's see what you got". So we went to 115 and all I can say is it was totally engaged with a lot of fun left. But I didn't want to push it with 500 miles on the engine and backed off.
On that trip, we went to France and drove on streets barely wider than the car. Then on a ferry to Dover England, where we toured southern England on the left side of the road. Mildly strange.
Then we dropped it off at Heathrow and six weeks later, Bullet, as the car was named due to his penchant for speed, arrived at our dealer in Houston.
Upon getting it to the States, I researched the manual and discovered they had two sets of tire pressure. I backed it down to the lower one and the ride and lateral stability went to perfect.
In nine plus years, I still look at the car when I leave it parked in a lot (usually a mile from wherever we are going) and smile when I get back. The drive has never been anything but exceptional. And incredibly fun - I'm stunned I haven't been jailed.
A few years ago, I was on a trip between Houston and Austin and realized I was going to be late for a meeting. So it was time to use some Bimmer speed. This time, on roads far less smooth than the Autobahn, that car was moving at 115 - 120 for about 30 minutes. Made the meeting on time.
So here are some stats:
Built Feb 2005
Picked up May 2005
Original mileage - 3 miles
Current mileage - 53,544
Exterior Color - Orient Blue
Interior Color - Natural Brown
Trim Color - Black Cube
Factory Options -
Metallic Paint
Premium Package
Performance Package
Xenons
Dealer options-
Alarm
Garage Door opener
Floormats
Euro Delivery options (these are included on all Euro Deliveries)
Warning Triangle
Floormats (better ones than the dealer sells)
First Aid Kit
Post Delivery
Tinted Windows
Removal of Clutch Check Valve
Sirius Radio
Euro tray
Ipod adapter
Hardwired Passport detector
Hardwired Battery Tender
Additional first aid box added to drivers seat
2006 ZHP steering wheel (didn't like the feel of Alcantara - perfed wheel much nicer)
The car has not required much work over the years. I used to travel for work so M-F it sat in the garage. But whenever I have worked on it, the quality of design and materials has been impressive. I follow the Mike Miller maintenance schedule so that helps keep it running well.
Glad to join this group. Seems like a great group of enthusiasts that really appreciate something special.
Around the same time, I discovered Euro Delivery and decided to go all the way. Ordered the car in January for May pickup. Turns out they built it in February because they were discontinuing Orient Blue, my color of choice. So they built it while still using that paint and stored it. These were the days before the Welt but the experience was still amazing.
After driving the car about a mile I told my wife they were the best brakes I'd ever felt. Incredible feel and modulation. In fact the whole car was amazing with one exception. It rode very hard. And on German roads it was all over the place. Lateral stability? What's that? Until the Autobahn.
It's a tough decision. You've been told not to exceed 100 MPH until 1000 miles on the clock. But you're on the Autobahn. So with 500, I took it to 100. At that speed, a transformation occurred. No longer was the handling an issue; it just sat down and took on a totally serious demeanor. Sort of like "OK bub, let's see what you got". So we went to 115 and all I can say is it was totally engaged with a lot of fun left. But I didn't want to push it with 500 miles on the engine and backed off.
On that trip, we went to France and drove on streets barely wider than the car. Then on a ferry to Dover England, where we toured southern England on the left side of the road. Mildly strange.
Then we dropped it off at Heathrow and six weeks later, Bullet, as the car was named due to his penchant for speed, arrived at our dealer in Houston.
Upon getting it to the States, I researched the manual and discovered they had two sets of tire pressure. I backed it down to the lower one and the ride and lateral stability went to perfect.
In nine plus years, I still look at the car when I leave it parked in a lot (usually a mile from wherever we are going) and smile when I get back. The drive has never been anything but exceptional. And incredibly fun - I'm stunned I haven't been jailed.
A few years ago, I was on a trip between Houston and Austin and realized I was going to be late for a meeting. So it was time to use some Bimmer speed. This time, on roads far less smooth than the Autobahn, that car was moving at 115 - 120 for about 30 minutes. Made the meeting on time.
So here are some stats:
Built Feb 2005
Picked up May 2005
Original mileage - 3 miles
Current mileage - 53,544
Exterior Color - Orient Blue
Interior Color - Natural Brown
Trim Color - Black Cube
Factory Options -
Metallic Paint
Premium Package
Performance Package
Xenons
Dealer options-
Alarm
Garage Door opener
Floormats
Euro Delivery options (these are included on all Euro Deliveries)
Warning Triangle
Floormats (better ones than the dealer sells)
First Aid Kit
Post Delivery
Tinted Windows
Removal of Clutch Check Valve
Sirius Radio
Euro tray
Ipod adapter
Hardwired Passport detector
Hardwired Battery Tender
Additional first aid box added to drivers seat
2006 ZHP steering wheel (didn't like the feel of Alcantara - perfed wheel much nicer)
The car has not required much work over the years. I used to travel for work so M-F it sat in the garage. But whenever I have worked on it, the quality of design and materials has been impressive. I follow the Mike Miller maintenance schedule so that helps keep it running well.
Glad to join this group. Seems like a great group of enthusiasts that really appreciate something special.