FarEastGrappler
03-09-2015, 12:05 PM
You folks have a WONDERFUL community here ! Big Thanks to Shawn (ELCID86) and Justin (Hornung418) for all their Time, help, and advice during my search. If any forum members ever need anything from Morgantown, WV, please just let me know. Also, if anyone would like to discuss Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or Muay Thai - feel free to PM me.
I am coming from daily driving a 91 NSX (my dream car, I had the pleasure of owning for over 2 years) and having an SUV for inclement weather. I’m happily married and we have 2 small children. With our older child now in school, I knew I needed a fun and SAFE sports sedan… Enter the E46 (I did look into E36 M3s, but E46 trumps E36 in safety for sure). My preference - I like to drive my car. I don’t want my car to drive me. I always heard such Great things about the E46 platform and knew that I needed to own one.
Though I did not pick up a ZHP, I was very close back in September.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14086-2004-BMW-330i-ZHP-Silver-Alcantara-6MT-Limited-Slip-Differntial
We had the PPI done, arranged for transport and negotiated price, but a non-Bimmer I had been wanting became available and I couldn’t passed it up.
I told myself, I would get my E46 ZHP in the Spring… and then for some reason, I started my search before the Spring =) I also looked into E46 330i Sport (Roads here are pretty tough on low profile rims, at 1 point, I bent 6 in under two years - not on NSX).
Below are some E46s I had PPIs on. I know there had to be another couple cars, but I don’t recall them at the moment. I was fortunate to find an 05 330i Sport in Indiana. It has 65k miles (I am Not afraid of a high mileage well maintained E46) and PPI checked out well.
I haven’t cleaned her up to take pics yet, just the CL ad, and some delivery shots here.
I want the car to be turnkey ready here in a few weeks, when the salt is off the roads and potholes are fixed. Here is a list of what I’d like to do, and Feedback (links too) is Greatly appreciated.
TO DO -
state inspection
fix small oil leak near power steering
cooling system (ECS has good kits, but I have no idea which to buy. Should I do the radiator? I was advised to to all of the pulleys, tensioners, and idlers. I was told the BimmerWorld kit is missing the two sensors, I’m hoping the ECS kit has them)
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Cooling/
http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-3-series-non-m-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-p1454.aspx----------
change All fluids (I will have to read up on fluids recommended for daily driving and order those)
oil analysis (not sure when last oil change was, but oil is dark. I think I need a run of clean oil before I can send for analysis)
side molding clip (right)
driver side front window regulator (or maybe the Ziptie fix? TBD)
auto dimming mirror needs taken apart and cleaned
battery
front brakes (at 30%, so I might do them in a few months)
hood liner / insulation (It is dry and coming apart. I have read threads where it is only for noise reduction, so I might just remove it)
http://www.amazon.com/BMW-engine-Insulation-front-liner/dp/B00AEJDDP6
clear corners, side markers, and red / clear tail lights (non-LED)
tint
detail and Pics !
My E46 Search 2015 -
I found two ZHPs on the BMWCCA site and had PPI done on both.
Here is one, still for sale
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14778-11-500-2003-Silver-Gray-Alcantara-6MT-ZHP-Knoxville-TN
Seller in Colorado had a Buyer will to pay asking price, regardless of PPI findings. Seller in TN was Very Firm on price regardless of PPI.
I had PPI done on this E46 330i Sport.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14913-2004-330i-sport-package-%28but-not-a-ZHP%29-6-speed-slicktop-great-condition-in-VA
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1047947
But due to Cold start issues, and not being able to diagnose the cause, I had to pass.
followed by PPI on this Blue example in CT
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14871-2003-BMW-330i-ZHP-Sedan-6MT-w-123k-miles-%28South-Salem-NY%29-9-900
last was in Maine. I had already had PPI done on the car I ended up buying, but I didn’t contact this seller in time, so I had PPI done.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15137-2005-330i-ZHP-6MT-Sedan-129k-miles-%28Gorham-Maine%29-8200
184751847618477
I am coming from daily driving a 91 NSX (my dream car, I had the pleasure of owning for over 2 years) and having an SUV for inclement weather. I’m happily married and we have 2 small children. With our older child now in school, I knew I needed a fun and SAFE sports sedan… Enter the E46 (I did look into E36 M3s, but E46 trumps E36 in safety for sure). My preference - I like to drive my car. I don’t want my car to drive me. I always heard such Great things about the E46 platform and knew that I needed to own one.
Though I did not pick up a ZHP, I was very close back in September.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14086-2004-BMW-330i-ZHP-Silver-Alcantara-6MT-Limited-Slip-Differntial
We had the PPI done, arranged for transport and negotiated price, but a non-Bimmer I had been wanting became available and I couldn’t passed it up.
I told myself, I would get my E46 ZHP in the Spring… and then for some reason, I started my search before the Spring =) I also looked into E46 330i Sport (Roads here are pretty tough on low profile rims, at 1 point, I bent 6 in under two years - not on NSX).
Below are some E46s I had PPIs on. I know there had to be another couple cars, but I don’t recall them at the moment. I was fortunate to find an 05 330i Sport in Indiana. It has 65k miles (I am Not afraid of a high mileage well maintained E46) and PPI checked out well.
I haven’t cleaned her up to take pics yet, just the CL ad, and some delivery shots here.
I want the car to be turnkey ready here in a few weeks, when the salt is off the roads and potholes are fixed. Here is a list of what I’d like to do, and Feedback (links too) is Greatly appreciated.
TO DO -
state inspection
fix small oil leak near power steering
cooling system (ECS has good kits, but I have no idea which to buy. Should I do the radiator? I was advised to to all of the pulleys, tensioners, and idlers. I was told the BimmerWorld kit is missing the two sensors, I’m hoping the ECS kit has them)
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Engine/Cooling/
http://store.bimmerworld.com/e46-3-series-non-m-cooling-system-overhaul-kit-p1454.aspx----------
change All fluids (I will have to read up on fluids recommended for daily driving and order those)
oil analysis (not sure when last oil change was, but oil is dark. I think I need a run of clean oil before I can send for analysis)
side molding clip (right)
driver side front window regulator (or maybe the Ziptie fix? TBD)
auto dimming mirror needs taken apart and cleaned
battery
front brakes (at 30%, so I might do them in a few months)
hood liner / insulation (It is dry and coming apart. I have read threads where it is only for noise reduction, so I might just remove it)
http://www.amazon.com/BMW-engine-Insulation-front-liner/dp/B00AEJDDP6
clear corners, side markers, and red / clear tail lights (non-LED)
tint
detail and Pics !
My E46 Search 2015 -
I found two ZHPs on the BMWCCA site and had PPI done on both.
Here is one, still for sale
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14778-11-500-2003-Silver-Gray-Alcantara-6MT-ZHP-Knoxville-TN
Seller in Colorado had a Buyer will to pay asking price, regardless of PPI findings. Seller in TN was Very Firm on price regardless of PPI.
I had PPI done on this E46 330i Sport.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14913-2004-330i-sport-package-%28but-not-a-ZHP%29-6-speed-slicktop-great-condition-in-VA
http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=1047947
But due to Cold start issues, and not being able to diagnose the cause, I had to pass.
followed by PPI on this Blue example in CT
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?14871-2003-BMW-330i-ZHP-Sedan-6MT-w-123k-miles-%28South-Salem-NY%29-9-900
last was in Maine. I had already had PPI done on the car I ended up buying, but I didn’t contact this seller in time, so I had PPI done.
http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?15137-2005-330i-ZHP-6MT-Sedan-129k-miles-%28Gorham-Maine%29-8200
184751847618477