2004 330ci ZHP

[burns]

http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/5404174023.html

First post!

Thinking of pulling the trigger on this guy. Its pretty rough, but with some TLC it could become something nicer. Seats, bumper, armrest are areas of concern.

What do you think are some things I should pay attention to when I go see it with a car close to 160k miles. Prebuy inspection mandatory, lol.

VIN: WBABD53444PD98335

24450244512445224453

[BADCLOWN]

looks like some aesthetic touches would help: very thorough interior/exterior detail with some paint correction, possibly repaint the front bumper, new headlight lenses, couple other small things and you'd have a good looking/nice car.


hows the maintenance history?

waterpump, CCV system, vanos, etc.


Also, I think the price is a shade too high.

[burns]

thinking of making the prices dependent on the pre buy, no way a BMW dealer won't find a laundry list I can negotiate with.

[BMWCurves]

Depends on the maintenance. There's a lot of things that should have been addressed in some fashion by 160k miles:

Cooling system refresh (expansion tank, hoses, thermostat, water pump, radiator)
Spark plugs/ignition coils
Belts
Pulleys
VANOS
DISA (rebuild or replacement)
Suspension (shocks/struts, control arms, bushings, etc)
Clutch (if it's slipping)
Fluids (power steering, transmission, differential, good change intervals on brake fluid and motor oil changes)
Filters (fuel, cabin, intake)
Fuel pump
Motor/transmission mounts

The list goes on but those are probably the biggest items. You can read more here (and further down under "maintenance"): http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_E46#What_should_I_look_out_for .3F

As for aesthetics it looks like the interior needs some cleaning and the leather needs some conditioning, but you could do that yourself pretty easily. A lot of folks do Leatherique treatments with good success. Cleaning up the headlight lenses would be another thing you can do. Basically wet sand it down with a fine grit sand paper, polish, and seal. I may do that down the road for my coupe. A rewrapped steering wheel is probably in order if it hasn't been replaced before. Resprayed bumper would also do wonders, it looks pretty rough. Replace the cupholders and coin tray wouldn't be too bad and would help. Finally, a good exterior detailing would make it shine again.

As you say, pre-purchase inspection (PPI) is a must, use what you find to haggle down from there. Also, running the VIN reveals the car does not have the Cold Weather Package or the Premium Package, but don't let that bother you. My coupe doesn't have either and I don't miss any of the features since I have heated seats and fold down rear seats.

[burns]

thanks for the input. definitely get a replacement cup holder module. For the front bumper, inside of the fog lights, my e36 has brake ducts, can see daylight in the pictures provided (passenger side). Looks like they fell out when the bumper hit some things? Or is the assembly different in the e46, tried realoem for some illustrated parts catalogue drawings, but couldn't find.

[BMWCurves]

thanks for the input. definitely get a replacement cup holder module. For the front bumper, inside of the fog lights, my e36 has brake ducts, can see daylight in the pictures provided (passenger side). Looks like they fell out when the bumper hit some things? Or is the assembly different in the e46, tried realoem for some illustrated parts catalogue drawings, but couldn't find.

We have brake ducts, so yes, it's missing on the passenger side. I also notice something tan in front of the radiator. Not sure what that is...

[burns]

think its a cardboard box haha , its been cold here recently

[fw_fw]

We have brake ducts, so yes, it's missing on the passenger side. I also notice something tan in front of the radiator. Not sure what that is...

Looks like cardboard to help keep the engine warm in cold weather....

[ELCID86]

Welcome. Is it near you?


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - an e46fanatic

[burns]

Yes, about an hour, hour and a half down the turnpike.

[danewilson77]

Welcome to the Family.

Sent from an S6 Edge

[Vas]

It's going to need some love for sure.

[Boca_RatonZHP]

Yes, about an hour, hour and a half down the turnpike.

If you want to go see it I would definitely be down for a trip. I'm in Jersey City.

But I've been looking on CG for ZHP's and there are pretty decent deals on some. His price is a little high, definitely a DD that needs some TLC.

[johnrando]

Welcome. They pretty much covered it.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Don Adolfo]

Welcome. Is it black or Orient Blue?

[BMWCurves]

Looks black to me. VIN check confirms Black Sapphire Metallic.

[ELCID86]

Welcome. Is it black or Orient Blue?

Hey stranger!


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"ZHP is a garbage option anyway- just some cosmetic upgrades with a different cam and diff to claw back some of the performance lost fitting those hideous and heavy wheels. Any 330 with a 3.46 diff will smoke a ZHP every time. The whole Mafia thing reeks of childish behavior." - anonymous