New member from sunny San Diego

[SWO Daddy]

Greetings all. A longtime BMW fan and driver, I just joined the forum having picked up a ZHP vert last month. I've been driving BMW for the last 15yrs and truly love the E46 chassis - I've owned two 99 323i's, an 02 M3 and an 02 330i. Throw in an 01 X5 and an 11 Z4 35is and I can safely say that I'm hooked on the marque. As the third car, the ZHP is sharing the garage with a 14 Mercedes C250 (girlfriend's) and an 05 Porsche 911 C2S.

So the car is an 05, jet black on natural brown. Love the color contrast! It has 83k miles on the odometer and runs like a champ. Some little things here and there to address but I enjoy working on her. She lived her life in Florida and is now happily residing in sunny Southern California. I've thus added a trunk lip spoiler, gloss black kidneys, stubby antennae, windscreen, brake duct covers, aux cord and color matched the shifter / ebrake handle / steering wheel trim. Wheels and maybe a drop to come. We will see.

I look forward to chatting with everyone about these wonderful machines.

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/image30.jpeg

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/image33.jpeg

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/image32.jpeg

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/image35.jpeg

http://photos.e46fanatics.com/data/500/image37.jpeg

[Lorenzo]

Beautiful zhp vert! Congratulations!

[BMWCurves]

Congrats and welcome!

[ELCID86]

Welcome

[san]

Welcome


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[anandoc]

Welcome. For a jet black car, thats so clean!!

[WOLFN8TR]

Nice! John you have vert twin close by!

[Vas]

Welcome.

[SWO Daddy]

Thx all!

[johnrando]

Nice! John you have vert twin close by!

Needless to say I LOVE that car! Welcome to the family. I actually have a inside/outside twin even closer, in Hermosa Beach.

OP: where did you get your rear trunk spoiler? I might need to replace mine down the road. And, nice set of cars you have/had.

There are a few mafioso down there in SD, and a few that are still members but aren't around much, just as an FYI.

PS You can paint the greyed out front grill with a gloss black spray paint and it will look great. Easy to remove and paint or you can mask it off and paint.

[SWO Daddy]

Needless to say I LOVE that car! Welcome to the family. I actually have a inside/outside twin even closer, in Hermosa Beach.

OP: where did you get your rear trunk spoiler? I might need to replace mine down the road. And, nice set of cars you have/had.

There are a few mafioso down there in SD, and a few that are still members but aren't around much, just as an FYI.

PS You can paint the greyed out front grill with a gloss black spray paint and it will look great. Easy to remove and paint or you can mask it off and paint.

Thx JR.

I got the trunk lip off ebay. At $39 painted / shipped, I was willing to take the gamble. Surprisingly, the paint quality was good so I installed and am happy the way it looks.

And I do plan on painting the front bumper mesh soon. My son is visiting from the east coast this weekend so maybe a quick project to knock out.

I've already bought wheels and have jet black M3 mirrors from a previous DIY that I plan on installing. Will have to wait for the summer though as the Navy is sending me out for the next 4 mos.

[johnrando]

I have been considering M3 mirrors but am hesitant due to the cost and the wiring, but I haven't ruled it out yet. Which wheels BTW? We are maybe lining up a SoCal mini meet in Fountain Valley (check out the CA section) but looks like you may not be in town. Thank you for your service. Keep us posted!

[SWO Daddy]

I have been considering M3 mirrors but am hesitant due to the cost and the wiring, but I haven't ruled it out yet. Which wheels BTW? We are maybe lining up a SoCal mini meet in Fountain Valley (check out the CA section) but looks like you may not be in town. Thank you for your service. Keep us posted!

Understand on cost (and risk) with the M3 mirrors. If I didn't have the mirrors already, probably wouldn't do it. But since I do, I'll take my time this summer and give it a try. All I've read tells me its a pain in the ass to switch motors, but the end result is worth the effort.

I picked up some ESM04Rs last month. Had some on my M3 (see sig) and LOVED them. Great quality and I've always loved the look of BBS LMs.

Appreciate your thanks for service. I can tell you that for the last 25yrs, I have been privileged to work with the some of finest individuals in our country on a daily basis. I am constantly surprised by the motivation, enthusiasm and tenacity of our nations young people.

[danewilson77]

That. Is. Stunning.

Welcome

[fredo]

Welcome, sir ! Car looks really good. I visited SD back in 2015, such a nice place. :thumbsup

[sillieidiot]

welcome

[SWO Daddy]

That. Is. Stunning.

Welcome

Thx! I think she looks pretty good as well.


Welcome, sir ! Car looks really good. I visited SD back in 2015, such a nice place. :thumbsup

I feel privileged to live here. When I had my Z4, top down 85% of the year!

[Oli77]

Welcome!
Beautiful car (s), southern California for sure.
Hope you can meet with others in the SD area.

[Cadeez]

Welcome! Black on NB combo almost can't be beat, great looking car. Your wheels sound like a very close relative to the LM reps I've got, ESR SR05. Excellent taste!

[SWO Daddy]

Welcome!
Beautiful car (s), southern California for sure.
Hope you can meet with others in the SD area.

Hope so as well.


Welcome! Black on NB combo almost can't be beat, great looking car. Your wheels sound like a very close relative to the LM reps I've got, ESR SR05. Excellent taste!

Thx. The contrast of natural brown with the black interior is gorgeous.