Alpine White ZHP Project/Maintenance

[dkmcclelland]

Well, I pulled the trigger. I've done what most everyone I know thinks is crazy. I decided to replace my beloved European Delivery F30 335i with a 13 year old, 108K mile ZHP.

I wanted to start an introduction thread, as well as a place that I can track my maintenance/modifications/progress from here on out.

I bought the car in Pennsylvania and I'm the 4th owner. No maintenance documents with the car, other than a few things from the Carfax. The car had a clean PPI with the exception of the serpentine belt, the original cooling system, window actuators on the driver front and back sides, A/C pillars and headlights needing rejuvenating.

The wheels were previously painted and look awful, and will either need refinishing or replacing.

The car has a clear bra that was previously installed, that I'm thinking about taking off, and possibly replacing. If the paint is good underneath, I don't want it to become chipped.

In any case, here's some quick photos of how she sits right now. The headlights are amazingly dim and I've ordered a new kit from The Retrofit Source here in Atlanta to fix that.

I also plan to do the cooling system very soon as it's original and bound to go out anytime.

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[san]

Congrats!

[danewilson77]

Me likey

Sent from my S8+

[BMWCurves]

Awesome, glad you're enjoying it and that you got it home safe and sound!

I look forward to seeing what you end up doing for maintenance and mods.

[fredo]

Congrats, man ! Hopefully you just need to refinish the wheels. What did you try to show on pic 4 ? I can't identify what your finger is pointing to.

[Aeternalis]

What did you try to show on pic 4 ? I can't identify what your finger is pointing to.

Burnt bowl.

[johnrando]

Congrats!

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[dkmcclelland]

Thanks everyone!

fredo - Like Aeternalis said, the bowls in my headlights are burnt. Light output is awful.

One other thing of note, on the drive home the CEL came on, so I need to pick up a scanner to check codes. Any recommendations?

Also, I think the TO bearing is either going bad, or has gone bad.

When the clutch isn't depressed it sounds like the car has a LWF and I know it doesn't, but when I depress the clutch, the sound goes away and it runs fine.

So, I suppose a clutch job is on the short list with cooling system.

[ZHP_Brandon]

Thanks everyone!

fredo - Like Aeternalis said, the bowls in my headlights are burnt. Light output is awful.

One other thing of note, on the drive home the CEL came on, so I need to pick up a scanner to check codes. Any recommendations?

Also, I think the TO bearing is either going bad, or has gone bad.

When the clutch isn't depressed it sounds like the car has a LWF and I know it doesn't, but when I depress the clutch, the sound goes away and it runs fine.

So, I suppose a clutch job is on the short list with cooling system.

No particular scanner to recommend, if you dont get CEL lights often I'd go to your local autoparts store to diagnose all of your codes. Write them down so you have a log of them, otherwise you could buy PASoft BMW Scanner - but it requires installation onto a laptop thats running WindowsXP

I have the same problem with my clutch and I've had my car for 2 years already, Admittedly It has got to be a failing clutch, or throwaway bearing... I never diagnosed this as a transmission overhaul is long over due on my car, as I'm a pretty aggressive driver.

Look no further than FCPEuro for the cooling system, I didnt go full genuine BMW parts as I made a few massive purchases for my car - only perk is that they have lifetime warranties on everything, should anything ever fail they'll replace it no matter how long it's been.

I also did my belts and under drive pullies while I was down there in that mess of coolant lol

Best of luck!


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[dkmcclelland]

https://youtu.be/5ndZyejpZGs

So this is the noise it's making. The noise stops when I press in the clutch pedal and disengage the clutch, and when I release the pedal to engage the clutch, the noise starts back.

[sillieidiot]

nice, i like how you were able to take these pictures while taking doing flips LOL

[dkmcclelland]

Hahaha. I can't drive in flip flops. Scared they'd slip off and get stuck behind the pedals.

I was in the carport anyway. Ha.

[dkmcclelland]

https://youtu.be/LUsIXkNbaHo

[BMWM3186]

https://youtu.be/5ndZyejpZGs

So this is the noise it's making. The noise stops when I press in the clutch pedal and disengage the clutch, and when I release the pedal to engage the clutch, the noise starts back.

several people here including me have the noise, scared me at first and now I just assume its normal

[BMWCurves]

Any updates?

[johnrando]

I'll move this to "projects" thread. Hope you found a resolution.

[dkmcclelland]

Oh boy. Where to start.

Come to find out, the dealer had replaced the transmission due to a gear pop out issue, which was fine. What wasn't fine, was that they didn't put any transmission fluid into the transmission. I drove from Pennsylvania to Georgia over 600 miles with only 2-3 oz. of transmission fluid in the car.

After waiting over a month for resolution the dealership finally sourced a new transmission and the car is currently in my local shop.

They agreed to supply the transmission and I agreed to pay labor since the 30 day warranty on the car was for 50% parts/labor coverage.

While it's in the shop I went ahead and replaced the clutch and flywheel with LUK OEM parts from FCPEuro, the Guibo, CSB, and engine/transmission E46 M3 mounts, fixed a leak on the OFHG, the steering Guibo, and front CAB/Rear RTABs with Z4M parts, and did all new shifter bushings (Car already has short shift kit), and new AC and accessory belts.

I sourced some stock ZHP wheels from a friend and got them mounted.

I have retrofitted new headlight projectors from TRS and new lenses, but currently am having issues with flickering.

I didn't plan on doing THIS much maintenance in the first three months of owning the car, but it is what it is and I'm happy I did it.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170725/b775ae2533a02cbd434c2f18222bca30.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170725/c8c6ef064653fbb8b8b27be9f0cbf302.jpg

[BMWCurves]

Dang, that's really a bad look to forget to fill the transmission fluid. At least they finally ponied up.

No one likes unexpected maintenance, but it should run great for a while with all those replacement parts.

Can't get enough of Alpine White...

[johnrando]

Holy cow! Glad that all worked out.

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[Sockethead]

Beautiful car! Don't let all that maintenance sour your experience

[dkmcclelland]

Nah! I went ahead and took care of things that needed to be taken care of anyway. With the flywheel and clutch it cost me a total of $2900

[dkmcclelland]

So, I worked out a deal with a friend and made this happen [emoji7]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170809/426592f4a3aa99bb60cbe15b3d7d15ce.jpg

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[BMWCurves]

Nice. Alpine White with Natural Brown interior is one of my favorite ZHP color combos.

[dkmcclelland]

Thanks! It's what I was searching for when I bought mine

[johnrando]

Nice!

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[dkmcclelland]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170815/c13c4daa9e6c2295f2610a96b2074b24.jpg

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I finally got the car to California and gave her a proper wash and detail. Installed the leather shift and e-brake boots and the ProClip mount.

[BMWCurves]

That color combo:

30812

[fredo]

:like

[dkmcclelland]

That color combo:

30812

Hahahaha!

[ELCID86]

:drool

[BMWCurves]

Glad that car's been working out for you!

[dkmcclelland]

Update:

The car started making a noise last night.

Since I just had the car shipped to California where I am working temporarily, I'm not near the shop that did the work for me.

Shop back home says it sounds like a bad throw out bearing, and since I supplied the parts from FCPEuro, he can't set up a warranty on the labor and since I'm not home, he can't take a look at it for me.

So now I'm looking at yet another drop in the transmission to fix something. I'm starting to think I shouldn't have bought this damn thing.

*sigh*

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-clutch-kit-luk-oem-21207531556


https://youtu.be/-ONWFbPAh84

[fredo]

No bueno. Hope your car will be trouble free after this issue is fixed.

[webster]

Sorry about your issues. I know the feeling. It will get better once you get everything sorted out. Best of luck!

[stephenkirsh]

I'm bumping this because I replaced his driver side rear strut + mount. And it totally solved a squeak problem for like 5 minutes.

But at least the rear strut isn't bouncing around in the mount any more :P

[derbo]

I'm bumping this because I replaced his driver side rear strut + mount. And it totally solved a squeak problem for like 5 minutes.

But at least the rear strut isn't bouncing around in the mount any more :P

bravo Stephen!

[dkmcclelland]

It's been a while since I updated my thread, so here's a few updates:

Maintenance I've done:

Cooling System Overhaul with OE parts. Replaced radiator, upper/lower radiator hoses, coolant return hose, expansion tank, idler pulley, A/C tensioner with pulley, water pump pulley, hydraulic tensioner pulley, water pump and thermostat.

Front and rear brake job with Centric rotors from Rock Auto (They are the parent company to Stop Tech, apparently) and Stop Tech Sport brake pads (Previously street performance pads).

Added a bluetooth module to the OEM BMW iPod integration kit, but it still has a lot of quirks. The OEM Navigation drive will not read discs anymore so I'm actually contemplating just replacing the antiquated system with one of the newer Android head units by Xtrons. (http://xtrons.com/pb7646bp-7-hd-digital-octa-core-64bit-32gb-2g-ram-android-6-multi-touch-screen-car-dvd-player-custom-fit-for-bmw-e46-rover-75-mg-zt.html)

I also worked out a deal to swap out the Natural Brown seats that I bought from Shawn with a guy in Oregon so I now have heated/power lumbar NB front seats and folding rears.

I also bought black M6 E63 seats while I was home on a visit in Georgia just in case the deal fell through with the NB seats. I love the way the M6 seats look and feel, but not sure if I want to put the black back in now that I have heat on the NB. We will see.

The new heated NB seats look great, but I am getting an airbag light for resistance too high on the driver belt buckle tensioner. I disabled it for now until I can source a new/used part for the seat.

I also replaced the upper and lower intake boots and cleaned the throttle body as well as the idler control valve while in there. I'm still getting P0171 & P0174 codes very frequently so I'm going to try and track down the connections for the CCV and possibly a new DISA valve gasket, but I'm not sure yet.

Picked up Derek's (Derbo) OEM roof rack a few weeks ago and got it installed. Also ordered the OEM oil quart bag and European Triangle holder for the trunk since my F30 was a European Delivery and I got to keep the triangle.

There are still quite a few things that need to be done including suspension refresh, rear sub frame reinforcement, headlight seals (they're getting moisture inside them), VANOS rebuild, CCV (Possibly catch can), as well as eventually getting some lightweight wheels that aren't such a bitch to keep clean.

In any case, here are some photos of the progress and how she's looking.

[dkmcclelland]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/4a83a3991194889a8e1357faefb9daf2.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/42747b65cafc310c57d2c6cb71eb574f.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/e7f11485a4ef6e4d96f1599c49594382.jpg

Man that water pump looks bad... Car lived in Pennsylvania/Maryland it’s whole life

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/dd60ed02faf58d985843c4cef1ee4e30.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/3047a735eb0bb408cde4bc639b6e5e3d.jpg

These calipers will get a rebuild sooner rather than later.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171101/248c76c5fb780158ceb7d2818f33ee1f.jpg

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[johnrando]

Great updates

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[i_b_bass]

S54 swap?

[dkmcclelland]

I haven't been the best at keeping this thread updated, but lately I've just been driving and enjoying the car.

I've been having some recurrent P0170/P0174 lean codes that Derek and I tracked down to being a faulty MAF sensor. I borrowed Stephen K's MAF this week and now another code is popping up along with hesitation/stuttering power delivery in the upper gears going up an incline.

Current code with Stephen's MAF is P2240 (O2 Sensor Positive Current Control Circuit/ Open Bank 2 Sensor 1) -- So it looks as though MAF and Up/Down stream O2 sensors are on the shopping list.

I ordered the BavSound Stage 1 upgrade on Black Friday and got them installed at Stephen's house one weekend. They sound great, but sometimes I have a buzzing coming from the mids in the front door.

I do have a bit of a complaint lately and it's that I can't seem to find that great of a comfortable position in the sport seats. Coming from an F30 where they have seats that God made himself I find the E46 seats lacking. After driving for an hour or so my back starts hurting and my legs get achy. I just pop the heater on low and then I'm fine.

Good news is I have E63 M6 seats in Georgia that I'll be bringing out here when I move... Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention I'm moving to the Bay Area...

NextelBuddy (Shawn) is currently working on reupholstering M3 seats with Natural Brown and if they turn out okay, I may tackle swapping the M6 seats to NB. If not, it looks like I'll be putting the black interior back into the car. The seats are amazing and have the adjustable side bolsters along with a slightly bigger silhouette/shape so they fit me better.

In any case, Stephen and I went on a small drive today and stopped for some photos.

Enjoy!

[dkmcclelland]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171231/f47c0ab115b6d0dfee1f694ec88f65c2.jpg

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[Vas]

Great shots


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[danewilson77]

Great shots


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[johnrando]

:like

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[joeybananaz18]

great looking pics. Nice to see an AW zhp. I think i follow you on IG.

[dkmcclelland]

great looking pics. Nice to see an AW zhp. I think i follow you on IG.

Probably. I made her a separate IG from mine. @mizzbettyweiss

[joeybananaz18]

Probably. I made her a separate IG from mine. @mizzbettyweiss

I did the exact same thing. @olivethezhp


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[BMWCurves]

As I was reading I was thinking "you should get E46 M3 seats, they fixed my back ache issue on longer hauls" but then you already have designs on E63 seats so...that's solved. Look forward to seeing how that all turns out.

Also, future welcome to the Best Coast.

[dkmcclelland]

I did the exact same thing. @olivethezhp


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Hey! Meant to DM you on IG, how much was your steering wheel wrap? I’d like to have mine done.

[joeybananaz18]

Hey! Meant to DM you on IG, how much was your steering wheel wrap? I’d like to have mine done.

It came to 530 but that included the 150 price of the core wheel. So once I get it in out on I'll be able to sell the one I have on there now. That price also includes an extra 70 for a 1/8 inch extra padding so it's a little thicker, closer to the feel of the 1M wheel.


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[dkmcclelland]

It came to 530 but that included the 150 price of the core wheel. So once I get it in out on I'll be able to sell the one I have on there now. That price also includes an extra 70 for a 1/8 inch extra padding so it's a little thicker, closer to the feel of the 1M wheel.


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My wheel is just fine right now. [emoji23]

[joeybananaz18]

My wheel is just fine right now. [emoji23]

Haha I know. Pricey but my alcantara wheel started to degrade a bit when I went up to Cape cod and the humidity and sea air started to take it toll.


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[dkmcclelland]

Haha I know. Pricey but my alcantara wheel started to degrade a bit when I went up to Cape cod and the humidity and sea air started to take it toll.


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Ahhh. The PO in my car put a leather ///M wheel, but it’s not perfect, and I have a wee problem with OCD-ness

[stephenkirsh]

31689

Dam.

[joeybananaz18]

Ahhh. The PO in my car put a leather ///M wheel, but it’s not perfect, and I have a wee problem with OCD-ness

Yeah i hear ya. This car has brought out a new found OCD-ness i never knew i had. I wanted to get the high gloss black trim and replace the silver cube since i don't have silver anywhere else on the car. Only problem is high gloss is metallic and shadow line trim is solid. Plus I wanted my steering wheel trim to match. But they don't make M trim in high gloss or solid gloss black.
Needless to say, Im having a shop custom paint a spare set of M wheel trim and e46 wood trim gloss black, just so that it would all match properly. Trust me, I hear ya.

[dkmcclelland]

Yeah i hear ya. This car has brought out a new found OCD-ness i never knew i had. I wanted to get the high gloss black trim and replace the silver cube since i don't have silver anywhere else on the car. Only problem is high gloss is metallic and shadow line trim is solid. Plus I wanted my steering wheel trim to match. But they don't make M trim in high gloss or solid gloss black.
Needless to say, Im having a shop custom paint a spare set of M wheel trim and e46 wood trim gloss black, just so that it would all match properly. Trust me, I hear ya.

Niiiiiiiiice. Hahaha.

[derbo]

31689

Dam.

Dustin loves this road ;)


https://i.imgur.com/oB9pvJYl.jpg

[dkmcclelland]

Dustin loves this road ;)


https://i.imgur.com/oB9pvJYl.jpg

No Belugas allowed

[derbo]

https://media.giphy.com/media/3oEduZIOSFVqyOW0ow/giphy.gif

[stephenkirsh]

Dustin loves this road ;)


https://i.imgur.com/oB9pvJYl.jpg

Apparently he takes all the girls there.

[Tom2769]

Beautiful zhp - love the AW and what you’ve done. I’m curious how you like the zhp vs the F30 335i. I owned an E90 335i 6MT for several years and am thinking of adding another BMW to the garage. It won’t be a DD, just a play/project car. I go back and forth between considering another 335 or a zhp. How would you compare the driving experience between the 2 cars?


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[dkmcclelland]

Beautiful zhp - love the AW and what you’ve done. I’m curious how you like the zhp vs the F30 335i. I owned an E90 335i 6MT for several years and am thinking of adding another BMW to the garage. It won’t be a DD, just a play/project car. I go back and forth between considering another 335 or a zhp. How would you compare the driving experience between the 2 cars?


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Personally, the F30 chassis makes for a much better daily driver. The technology in the newer car wins hands down. The power, comfort and overall package is amazing.

That being said, the F30, in stock form, is a car with too many goals, IMHO. It tries to be comfortable, sporty and luxurious all at once.

I had a JB4 tune, coil overs, exhaust and Michelin PSS and it was quite the capable car.

The ZHP in contrast doesn’t have the power, the luxury or the comfort, but what it has to make up for that is responsiveness, maneuverability and tactile feedback.

One main reason for me getting the ZHP was financial. I wanted out of a lease that I decided I wasn’t going to buy, but having owned both of them it all depends on the purpose of the car I suppose.

If I wanted a car that was my every day driver that had GOBS of power and was used for the occasional weekend drive through curvy roads and maybe an HPDE, the F30, when equipped right, is quite capable, but if the car is a weekend only, fun car that you want a more raw experience with, the ZHP wins all day.

I wish that the F30 felt more like the ZHP. In all honesty, had things in my life not changed, I would still be driving the F30. I miss it every day, but the ZHP fills the void for a satisfying car to drive.

[Tom2769]

Personally, the F30 chassis makes for a much better daily driver. The technology in the newer car wins hands down. The power, comfort and overall package is amazing.

That being said, the F30, in stock form, is a car with too many goals, IMHO. It tries to be comfortable, sporty and luxurious all at once.

I had a JB4 tune, coil overs, exhaust and Michelin PSS and it was quite the capable car.

The ZHP in contrast doesn’t have the power, the luxury or the comfort, but what it has to make up for that is responsiveness, maneuverability and tactile feedback.

One main reason for me getting the ZHP was financial. I wanted out of a lease that I decided I wasn’t going to buy, but having owned both of them it all depends on the purpose of the car I suppose.

If I wanted a car that was my every day driver that had GOBS of power and was used for the occasional weekend drive through curvy roads and maybe an HPDE, the F30, when equipped right, is quite capable, but if the car is a weekend only, fun car that you want a more raw experience with, the ZHP wins all day.

I wish that the F30 felt more like the ZHP. In all honesty, had things in my life not changed, I would still be driving the F30. I miss it every day, but the ZHP fills the void for a satisfying car to drive.

Thanks for the input. Historically horsepower/torque has trumped everything else for me, but I’ve got another car that fills that need now. And the older I get the less important the ultimate power seems to be. I’m really after a weekend car with a balanced/visceral driving experience and a manual transmission. Sounds like I need to get serious about looking for a zhp...


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