They say if you love something, let it go...

[zhpnsnv]

Hi Everybody,

Hope you're ready for a novel!

It's been about 5 years since I had any sort of activity on any forum. Sort of fell out of it after I sold my ZHP but have definitely missed this place and the camaraderie. I remember the first few Mafia Reunions in VA Beach at Dane's house -- amazing times back then. I hope those sorts of events are still happening. I've been hanging around for a week and noticed that there are still some original members floating around, which is just awesome.

Figured it might be fun to share some old school mafia pictures:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/6730fe68.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/5b664d32.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/55f5bf6e.jpg

Keith took this picture of me on the bridge tunnel:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/638f6949.jpg

And some C.Withers Media action:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/B40D9996-B140-4DBD-BA44-3C67C83FB9A2_zpsdt9kmzx3.jpg

Here are the sad pictures of the night I sold it:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/84575985-354C-4D9D-80B1-EF0ECB1C2B3A-11283-00000EBA78678A2E.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/3F3DDAFB-5668-4F2F-AE89-44F9A575C33C-11283-00000EBA7C6D2BDD.jpg

I really loved that car. Bought it back in '09 with 30k miles and then was seduced by an E82 135is in 2012. Turns out it was a fling and not true love with the 1, as I boomeranged all the way back to E46 as so many people do. The 1er was a 2013 135is, Space Gray over Coral Red. 6 speed, and the only option box I ticked was heated seats. Ordered it from the factory for a screaming deal I couldn't pass up.

Here's the 1:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/135is/null_zpsc984ddd4.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/135is/690D1F09-B397-4990-82BC-4CFC519A4CCD-2592-0000028C25CB7EC7_zpse546f2d0.jpg

It was a fun car. It had E46 M3-like power and an other-worldly fantastic exhaust (BMW Performance). As much fun as it was, and as fast as it was, I just never connected to it like I'd connected to my E46s in the past. It was about two years before I really started missing the E46 platform. I definitely have some OCD car preferences, and I'm finding that I might not be able to be comfortable in an interior that's not the E46!

I struck a deal with my dad and took his E46 and he took the E82 (which he has since sold). This one is an OB/Sand 5-speed 325Ci, 2002 model year with sport and premium packages. I love this car. Not as knife-edge sharp as the ZHP, but really satisfying in its own way. Right now it's pushing 118k miles and will run forever.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/325ci/810BE113-7E05-4AEE-AEBE-802343312B4B_zpsn0vh3qop.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/325ci/A54491C6-08A7-4022-B989-244F0985838F_zpsze98n2zq.jpg

I've been driving the 325 for the past three years thinking I might get back into a ZHP one day but that there really wasn't much point considering how similar the cars are and how much enjoyment I get out of the 325.

Then two weeks ago the person who bought my ZHP contacted me to tell me he's putting it on the market and wanted to know if I wanted it back.

At first, I thought no way. I'm paying for a doctoral program right now, and there's no reason for me to have two cars. Still, the mistake of selling that car still haunts me, so I figured I'd go give my old ride a visit. Last weekend I went to the owner's house and took my old car for a spin.

Oh man.

Not only did he and his wife only put on 40k miles in 5 years (now it's at 147k), they had vastly improved the car in a number of ways:
- Koni yellows
- Subframe foam reinforcement
- M3 rear shock mounts
- Secondary air pump delete
- Performance exhaust
- Koni yellows
- Homelink
- Bluetooth
- 1 off Evolve tune (they know the guy who used to do all of Evolve's tuning)
- Resprayed front end
- All sorts of coding goodies
- New OEM windsheild
- Clear corners
- And, most importantly, ALL maintenance performed preventatively.

I drove the car and decided immediately that I would complete the awesome narrative of the car coming back to me after five long years. How could I not?!

Picked it up Saturday night, first night home:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/FF750F21-F610-4DBB-9022-F03FEC9CC1FB_zpseshsaiiv.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/DEE85F65-35B6-41CA-92A0-6F854F8ECF13_zpsaxzsd0ph.jpg

Today I installed the RCR tails, set up the Homelink, and also put in a UUC clutch stop:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/B40DD018-C1AC-4185-B352-21CB63320ECE_zpswa3xz9lf.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/27BDA002-1B39-4A41-B48F-EE7F4E2C9132_zpsrgaegtei.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/54D21222-BF0E-4CA2-B421-E1C23909A49E_zpsjs05ggp6.jpg

Here he is with his big brother:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/EF1012FE-1D43-4299-98E6-CDE1E5B53ED9_zpsa8lcs1og.jpg

And some interior shots (notice the silver cubes!):
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/E1A79A39-C37B-4B95-9B49-0777282562C5_zpsr5i1dcmy.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/52B2BC08-18BB-4BCF-8B92-ECCDB77EEE71_zpspdu8epio.jpg
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/FCC04D51-C715-4683-B5B6-F53C1F8D69EA_zpswoxd9ons.jpg

And some more goodies to be installed:
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a107/mbcoops/ZHP/2B1DF034-3B6E-4E44-94E0-38F3B0010555_zpscw5v30tr.jpg

So, back in the stable is my '05 ZHP, currently with 147k miles. Plans for the very near future:
- Windshield cowl
- Rotors/Pads/Sensors
- Fuel filter
- Diff bushings
- FCABs
- V1 hardwire
- A and C pillar replacement
- Tires
- New knob and boot

I'm just so tickled and giddy to have this car back. I shake my head when I think about the thought process that went into selling it, but hey, I was younger and learned a good lesson. I'll keep both E46s for the time being because, well, math: 2 e46s > 1 e46.

I'm also happy to be back participating here! This place is the best, and it seems to still have the same culture from years ago. Credit for that no doubt goes to the mods.

If you're someone whom I've met before in previous events -- great to be back! If you're someone who has joined since I left the fold -- nice to meet you!

-- Marc

[rguti153]

Welcome back to the jungle !!!!!


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[fredo]

Hi, Marc ! Welcome back. The alcantara seems to be in great shape. And that paint is extra shiny ! :roundel

[zhpnsnv]

Thanks guys!

[slater]

that's awesome. great story!

[BMWCurves]

Awesome! And your 325Ci is pretty much the 325i version of my old 330Ci (OB w/ Light Beige interior).

[kayger12]

Best story I've read all year!

[zhpnsnv]

Thanks, brotha.

[ZHPizza]

This is awesome. It's what everyone dreams of after selling their ZHP.

[johnrando]

Freakin' awesome! Great story, so glad you got it back. Glad you're back in the (ZHP) fold too. And, thanks for posting those pics of the meet, brings back great memories!

[zhpnsnv]

This is awesome. It's what everyone dreams of after selling their ZHP.

Thanks! Yes, agreed. Obviously when you sell a car you think it's gone forever, so this was a massive shock.


Freakin' awesome! Great story, so glad you got it back. Glad you're back in the (ZHP) fold too. And, thanks for posting those pics of the meet, brings back great memories!

Thanks John! Are there still Mafia meets?

[webster]

Welcome back and congrats on the reacquisition!

[brettbimmer]

Hi Marc, welcome back to the mafia! Hmm...no meet that I have seen plans for this year. Do you have a venue in mind for a meet? Maybe we need to figure something out.

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[zhpnsnv]

Brett! Well, I don't know about venues, but if anyone needs help with a parking schematic, I'm your man!

But perhaps we should start brainstorming...


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[kayger12]

Brett! Well, I don't know about venues, but if anyone needs help with a parking schematic, I'm your man!

But perhaps we should start brainstorming...


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You were a kick@ss parking coordinator. Missed your calling as an air traffic controller-- or perhaps Tetris World Champion.

[zhpnsnv]

Don't forget Brett's color coded aerial view schematic!

Decided to stick with the staggered setup on the PSS except 235 up front instead of 225.

What does everyone like for pads and rotors? FCP Euro has brembo fronts and most pads. I like the bite of the stock pads.


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[Johnmadd]

Awesome story man. Welcome back!

[danewilson77]

Marc,

Good deal my friend.

Sent from my S8+

[thinkpad240]

Welcome back. I too am a E46 coupe owner; but a second time after 8 months away and in a ZHP this time (by accident). Just love being in the E46 driver's seat.

[zhpnsnv]

Welcome back. I too am a E46 coupe owner; but a second time after 8 months away and in a ZHP this time (by accident). Just love being in the E46 driver's seat.

Well said. It's a comfortable place to be.


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[ELCID86]

Very cool.


---
"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 E46 fanatic

[Don Adolfo]

Welcome back. Great story; 'boy gets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back.' I love happy endings.

Great lesson learned.


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[zhpnsnv]

Thanks guys! Now I need nj govt to agree on a budget and get back to work so I can get it registered! Haha what a bunch of tools.


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[Oli77]

^Lol
Very cool to hear about the repurchase. That must be a pretty rare even to witness and report on.

[zhpnsnv]

^Lol
Very cool to hear about the repurchase. That must be a pretty rare even to witness and report on.

It's funny, it almost happened to me once before.

The car that started the Bimmer enthusiasm in my family was my dad's 1986 325 that be brought home new in 1986. That car became important to the both of us, and he ended up giving it to me after college. I kept it for a while then moved on to a MINI Cooper S. We both made a stupid decision to sell it and regretted it the second we did it.

A few years later I found the car parked outside the CVS across from my condo. I knew it was our old car because I remembered every ding, every scratch, everything. I ran into the CVS and found the owner and offered to buy it from him on the spot. He said he'd think about it. He got back to me a few days later and tried to gouge me on the price because he obviously realized I loved the car and wanted it back. The price was so ridiculous for the car that I had to decline.

So, yes, this one wasn't getting away!

[Don Adolfo]

I learned the lesson to not let go of cars I really like a long time ago. My first car was a 1981 Toyota Celica. I sold it in 1989 before I went to Korea, and I have regretted it ever since. I still like that body.

Right now I am debating what I am going to do with my 330 CI, my M Roadster, and my 2002. I'm in Puerto Rico right now and seriously considering moving back here for a few years to spend time with my aging parents. I don't think I'll stay here more than 5 or 6 years. I really do not want to ship the cars here. First, there is a usually steep excise tax for every car that comes on the island. I will not recoup that if I ship them out. Second, although there are many good roads in great condition, there are many that are not. Cars here suffer.

I am considering putting them in storage in Tampa near my daughter, but really haven't figured out exactly what I'm going to do.


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[zhpnsnv]

I learned the lesson to not let go of cars I really like a long time ago. My first car was a 1981 Toyota Celica. I sold it in 1989 before I went to Korea, and I have regretted it ever since. I still like that body.

Right now I am debating what I am going to do with my 330 CI, my M Roadster, and my 2002. I'm in Puerto Rico right now and seriously considering moving back here for a few years to spend time with my aging parents. I don't think I'll stay here more than 5 or 6 years. I really do not want to ship the cars here. First, there is a usually steep excise tax for every car that comes on the island. I will not recoup that if I ship them out. Second, although there are many good roads in great condition, there are many that are not. Cars here suffer.

I am considering putting them in storage in Tampa near my daughter, but really haven't figured out exactly what I'm going to do.


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All three of those cars are not necessarily perfectly replaceable should your situation change back to where you are now. Like the idea of storing them!

Looking at your sig -- why not get rid of the X5, take the ZHP with you stateside, and then store the other two?

[Don Adolfo]

All three of those cars are not necessarily perfectly replaceable should your situation change back to where you are now. Like the idea of storing them!

Looking at your sig -- why not get rid of the X5, take the ZHP with you stateside, and then store the other two?

I like the way you think. I have been considering the same thing. The X5 is easy to let go of; I like it but have no attachment to it. The tax to bring the ZHP on the island is the lowest, so that is the one I have thought I would bring. Thanks for your thoughts.


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[Hornung418]

Hi Marc! :shifty:

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[zhpnsnv]

Heyo! Just noticed my pictures are gone. Stupid Photobucket.


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[TheStig]

I'm just happy to have it go back to a good home. I shouldn't care about what happens to the cars I've owned, but I really do.

[Obioban]

Congrats! :D

Nice to meet you the night you picked it up.

Haven't found a chassis I like better than the e46 yet!

[zhpnsnv]

Thanks gents! Having a great time with it, that's for sure.


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