'04 Imola 6MT/Sedan resurrection

[GeorgeH]

My introduction and resurrection thread....

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1928/45418238201_40726c9caa_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ccskSr)

I'm new to ZHPMafia, but not new to E46s. I've had over a dozen E46s and multiple other BMWs and presently have a stock 323iT that is my wifes driver, a 2003 325iT sport wagon, my S54 swapped 323iT and now this '04 Imola ZHP sedan. I've been wrenching professionally on BMWs for over 14yrs now and just in the last 6mos ventured out on my own to pursue a more specific BMW clientele to allow me to do the "fun" stuff like racecars, swaps, hotrods, etc. So while I am mostly interested in the cars BMW never built I still make time for the soccer mom daily drivers as well. Business has been good and because of that my projects have been pushed to the back burner.

Enter the 2004 Imola ZHP. I've had a Imola M3 and love the color. When this one popped up for sale for a very low price not to far away I did my best to talk myself out of buying it. But that didn't work... I originally bought it with a buddy as a possible S54 swap condidate, but he decided it's a bit more of a project than he was interested in getting into at the moment so it was passed over to me. I've got a few projects ahead of it and so the S54 is on the back burner for the interim. The car is fairly rough and I think I may have overpaid for it considering what it will take to bring it back to it's glory but it's still an Imola ZHP and I love it. Here are my initial findings...


Water leak in the passenger compartment, most likely a vapor barrier.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4832/45279241525_ece1a63d8c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaX12)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4870/31252415287_5c6f01b61c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBENfk)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/31252415827_0d11d9e349_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBENpD)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4891/31252422837_8c3fcc6bc4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBEQuv)


Suspension has seen better days.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4904/31252412447_23ed58a0c3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBEMpn)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4822/31252421437_fc340bd30c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBEQ5n)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4853/31252423367_a2e08576b7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBEQDD)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4846/45279241255_fbdea69ab8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaWVn)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4819/31252428207_734164b94a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBES66)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/45279233595_8876c8f728_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaUDi)


Couple of oil leaks including a massive leak from the steering rack.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4823/31252413577_e5b85a807a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBEMJR)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4815/31252424767_9c8691e264_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBER4M)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4860/45279233105_ee01e2ba42_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaUuR)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4888/45279234305_a8f7c30da1_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaURx)


Front bumper is wrecked and minor bumps and bruises over the rest of the body consistent with the age of a daily driver.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4826/46191922491_541d312a17_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dnPFfK)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/31252695257_009f670b6d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBGetp)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4895/45279551955_780ab3ca83_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZcxhg)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4871/31252695617_96201e792d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/PBGezB)


The first step was to pull the carpet back and get the interior dried out. After that was completed the car sat. I have a HPDE coming up this weekend and was planning to take my 332iT, but just sold the Brembos off of it and that leaves the only other viable option, the ZHP. But it needs a ton of work. And did I mention the DE is this weekend? I am thrashing to get it ready so here goes...

Here's my black friday purchases.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4895/45279248245_f93eb1429c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaYZT)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4839/45279245315_22b3bffcbb_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaY8n)


Started by going after the oil pan gasket. In the process I removed the entire fronts suspension as most of it will be getting replaced.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4855/45279236875_96b709167f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaVBR)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4816/46191970151_e1b91a72e0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dnPVqt)


Then the oil pan came off. It's dirty but everything looked good and the oil pump nut was tight. That is where we left off last night.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4859/45279237885_7111376294_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaVVg)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4895/45279235715_2becf00d77_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaVgR)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/45279235185_cb9a11b35e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2bZaV7H)

[fredo]

Good luck on this project. Hope the car is ready on time. :thumbsup

[Vas]

Subscribed.

Looking forward to more updates

[DeathTrap]

Man a lift would've been nice for my OPG....

I want to see how she does during your HPDE!

[GeorgeH]

Man a lift would've been nice for my OPG....

I want to see how she does during your HPDE!

A lift makes all the difference in the world.

*I'm updating this as I take a break, please excuse bad photos and grammar, lol.

OPN safety wired and loctited in place.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4898/32333189338_039de0e432_c.jpg


I figured these studs were going to break when i pulled the exhaust and sure enough they did.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4816/45279233845_c3e3d30a40_c.jpg


The exhaust manifold gaskets were rattling as well.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/44388212790_16237f91a3_c.jpg


And because the subframe was already lowered I went ahead and pulled the manifolds out to knock the broken studs out and replace the gaskets while I was in there.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4816/44388215690_0155238625_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4900/32333194568_5efe84d115_c.jpg


I drill a pilot hole through the stud and then bevel the pilot hole. Heat the stud up with a torch and then zap it with the air hammer and they usually come right out.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/46154755202_24ba12964c_c.jpg

[nextelbuddy]

nice! tricks of the trade awesome work George.

[GeorgeH]

Front suspension cleaned and ready for install. New Control arms and bushings, Reman rack from rack doctor and new outer tie rods, new steering coupler and new engine mounts. My S54 wagon has been on 323 "built" suspension but I'm swapping all M3 stuff into it so that left over some goodies to go around with the other projects. So I'm also including the Bilstein coilovers, H&R swap bars and a Dinan strut tower brace.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4866/45279240295_98693c4177_c.jpg


Once everything was bolted back in you can see how much the engine mounts were collapsed. The engine support bar is now loose since the engine is sitting higher in the chassis.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4901/46224072551_3d1c4cdf7b_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4814/46173505312_b7ebdd1a9d_c.jpg


I started feeling the time crunch so I didn't take as many pics as I would like too. P/S hoses from the tank to the pump and the pump to the rack were also installed.


I bought a replacement clutch but really wasn't planning to install it, But I had the driveshaft out and was replacing the trans mounts. I pulled the slave and inspected the self adjusting clutch to see how much adjustment it had left and it was maxed out. So more things added to the to do list, lol.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4885/44407096170_8ce74ca714_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4815/44407113250_b1ca3faf4d_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4832/46224075561_5e6951ea6f_c.jpg


With the clutch out, I replaced the pilot bearing, clutch fork and installed a stainless steel pivot pin. The selector shaft seal was leaking so it got replaced as well. Then the selector rod joint, shift arm bushings front and rear were also replaced.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4843/46224074991_f977f33619_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4910/44407096550_8f7efbe46d_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4858/46224079231_a080cba613_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4838/46224081101_096e51f7f2_c.jpg


The driveshaft was removed and the guibo was replaced. With the driveshaft out I then pulled the final drive assembly and replaced all (3) bushings.


https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4899/44407095620_9945a4d924_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4893/46224073461_c9d4d4c078_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/46224073901_a9a6c1ef23_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4828/45500276714_79de2d6623_c.jpg


Rear trailing arm bushings were trashed and they were replaced as well.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4842/44407092520_e4155fb805_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4863/46224078591_77c1d15551_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4840/44407099220_41532f5b4a_c.jpg


Then the same as the front. The Bilstein coilovers off of my wagon and H&R sway bar. New sway bar end links were installled and rear shock mounts and gaskets.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4813/46224077001_d98e8b5d85_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4874/44407113020_ae2f8ab844_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4825/46224074231_af43c41bf3_c.jpg



The exhaust went back on with new hardware. Note the factory bolts are so expensive I decided to try out some aftermarket bolts with the OE nuts. To get a 12mm thread bolt the head ended up being 17mm and one wouldn't clear the O2 sensor so it had to be installed in reverse.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4909/44407097660_063b6d3c2e_c.jpg


The car came with a couple of crankcase vent hoses. The previous owner had replaced both intake hoses but he said it still ran rough and thought it needed a vent valve. From underneath you could the see the vent valve drain hose was leaking and had a hole in it, so I replaced it. But I also noticed the intake hoses were not installed properly. Pulled that apart and corrected it.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4825/44407098190_757caf556b_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4918/46224078201_786ebc1eaf_c.jpg


Then lastly the car got new stainless steel brake lines and pads at all 4 corners from stoptech along with a brake bleed and flush. The rotors were turned and reinstalled.


The HPDE is at MSR-Cresson, outside Fort Worth, Tx and the weather is supposed to be nasty all week. The LF window regulator has been acting up so last thing I wanted was to get stuck with a broken regulator in the rain, lol. I pulled the door panel off and then was able to confirm my suspicions on the water leak. The vapor barrier was completely separated at the bottom side. It needs to be replaced, but I didn't have one in hand. I went ahead and put a new regulator in it (aftermarket junk piece installed), then installed new ribbon sealer at the bottom edge and ran the perimeter with a heat gun and roller to reseat the ribbon sealer.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4915/44407096840_80fe3cf83d_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4833/46224078981_0d0b6742c5_c.jpg


The tires were junk from the ZHP, but I had a set of Apec ARC-8s on the wagon, I installed them andwhile they are matte black they look really good (maybe I'll refinish them in gloss?). The wagon had a big rear spring pad so I pulled it and put a stock sedan pad in but I didn't have a chance to play with the ride height of the coilovers. I set it on the ground and it was decent so my "test" drive was to the alignment shop. Everything lined up like we'd expected although I wish I had camber plates to get a bit more neg camber in it, but no big deal. That pretty much leads us to now. I'm at the track, the car is on the trailer behind the RV and I'm typing this up waiting for the rest of my group to arrive. I put about 25 miles on the car and everything seemed great. Trial by fire as they say, we'll see how it goes. :)

[fredo]

Wow ... That's a lot of work done in a short time frame. GL at the track.

[RUS_ZHP]

I am late to the party, but I see a big amount of work was done already! Great job sir!
Welcome to the forum and save Imola!!!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[zhp4life]

Great job rescuing this beautiful Imola RED ZHP, keep coming...

[GeorgeH]

Well, the weekend was a success. Cold and rainy had us all sliding all over the track on Saturday but on Sunday the rain stopped and the sun came out giving us a great track. The little ZHP did great!. The only issue is during the 2nd session on Sunday I thought I felt a misfire on the cool down lap and looking at the cluster showed the CEL is now illuminated. I ran faults on it and it had a misfire code stored for cyl#6. Thinking that I had a questionable coil and no spares I swapped the coil to cyl#2 and removed the coil over. When I went to start it for the 3rd session it bellowed blue smoke for a few seconds after start-up. I suspected the Crank Case Vent Valve was on it's way out and the misfire could have been caused by that. I continued up to the grid and with the engine running removed the oil fill cap, if it removes easily with no discernible change in engine operation the CCVV is usually in good shape. 3rd session went off without a hitch and no more drivability issues. I pulled into our "camp" and rechecked the oil fill cap, this time it had a fair bit of suction on it and the idle became erratic, confirming my suspicion about the CCVV being faulty. 4th session got the huge plume of oil smoke but otherwise again the ZHP did awesome.

I'm going to take a break for a week or two from the car and get caught up on some customer work. But future plans call for an interior swap from beige to black along with repairing the sunroof cassette. Then new front bumper and correcting any trim with clear coat issues. And then I'll probably post it for sale to fund a dedicated HPDE car. If it doesn't sell I'll continue to drive the hell out of it and maybe it'll get a S54 I have kicking around... who knows :)

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4907/45351432115_75c16de4ae_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4916/45351431245_0f2573cf3b_c.jpg

[RUS_ZHP]

Great updates! I am glad to hear that ZHP did not disappoint you, considering that you usually driving s54 on the track

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[Wardie]

Nice!! I wish I had a lift!

Let me know if you want another Imola parts car :) Im posting mine up tonight.

[GeorgeH]

Nice!! I wish I had a lift!

Let me know if you want another Imola parts car :) Im posting mine up tonight.

Sent you a PM

[GeorgeH]

Great updates! I am glad to hear that ZHP did not disappoint you, considering that you usually driving s54 on the track

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Actually the last time out was in my M52TU powered 323iT and it was a blast even with its original rating of 165hp, but it does have more gear than the ZHP and a LSD.

This ZHP is just to nice (IMO) to turn into a track car, so I'm now searching for a beater wagon that I will swap into it a M54B30/5MT and then front and rear subframes from an E46 M3.

[GeorgeH]

The ZHP got a little love yesterday. I have not had a chance to transfer the title for this thing yet. I need to get an emissions inspection test done and the car is not completing the OBD readiness monitors. I set out to perform a drive cycle and found the coolant temp is not getting hot enough. The car came with a thermostat so I went ahead and swapped that in. I usually use Wahler OE tstats, but the car came with a Behr so I thought I'd give it a shot.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4912/32537875898_af2cbeb2b9_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4810/31470237967_c9a0fb472f_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4848/31470238377_5ee323cb3c_c.jpg


Next tackled the crankcase vent valve. I had been getting some intermittent misfires and smoke on start-up and coupled with some high crankcase vacuum pointed towards the CCVV.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4805/45511153865_5b4c006cd1_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4823/32537890778_76a68c350f_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4882/32537876078_92ac8079a2_c.jpg

[johnrando]

Good stuff.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[GeorgeH]

I've been driving the car and enjoying it over the last couple of months with no real issues. I have another track weekend coming up this weekend and since I didn't have anything to stress over I decided to change the interior color. lol

I love beige when it is new, but in Texas at least, it doesn't age well. I have a black sedan parts car that was used for a 3L swap in a buddies touring. So in it will go. Plan is all the black fixings and M3 front seats.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7844/32282929467_29afabd866_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RbJsdc)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7837/32282929527_68bf69452d_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RbJsee)


The seller sold the car stating the A/C needed a recharge. While that was true t needed a recharge because the evaporator was leaking. I took this opportunity to swap out the evap as well and that allowed a proper color change with the complete black carpet being installed with the heater case removed. If you pull the blower cover off the front of the case, which can be accessed from the engine compartment. You can look into the case and see a lot of the evaporator. More often than not when you have a leaking evap dirt and debris will build up in the center of it. If you have dye in the system you can often times see it through the opening as well.

The bad evap.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7904/46501762434_4d98032aa5_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dRcFSJ)


The replacement, I just parted out a 67k mile M3 for a race car build and it had this very fresh looking evaporator, so in went the entire case.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7895/46501762474_92fb3f5ba6_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dRcFTq)


The rest of the to do list is the following:
Mount and install new tires on 17" Arc-8s
Install Schroth Harnesses
Install AiM Solo DL data logger
Install Aux input
Install new cowl trim

[johnrando]

Good stuff, good list

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

[fredo]

Sounds good ! I'm in for interior pics when you are done.

[GeorgeH]

More progress.

The "bones" are there as they say now, but lots of little detail work left to make it special. This is the first time I have done a color change where I didn't have the full donor car in front of me, but was going off of my parts stash. A couple of things to note:
1. I checked M3 coupe front carpets for compatibility and they are the same as sedan/wagon. BUT the convertible is different, I had assumed the convertible would be the same as the coupe, but the seat rails are different so there is an extra cut-out in the carpet. It was to late for me to correct at this time, so I'll have to go back in there and swap the front carpets again.
2. My ZHP has rear door airbags. Not a very common option and of course my donor did not. I removed the airbags and will code them out as a temporary solution. Long term I'd like to find or dye the correct rear door panels.
3. My donor is a fixed back seat where as my ZHP is a folding. The seat backs are different so I am on the look out for a folding rear seat.

Otherwise the swap went as it should. Here are some pics in the meantime.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7862/46514617394_1365a4e185_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dSkzcY)

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/46514615564_2bd40de308_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dSkyEq)


With the door panels off I resealed the RF vapor barrier. Replaced the RR window regulator and vapor barrier. And will have to order a LR vapor barrier as it is destroyed.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7807/46514620714_3bc7885c5f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dSkAcd)


17x9 et42 Arc-8's getting cleaned up. I have (2) sets, 1 silver and 1 hyperblack. The hyperblack are really beat up so they will get refinished gloss black and eventually go on this car, the silver will be temporary.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7829/46514619244_1fb2e20cd8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2dSkzKS)

[Yankeefan]

Love watching this progress, thanks for the updates. Hey quick question, just to clarify you said that to check the CCV system you can remove the oil cap while the engine is idling, and if there is no suction then the system is probably fine? And if the system needs replacing then it will create a vacuum that makes it difficult to remove the cap?

[GeorgeH]

Love watching this progress, thanks for the updates. Hey quick question, just to clarify you said that to check the CCV system you can remove the oil cap while the engine is idling, and if there is no suction then the system is probably fine? And if the system needs replacing then it will create a vacuum that makes it difficult to remove the cap?

Yes, I think you have the idea. Remove the cap with the engine idling. If the valve has failed inside the CCVV then this will cause the crankcase to be under a large vacuum. This vacuum will cause the cap to be sucked against the valve cover.

[GeorgeH]

Welp, a little lacking on the photos but the track weekend was a success. Car did great as usual, both of my instructors were very impressed with the capabilities of the car!

Here is our group,
Left to Right: E36 328i, S54 swapped touring, 3L/5MT swapped touring and of course my ZHP:

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7888/33492226068_c2a573d552_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/T2ApXA)


Left to Right: E36 328i, S54 swapped touring, 3L/5MT swapped touring and of course my ZHP.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7858/32426676707_a5faca80d0_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/RprcfT)


Video of me riding shotgun in my instructors E92 M3 chasing an E36 M3.

https://youtu.be/y4H10XOWA10

[GeorgeH]

Still chipping away at the details with this car. I have been so busy with work I've not had time to do much other than drive and enjoy her.

The ZKW headlights have always been an issue in this car, they intermittently wouldn't work and when they did they wouldn't illuminate very well. I assumed the control modules or ignitors were bad but I didn't feel like diagnosing since I knew they were going to get replaced with AL's. So when a good set of Bi-Xenon ALs came about the sway was on. Turns out the car was originally a halogen car and when the Xenons were installed the car was not coded properly. Getting the coding sorted probably would have fixed my intermittent illumination issue, but it wasn't going to fix these burned bowls. I'll still need to wire up the Bi-Xenon shutter, but at least I have operational headlights now.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40844924383_db2685cd09_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25ejV1c)


It turned out great that I had these junk ZKW housings. One of my customers has an E46 M3 racecar and we need to loose some weight by ditching the xenon headlights in the car. I hollowed out the housings and spray painted some old M3 lenses black and installed the setup into his car. They can weigh more than a pound or two and much cheaper than carbon fiber delete panels. They are already filthy because they were in a race during the rain (we temporarily swapped the functional lights back in for an upcoming night race).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32867748227_e82d68d31b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S5pNsg)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32867746537_58969866e2_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S5pMX8)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47759428092_5221945a87_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2fLky4o)


Also installed a new cowl trim, amazing how much a difference this little detail makes.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32867747587_a9ba0fdd2d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S5pNge)


We had another track weekend with BMW CCA at MSR-Cresson last weekend. For this event I didn't touch anything to the car from the last outing but I did add a datalogger. Since this car is not a dedicated track car the mod had to be fully reversible. I started with a spare A/C vent and added a little bracket and mounted the unit. From there I ran the wiring over to the instrument cluster and taped into the CAN bus. Everything is plug and play and can be uninstalled with no harm to the vehicle. Once I get some time, I'll pull the A/C vent out and reinstall my original vent for daily operation.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/40844924683_057684328b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25ejV6n)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32867866877_5311d0d1df_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S5qpHX)


Our group at the track

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/32867742477_66fdf9a6e7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/S5pLK8)


Side note: This has been a fun little project that is really starting to come together. '01 E46 touring with 3L/5MT swap, front and rear 330 suspension swaps, brakes, GC Coilovers, 17x9 with 255/40/17 tires, MTech2 front bumper and a whole bunch of TLC.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/47759231322_d87ab993be_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2fLjxyN)

[fredo]

:like

[Will]

Great progress! Glad you saved this ZHP. And super cool touring as well.

[GeorgeH]

Got some more work done on the IR ZHP.

One thing I need to do is figure out my front seats. They were originally power and heated, here are my current options. I'm not really sure what makes the most sense, but I am leaning towards option #2.
1. Power M3 seats, but the foam is broken down and they are not as comfortable as they should be, also not heated.
2. Power Sport seats out of my other ZHP, very nice condition for their age, also not heated.
3. Manual Sport seats WITH heat. The drivers side is nice, but the passenger side is very hard.


The sunroof did not work since the day I got it. I pulled the glass and inspected it and expected to see the sunshade drives waded up, but everything looked good. I blew out the dirt and lubed the slides and reinstalled the glass. I couldn't get it adjusted properly and pulled the glass back out. It looks like somehow the L and R drives got out of time, I pulled the motor out and re-timed the drives. Reinstalled the glass and got it all adjusted, now everything work like it should.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051972913_a455f2479a_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbVrB)


This looks familiar... next to fix my carpet snafu, removed the front carpet and replaced with the correct sedan carpet.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051971828_8eea10f1f4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbV7U)


The carpets were dirty so I started with simply blowing them out with compressed air vacuuming amazing what difference that makes.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051971433_729d4878cd_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbV16)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051928821_0d9193d264_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbGkp)


I then followed that up with shampoo and steam cleaning, then thoroughly dried them and reinstalled them into the car. They are not perfect, but turned out really good (forgot to take a pic).

Next, I located a fold down rear seat assembly from a ZHP and went to tackle that part. I've never been much of a detailer as when I worked at the dealership there was always a detailer looking to make some side money. But now on my own I am getting more of an appreciation to that part of the process. So I started with the rear seat bottom. I wanted to know if I was doing anything so I masked off one side and set about cleaning it up. Clearly I did something, lol.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051973623_94a46cd437_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbVDR)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051931321_cc3d073260_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbH5v)


I haven't taken any "after" pics of the following as the car is still a bit disassembled and I'm just going to wait until the final result to take a good overall, but this is where I am in the process.

One thing I forgot about was the package tray, so I pulled the one out of my parts car. Severely faded as they all are. I gave it a shot with SEM Interior paint in Landau Black. It turned out fairly well, but I couldn't keep the texture. I applied two light coats and then brushed it and repeated this process until it was black and it just feels like it has been "flocked." It is certainly fine as you almost never touch that are of the car, but I'll look for a more OE solution in the future.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051928346_96ba8ef72c_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbGcd)


The small items like the seat belt anchors and seat belt guides were not worth using off of my parts car so again shot them in SEM Landau Black. The paint match is as spot on as it can be. I also painted the door panel screw covers and I have some OE black covers, sitting next to eachother you cannot tell which is OE and which is painted. The "HK" speaker grills had the famous faded silver and I just decided to shot them jet black and it turned out really well.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48052014302_18f401a10d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdc8Kd)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051969548_d4b08037a3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbUrA)


Lastly, I swapped out the Eonon replica headunit from my black ZHP and installed it into this car. I then picked up an aftermarket lower panel for the IHKA relocation. This panel deletes the ashtray and adds a flat surface, I liked this idea and think it works well. I then oversized the hole for the cig lighter, modified a USB outlet and mounted it in the housing. I would prefer one with out the voltage display but haven't found a suitable candidate yet.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051928521_5dc61f8726_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbGfe)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051927221_98af9ab6d4_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbFRP)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48051969118_b56499be04_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2gdbUjb)


That's basically where we are at now. I've got some trim panels coming and then I'll finish the install and call the black conversion done.

[ELCID86]

Wow! Hope you did some sound dampening while you were in there.

[GeorgeH]

Wow! Hope you did some sound dampening while you were in there.

No, actually no additional dampening, just not really in the scope of this project.

Still moving on, Black interior swap is nearly done. My lower B-Pillar trim and rear door entrance covers were less than desirable so I got a net set of those and installed them.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48097493956_264420273e_c.jpg


New LR door vapor barrier installed with fresh OE butyl cord

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48097540363_9166b4767c_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48097493301_7b7a8d75dd_c.jpg


Almost complete package tray with all of it's black items, note all the plastic items have been painted and they turned out great, I think someone would be hard pressed to determine they are not the OE finish.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48097588947_cb0fa39ec7_c.jpg

[GeorgeH]

Pro Tip as they say:

When replacing the vapor barrier you need to get a firm adhesion of it to the butyl cord. I clamp onto an old idler pulley with a pair of vice grips to make a nice strong roller, cheap and very effective, I've been using this exact setup for a decade.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48097492321_ed98e5f1b1_c.jpg

[GeorgeH]

Wow, I didn't realize how long its been since I updated this project. I haven't been on the forum much lately as the shop is so busy, but I am intending to sell the car and noticed I never finished the interior swap documentation.

The car has been "done" for sometime now and I have just been driving and enjoying it. *Note, I do have the headrests, I just don't run them as I rarely have passengers and like the added visibility without them in.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357109803_52e51688f3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icw6aM)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357570121_36c2f75e24_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icys1i)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357775097_409e2b8b57_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iczuWn)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357569696_423654dc0e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icyrSY)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357109653_f8c7ffdaf3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icw68c)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357774352_c00da796c3_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iczuHw)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357774192_b604b11597_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2iczuEL)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49357110268_a9cfc5d19f_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2icw6iN)

[ZHPizza]

*Note, I do have the headrests, I just don't run them as I rarely have passengers and like the added visibility without them in.

Yooo I do this too! Love the extra visibility. I just keep the headrests under the trunk mat so that if heaven forbid I do have passengers back there one day, I can protect them from death by whiplash if we get rear-ended.

[fredo]

Hope this one sells super fast, like your black ZHP. GLWS.

[GeorgeH]

Yooo I do this too! Love the extra visibility. I just keep the headrests under the trunk mat so that if heaven forbid I do have passengers back there one day, I can protect them from death by whiplash if we get rear-ended.

Lol, you are a better person than me, I just keep them in the trunk so I won't loose them :rofl



Hope this one sells super fast, like your black ZHP. GLWS.

Thanks Alfredo, me too!

[GeorgeH]

Well the time has come for me to update this thread as the ZHP is about to be for sale. I've been talking about selling it for awhile now and not for any other reason than I have too many cars and I just dont drive them much at all, I have probably put 500 miles on this car this year. I really hate to since this car is so well sorted, but it's the one that is "done" so it just makes sense. I need to "finish" my Mustang, Track Wagon and maybe ZHP swap my daily driver 325iT so this will go towards those projects.

During the interior swap I found the rear seatbacks wouldn't unlatch properly. Tracing this down I found the cables were popping out of the latch mechanisms. I found that the E90 door latch lock rod holder was very similar. Installing that piece got the latches working properly.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088042532_d6b3f6ef48_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7j1d)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50087806096_e69f7eec63_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj66HJ)


Next, the mirror motors stopped working. I went through my parts cars and found couple of good motors.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50087806951_7c3ba93458_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj66Yt)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088043397_7f443a6111_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7jg8)


Mafia member Fredo brought his ZHP by for some work and I had to get a pic with the pair (his in front).

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088044597_6408eda585_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7jBP)


I've never been very good with the cosmetics aspect of car restorations. I use all of my vehicles and since I have so many it would take to much time to keep them "perfect." But this car was due some exterior love. I have a buddy who is a detailer and had him work on the paint. At the same time I de trimmed all the black plastic and repainted it with SEM trim paint.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50087810871_44b1138d56_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj6894)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088046842_6c4436ef3e_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7khw)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50087232768_de0235bf98_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj3ahL)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088047422_1936c5c3fe_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7ksw)


And trim refinished, it's not perfect, but looks really good on the car and most people wouldn't notice.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088047797_a97e0a6051_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7kyZ)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088048117_36859a98d8_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7kEv)

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088048362_5db499eb75_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7kJJ)


And on the way home from detailing had to get a quick pic. I have my SSRs on it right now as I was having the 135s refinished.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50088048612_9b987fd1bc_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2jj7kP3)

[fredo]

Sorry to hear this one needs to go. I'm pretty sure the new owner will be very happy. GLWS.

[GeorgeH]

Well she's done.

I finished installing the trim and got the refinished style 135s on. Changed the engine oil and filter and replaced the strut mounts. Fixed a couple interior trim items and now it's time to find a new home.

Asking $8900 OBO

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093673381_dda29478d3_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093673476_cfbe80dcee_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093089818_4b328e5fb7_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093090183_1c45020493_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093906627_0ae0312b0f_c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50093907047_a538e3e36d_c.jpg


For Sale my 2004 BMW 330i 6MT ZHP sedan. The exterior color is Imola red and the interior is black leather. The car has just over 161k miles and I do drive it still so the mileage will go up a slight amount. I've owned the car for just under 2yrs and have put roughly 6k miles on it. I have a few other cars and I just don't drive them as much as I would like so I am letting some go. Everything works like it should, but the aftermarket radio acts up occasionally.

Under my ownership I have thoroughly sorted this car, it runs excellent, drives great and most importantly doesn't leak any fluids. I wouldn't hesitate to drive anywhere. Below is the list of maintenance I have done to it since I bought it.

New All (3) differential mounting bushings
New Rear trailing arm bushings (RTABS)
New Sway bar end links

New Front control arms
New Front control arm bushings
Rebuilt steering rack
New Tie rods
New Steering shaft coupler
New P/S hose from tank to pump
New P/S Hose from pump to rack
New Front strut mounts

New Stainless steel brake lines
New StopTech brake pads and rotors
Bilstein (I believe PSS) coilover kit (from another car of mine, roughly 40k miles now)
Refinished all (4) wheels

New Clutch
New Shifter bushings and joint (all)
New Shift shaft seal
New Driveshaft Guibo
New Transmission mounts
New Clutch fork
New Stainless steel pivot pin

New Engine mounts
New Fuel filter
New Oil pan gasket
Safety wired oil pump nut
New Exhaust manifold gaskets (at cylinder head)
New Thermostat
New Crankcase vent valve and hoses

New LF window regulator and vapor barrier
New RR window regulator and vapor barrier
New LR vapor barrier
New A-Pillar screw covers
New Lower B-Pillar covers
New Rear door sill trim covers
New Windshield cowl trim
Used AL Headlights to replaced burnt ZKW
Full Interior swap from beige to black
Refinished the black exterior trim

Overall the car is in great shape, but there are a couple of issues cosmetically. The car does have a cracked windshield but does not affect visibility. There are a couple of small dents and dings and paint defects. The RF fender has been repainted, the front bumper has some a bit of damage on the bottom side (not easily visible from the front) and the paint is fading on the rear bumper. The front struts while they still compress and rebound nicely, they are starting to weep past the seals.

Clean blue title in hand, Asking $8900 OBO.

A million more pics posted here: https://www.facebook.com/pg/SmashAndCrashRacing/photos/?tab=album&album_id=3077895358926713

[GeorgeH]

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?23107-2004-Imola-Red-Sedan-6MT-Black-Leather-161k&p=596876#post596876

[GeorgeH]

A little fun at MSR Cresson last summer, skip to 6:25.

https://youtu.be/ZArLUMPmw9Y

Note, that was on 17x9 wheels with RS4 tires and the aftermarket sway bars. A few months back I reverted it back to stock sway bars and wheels and used those on my track wagon project.

[GeorgeH]

Thanks everyone for the interest, she is sold. Bittersweet day, I really liked this car.

[fredo]

Congrats. FWIW, I had chance to drive this car today. No surprises, the ZHP runs very well. :thumbsup