Time for a commuter car?

[sree.b]

Hey everyone! Occasional lurker here, and a 7-year ZHP owner ('04 6MT Silbergrau/Alcantara). It took me over a year to research, locate and buy this car (sold by an amazing owner from here). Expensive to fix, but downright the most powerful and best driving experience I've ever owned.

I've now had a ~20 mile commute in Washington, DC traffic everyday, and I'm am thinking of swapping my ZHP out for a more comfortable automatic that's just as powerful. As much as I love the stick shift, its starting to get harder to drive in stop-and-go traffic. DC roads aren't that great to start with, so I feel every bump in the road. I'm craving a more comfortable driving experience, specially since I sit in traffic for so long, which is now causing back issues for me ☹️. Fuel economy is not a big consideration, but I'd like a fairly decent gas mileage (~25-28 combined)

I have several questions for the group -

Is it a bad idea to swap my baby for another? Will I regret selling my ZHP? Will I never find the same power and driving again?
Is it common to develop back issues after driving for an hour each way? Am I doing something wrong?
Does the stick shift start to feel like a chore or do I need to get it looked at?
What is the best next car / DD in your minds? I’m considering at 2015-2017 Volkswagen Golf GTIs or BMW 2 series. Any experience with either?


Thanks much and I'm looking forward to your replies!
--Sree

Mods: Crossposted to the Off Topic Car Discussion forum a well. Let me know if I should delete a duplicate?

[DeathTrap]

1) Yes, you will regret it. This car has spoiled me in ways that I really wish it hadn't. There isn't another car with perfect blend of subtlety, handsome looks, driving involvement, luxury (it isn't an eco mobile with cheap interior trim), power, character, etc.

2) When my commute was 1+ hr, it was fine, but I also have a healthy back. If you have any previous injuries or underlying issues, I could see it being a problem as the ride is still "stiff." Swapping to 17" wheels would soften it a bit.

3) The stick is fine, even in Atlanta traffic. It's a very soft and forgiving clutch, easy to manipulate, etc.

4) The best car would definitely be something M57 powered imo.

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[fredo]

Since we are on a BMW forum, I will recommend another 3 series: the e90 2009-2011 328i. Those model years are the facelift (LCI) version. That engine (N52) is very dependable. You don't need to worry about turbos or injectors. The prices are very reasonable as well. I used to have the 2006 e90 330i and sold it to my father in law. The car sits at 130k miles with just regular service and maintenance. Still runs like a champ.

Don't sell your ZHP. Is there any chance you can keep it as a weekend car ? GL on your decision.

[johnrando]

L.A. traffic here so I feel ya, that's why I have an auto (but I don't commute anymore). Seems you will regret selling, as so many do. Keep it if you can afford a cheap daily driver.

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[sillieidiot]

- You'll probably regret selling the zhp. I'd keep it as a weekend car.
- No it's not common to develop back issues after driving for that amount of time each way. I used to do it in my car no problem. Unless you have some underlying injuries. Does your car not have lumbar?
- No idea about this. I still like the manual even in socal traffic. I pretty much stick to second gear the whole time when it's really bad so not much shifting. I have a DD (Model 3) now. It's boring to drive, but has all the bells and whistles for being a great DD.
- Best DD? Model 3 with autopilot lol The 2 series is ok. The seats hug you a lot more. And the car is a lot smaller than the e46 on the inside. The steering wheel feels good, but the steering itself is a little numb. A lot of the torque comes around 1500ish. So to me, in stop & go traffic, there's this sort of jerk when you hit that rpm every time you start which I don't like. It is a fast car though. Also looks good. At least the M240i does to me.

[das boots]

Yes.....You will regret it. Keep it as weekender. Get a cheapo daily driver.

I'm retired. So I really do not get the ZHP as a daily. But I use the ZHP for my travels to and from Vegas. Love the drive. I already have a time and day schedule on when to depart San Diego and vice versa Vegas. On a good day....3.5 Hrs. 4 hrs. max.

Like I said before.....mileage is a killer. 302 miles one way. But what a fun car for the drive.

[sree.b]

Thanks for the input everyone. I have a tough decision ahead of me for sure. I've paid off the car a few years ago, but I live in the Washington, DC area and this significantly impacts cost of ownership. Parking costs are high, along with higher insurance premiums as well.

I have a month of two to think through this, so I'm going to check out some of the other cars mentioned here. We already have an SUV, so I'm totally good getting a smaller car.

[sree.b]

1) Yes, you will regret it. This car has spoiled me in ways that I really wish it hadn't. There isn't another car with perfect blend of subtlety, handsome looks, driving involvement, luxury (it isn't an eco mobile with cheap interior trim), power, character, etc.

2) When my commute was 1+ hr, it was fine, but I also have a healthy back. If you have any previous injuries or underlying issues, I could see it being a problem as the ride is still "stiff." Swapping to 17" wheels would soften it a bit.

3) The stick is fine, even in Atlanta traffic. It's a very soft and forgiving clutch, easy to manipulate, etc.

4) The best car would definitely be something M57 powered imo.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk


Thanks, man. Any specific M57s? Lighter, smaller, good value?

[sree.b]

Since we are on a BMW forum, I will recommend another 3 series: the e90 2009-2011 328i. Those model years are the facelift (LCI) version. That engine (N52) is very dependable. You don't need to worry about turbos or injectors. The prices are very reasonable as well. I used to have the 2006 e90 330i and sold it to my father in law. The car sits at 130k miles with just regular service and maintenance. Still runs like a champ.

Don't sell your ZHP. Is there any chance you can keep it as a weekend car ? GL on your decision.

Thanks! I had considered the E90s but was never a fan of the looks. Any specific reason to not go for the Turbos? A lot of the Fxx and newer cars seem to come with them?

[sree.b]

L.A. traffic here so I feel ya, that's why I have an auto (but I don't commute anymore). Seems you will regret selling, as so many do. Keep it if you can afford a cheap daily driver.

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I'm middle of the line right now but I know I'll miss the power and fun drive!

[sree.b]

- You'll probably regret selling the zhp. I'd keep it as a weekend car.
- No it's not common to develop back issues after driving for that amount of time each way. I used to do it in my car no problem. Unless you have some underlying injuries. Does your car not have lumbar?
- No idea about this. I still like the manual even in socal traffic. I pretty much stick to second gear the whole time when it's really bad so not much shifting. I have a DD (Model 3) now. It's boring to drive, but has all the bells and whistles for being a great DD.
- Best DD? Model 3 with autopilot lol The 2 series is ok. The seats hug you a lot more. And the car is a lot smaller than the e46 on the inside. The steering wheel feels good, but the steering itself is a little numb. A lot of the torque comes around 1500ish. So to me, in stop & go traffic, there's this sort of jerk when you hit that rpm every time you start which I don't like. It is a fast car though. Also looks good. At least the M240i does to me.

No underlying injuries, but life changes (got married, smaller bed, smaller couch, etc.). We're moving to a bigger place and hopefully the lower back issues get sorted out with all the other stuff.

My ZHP doesn't have lumbar support, I guess it's a good idea to try out a lumbar cushion?

Man I've always thought the Model 3 was my next car but it's just too out of my price range right now :crying. I'm not opposed to a smaller car, so the 2 series sound alright. I'm yet to test drive one and it feels cramped, I'll be looking for the 3- or 4-series. Thanks for the heads up on the power delivery and RPM. That would feel terrible in stop-and-go, I'll look out for this during my test drive.

[sree.b]

Yes.....You will regret it. Keep it as weekender. Get a cheapo daily driver.

I'm retired. So I really do not get the ZHP as a daily. But I use the ZHP for my travels to and from Vegas. Love the drive. I already have a time and day schedule on when to depart San Diego and vice versa Vegas. On a good day....3.5 Hrs. 4 hrs. max.

Like I said before.....mileage is a killer. 302 miles one way. But what a fun car for the drive.

I drove from DC to Rochester at least once a month until last year. What a fun drive! I'd easily get 28-29mpg. My back wasn't all that happy though :shifty

[Will]

I replied in your duplicate post in the off topic forum, just a copy/paste here:


Are you limited to 1 car? If not, keep the ZHP for fun drives and longer distance drives, but get something just for the commute and errands.

I had a i3 for 2.5 years to complement my m3 and I highly recommend it. Only maintenance would be brake fluid flushes and windshield washer fluid. I ended up driving it 95% of the time and it saved about 40k miles from being logged on the m3. I believe CPO ones can be had for 19k, or even less.

I never thought I'd be a BEV (battery electric vehicle) car-guy, but having lived with one for some time it was great.
- Carbon monocoque, so stiff chassis,
- rear motor (so weight distribution is slightly rear-biased) and RWD,
- low center of gravity.
- Suspension tuning by BMW so it handled well,
- new enough to have all the tech goodies (if you get the right packages).

I actually miss that car.

[28firefighter]

FWIW, I have a 2019 i3 REX as my daily driver and absolutely love it. Unless we need to haul something it also serves as our weekend family car, too. Also helps that I snagged a beyond-cheap lease on it.

[ryankokesh]

I like the i3 idea. As long as you could keep the ZHP for weekends...

[sree.b]

I replied in your duplicate post in the off topic forum, just a copy/paste here:


Are you limited to 1 car? If not, keep the ZHP for fun drives and longer distance drives, but get something just for the commute and errands.

I had a i3 for 2.5 years to complement my m3 and I highly recommend it. Only maintenance would be brake fluid flushes and windshield washer fluid. I ended up driving it 95% of the time and it saved about 40k miles from being logged on the m3. I believe CPO ones can be had for 19k, or even less.

I never thought I'd be a BEV (battery electric vehicle) car-guy, but having lived with one for some time it was great.
- Carbon monocoque, so stiff chassis,
- rear motor (so weight distribution is slightly rear-biased) and RWD,
- low center of gravity.
- Suspension tuning by BMW so it handled well,
- new enough to have all the tech goodies (if you get the right packages).

I actually miss that car.

My wife drives a RAV4 hybrid but I barely have access to that car. This is my primary. I haven’t really considered the I3 but it sounds like a good idea!

I’m test driving the 230i this weekend to see how it feels. I’d love to hold on to the ZHP but it will get expensive really fast with the insurance premiums and monthly parking.


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[28firefighter]

I would try to get the ZHP insured through Hagerty once you acquire your next ride. They initially fought me on it saying it wasn't a collector (VIN resolves as a standard 3 series), but when I spoke to the underwriter about the ZHP they were willing to do it. With a $10k agreed value, my premiums are around $500/year and that is with occasional drive to work use allowed - not just pleasure use. The caveat is you must have a daily driver in the house for each licensed driver.

[fredo]

That sounds reasonable. Does Hagerty set a limit on the # of miles you can drive per year ?

[John in VA]

I would try to get the ZHP insured through Hagerty once you acquire your next ride. They initially fought me on it saying it wasn't a collector (VIN resolves as a standard 3 series), but when I spoke to the underwriter about the ZHP they were willing to do it. With a $10k agreed value, my premiums are around $500/year and that is with occasional drive to work use allowed - not just pleasure use. The caveat is you must have a daily driver in the house for each licensed driver.
And it needs to be garaged, with no drivers under 21.
$500 sounds like a lot, but maybe because it's a newer car. My '74 2002tii is ~$300, valued at $40k.
Hagerty says keep the miles below 2500/year, but I've never had anyone come to check my odometer. I ask about driving the car to the west coast for a car event & they said "no problem."
Also check with Grundy, American Collectors, Heacock Classic, even your current insurer. When they know the car is pampered, rarely driven and garaged the cost of the policy comes down.

[28firefighter]

It actually does not need to be garaged if you park at home. Just ideally.

I set my mileage at 3000 per year, but I only drive 6k a year total. I overshot to be conservative. My policy would be MUCH cheaper if I didn’t have the “occasional drive to work” endorsement.

[Will]

My wife drives a RAV4 hybrid but I barely have access to that car. This is my primary. I haven’t really considered the I3 but it sounds like a good idea!

I’m test driving the 230i this weekend to see how it feels. I’d love to hold on to the ZHP but it will get expensive really fast with the insurance premiums and monthly parking.


Yeah, a 2nd car can get expensive (especially with parking costs).

Keep us posted with what you end up deciding to do.