Talk me into/out of it. New Guy

[Rush661]

Hey everyone, new to the forum

Need some help..

I’ve been wanting a BMW for a while now. I was originally set on an e90 335i/535i. The twin turbo n54 seemed like the best option to me. Then I found the ZHP and I fell in love. Been looking for one for a while now. I’m trying to keep it under 10k. I wanted a 6spd but it’s not a deal breaker after reading some people’s positive experiences with the auto.

I’m looking at an 05 white/brown auto transmission with 133k miles on it right now for 7k. Just looking to get some peoples honest input. I’m having a hard time deciding whether to jump in or wait for the 6spd sedan in my price range to pop up, which might never happen.

Thanks guys

[fredo]

I think the AT is perfectly fine. BTW, AW is among my favorite colors. In this case, 133k miles for $7k sounds very reasonable. If the car has some service records and there's no need for immediate repairs or parts, then I would seriously consider to pull the trigger. PPI (pre-purchase inspection) is recommended to avoid surprises later.

[JPMo]

I have an AT that I bought with 106k miles for $7500 about 4 years ago. I really have no issues with the tranny and I've done 1 fluid flush since I've had the car. It's still plenty fun and makes for a pretty good daily driver outside of lacking the modern conveniences. Funny enough though, whenever people come check out my car, they almost always look inside to see if it's a manual.

I will say that I am planning on 6 speed swapping my zhp in the near future but mostly as a just cause, since I plan of keeping it forever. If you really want a zhp, I'd say a clean AT is better than a meh or suspect MT any day

[fredo]

For a sportier feel, you may consider Sprint Booster. I had chance to drive Rando's car and it really makes a difference.

[cakM3]

For a sportier feel, you may consider Sprint Booster. I had chance to drive Rando's car and it really makes a difference.

I concur... I installed a Gen3 Sprint Booster in my Mystic Blue ZHP and have been very happy with this. Compared to the Gen2's I have installed in my Porsche and M3, the Gen3 is much more improved with a lot more selectivity.

The AW/NB combo is very classy and desired. Even with auto just add the Gen3 Sprint Booster and you will love this car. GL! :thumbsup

[Rush661]

Thanks guys!! I think my mind is made up and I’m going to go for it!! I appreciate all your input. I’ll be back to show it off if everything goes well!

[fredo]

:like

[cakM3]

Thanks guys!! I think my mind is made up and I’m going to go for it!! I appreciate all your input. I’ll be back to show it off if everything goes well!

Good luck!!! :thumbsup

[Rush661]

Also, thanks for the recommendation on the Sprint Booster, I've never heard of these before!

[Fried_Chicken]

Definitely prefer the ZHP over the e90, even with the added power and torque, the ZHP is a masterpiece.
Prepare for endless fixing crap that will go into overdrive once the car hits 150k miles.

What's the sprint booster? What does it do?

Did some research:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u7lIJfWc6U&feature=emb_title

I'm intrigued.... $290... I'm less intrigued.

[sillieidiot]

get it, then manual swap. done lol

[Will]

Thanks guys!! I think my mind is made up and I’m going to go for it!! I appreciate all your input. I’ll be back to show it off if everything goes well!

Nice! Keep us posted.

That sprint booster looks interesting, reminds me of the Sport button on the m3.

[t.er]

I recall looking into the Sprint Booster but at that price point I'd rather get tune like Shark Injector. That way you're paying for some actual performance upgrade + throttle remap rather than just the latter

[cakM3]

I recall looking into the Sprint Booster but at that price point I'd rather get tune like Shark Injector. That way you're paying for some actual performance upgrade + throttle remap rather than just the latter

I had Shark Injector in my last ZHP as well as the Gen2 Sprint Booster. I did not feel a noticeable performance gain with the Shark Injector. If anything you're better off getting a custom tune from a reputable tuner than spending the cash for the Shark Injector. As for getting the Sprint Booster? The Gen3 version is much improved over the Gen2 Sprint Booster. You have more selectable settings for Sport and Race mode and you have two additional modes which the Gen2 did not have. You have Parking mode which disables the gas pedal input entirely while the car is parked (great if you have to leave your car parked for some time like at the airport) and Valet mode where you can reduce throttle input by as much as 75% so valet parkers can't mess with your car while moving it to and from valet parking.

The Sprint Booster does not remap the throttle like an actual tune does. The Throttle input is electric so there is some delay between the gas pedal and ECU. Sprint Booster provides increased acceleration time by eliminating this delay on drive-by-wire cars (like our E46s) by continuously measuring and converting the digital signal and providing the Electronic Control Module, or ECU, with an altered signal for much quicker throttle response.

With the improvements the Gen3 Sprint Booster has, I would rather spend the cash on the Sprint Booster and have more adjustability in throttle input. That's just my thoughts on this...

[sna77]

Hey everyone, new to the forum

Need some help..

I’ve been wanting a BMW for a while now. I was originally set on an e90 335i/535i. The twin turbo n54 seemed like the best option to me. Then I found the ZHP and I fell in love. Been looking for one for a while now. I’m trying to keep it under 10k. I wanted a 6spd but it’s not a deal breaker after reading some people’s positive experiences with the auto.

I’m looking at an 05 white/brown auto transmission with 133k miles on it right now for 7k. Just looking to get some peoples honest input. I’m having a hard time deciding whether to jump in or wait for the 6spd sedan in my price range to pop up, which might never happen.

Thanks guys

Hold out for a manual. This car with a manual is really fun to drive.

[Fried_Chicken]

I had Shark Injector in my last ZHP as well as the Gen2 Sprint Booster. I did not feel a noticeable performance gain with the Shark Injector. If anything you're better off getting a custom tune from a reputable tuner than spending the cash for the Shark Injector. As for getting the Sprint Booster? The Gen3 version is much improved over the Gen2 Sprint Booster. You have more selectable settings for Sport and Race mode and you have two additional modes which the Gen2 did not have. You have Parking mode which disables the gas pedal input entirely while the car is parked (great if you have to leave your car parked for some time like at the airport) and Valet mode where you can reduce throttle input by as much as 75% so valet parkers can't mess with your car while moving it to and from valet parking.

The Sprint Booster does not remap the throttle like an actual tune does. The Throttle input is electric so there is some delay between the gas pedal and ECU. Sprint Booster provides increased acceleration time by eliminating this delay on drive-by-wire cars (like our E46s) by continuously measuring and converting the digital signal and providing the Electronic Control Module, or ECU, with an altered signal for much quicker throttle response.

With the improvements the Gen3 Sprint Booster has, I would rather spend the cash on the Sprint Booster and have more adjustability in throttle input. That's just my thoughts on this...

Is there any other difference other than the added features of valet mode and park mode?

It might be worth getting the Gen2 for less $$$, no? Any risk of damage to the car?

[cakM3]

Is there any other difference other than the added features of valet mode and park mode?

It might be worth getting the Gen2 for less $$$, no? Any risk of damage to the car?

With the Gen3 SB you have 9 selectable settings in Sport mode and 9 selectable settings in Race mode so much more adjustability as compared to the Gen2 which you only have either sport (green light) or race mode (red light). As for any risk of damage to the car? No risk.

Other than the Audi I have, all my other cars have Sprint Booster installed. I just never got around to doing this with the Audi...

Given the choice, I would spend the extra cash and get the Gen3 SB because you have much more adjustability to suit your style of driving. As in the case of all Sprint Boosters, you don't get the actual performance gain in HP but you do have much improved gas pedal inputs over stock and the Gen3 provides two additional modes which, to me, makes this product much more useful.

To the OP, don't mean to thread jack regarding Sprint Booster...

[johnrando]

Welcome! As for AT and the SB, I agree 100%. Spend the money as it greatly enhances the driving experience. You don't HAVE to, but the difference is huge. Frankly, as an owner of an AT (#latraffic :) ), I have driven manuals and that is a vastly better way to go with these cars, so if that is important go manual. But the AT is fine as #betterazhpthannot. GL!

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[cakM3]

Welcome! As for AT and the SB, I agree 100%. Spend the money as it greatly enhances the driving experience. You don't HAVE to, but the difference is huge. Frankly, as an owner of an AT (#latraffic :) ), I have driven manuals and that is a vastly better way to go with these cars, so if that is important go manual. But the AT is fine as #betterazhpthannot. GL!

@OP.... you should listen to Rando. Since you're looking at an AW/NB auto, Rando's inputs are valid regarding use of sprint booster on auto transmissions...:thumbsup

[zhpnsnv]

OP - you came to the wrong place to be talked out of getting a ZHP!

Only advice that I can think of is to get what ya really want and don't settle, whether your heart desires the AT or MT or AW or IR or whatever.

I don't know the #s/stats but I feel like the combo you're looking at is pretty rare? I remember the days when members were hoping to get massive premiums for their AW cars. Maybe we're still in those days. I'm not around extremely often, so who knows?

[John in VA]

I don't know the #s/stats but I feel like the combo you're looking at is pretty rare? I remember the days when members were hoping to get massive premiums for their AW cars. Maybe we're still in those days.
ZHP info & production numbers can be found here: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789

[pedro2u]

ZHP info & production numbers can be found here: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789

looks like of the 52 sedan AW/NB's produced, most were AT (33) - 63%

[Rush661]

I’m overwhelmed by the amount of comments and advice guys! Thank you!

I got it!!! It’s not perfect, but still really clean. For my first BMW, I’m thrilled. I’m not disappointed in the AT at all. I managed to get it below asking price which made it even more impossible to pass on. And yeah if I remember correctly I think this is 1/33 of this exact combo, which is really cool to me. I’m gonna get the title transfer done tomorrow and give her a good wash and I’ll try to post some pictures!!

Again, thank you everyone! Stoked to have joined this community.

[BMWCurves]

Congratulations! Be sure to stick around

[Will]

Congrats! Keep us posted (photos, photos, photos)!

[zhpnsnv]

Nice! Pics!

[fredo]

Congrats ! :thumbup

[Stu]

Nice!! Welcome! Getting a ZHP was one of the best and most memorable car decisions I made. Great choice. Enjoy!

[BADCLOWN]

congrats on the pick-up and welcome to the boards!

[cakM3]

Congrats on picking up your first ZHP :thumbsup You will find many on here who will provide you with answers. Take a look at the DIY and Maintenance section of this forum as well. Welcome!

[joeybananaz18]

Congrats on picking up one of the best cars you’ll ever own. And good for you on getting a sweeter deal! Can’t wait to see it


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[sillieidiot]

Congrats

[Rush661]

Here are the pics!
Some of the first things on my to-do list for it: Full professional detail (because I have neither the patience nor the attention to detail required), having the headliner redone (its all there, but its falling in the back seat and has come loose around the front pillars), roof and bumper either re clear coated or repainted. And woould anyone be able to give me an idea on the price of having a spare key made? It only came with one.

https://imgur.com/a/25dHi5o



Apologize if i didnt add those correctly, not too savvy on the image hosting anymore..

Lmk if those links work, idk wtf im doing lmao..

[Vas]

Here are the pics!
Some of the first things on my to-do list for it: Full professional detail (because I have neither the patience nor the attention to detail required), having the headliner redone (its all there, but its falling in the back seat and has come loose around the front pillars), roof and bumper either re clear coated or repainted. And woould anyone be able to give me an idea on the price of having a spare key made? It only came with one.

https://imgur.com/a/25dHi5o



Apologize if i didnt add those correctly, not too savvy on the image hosting anymore..

Lml if those links work, idk wtf im doing lmao..Best place I found for a new key was here https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/oem-parts/bmw-universal-key-with-remote-e46-e83-e53-e85-e86-66126955748?c=bD0xJm49RmVhdHVyZWQgUHJvZHVjdHM%3D

Don't forget to use the coupon at the top of the page.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[fredo]

Here are pics!



:like

[johnrando]

@OP.... you should listen to Rando. Since you're looking at an AW/NB auto, Rando's inputs are valid regarding use of sprint booster on auto transmissions...:thumbsupThanks Charlie.

[emoji1360]

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[zhpnsnv]

Best place I found for a new key was here https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/oem-parts/bmw-universal-key-with-remote-e46-e83-e53-e85-e86-66126955748?c=bD0xJm49RmVhdHVyZWQgUHJvZHVjdHM%3D

Don't forget to use the coupon at the top of the page.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

How have I never come across this parts source? Jeesh. Get with it, me.

[Vas]

How have I never come across this parts source? Jeesh. Get with it, me.Lol.

I have been using them for years. Coupon code Roundel can also be used.

Best place for keys, zhp shift knobs and other genuine bmw parts.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[cakM3]

Best place I found for a new key was here https://www.thebmwminipartstore.com/oem-parts/bmw-universal-key-with-remote-e46-e83-e53-e85-e86-66126955748?c=bD0xJm49RmVhdHVyZWQgUHJvZHVjdHM%3D

Don't forget to use the coupon at the top of the page.

Awesome post Vas, thanks!!! I have to get additional keys for my ZHP... I will be going here. :thumbsup