ZHP x 2

[Garagebound]

Several years back, I was looking to switch brands for my automotive pleasures. I had been having so much fun with Miatas, yet decided for practicality reasons to change it up. RWD still, but with a back seat big enough to hole a couple toddlers just in case. Familiar with the BMW brand (E30 325 vert, E36 328is, E39 Touring in my past). I had not left the brand impressed with the 328is. Then one day I saw a kind of stocking looking E46. It had such a great stance and styling it seemed to be a step up from others, sans M3s. After some research, I determined it was a ZHP and so the hunt began. After 10 months of searching and missed opportunities, I pulled the trigger on a 2004 Silberblau sedan. Crap if this has not been my favorite car ever! Note that I have had well over 30. Throughout the years, I have invested ~$8000 in maintenance, as an enthusiast would, and loved every minute of driving it. As gorgeous as the car is, grey was not my first choice. And.. I would liked to have had a manual.

Fast forward nearly a decade, when I was swiftly moving down the hwy 5 in central California, thinking to myself, I.. just.. still.. love this car. Then I thought what could be better? 2 months later I found the answer. Have 2. Two weeks ago, I made a trip to the SF Bay area and bought a Mystic Blue manual coupe. I drove my 17 year old son and his buddy up in my sedan then let them take turns driving it back south to home while I drove the coupe. Not sure who enjoyed the trip home more... Certainly a win-win.

Pleasantly surprised, my wife's reaction was.. "hey honey after you've shined it up a little I would drive it... that's really a pretty blue".
I suspect that my butt won't be the only one in the driver's seat..

And so now, I will document my journey of bringing a neglected gem back to shape.

Oil filter reservoir / pan gaskets and FCABs to start.

Pics to come..

[t.er]

Nice, looking forward to pics especially since it's a similar spec to mine!

Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk

[Garagebound]

02 sensor day... A double shot of upstream 02 sensors for all. Now say ahhh ..
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[Garagebound]

Hoping to eliminate the need for an oil drip pan. Fix #1, certainly within my capabilities below.

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[Oli77]

Nicely done, if i am not mistaken, we have to change the OFHG every 70k miles or so.

[Vas]

That looks to be an original expansion tank based on the sticker.

Great job on the ofhg...

[Garagebound]

Nicely done, if i am not mistaken, we have to change the OFHG every 70k miles or so.
Yes.. and then there are the proximal items that you might as well replace while you're in there. ex. VANOS oil line..


That looks to be an original expansion tank based on the sticker.

Great job on the ofhg...

Vas - Spot on.. Oh how we know our cars.. I have a new Genuine BMW tank waiting to be installed next.


And as many have mentioned, can't say enough good things about the etiquette on this forum.

[Garagebound]

New OFH gasket, proximal sensors, Vanos oil line, and new expansion talk installed and reassembly completed. DONE!

While it was on stands, I replaced the FCABs. Pittsburg 3 prong puller served its purpose of removing the bushings, while Dawn liquid soap was the key to a smooth installation.

Question: Has anyone bought new solid rubber bushings and had them pressed in an old pair of brackets? Are the Z4M bushings solid rubber?

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[Vas]

Z4m are still fluid filled but they are offset to provide more caster. Great upgrade over the factory units.

[Garagebound]

Today its a new cowl cover!

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[BADCLOWN]

Pretty cool you've got two, the updated parts being added on is great.

[Garagebound]

Pretty cool you've got two, the updated parts being added on is great.

Agreed. With my sedan exceeding 200K miles, I felt it smart to get a backup. And what's better to backup a beloved ZHP than another!

Today the coupe gets a new roundel for the hood.

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Tomorrow, the coupe goes in for a oil pan gasket replacement. Motor mounts don't look bad, yet with 130+ miles, makes sense to replace now.

[Vas]

Agreed. With my sedan exceeding 200K miles, I felt it smart to get a backup. And what's better to backup a beloved ZHP than another!

Today the coupe gets a new roundel for the hood.

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Tomorrow, the coupe goes in for a oil pan gasket replacement. Motor mounts don't look bad, yet with 130+ miles, makes sense to replace now.Motor mounts are a good idea and so is the steering coupling.

[Garagebound]

COUPE: Oil pan gasket and related o-rings, motor mounts, steering coupling/guibo thing replaced. YEA! NO LEAKS! :)

Now.... More fixing... Broken overhead panel (roof switch, mic) gets replaced. This is a good thing as I was getting Mad at Gravity. Double sided tape just didn't cut it.

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Pass-side headlight. Apparently it was not the bulb.. Time to test the fine motor skills..

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Drive to a little local BMW meet. The back end is a little wiggly. RTABs next. Maybe shocks...

QUESTION:

Blessed with a P2240 code on the way home from purchasing it, I decided to later replace the O2 sensors. Code does not reappear, yet I still have missing while under moderate acceleration, between 2500 & 3000 rpms. Thoughts?

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Solute!

[Vas]

COUPE: Oil pan gasket and related o-rings, motor mounts, steering coupling/guibo thing replaced. YEA! NO LEAKS! :)

Now.... More fixing... Broken overhead panel (roof switch, mic) gets replaced. This is a good thing as I was getting Mad at Gravity. Double sided tape just didn't cut it.

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Pass-side headlight. Apparently it was not the bulb.. Time to test the fine motor skills..

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Drive to a little local BMW meet. The back end is a little wiggly. RTABs next. Maybe shocks...

QUESTION:

Blessed with a P2240 code on the way home from purchasing it, I decided to later replace the O2 sensors. Code does not reappear, yet I still have missing while under moderate acceleration, between 2500 & 3000 rpms. Thoughts?

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Solute!Genuine Bosch oxygen sensors for the primary cats?

I would disconnect the mass air flow sensor or swap them between your vehicles and see if the issue gets better or worse.

[Garagebound]

Genuine Bosch oxygen sensors for the primary cats?

I would disconnect the mass air flow sensor or swap them between your vehicles and see if the issue gets better or worse.

Yes, I replaced with Genuine Bosch sensors in the top of the exhaust manifold. I haven't tried the MAF sensor swap yet.

I pivoted over to the coupe's rear suspension. Under the guidance of the http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?23374-BUDGET-PERFORMANCE-SUSPENSION-GUIDE-(Ultimate-E46-OEM-SACHS-Setup), I replaced the dampers, stops, mounts with E36 & E46 parts.

Today, I had the RTABs replaced with Meyle HDs and were told they weren't really bad. Yet, now I have new as opposed original @ 138K miles.

Alignment is next and soon. Back end seems a little firmer, but still a little wag in the rear. Just might be the cheap Ironman tires the PO had put on.. I'm keeping an eye out for used M3 sway bars.

Also replaced the headlight bulbs last week Osram Night Breakers. They have great output, but they are currently shining at the ground ~about 20 feet in front of the car. Hoping its just adjustment.

[Garagebound]

Alignment done and finally gat it some cosmetic love, polish & wax. Looks as good as it can sans repaint where needed.

Had some fun taking a few pics today, 1 below.

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