What Makes The BMW 330 ZHP So Special That We Feel The Need For Our Own Forum?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Very curious to find out why you think ZHP Mafia should have its own forum.

Additionally, I hear a lot of BMW owners talk about ZHP owners as cultish. Why are we perceived to be that way? Is it warranted?

Finally, why is the ZHP one of the best BMW packages ever created?

[danewilson77]

The car: Best balance of power, handling and esthetics. Interior options a :drool:

Perception is in the eye of the beholder. I dunno why people think what they think. The ZHP is superior to every other e46. Period. Including M3.....when you take into account maintenance cost, tickets, etc...lol

[bmwboyee]

You guys are going to have to school me on the ZHP love...I'm new to ZHP's but not to BMW's.

When I think of ZHP I think of Samir's legendary Red 4-Door ZHP, at the time the sickest sedan available as no ///M3 Sedan existed yet. Supercharged :)
http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd62/smoulton0204/various%202009/330ii_ir_5.jpg

[KHOALTY]

Samir's car was definitely a beast.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

For some reason, I did not know Samir. Why? Where was I?

[KHOALTY]

Samir was the partner of Sam of Rennsport. They mainly dealt with ASA superchargers back in 02 or 03 if my memory serves correctly. Back then I think you were not in the states here and wasn't active as you are now. Many companies have come and gone since then. Sam still is in the scene where he owns Auto Talent now and works on the higher end cars such as the exotics and I believe he is off the forums now and not active anymore.

[mimalmo]

The ZHP is just such a well-rounded package. Handling, acceleration, looks, driving experience, etc.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

One thing I hear, though. ZHP owners are asses.

I love the car but I certainly don't run around telling everyone that their car is inferior. I guess there must be some ZHP owners who act that way.

Do you get the impression that we're elitists?

[mimalmo]

douchebaggery sucks in all forms. elitists are hollow shells of people.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Yeah, a few.

I've met guys that when I say I have a 330, they have said literally "Not a ZHP though, haha".

I reply with "You bought a ZHP automatic, and are making fun of my car. Ha..ha."

Yeah. That's ridiculous. But not a ZHP, though? Lame.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

douchebaggery sucks in all forms. elitists are hollow shells of people.

Agree. Period.

[Gheybe]

Definitely agree.

Maybe we should save up and get CSL's.

Head over to M3Forum.net.

And start something.

In for lols and VF gayness.

:eeps:

[Gheybe]

WTF is this shit.

I want :eeps: allowed in here. Right the fuck now.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Something with our emoticons. We'll work on it.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Also, Gabe, let's try to keep the cussing down to a minimum. Haha. Don't make me edit your posts! LOL>

[Washburn]

For me, the ZHP provides best balance between performance and practical, daily use - exotic/fun/powerful enough to be special, but not too over the top, so it can be practical as well...most cars have trouble mixing and balancing those 2 attributes - They're either Overkill with performance, (so not practical enough for a daily driven practical car), or too pedestrian (only practical and nothing special).
ZHP gives you best of both.

[jjcools]

Exterior and performance upgrades. Plus the lack of tacky wood trim really makes it stand out without going to an M3.

[Alphatek45]

Put simply, The car is the total package. Power,style,handling. It has it all. Its sex on 4 wheels. Its addicting ....I'm addicted.

[gr330zhp]

Mine had me at first glance :)

For me its really the exterior look to start with. Every angle is simply perfect, clean lines, perfect wheels. Then you get to the Alcantara interior, steering wheel, the list goes on an on.

Oh yes, then you turn the key and fire up that sweet inline 6! Clutch down, 1st gear, and off we are, driving along incredible well. Then...........yes the first on ramp!! That is where I am in love. Hitting every apex better and better each and every day. It makes you a better driver. It really is The Ultimate Driving Machine. Period























Just wish there was an S54 option as well hehe :p

[3ZHP]

There are two words that explain what makes the 330i ZHP so special;

“pride”,& “respect”

Let me explain!

You can take the family to church on Sunday and you will get a respective able nod or comment from others. When you drive it to work on any day, you may have someone pass and give the node or thumbs up. If you volunteer to drive for lunch, someone will always comment. The same thing happens when you’re tagged for business trips or other work related activates. After work you can pile in the whole family or just a girlfriend or wife and you won’t hear any negativity. When Friday and Saturday night arrive if you’ll be respected on the street though; you may not be messed with because others really don’t know what may be hiding under the hood. The car competes well in car shows and you’ll find many people that haven’t a clue that these rarities even exist. It’s truly amazing the interest they spark with others. And the best of all; you can spend the weekend at any track driving school, earning respect from that guy in that very expensive car that had to give you the signal to pass.

And that is why, we all carry so much pride in our 330i option code ZHP Performance Packages’!

Personally, I like to let the car speak for itself, and it does that very well. Anyone who knows their cars knows what they are and will make an effort to start a conversation. For the others, I’m not a salesman and realize that some people just don’t get it and probably never will.

Although; the phrase came from Cadillac; the ZHP does it for me.

“Whenever I turn on my ZHP, it returns the favor”

3ZHPGUY

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Good stuff, ZHP Guy. Well put.

[Daddyoh]

Good stuff, ZHP Guy. Well put.
^^ Ditto 3ZHPGUY. I will surely share this.

[Alphatek45]

What amazes me the most is, no matter how many of these cars I see they never loose my interest. There is just something about the e46 ZHP appearance that is timeless. I fully understand that its no Ferrari/Lambo etc. In fact, from a money standpoint this is the least expensive car Ive owned in a very long time (By a significant margin). Every time Someone posts a pic, shows a video or hell, even if I'm taking the recycle bin out of the garage I stop and go "whoa, this thing is sick". Kinda cool.....

[gr330zhp]

What amazes me the most is, no matter how many of these cars I see they never loose my interest. There is just something about the e46 ZHP appearance that is timeless. I fully understand that its no Ferrari/Lambo etc. In fact, from a money standpoint this is the least expensive car Ive owned in a very long time (By a significant margin). Every time Someone posts a pic, shows a video or hell, even if I'm taking the recycle bin out of the garage I stop and go "whoa, this thing is sick". Kinda cool.....

Very true

[2M Auto Body]

:)N

[Marcus-SanDiego]

:)N

Haha. That's the "marcus ninja" smiley.

[2M Auto Body]

you should make me the official "lurker" smiley! lol

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Dave, no kidding. I need to get you a personalized smiley.

[2M Auto Body]

:::lurk lurk lurk:::








lmk when its done! lol

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Thought you guys would get a kick out of what people thought of a ZHP-specific forum back in 2004. I wonder what they think of us now.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62764

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=80864

[Marcus-SanDiego]

you should make me the official "lurker" smiley! lol

Here you go, Dave. I found one for you: :lurk

[Pooters]

Wow, those people are ass holes. Why do they hate the ZHP so much? I mean it is only 10 more HP, but I really did it for the suspension adjustments.

And why do they use so many damn smiley faces?

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Here's an interesting one. Look at the first comment in particular, about what BMW was saying in literature.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40493

[danewilson77]

Yeah......I think its really opinionated...and I do not concur its "just a check mark in an option box"

[Pooters]

"It's an option. Period.

Any hype is just that. Hype.

If I had to guess, 5 years down the road, there will be a cadre of enthusiasts that seek out used ZHPs but that regular buyers will shun them. I would not expect to get a premium for having ZHP on your 330i and I would expect it will be more difficult to find a buyer."

Lol at that guy. They are clearly pissed because there 3 series is, in fact, inferior to our ZHP's. Oh well: http://i.imgur.com/ymn70.gif

[danewilson77]

^+1

[az3579]

What I thought when I read this thread title was "oh jeez, here we go again" with all the ZHP vs. all other 3 series discussions.
I do think ZHP owners that participate on forums are all, to some degree, thinking their car is better than any non-M series. We're all guilty of it, and there is no arguing that.
If it wasn't true, you probably wouldn't have gotten a ZHP for all the extra money you paid for you versus a regular 3.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

What I thought when I read this thread title was "oh jeez, here we go again" with all the ZHP vs. all other 3 series discussions.
I do think ZHP owners that participate on forums are all, to some degree, thinking their car is better than any non-M series. We're all guilty of it, and there is no arguing that.
If it wasn't true, you probably wouldn't have gotten a ZHP for all the extra money you paid for you versus a regular 3.

Agree. Especially about the guilty part.

[pyreguy]

I like mine better than an E46 M3. So I am even more guilty! :rockon

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I like mine better than my 335. Guilty as charged.

[rikdee]

I sold my E36M3 to buy my Z. Guess I'm headed to the big house with the rest of you....

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Rick, glad to have you on board with the rest of us crazies.

It is also my understanding that a ZHP forum isn't needed and won't work. :biggrin

[Kudos]

Ya, i turned down an immaculate e36m3 at a similar price to get the zhp. Very comparable car, similar stats, just newer tech, larger, and I was getting tired of my e36 and didn't want to get reved at every stop light by hondas. That and this was a dakar yellow m3 detailed and maintainted like a baby.

[rikdee]

Yeah, mine was cool too. One of the first 1995 arrivals into the US, I sold it to a close friend,with 42,000 on the clock, two years ago. It now sits at 47,xxx - no doubt one of the lowest mileage examples left standing. Super clean, Euro HMF, Motorsports strut brace, Superspint exhaust, Dinan chip, stainless lines, custom painted side view mirrors done by California legend Dennis Rickleffs, 3:38 diff, the list goes on. And you're right, very similar in performance but the ZHP is smoother. Ain't no way I would trade back!

[3ZHP]

The ZHP looks great in Spring:


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_3675.jpg


The ZHP can Autocross in Summer:

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_3891.jpg

The ZHP is very expectable and fits in rather well at High Performance Driving Schools:


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_4420.jpg


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/BMWC0192.jpg

The ZHP blends well and is acceptable at a variety of Car Shows:

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_3904.jpg


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_3969.jpg

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_5653.jpg

The ZHP is a pleasure in Summer and Fall:

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_5396.jpg


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/2003BMW330iZHP10-10_54.jpg


http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_5805.jpg

Imola Red makes for a great Santa’s Sleigh:

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_5930.jpg

And Yes The ZHP is very capable of handling the snow as well:

http://i591.photobucket.com/albums/ss351/3zhpguy/2011/Versatile/IMG_5966_2.jpg


There is no other vehicle more versatile:

"IT DOES IT ALL"

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Nice commercial, Guy. I liked it.

[danewilson77]

Last pic is sezzy as h-e-double hockey sticks.

Very nice shots.

[3ZHP]

Thanks guys, I've been meaning to do something like this for a while.

[DESANT]

Friend of mine is a salesman, other day he gave me a call around 8 PM (outside was dark) and told me to come outside , I came out, saw some ? BMW parked, went back, took $5K, drove the car for 5 minutes, gave the deposit....... enough said.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

For the new members.

[Johal E32]

When I saw the ZHP maybe 3 or 4 years ago I fell in love with it. It was a great alternative to the E46 M3 and this is what I was looking for. The ZHP imo seemed more practical then the S54 and it was available with two extra doors. And of course cheaper. I did not buy one earlier because of the price, all of the used ones had the same asking price as the E46 M3.... I thought forget it, I will just wait for a nice E39 M5 or something. Now fast forward to April or so. One night my 14 year old son showed me this beautiful and tastefully modded ZHP (now my current). I called the man up, and bam. I did have to sell my 528i/5 but it was clean so it sold in a few days. Three weeks later and a lot of negotiating later it was in my garage. I paid a ton cheaper than the ZHP's. In fact, I paid what I would have paid for a regular pre-facelift 330i/4/5.

I love my ZHP. I even have a waiting list of people who want to buy it from me :thumbup

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Johal, I moved your post to here.

Good story.

[GMATT]

My experience was a bit different....I am a former owner of a high horsepower Camaro. I was looking for a car that handled and had a decent amount of power.I could have bought a m3, but felt it was a "common" car. I was hooked after my first drive in a ZHP. Just had to wait for the "right" car. :)

Sent from the outhouse using Tapatalk

[Johal E32]

I too went from a high hp car. I had a 2005 E55 AMG for a few years. 469 hp and 516 ft lbs of some serious V8. I also had a E32 750. Both very fast cars.

[SoarinZHP]

I had a plain Jane 3 series and wanted something with more power and more aggressive looks and handling. This is my 2nd E46 and can't see myself driving another car. It's the right size, right handling, right amount of power. I think the E46 is the pinnacle of the BMW brand.

[danewilson77]

I had a plain Jane 3 series and wanted something with more power and more aggressive looks and handling. This is my 2nd E46 and can't see myself driving another car. It's the right size, right handling, right amount of power. I think the E46 is the pinnacle of the BMW brand.

Yeah...it was about $280.00 for all four.

[az3579]

Yeah...it was about $280.00 for all four.

Dane,


...


Huh?

lol

[johnrando]

When I saw the ZHP maybe 3 or 4 years ago I fell in love with it. It was a great alternative to the E46 M3 and this is what I was looking for. The ZHP imo seemed more practical then the S54 and it was available with two extra doors. And of course cheaper. I did not buy one earlier because of the price, all of the used ones had the same asking price as the E46 M3.... I thought forget it, I will just wait for a nice E39 M5 or something. Now fast forward to April or so. One night my 14 year old son showed me this beautiful and tastefully modded ZHP (now my current). I called the man up, and bam. I did have to sell my 528i/5 but it was clean so it sold in a few days. Three weeks later and a lot of negotiating later it was in my garage. I paid a ton cheaper than the ZHP's. In fact, I paid what I would have paid for a regular pre-facelift 330i/4/5.

I love my ZHP. I even have a waiting list of people who want to buy it from me :thumbup

Good story. Pics of your car please.