New guy

[Wasp15e]

Hello all! I have a silver 2004 330i ZHP sedan and currently live in Clovis, NM. I came across your site as I was doing some research.

I love my car, but am getting the itch for something new and was thinking of trading it in for one of the new 335is's. I'm not that knowledgeable on all the intricacies and specs so I figured this would be a great place to get some expert opinions and advice.

I think it would be a lot of fun to keep my current car and just start modding it up but I have absolutely zero experience with that kind of thing and worry that I'd just end up screwing things up.

Looking forward to getting schooled in the ways of the ZHP mafia!

[billschusteriv]

:hi

Hey Wasp. Welcome aboard!

Lots of great insights here on the ZHP... you'll probably hear opinions going back and forth on the e46 (99-05/06) and current 335is. Each model has their own respective faults that I'm sure everyone will be happy to discuss.

[johnrando]

Welcome. One of the great things about our cars is how easy/fun they are to mod if you like doing that. The real question is what would you want to mod for... speed (not easy to get big gains without FI, but 20-30+ can be had fairly easy); looks (little touches easy, bigger things easy but $$). Whatever it is, enjoy the ride, or the new car.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Wasp, welcome to the site.

I don't have any complaints about the looks of the 335is. What I don't know, though (and what you should check), is to see if the high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) is still an issue. This is the same motor that was in my 2009 335. I was on my third HPFP when BMW bought the car back through California's Lemon law (about 6 weeks ago).

One thing that I said -- when I owned both the 335 (with Dinan Stage II) and the ZHP at the same time -- is that if someone forced me to pick between the two, I would take the 330 ZHP. It's the best all-around BMW I've owned (on my sixth now).

One thing I've seen, since launching this site, is people coming to the site saying they used to own a ZHP -- but sold it. Many of them regretted the decision, with some people going back to the well to reacquire one. Take that for what it's worth.

Regardless of which way you ultimately go, you're welcome on this site. We don't care what you drive. As long as you're a solid citizen here at ZHPMafia.com, you're a friend of ours.

Welcome.

[danewilson77]

I have been to Clovis! I played for Canon Air Force Base Nighthawks rugby team. Small world...

Welcome to the Mafia.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[kayger12]

Welcome to the Family.

[static667]

Welcome to the family. Just look around the site and feel free to ask questions. There is a lot of knowledge here and really great people that are happy to help.

Sent using Tapatalk on my rooted Droid. Wut?

[Wasp15e]

Wow guys, thanks for all the positive welcomes. As to what mods, I wouldn't mind a bit more hp and something cosmetic to make the car a little more unique. Possibly start with a new exhaust...seems fairly simple and straight-forward. After that I'd have to do some research and get some ideas from what others have done.

Marcus - besides the HPFP issue, what made you choose the ZHP over the 335? I definitly don't want to drop all that money on the 335 if it is not going to be an improvement. This has been my first BMW and I guess I just assumed the ZHP was par for the course and that every BMW would be this good. I didn't realize how special it is.

Dane - I'm also in Clovis courtesy of the Air Force. As you know there's not much there so I need something to occupy my time, wether it's with a new car or modding my current one.

[mimalmo]

Welcome

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Wow guys, thanks for all the positive welcomes. As to what mods, I wouldn't mind a bit more hp and something cosmetic to make the car a little more unique. Possibly start with a new exhaust...seems fairly simple and straight-forward. After that I'd have to do some research and get some ideas from what others have done.

Marcus - besides the HPFP issue, what made you choose the ZHP over the 335? I definitly don't want to drop all that money on the 335 if it is not going to be an improvement. This has been my first BMW and I guess I just assumed the ZHP was par for the course and that every BMW would be this good. I didn't realize how special it is.

Dane - I'm also in Clovis courtesy of the Air Force. As you know there's not much there so I need something to occupy my time, wether it's with a new car or modding my current one.

The interior in the ZHP is heads and tails better than the 335. I think the ZHP is something very special (in a non-special way). The 335 was spartan and cheap.

I thought the 335 looked great -- but only after I modified it.

Before:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7155.jpg

After:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/Photo%20shoot%20June%2013%202010/MarksE920441-1.jpg

I didn't have to do that with the ZHP. That thing looked great right out of the box.

Make no mistake, though, the 335 was a straight-line beast. I pointed and it went. That said, there is more to life than mashing on the pedal.

For most of us, we're going to drive 65-80 mph. At that speed, both cars feel the same. The difference, though, is that the scenery (the interior that I'm looking at while driving 65-80 mph) is a hell of a lot better in the ZHP. Makes it a real pleasure to drive in.

I think you'd be happy with either car, Wasp. Don't get me wrong there. I'm just saying that if I could only have one -- looking at it from a holistic point of view -- I'm happier in the ZHP.

[Wasp15e]

Thanks for the info Marcus. Wish I could see the pics but unfortunatley I'm deployed right now and the firewill I'm stuck behind won't show them. Can't wait till I get home so I can start seeing all the pics on the site. Kind of unfair reading about everyone's mods without getting to see what they look like, haha.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

When you get home, all will be revealed.

Be safe!

[johnrando]

"... all will be revealed..."

.52 in the video, Kashmir.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAzdgU_kpGo&hd=1

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Great song ^^

[GSEN820]

Welcome to the club. Gotta love the firewall walls while being deployed. I served 10 years in the Army with many deployments under my belt. Thank you for your service.

If it were me I would kee the ZHP. I was debating between 2006 M3 and 06 ZHP. I ended with the ZHP. Talking to numberous mechanics I knew, the ZHP motors were built to last. The power is more than enough, but if you have no emissions you could always Boost.

Rock solid engine is what sold me. There are those little things cooling system, power steering, Mass Airflow sensor, but those are pretty straight forward if you have the tools.

Welcome stick to the ZHP you wont regret it.

[Mtnman]

Welcome! Ill check in to see where this decision goes....

[Wasp15e]

After doing some soul searching and taking into account my current situation (the fact Clovis, NM is not a great place for cars and I'd have to compromise on what I get due to that fact) I'm going to keep my ZHP and just start doing some mods. I have some time to study up on what I want to do with it since i won't be getting home till September, so with that, does anyone have any good refrences on where to start for someone who has no experience? I mean, I'm starting at zero, so are there any refrences for what basic tools to get and some simple jobs to cut my teeth on? Appologies if this basic info is already on the site but I didn't find it on first glance.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Wasp, I think you made a good decision on keeping the ZHP. It's a great car.

Others will chime in on the rest of your questions.

[danewilson77]

After doing some soul searching and taking into account my current situation (the fact Clovis, NM is not a great place for cars and I'd have to compromise on what I get due to that fact) I'm going to keep my ZHP and just start doing some mods. I have some time to study up on what I want to do with it since i won't be getting home till September, so with that, does anyone have any good refrences on where to start for someone who has no experience? I mean, I'm starting at zero, so are there any refrences for what basic tools to get and some simple jobs to cut my teeth on? Appologies if this basic info is already on the site but I didn't find it on first glance.

You are the man!!!!

[Ryans323i]

Welcome to the Mafia. Spent over 3 years living on Cannon AFB, 1440F Guadalcanal to be exact, so I definitely know there's NOTHING to do.

Modding the ZHP is going to be a great hobby, but it can get expensive. As for basic tools, I'd suggest getting a 100-200 piece SAE & Metric box socket set w/ alan keys and torx bits.

I just found this awesome deal online at Sears, here's the Link. (http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000033475308&pubid=21000000000332383) the item number is: 00935255000. Hopefully you can see it through the firewall. It's a Craftsman 255pc set, normally $299 on sale for $149. On sale this week and online only though. It's got everything you'll need for awhile. And Craftsman hand tools have a lifetime repair/replacement, which makes it easy since you have a Sears at the North Plains Mall.

Also are you still allowed to "rent" the garage on base that has a lift? I believe it was near the car wash. If so, that will help a ton when you have to get under the car for suspension, oil changes, etc. And then you wont have to buy a jack and stands, although you may want to eventually.

Get familiar with online BMW OE (original equipment) retailers, like GermanAutoParts.com and PartsGeek.com (http://www.partsgeek.com/). Since you're closest BMW dealership is 2hrs away in Lubbock, Tx, I believe.

Also, some good aftermarket websites, IMO, are ECSTuning.com (http://www.ecstuning.com/), and JLeviStreetWerks.com (http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com/), and Khoalty.com (http://www.khoalty.com/).

Biggest thing is to remember, don't be scared! There's plenty of info on this site, and we have some very experienced DIYers in "the family".

Again, welcome and happy modding.

[Wasp15e]

I'm super-excited to start doing research on what I want to do first when I get home!

Ryan, thanks for the info, I'll start scanning those sites in the next few days. Took a look at the Craftsman link (luckily I can get to most commercial store websites here, the firewall just seems to like blocking random pictures) and am tempted to order the tools right now and have them waiting at home for when I get back.

I feel very lucky to have come across this site, thanks for all the support!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Sears is an affiliate of ours, so, if you want to support our site, you can click through our Sears affiliate link (http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000033475308&pubid=21000000000332383) and then simply search for the Craftsman item number (00935255000). Then buy. That's it.

Thanks for the support.

[Wasp15e]

Sears is an affiliate of ours, so, if you want to support our site, you can click through our Sears affiliate link (http://gan.doubleclick.net/gan_click?lid=41000000033475308&pubid=21000000000332383) and then simply search for the Craftsman item number (00935255000). Then buy. That's it.

Done and done, thanks for the tip and happy to support!

[mr hish]

welcome to family brother.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Nice work, Wasp.

[danewilson77]

Nice work, Wasp.

+1

[Mike V]

Welcome. How long have you been in the AF? I just retired from the AF as of January. My job was available at Cannon but thankfully I was never stationed there. :)

[Wasp15e]

Mike, I've been in since I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2004. My ZHP was actually a graduatation gift from my parents because they didn't have to pay for my college, haha.

[danewilson77]

Mike, I've been in since I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2004. My ZHP was actually a graduatation gift from my parents because they didn't have to pay for my college, haha.

Thank you for your service Sir.

[zhpnsnv]

Welcome, thanks for your service, and good choice to keep the ZHP! Two words (one some sort of acronym, I assume): ESS Twinscrew.

[static667]

Welcome, thanks for your service, and good choice to keep the ZHP! Two words (one some sort of acronym, I assume): ESS Twinscrew.

^^This FTMFW!!!

[Mike V]

Mike, I've been in since I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2004. My ZHP was actually a graduatation gift from my parents because they didn't have to pay for my college, haha.

Nice gift!