New member, E46 shopping with questions...

[jaccottrell]

Good morning! I have been skimming your forum and decided to join. You do seem to have avery nice group of people here, it is refreshing compared to some other forums.

Ok - the info on me: Mid-30's Creative Director from south east PA, member of the Mac Militia, enjoys photography, automotive hoonery and long walks on the beach. Turn offs include engine fires and rod knock.

More importantly, Automotive history of note:

- 1971 Chevelle, built L79 327, waaaay to fast for a 17 year old with the suspension and brakes it had. Glad I didn't understand that then! First car, build with my Dad who is a mechanic. Took a lot of time and effort to build a car that you could only use on sunny days.

- 1995 Miata: did everything from multiple suspensions to a home grown DIY Turbo system. Autocross, track events, burning rubber, breaking transmissions. Took a lot of time and effort to build a car that you could only use on sunny days. (Do you see a pattern?)

- 2006 MINI Cooper S: Ordered for me by surprise by my wife after selling the miata (She has a 2005 MCS). First new car. Great car, loads of fun. Did some basic mods (sways, intake, exhaust, shifter) kept it streetable. Would check under the car every morning, but it was always FWD.... which led me to trade it in on a...

- 2006 MX-5 Miata Sport: The heart wants what it wants, and mine likes RWD. 2.0L, Purchased with 7K on the clock. 6 speed, LSD. Added sways, intake, exhaust. Boatloads of fun. Still very tossable, but a more grown up miata. Daily drove it until it developed a nasty rod knock at 33K miles last December. Mazda didn't want to know me, wasn't going to drop 6K to replace it, so I took a bath traded it in on a...

- 2010 Forester XT (that's TURBO to you!): Yes, a grown up car. Good car, solid, reliable, heavy, automatic, floppy, etc. Sway bars helped, but it is like strapping a paper airplane to a pig. To quote the excellent video 'House Porsche' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLxReBOIJbA)- It doesn't make my dick hurt.

So, here we are. I am starting to shop for an E46 330, either coupe or 'vert (Forester is staying). I want the 'vert, but I may consider the coupe to do some track events. I want to, but being realistic, I don't know how often that will really happen.

I have some questions about shopping for a ZHP vs. non-ZHP, is it best to post in this thread, start a new post in 'new users' or post in the general forum? Some of my questions have been answered by searching, but not all.

Thank you!

Jac Cottrell

[danewilson77]

Welcome to the forum. You may post your questions here.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[kayger12]

Welcome to the Family. Feel free to post away with the questions.

Very knowledgeable and friendly bunch here.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Welcome, Jac. Glad to have you.

[static667]

Welcome to the Mafia! You found the right place to ask for help. In general, BMW's sedans are better track cars than coupes. I know it has some to do with the more upright B pillars giving better chassis rigidity. Personally, I like the look of a coupe better.

Rockin' Tapatalk on my rooted Fascinate.

[mimalmo]

Welcome. Based on the cars you've owned (lots of RWD stuff), you like some sporty driving but it also sounds like your tastes are maturing, I'd say the ZHP would be a perfect match.

[GSEN820]

Welcome to the site lots of practical knowledge runs through this site

[BCS_ZHP]

Jac,
Having owned both over the last 2 years, ZHP & non-ZHP, 2 of each, save yourself the trouble and go ZHP. They're "not special" but the combination of tighter suspension, rear end gearing, short throw shifter, more agressive through the powerband due to different cam shafts, plus the nicer (sexier) cosmetics is just too much to pass up. Stock, the ZHP is a very track-able car, won't leave you disappointed. If you get more aggressive and start changing suspension, rear end, engine mods, no problem it can handle it.

[johnrando]

Welcome. I'm biased, but go ZHP, for the reasons bcs_zhp says.

[Mtnman]

Welcome.

[kpro]

Welcom Jac :)

[Johal E32]

welcome.

[Newjack]

Glad to have you. Welcome to the forum!

[zhpnsnv]

Welcome!

[das boots]

Don't mind if I chime in since I am also in the same situation for a ZHP. Please confirm if the statement is true or false. I was told to keep looking for a Coupe instead of a Sedan. The Sedan have issues concerning the rear windows...among others. That they are a PIA to repair. Comments?

Lawrence

[danewilson77]

Don't mind if I chime in since I am also in the same situation for a ZHP. Please confirm if the statement is true or false. I was told to keep looking for a Coupe instead of a Sedan. The Sedan have issues concerning the rear windows...among others. That they are a PIA to repair. Comments?

Lawrence

Wut? I have not heard this. What is your source?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[das boots]

Wut? I have not heard this. What is your source?

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

When I was lining up for a BMW technician to do a PPI for a supposedly ZHP. But when I described the ZHP, it rang a bell on him and he thinks he has seen this car. And he said to stay away from the ZHP that I was looking at......offered from a dealer in LA (Canoga Park) to be exact.

Lawrence
BMW CCA San Diego Chapter

[danewilson77]

Maybe it was just the one you were looking at. All e46 have window regulator issues at some point, it seems. He could have also been alluding to this as well, I guess.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[jaccottrell]

Wow - thank you all for the warm welcome. Very refreshing!

I actually test drove a 2001 330Cic today. Saw a lot jockey pulling it in, followed it and took it for a ride. (wasn't actively looking….well, today at least!) Automatic with 95K miles on it, but it gave me a frame of reference (last time I drove an E46 was about 8 years ago or so...) I enjoyed it, although I will be shopping for a manual.

But the sound, my god the sound. Even with a stock exhaust on a car with almost 100K miles it sounded fantastic. Dropped the top for the return trip, even more greatness.

I don't know if this was a sport package or not (was that standard on 330 verts?) - it handled well, but you could tell there were a few pounds there. But, I can trade a sway bar install for the option to put the top down!

So, for a few questions:

First, a few of you have offered input on the ZHP vs. Non idea, thank you. Esp. BCS_ZHP, it is great to get feedback from someone who has really had time to live with both options. I will without a doubt have ZHP on the top of the list, I just want to see if the non-ZHP was a contender.

I know that the ZHP bumps the rear ratio, but I think I read somewhere that the verts already have the 3.07 ratio? TO me, the rear and the cams are the biggest PITA to replicate on a non-ZHP, would be good to know if all of the verts already have the upgrade.

Next up - do the year-by-year upgrades to the vert basically follow in line with the coupe? As I was reading (the E46 wiki, I think) there are a lot of references to how the coupe was upgraded, not always the vert. Specifically when the brakes increased in size, if and when the sport package was standard on the 330, etc.

Lastly (for now), as these cars get up in milage and need attention, what are your thoughts on replacing/upgrading a non-ZHP with ZHP or equivalent parts? I would think that over 70-80K miles it would be time for struts/shocks, control arms, etc. Why not replace with the ZHP control arms and struts/shocks, or even a Koni? Just a thought, as I see many cars are getting up there in age/miles.

Now - I can easily save you all some time and answer all of my own questions with two simple words….

IMOLA RED

:)

Again, thank you all!

-Jac

[danewilson77]

Great choice on color. Someone hook this guy up with Boss's FAQ link.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[Marcus-SanDiego]

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789-Frequently-Asked-Questions-%28FAQ%29-About-the-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Performance-Package-Option

[danewilson77]

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?1789-Frequently-Asked-Questions-%28FAQ%29-About-the-BMW-E46-330-ZHP-Performance-Package-Option

Thanks Boss. I think he will find pleasure in your teachings.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[jaccottrell]

very helpful - TY!

[johnrando]

Let us know if you have questions after reading the FAQ. And yes, you could certainly replace the stock 330 with ZHP suspension parts. Remember though, the ZHP is more than just suspension and CAMs, it's body styling, interior cues, etc.