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Hermes
08-23-2011, 10:55 AM
so Marcus pointed out to me that I have not yet written up a new member thread so the time has come where I finally had to do it...

My name is JP and I live in San Diego (it seems like half of this site does too). I have a 2005 Imolarot II ZHP Coupe, black leather w/Step that has about 63k on the clock as of this morning. Bought my car about 3 years ago, at the time I had been driving a 2002 Acura TL Type S (black on black) and that was a great car but I was ready to drive German again. My first car when I turned 16 had been my uncle's old '91 e32 Alpinweiss 735i so it was time for the search to start.

I first thought of a Mini cause I had looked at them about 4 years earlier and did like them but quickly that thought was shelved due to the fact I wanted to be in the FR crew. I was also looking at a 2002 (the car, not the year) but that didn't last long. My cousin's friend was working for BMW South County at the time so I stopped in there one day just to look at what they had on the used car lot and saw my first ZHP. It was a TiAg Coupe with the Alcantara interior but the car had been kinda abused with a ridiculous amount of miles for a car that was only about 3/4 years old. At first I didn't know what exactly it was but I quickly learned what a ZHP actually consists of and what the differences from the ZSP were.

Now the real search began, I knew what I wanted now I just had to find it. Now at the time most people who were selling a ZHP didn't really know what they had. Most just thought it was a ZSP so that's what it would say in the ads. It took me a few months but eventually I found my car at a dealership up in LA. It was a 1 owner lease return with only 30k on the clock. Car was in impeccable shape so the rest is history. I actually didn't want the Imolarot at the time but now I wouldn't have done it any different.

Back in 2008:
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/330zhp.jpg

Until recently I have not touched my car in any sort of true mechanical or superficial ways but I think I've run it stock for long enough where I can start playing around now.

So far: BMW Performance Grills (51132158537 & 51132158538), aftermarket clear bumper reflectors, BMW Performance Air Intake (13720429613), BMW Performance Hand Brake (34402153752), BMW Performance Auto Shift Knob (25162155637), Bimmian Custom Alcantara Shift & Handbrake Boots (Black w/M Stitching), BMW Performance Aluminum Pedals and Footrest (35000304643 & 51470027792)

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1164.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1203.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1212.jpg

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1243.jpg

I have the Beisan Vanos Kit sitting in my garage but have not installed it yet, hopefully will have some time this weekend. I know I'm not gonna do too much but there are a few things that I still want to do. Probably the next thing I'll get around to is change out my stupid cupholders for the Euro style tray then install the OEM Aux Cable (82110149389) and run it into the tray so I can have a clean iPod/iPhone look. Besides that I think soem tint and blacked out numbers for the rear deck will be the last things I do. I know there are lots of other things I would love to get but I just don't wanna spend the money. I know I can get too carried away with it once I start up on exhaust, suspension, etc. so better just not to start up.

Anyways, love my car. Hell, I found this site right at the start when it first came up because I love the car so much and was always looking for more info on it.

Marcus-SanDiego
08-23-2011, 11:39 AM
JP, nice write up. Glad to see one of the original members taking time to lay it out there.

Welcome to the forum! :biggrin

danewilson77
08-23-2011, 11:55 AM
Yum. Very nice.

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

webster
08-23-2011, 12:48 PM
very nice. i too had a '91 735i as my first car when i was 16, and my car prior to the ZHP was an '02 Acura TL. go figure!

Hermes
08-23-2011, 01:01 PM
I've always said there is no such thing as coincidence... I miss my e32 but I don't think I'll be getting rid of the ZHP anytime soon

Alphatek45
08-23-2011, 02:30 PM
Clean and sexy.

mimalmo
08-23-2011, 04:14 PM
Hi

static667
08-23-2011, 05:50 PM
Nice formal intro, JP. I like the mods. Very tasteful and clean looking.

johnrando
08-25-2011, 07:55 AM
Welcome, very nice mods.

Hermes
09-27-2011, 02:29 PM
ok, forgot to introduce you to this little quirk of my car... so apparently the LED tails are sealed also like the headlamps on the facelift. Unfortunately for this little guy he got stuck in the housing during manufacture of mine. I call him Hans cause I think he's a German fly that got through customs w/o showing his passport. I've tried to free him with no luck.

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/zhp%20projects/IMG_1234.jpg

UdubBadger
09-27-2011, 02:31 PM
lookin good

danewilson77
09-27-2011, 02:54 PM
Nice. Hans the bug FTW!

M3TA5IN
09-27-2011, 02:59 PM
BTW, your avatar is my favorite on the whole site :)

Hermes
09-27-2011, 03:34 PM
Hahahaha... I was almost gonna use this one:

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c288/jhermes/2-bmw-long-beach-rll-456.jpg

M3TA5IN
09-27-2011, 03:35 PM
NVM, cant see what he post either.

danewilson77
10-06-2011, 02:12 PM
Bumping for an awesome car!

S85FTW
10-06-2011, 02:16 PM
beautiful ride :thumbup

Hermes
10-06-2011, 02:25 PM
Thanks guys!

echo46
10-06-2011, 02:43 PM
Wow, I have Hans' sister Gretel in my rear passenger tail light. I thought I was the only one with this bug anomaly. I'm wondering if there are more plastified bugs stuck in ZHPs. I will post some pics tomorrow of Gretel. Very bizarre, wonder if it was done on purpose?

Hermes
10-06-2011, 03:22 PM
Hahahaha... Lazy people at that factory apparently

M0nk3y
10-06-2011, 05:29 PM
:drool

Imola Loveeee

GSEN820
10-06-2011, 05:33 PM
JP what was the name of the fly in the light???

Hermes
10-06-2011, 05:41 PM
JP what was the name of the fly in the light???

Hans

GSEN820
10-06-2011, 05:44 PM
HANS!!!!!!

HAHA Out of all the things that could happen, yours is so classic almost would not feel right if it was replaced.

Hermes
10-06-2011, 06:17 PM
Yup, that's why I gave up on trying to free him

RVAzhp
10-06-2011, 08:11 PM
welcome, i like what you're doing for the lights. hopefully your headlight bake goes well. it's been a long time since i baked a head light, but i'd definitely recommend the Krylon for the DRL domes.

echo46
10-07-2011, 05:06 AM
This does not seem to be specific to our two cars. Just read on an M3 forum and Roadfly that there are many other BMW owners out there with the bug affliction. Moreover, maybe BMW knew all along about the issues (bugs) with the taillights and some yuckster at the factory started literally putting bugs in the taillights personifying the problem. I will try to get to the bottom of bug gate when I take my car in for the upcoming recall.