For Sale: 2004 BMW 330i ZHP, Seattle, Washington, $15,880

[bmwzhp41188]

I found this car while searching for 330i ZHP's on Autotrader.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=310062421&dealer_id=55545197&car_year=2004&doors=&model=330I&start_year=2004&keywordsfyc=__emhw__&keywordsrep=122104112&search_type=both&lastExec=1319351469000&distance=0&min_price=&drive=&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=zhp&end_year=2006&make2=&certified=&engine=&transmission=Manual&mod_bookmark_id=45232526&mod_bookmark_id=45232526&default_sort=newsortbyprice_DESC&max_mileage=&color=&address=77713&sort_type=newsortbyprice_DESC&incremental=last_searched-1319351469000&max_price=18000&make=BMW&seller_type=b&cardist=1919&standard=false&captcha=success

I was wondering if anyone is in the Seattle area and would be willing to check the car for me? I currently live near Houston, TX, but if the car checks out good, I would be willing to fly to Seattle and drive it back.

Thanks in advance.

[danewilson77]

Welcome. Hopefully someone can hook you up.

GLWP.

[pleasecorrupt]

mclaren411 post here. i think you'll have a better chance if your request isn't buried in a for sale thread.

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?4294-I-Need-Someone-To-Check-Out-A-BMW-330-ZHP-For-Me

[webster]

damn that is a clean looking ZHP. love the grey leather/silver cube.

[quikryptonite]

Whaddya know? My car has a little brother! ;) Looks really nice. Good luck.

[zhpboss]

Hey I live in Seattle. And could help out. I sent you a pm

[bmwzhp41188]

I requested a PPI be performed on the vehicle by BMW of Seattle. The following is what they found:

Front control arm bushings (worn out) $780.00
Hood liner (torn) $370.00
Drive belts (cracked) $340.00
Front bumper and corner splash shields (damaged) $1,840.00
Valve cover gaskets (leaking oil) $580.00
Rear brakes need replacement $804.00
Rock chips in windshield $78.00

Total $4,792.00

Would these items be a deal breaker for you? I am mainly concerned about the drive belts, control arm bushings, valve cover gaskets, and rear brakes. Those items add to $2504 in costs to repair.

[webster]

that's the stealership trying to hoodwink ya. most of those are issues are routine for the age/mileage, and you're going to have to deal with them on any ZHP. better to get all that done at an indy that won't rape you on the labor costs. for instance, i got a quote for $200 in labor for the FCABs and they are a $100 part. the only thing that sticks out is the bumper and splash shields. need more pics of how badly they are damaged.

you can now take that PPI and use it as leverage to negotiate the price down though. good luck!

[danewilson77]

Belts > $340 > lmao!

There is about $500 of very easy diy repairs there...aside of windshield replacement. I suspect they were going to resin fill the "star".

HTC Thunderbolt+TT

[echo46]

First of all, I have the same car and love it. Serpentine belt and AC belt with new pulleys is a fairly cheap and easy DIY. You could do both belts and pulleys for half the price quoted. I bought my ZHP with about the same miliage and also had to replace the control arm bushings. I replaced them myself with the Meyle HDs and paid about $80. Not that difficult a DIY but you need a three arm puller. The valve cover gasket is another very easy and cheap DIY. I did mine recently and think I paid about $80 for the gasket, grommets and red sealant. Next, the rear brakes. If you can DIY it is an easy replace, as long as the rotors are still good, for about $150 depending on which brakes you choose. Even if you have to replace the rotors and the brakes it would come in below half of the quote. The other stuff I'm not so sure about.
Did they have a maintenance history? I'd be curious to see that but it sounds like a pretty good deal. It is fairly common to replace the stuff on your list at about this time for a car that age. Hell I went a head and replaced the entire cooling system, did a vanos refresh, replaced all the fluids, replaced the plugs, and replaced the intake boots with Stett. I was also having a start up issue so I replaced the fuel pump, sending unit, CCV and hoses and the starter. Good luck.

[bmwzhp41188]

I do plan on using the results of the PPI as leverage in terms of negotiating the price. I will admit the listed price is very attractive, but it is human nature to get a better deal. They do not have the maintenance history. However, the dealership did state all services appear to be up to date. There are no error codes stored. Due to the results of the PPI, I will see if they are willing to go down on the price a little bit as I would have to ship or drive the car back to Texas, which is an added cost I have to consider.

[bmwzhp41188]

I backed out; total costs would be too high. This is a good car if anyone else is interested. PM me and I can provide an interested member the PPI report.