Purchased my 2nd ZHP a few weeks ago

[pghZHP]

Hey everyone,

Figured it was about time for my introduction...

My name is Rob I'm from Pittsburgh. I am a Mercedes Benz Sales Consultant.

My first 330 was a 2005 Imola red sedan ZHP 6Mt. Unfortunately it was was considered a total loss after someone ran a red light and hit me at less than one year of ownership. I Absolutely loved that car and over the past 5 years or so considered it the benchmark of not all out performance or luxury, but rather pure balance, precision and most of all fun!

My two most recent cars have been a 335 6MT (80k miles, time for a change) and a C350 coupe(only owned it for about 3 months). My journey back the ZHP began when another associate of mine took in on trade a 2004 330i in Silver Grey ZHP 6mt with about 98k miles.

After driving the vehicle multiple times I found myself missing the pure driving experience that i had been lacking for some time now...I decided i had to pull the trigger on the ZHP.

The vehicle is in great condition. It was a one owner vehicle with no history or evidence of accidents or paint work. It didn't take long for me to start taking care or some maintenance and appearance items...

Some work I've done to the vehicle recently:

Front LCAB's
Full cooling system overhaul.
New pulleys and tensioners.
New headlight covers.
New tail lights, clear side markers and diy'd silver bulbs.
Restored exterior window trim.
Painted side moldings
Headlight leveling rod.
Spark plugs + fuel filter.

I'm sure a few things are missing but it's been great learning about the platform again.

This forum has been a wealth of knowledge and the DIY's made things much easier.

The first few pictures show the vehicle as it came in. Then it was fully detailed. The previous owner included a brand new set of winter wheels and tires.

[pghZHP]

I did not like the winter wheels so I mounted the blizzaks on the winter wheels from my previous e46. Clear lights and new lenses installed in these pictures.

I will post some soon with my painted body molding installed.

[Hermes]

welcome and beautiful car!

Since your a Benz guy, can you please help me find a 190E Cosworth??? My dad really wants one again (he had one in the 80s)...

[pghZHP]

welcome and beautiful car!

Since your a Benz guy, can you please help me find a 190E Cosworth??? My dad really wants one again (he had one in the 80s)...

Thanks!

I'm really a BMW guy that just happens to work for Benz!

We just sold a 99 e300 turbo diesel with only 30k miles for over $15k at the auction!

[johnrando]

Welcome. Great car!

[Hermes]

I'm really a BMW guy that just happens to work for Benz!

you'll prob see one before I do, just think about me when you see it.

[kayger12]

Welcome.

Sent from my kick-A Galaxy S3

[Avetiso]

Welcome!

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[cakM3]

Welcome Rob :)


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[echo46]

Nice, welcome aboard.

[JupiterBMW]

Great looking car, welcome to the Mafia...

[danewilson77]

Welcome.

[BimmerWill]

Welcome. Glad you were able to find a way back to the family!

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[Ryans323i]

Welcome!

[illirep]

welcome and beautiful car!

Since your a Benz guy, can you please help me find a 190E Cosworth??? My dad really wants one again (he had one in the 80s)...

There were a couple on ebay in the past couple months - one was a barn find with very low mileage....haven't checked recently....

[illirep]

OP - welcome and beautiful car. What did you do to restore the window trim? I need to remove some chips from mine that are temporarily masked with sharpee, but it doesn't look good.

[nike001]

So. Many. Twins.

:rofl

[Jlastor]

Welcome!

One thing that you could do with little expense is plasti dip you front bumper grill. Makes the car look like new, specially if you just replaced you headlight covers. ;)

[dotslashapex]

gorgeous car man! My brother had one just like this one before he picked up 06 alpineweiss coupe. Congrats. Your ZHP looks right at home surrounded by it's cousins at the shop! :)

[Dave1027]

I did not like the winter wheels so I mounted the blizzaks on the winter wheels from my previous e46.
What size wheel/tires are the winter wheels? Same as stock?

[Vas]

Welcome.

You miss the imola ?

[Fender215]

Rob, congrats! You and I actually traded a few emails about that car!

Raj

[Crickett]

Welcome to the Family! :hi


So. Many. Twins.

:rofl

No. Kidding!! Also, all you guys need to stop with the Silbergrau & clears; you're making me want to defect from the Amber Army!! :shift

[Oli77]

Welcome to the Family! :hi



No. Kidding!! Also, all you guys need to stop with the Silbergrau & clears; you're making me want to defect from the Amber Army!! :shift

I am part of the army Travis.. . and I like ambers ( I also like wood).

Very clear car Rob.

[(BMW)]

Nice and clean, Rob. I like it.

[Imola.ZHP]

Great intro, enjoyed the story...

Welcome back!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Welcome.

[static667]

Welcome, Rob.

[pghZHP]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!


OP - welcome and beautiful car. What did you do to restore the window trim? I need to remove some chips from mine that are temporarily masked with sharpee, but it doesn't look good.

I took it off the car, wiped it down with alcohol and sprayed it with gloss black rustoleum. I'm pretty happy with it!


What size wheel/tires are the winter wheels? Same as stock?

Nope, they are 17". With the blizzaks the car ones pretty well in the snow.


Welcome.

You miss the imola ?

I do miss the Imola. I went to Colorado to purchase the vehicle originally.

[ZHP Couple]

Great story of having a ZHP and missing it... and now you are back. Welcome!
I ordered one for my wife and then loved it so much 3 yrs later, got one for me to enjoy!

[Dave_B]

Welcome!

Any pictures of the painted side moldings?

And how do the MB Sales folks feel about you having the competition? :)

[Tnhl1989]

Welcome to the Family! :hi



No. Kidding!! Also, all you guys need to stop with the Silbergrau & clears; you're making me want to defect from the Amber Army!! :shift

Ill be doing the silver gray with clears too :)

[Torxuvin]

Welcome :)

[pghZHP]

Welcome!

Any pictures of the painted side moldings?

And how do the MB Sales folks feel about you having the competition? :)

Sorry about the delayed response...I'll post a few pictures of the painted moldings.

Everyone at my dealership knows I'm a BMW guy so aside from some jokes here and there, its all good!

[pghZHP]

Here are a few pictures I took with my phone yesterday at the golf course.

I know many of you do not like painted moldings but personally, I love them. I bought the trim from another member on here and he was not selling the front painted trim. I'm still debating on whether or not I'll ever paint the front trim...

And lastly, my new steering wheel! :cool

[Snowboardinwny]

Car is looking good, I'm late on this that but welcome!


welcome and beautiful car!

Since your a Benz guy, can you please help me find a 190E Cosworth??? My dad really wants one again (he had one in the 80s)...

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?zip=14052&endYear=2014&modelC ode1=190E&showcaseOwnerId=6048143&startYear=1981&m akeCode1=MB&sellerTypes=b&searchRadius=500&mmt=%5B MB%5B190E%5B%5D%5D%5B%5D%5D&minPrice=18000&listing Id=325289941&listingIndex=1&Log=0 :)

[johnrando]

Nice wheel. Where'd u get it from?

[MiniD]

I sent you a PM!

[johnrando]

No PM yet.

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[DublDee]

Welcome, really nice ZHP.

[Fender215]

Where is that wheel from? I'm still debating about a rewrap (though mine's in good shape just a bit matted down but no pilling) or going for the perforated leather style of the 1M

[RITmusic2k]

Yeah, that wheel looks beefy and delicious.

[pghZHP]

Thanks for the compliments, i absolutely love the car!

I purchased the steering wheel from the dealership I work for. They have a very nice BMW franchise. I've thought about transferring and selling there. however, it's about an hour away from my home whereas the Mercedes Dealership is about 5 minutes from my house.

I bought the M wheel for cost and sold my worn ZHP wheel. True cost after the ZHP wheel sold was about $100 :)

This picture was taken about two weeks ago...

[pghZHP]

Where is that wheel from? I'm still debating about a rewrap (though mine's in good shape just a bit matted down but no pilling) or going for the perforated leather style of the 1M

I purchased it directly from the dealer...

I wanted the perforated wheel with the M Tri stitch, but it was nearly double the price. The ZHP perforated wheel was even a good bit more expensive then the M3 Tri stitch wheel I purchased.

[Reckless]

great background and shows how special ZHP's are the enthusiasts, no matter who you work for.

"WHO DOES NUMBER TWO WORK FOR?"