ZHP owners club.

[Average Jae]

ZHP owners, fans, others..

while reading questions regarding the performance package option, otherwise known as the ZHP (internal bmw order code for the performance package option) i thought i'd start a thread to see how many of the bmwboarders actually own one of the rare zhps. (i've noticed a quite a few more once 04 models came out..) i suppose i'll let the coupe owner in too.. but you gotta know that the zhp really is the e36 m3 sedan reborn. (well i'm biased since i never really liked the 04 face lift for the coupes.. but to each his/her own. i just like to tease )

so this thread isn't really significant per say, it just says, i got an eye for a style and lil more performance, and decided that dropping $3900 more was worth it!

btw, my baby is an 03 imola red.

edit: calling it a club sounds a bit jaded huh?

 

[jfh]

I have the 04 imola zhp. We were going for the x3 and my wife decides, "I want this car if I can get this color, otherwise I want the truck". I tell the salesman. He says you have to buy the performance package. yada yada yada...she loves the sports suspension/ handling.
Who've thought? I was worried she wouldn't like the handling. After her first drive, I asked how it went. Her response: "it's so fun to drive". I tend to agree. jfh

 

[epj3]

Make a club just for E46's and I'll make a "real bmw's have hoods that hinge on the front" club


I've always thought ZHP's looked better than non-zhp's.

 

[Kirby]

I would have gotten the ZHP, but it wasn't available in March 2003 when I got my '04 330cic........

 

[Average Jae]

Make a club just for E46's and I'll make a "real bmw's have hoods that hinge on the front" club


I've always thought ZHP's looked better than non-zhp's.

it was late last night when i decided come up w/ the topic, and saying "club" was kinda dumb maybe an understatement.. but i can't change the way the topic comes up, even if i edit it, so whatever..

sure, we'll make exclusive "clubs" for whatever make and model and act all snobby and noble... gee the can of worms i opened here..

 

[MrElussive]

The ZHP Package is amazing. I'm glad BMW made it available on the Coupe and Convertible.

Jae, all you need for your 330i ZHP is the ESS Tuning supercharger kit and you've got a 4-door M3! [bmwdance]

 

[sly]

The ZHP Package is amazing. I'm glad BMW made it available on the Coupe and Convertible.

I agree, but man the price is really high. I looked at a couple of them at my local BMW dealer and they both had a sticker near $44K, and neither car had leather seats. $44K is a lot of money to spend on a 220 HP car when you can get a base 400 HP C6 for $45K. I do agree that BMW has done a fabulous job with the handling on the 330 with ZHP.

 

[epj3]

it was late last night when i decided come up w/ the topic, and saying "club" was kinda dumb maybe an understatement.. but i can't change the way the topic comes up, even if i edit it, so whatever..

sure, we'll make exclusive "clubs" for whatever make and model and act all snobby and noble... gee the can of worms i opened here..

I get to start the "had a near perfect bmw but was wrecked by an audi" club

 

[epj3]

I agree, but man the price is really high. I looked at a couple of them at my local BMW dealer and they both had a sticker near $44K, and neither car had leather seats. $44K is a lot of money to spend on a 220 HP car when you can get a base 400 HP C6 for $45K. I do agree that BMW has done a fabulous job with the handling on the 330 with ZHP.

You're buying a quality built and engineered car with a bmw. You're buying speed and handling with a chevrolet - that's it.

 

[andreyiv]

Mind if I join? Mine is a little bit different though, smashed by a ford.

 

[epj3]

Mind if I join? Mine is a little bit different though, smashed by a ford.

Oooh we'll have a "had a near perfect bmw but was wrecked by a _____"

Andreyiv when did this happen? Maybe you'll get a manual now

Buy an e30

 

[gpoints]

The ZHP Package is amazing. I'm glad BMW made it available on the Coupe and Convertible.

Jae, all you need for your 330i ZHP is the ESS Tuning supercharger kit and you've got a 4-door M3! [bmwdance]

I'm pretty sure you could get your ass kicked for saying something like that. [joke]

 

[andreyiv]

Happened a long time ago, thought I told you about it. Its not totally wrecked, just that quarter panel that has been fixed already, thats why I put it smashed and not wrecked. I do wish I could get a manual though and e30s are nice. Can't have everything in life, huh. There is a nice white e30 going for 3g near my house, the owner has been doing a lot of work on it so I am guessing it is in near perfect running condition, too bad its an auto though.

 

[Section_8]

I agree, but man the price is really high. I looked at a couple of them at my local BMW dealer and they both had a sticker near $44K, and neither car had leather seats. $44K is a lot of money to spend on a 220 HP car when you can get a base 400 HP C6 for $45K. I do agree that BMW has done a fabulous job with the handling on the 330 with ZHP.

(imho) It's very much overpriced.. For the 4-5k difference between a normal 330 and a zhp, you are not getting much at all. Basically, a somewhat modded BMW, modded *by* BMW, and hella expensive..

Don't get me wrong, I really like the ZHP, or at least the idea of it (something mid-way from a normal fleet 3 series, and a M3), but I thought that was what sport packages and 'premium' packages were about.

I test drove a ZHP, back to back with a Z4 3.0, a 3.0 vert, and a normal 3.0 earlier in the year during BMW's cure for cancer drives they sponsor. I couldn't really tell a difference in the ZHP over the other 3.0's, the Z4 being the sportiest (and of course, smallest and lightest, a no-brainer there). Extremely minor ride differences from the zhp330, and the sports package 330 I drove; suspension and accelleration wise. I did notice it held the road a 'little' better, but I attributed that to larger/wider wheels on the zhp.

imho the ZHP performance 'options' should be standard 'sports' package options, and all the interior //M 'bling' stuff should just be options across both SP and PP packages that can be added.

 

[sly]

(imho) It's very much overpriced.. For the 4-5k difference between a normal 330 and a zhp, you are not getting much at all. Basically, a somewhat modded BMW, modded *by* BMW, and hella expensive..

Don't get me wrong, I really like the ZHP, or at least the idea of it (something mid-way from a normal fleet 3 series, and a M3), but I thought that was what sport packages and 'premium' packages were about.

I test drove a ZHP, back to back with a Z4 3.0, a 3.0 vert, and a normal 3.0 earlier in the year during BMW's cure for cancer drives they sponsor. I couldn't really tell a difference in the ZHP over the other 3.0's, the Z4 being the sportiest (and of course, smallest and lightest, a no-brainer there). Extremely minor ride differences from the zhp330, and the sports package 330 I drove; suspension and accelleration wise. I did notice it held the road a 'little' better, but I attributed that to larger/wider wheels on the zhp.

imho the ZHP performance 'options' should be standard 'sports' package options, and all the interior //M 'bling' stuff should just be options across both SP and PP packages that can be added.

I agree with you about the price, but strongly disagree that there's not much difference in handling with the ZHP package.

No disrespect to your driving abilities, but do you know anyone who has an active racing license or who has at least attended a racing school? If so take that person with you on your next test drive, and he/she will easily be able to demonstrate the difference. The Z4 handling in no way compares to a 330 with ZHP. But again the 330 ZHP price is very high.

 

[Kin]

I only paid $42K for my 2003 ZHP sedan. Comes with leather seats. I was comparing the regular 330i when I purchased my car and the price difference was not that much. In fact the 330i with premium package was more expensive.

Only thing I wish now is the steering wheel. It starts to wear out now. I wish it is leather.

 

[Section_8]

I agree with you about the price, but strongly disagree that there's not much difference in handling with the ZHP package.

No disrespect to your driving abilities, but do you know anyone who has an active racing license or who has at least attended a racing school? If so take that person with you on your next test drive, and he/she will easily be able to demonstrate the difference. The Z4 handling in no way compares to a 330 with ZHP. But again the 330 ZHP price is very high.

Actually yes, and he can school pretty much anyone on the track, or even at kart races we found out a few weeks ago, it seems! We've quite a active local bmw community here, with a few active drivers (and pit mechanics!) who share their knowledge with us about their track experiences. Stories are no replacement for real life experiences though - no I didn't try to send them off the road when I test drove them, but I did drive them back to back, and did 'stretch' them a bit in the curves, and did 'sprints' to get an idea of how they handled and accellerated. The sp and zhp of course shined over the heavy vert, but under 'street' conditions the zhp didn't show me that much more than the sp? You're quite right on a track, I'm sure a noticed time difference would be had.

What I meant to say was; in comparison - a stock, sports, and zhp suspension, they get progressively 'better'. Add in a decent racing or sports package suspension(aftermarket) be it a high quality spring/damper set/kit, or going for race worthy like coilovers, and it's worlds better than ZHP's or even M3's if setup properly. Yes I noticed a slight difference in the SP and ZHP, but it just didn't 'feel' like it warranted the increased cost(to me). I think the 'ZHP' options should be options spread across the 'packages' already in play. Otherwise, I see it as BMW's official 'mod' package, because it's really a lightly modded car: Wheels, some different body trim, badging, small hp increase, and 'tuned' suspension?

I 'really' like the wheels! [bmwdance] 6spd shifting was interesting, I forgot it did come with a short shift kit of a sort as well. Ok, maybe it is worth the difference in some respects if you liked the interior changes, I was 50/50 on those, and the 'performance' aspect of it didn't equate to the total cost increase. (Which is why I wish the zhp options were options to spread across any of their packages!) The Sports Package 'should' come with the best suspension short of the M3, bigger and better wheels, and 'enhanced' body trim, ssk, sports seats, etc etc, instead it's kinda like a 2-stepper. SP, or ZHP? I'm probably being too picky..

But what the hey, all our cars are overpriced to some extent. If you can afford it, get the best! (it 'is' better.. slightly.)

 

[Average Jae]

if you really think about the zhp's price being 3900 over the regular 330i, it really isn't all that much more expensive. the option is not overpriced, it's the car that is over priced, because it's a bmw, it drives like a bmw and is the best in its class. (altho the dominance is slipping, and may not be so, according to some, the price remains high) sure you can get something w/ a "better value" for 45k but remember that 330i itself is pretty expensive. costing over 40k for a loaded car. if you are strongly considereing a bmw, you are not really thinking you'll get the best bang for the buck, so don't use that argument to cut down on the zhp option.

here's my reasoning (the math maybe a lil off, since i'm comparing the 18in rims from the ci, but still..: add a sports package: $1200 (to the 330i), make that an 18 inch option: $1000. just on rims and tires it'll come out to roughly 2 grand. give or take, depending on your merit of the 17 inch style 68m rim option. plus the style 135m rims are one of the best looking stock rims out there, imo. esp compared w/ the other 18" rims (style71) offered. yes i'm partial i know that in the coupe, the sports package is only $600, but that option only adds the style 68m rims, and 8way seats, power stuff etc. the suspension is already sporty on the ci)

so that leaves $1900 more that went into the car. the m trim for the front, lip spoiler, high gloss shadowline trim. shorter throw 6 speed manaul (not too big now, since all 330 manuals are 6 speed.) aluminum cube trim. oh yea, and 10 more horses. (even if you really can't feel it.. it did drop the 60 time about half a tick. that's nothing to scoff at.)

paint color: only way you can get imola red on a sedan. (if you are into it, which i totally am, so it was a def plus.) the complete package, while $3900 more than the stock 330i, totally remakes the car, both inside and out. i have the silver cube trim, and it's def sweet. black cube would've been nice too, but i like the contrast. (since my interior is black w/ black leather.)

so don't just say that the option is over priced. if you wanted to do a similar mod yourself it'll run you more money. and i for one am pretty satisified w/ the package offered. way more so than similarly priced A-spec for the TL.

i really wanted an m, but that would've ran me a 10 grand more. paying for this car is a stretch already. adding another 150-200+ a month would've killed me. but as over priced as she is, i think she's worth every penny. (feels weird personalizing my car so much..)

 

[sly]

i really wanted an m, but that would've ran me a 10 grand more. paying for this car is a stretch already. adding another 150-200+ a month would've killed me. but as over priced as she is, i think she's worth every penny.

Keep in mind that the price of anything is set by the consumer. If you think it's worth every penny, then it's worth it. Personally, I don't have any brand loyalty..
I love German cars, but their price value equation isn't attractive to me any longer.

So I've been shopping Acuras, Infinitis, and Lexuses. For those of you who like luxury, the $48K Acura RL is tough to beat. It has a sophisticated AWD setup, 300 HP, great suspension although more on the luxury rather than sporty side, and a really great stereo system.

 

[mousecrab]

The price gap between a sp and ZHP is easily off set by the M style body kit alone. At least in Canada.
One question for you guys, a e46 ZHP 4 dr vs. e36 M3 4 dr which one performances better?
I know HP wise the M has 5 more horses and a bit lighter also gear ratio may be more aggressive. The M should be faster, right? btw does the M comes in with LSD?