The Random E46/ZHP Question Thread

[ELCID86]

^iirc Jon Jupiter used a special pen from a hobby shop.

[L0veZHP]

So I was checking and thinking of getting a new daily. Leasing maybe a Toyota CH-R. A Toyota CH-R out of personal preference. So....

The lease cost $2,000 down and $150 a month. I find that super good for a daily for me.

So now my ZHP. I’m actually thinking of a manual swap. My friend had a ZHP manual transmission and ECU. Later on down like in 1-2 years I’ll get a S54 Swap. Sounds good right??

... so here’s the other thing. For my daily I want an automatic. I was looking at an Audi S3 pretty fast, nice, small, and modern. Cost around $32,000-$35,000 loaded, with around 10k miles. I like the 4 doors the automatic for daily the all wheel drive for snow. I’m thinking I can probably afford this and sell my ZHP and just deal with one car. And mod my Audi slowly and etc..

Do you guys think it’s worth it? For the Audi S3? A nice 2014-2016 one. Im just scared of missing my ZHP and maybe even missing BMW.

But I do feel like I need a upgrade. Or should I be satisfied with the Toyota CHR and make the ZHP into something? Probably sell the ZHP and get coupe e9x in the future too.. who knows.. just want to see what you guys say about the S3

What do you guys think


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[fredo]

I would keep the zhp as a weekend car. You know its history, what needs to be done, no surprises waiting for you. I’m not familiar with the options you presented (Toyota vs Audi). But an Audi sounds more appealing.

[az3579]

You live in NYC - keeping two cars isn't very practical. Parking is damn near impossible most of the time.
Stick with one car, IMO.

[stephenkirsh]

Do you work on your own cars? I've heard anything from VW is impossibly difficult to work on.

[slater]

Do you work on your own cars? I've heard anything from VW is impossibly difficult to work on.

yep. after owning/driving/wrenching audis for 10 years, that is one of two major reasons why i don't drive them anymore.

[stephenkirsh]

What makes them so difficult?

[Sockethead]

I remember hearing on the older A4s, you had to remove the whole front clip to swap out the water pump....I wanted an A4 until I heard that and then bought my 1st E46

[slater]

What makes them so difficult?

see below.

I remember hearing on the older A4s, you had to remove the whole front clip to swap out the water pump....I wanted an A4 until I heard that and then bought my 1st E46

that's exactly right - a cooling system/timing belt job involves the same. they actually have what the shop manual calls 'service position' - basically removing the entire front clip. which leads to stephen's question - PACKAGING. due to the AWD system, they have to cram so much stuff up front (and the motor sits so far forward), that it's just a packaging nightmare.

my E46 experience has been that it out handles and out brakes the audis in the snow, and with an LSD and DSC, it's 'good enough' for acceleration traction.

the 50/50 weight distribution helps a lot with snow handling and braking.

[BMWCurves]

I’ll second packaging issues. I watched our mechanic work on our ‘93 S4 and dear lord that did not look fun. The V8 S4s are basically engine out for timing chain issues.

Maintenance difficulties aside, I will state I LOVED our C4 S4 in the snow. It was nothing short of a beast when it had a good set of winter tires.

Icy inclines? Hit that locking differential and scramble up that bitch with aplomb.

Deep powdery snow? Use those four rings on the grille as a snow plow and practically glide over the slow with that decent ground clearance.

Your tushie too cold? Blast your bottom in the front OR back seats with 6 levels of heat that goes from “is this thing on?” To “sear your ass like a nice filet mignon”

Handling in the dry was not perfect, and nose heavy is an understatement.


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