Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Las Cruces, NM
    Posts
    23

    My 2000 Steel Grey 323i Build Thread

    Hi all, sooner or later I was going to make one of these. Some of you probably have heard the story and seen the pix before on other forums.

    Well, here goes the story:
    My primary car was an 02 Acura RSX Type-S. Had it since 04 and plan to keep it as long as I can. My DD was a 95 Pathfinder. I was getting tired of it and started wanting something more comfortable yet sporty and safer. I decided I wanted something in size, European. Last year around this time, I started looking at Volvo S60s, Audi A4s, and Mercs. I wanted to get something that competed well with the benchmark: BMW. But then I realized, what the hell am I doing?! Just get the benchmark! I looked around for an e46 330i but quickly found out that was over my budget. In a perfect world, I would love to have a orient blue ZHP.

    I soon found my 2000 323i with 104,000miles for $6,000 from a private seller. Paid for it in full and was able to sell my Pathfinder to reimburse myself. I didn't want any car payments to worry about. At that time I thought that was a good deal but now I see that it's just average. Oh well, I already have it. I figured it would be a good stater Bimmer and I can look at a 330i or ZHP after I graduate from college. Since April of last year (2010) I did a lot of work to it:

    New tires
    Coolant overhaul +pulleys
    shocks/struts/mounts/tower plates
    belts
    lower control arm and bushings
    new plugs
    heater valve core
    FSR
    two window regulators
    bulbs
    fuel filter

    Most of the items are recommendations and/or DIYs from various forums.
    Very soon to do: tranny/diff fluid

    I was a little shocked at how quickly things wore out on BMWs since I was used to Japanese cars. But after doing all of the aforementioned, I realized that I have a darn good car. It's at 116,000miles now and hasn't let me down. No SES lights, no wierd noises. I recently learned that I have the GM transmission and not the problematic ZF, so that was a relief. I know it's slower than later e46 models (especially everyone's ZHPs!) but I like getting 30mpg on the highway and having a car that I know can easily do 200K with out doing crazy maintenance. I drive my Acura whenever I need to feel the power of a manual.

    Here's the pictures and mods:
    When I first got her:


    Detailed and some paint correction:


    Berlin plate and blk chrome kidneys:


    Redouts:




    Stock sport suspension installed and style 119s:

    sharpie/rings

    blk chrome tips!


    more for later...

    2000 323i Steppy!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Ocean County, NJ
    Posts
    7,273
    Great pics and a great looking ride.
    -Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
    ZHP Pre-Ride Briefing

    2005 ZHP, Alcantara, Silver Cube, Nav, Sharked, BMW Perf Intake, BMW Perf CF Strut Brace, CF Valve/Fuel Rail Covers,
    Shadowline Grills, CF Splitters, Fog Light Inserts, Euro-mirrors, CDV Delete, Beisan vanos, GAS DISA, BP Coded

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Maine-Vacationland
    Posts
    1,961
    Love the pics and mods!

    Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

  4. #4
    spencers Guest
    The style 119's really updated that car!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Posts
    15,433
    I like those style 119s. Remind me of the style 189s.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Valparaiso, IN
    Posts
    3,595
    looks great - I love the color!


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Liberty Township, OH
    Posts
    37,935
    Sez as usual..

    Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
    Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Las Cruces, NM
    Posts
    23
    Thank you all, gentlemen!
    The most recent mods:
    •Angel Eyes
    •Homelink
    •CD53 with mp3 capability to replace the tape deck

    Soon will be
    •sport seats if I can find them
    •sport steering wheel
    •Mtech I or II
    •thinking about manual swap, but that's just dreaming

    Here are some pix I took today:























    ....................
    Last edited by jpawela; 03-13-2011 at 04:33 PM.

    2000 323i Steppy!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Liberty Township, OH
    Posts
    37,935
    All are great. Last one is teets.

    Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk
    Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Las Cruces, NM
    Posts
    23
    I like teets...best for last.

    2000 323i Steppy!

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