2004 BMW 330i ZHP Journal. Ultimate daily driver.

[pawa_k2001]

Bought 2004 BMW 330i ZHP as a replacement for my 2013 VW GTI. It will be my new daily driver. Got a great deal on it considering the maintenance that was done to it. The mileage when I bought it was 107k, price $8,000 that I negotiated to $7,400. Bought a one way airplane ticket to Houston, TX, got picked up by the owner who lived 2 hours away from airport(I didn't even know that, feel sorry for him), completed the transaction, dropped him off at a car rental place and started my road trip back to NC.

Maintenance and modifications done by me:
- Turn signal bulbs changed @ 107,745 miles - $5.40

Maintenance an modifications done by previous owners:
- Oil change 5w-30 Mobil 1 @ 106,126 miles
- 4 245/35/18 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires @ 103,xxx miles
- Battery, pressure regulating valve(11617501566), vent pipe(11611432559), connecting line(11617504535), return pipe(11617504536), vent hose(11157532649), tube elbow(13541438759), MAF sensor(13627566983), air filter(13721744869), air bag module for passenger-recall(72129384807), fasting elements-recall(51458146760), self locking collar-recall(07119905374), wiper blades(61619071613), spark plugs(12120037607), brake fluid flush Dot 4, coolant flush(82141467704), power steering flush, fuel induction service, EGR service, a/c recharge @ 95,085 miles
- Oil change 5w-30 Mobil 1 @ 95,085 miles
- Oil change 5w-30 Mobil 1 @ 90,773 miles
- Apex ARC-8 18x8.5 ET 38 Hyper Silver wheels @ 83,010 miles
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires @ 83,010 miles
- OEM Steering Shaft Coupler/Guibo @ 82,880 miles
- Merle HD front control arm bushings @ 82,730 miles
- OEM cup and coin holders @ 81,970 miles
- OEM cabin air filter @81,880 miles
- Oil change 5w-30 Mobil 1 @ 81,880 miles
- OEM valve cover gasket @ 81,880 miles
- Turner Motorsport rebuilt/upgraded Vanos with Dr. Vanos kit @ 81,880 miles
- Main belt and pulleys @ 9/2012
- Oil Change and cabin air filter @ 2/2012
- Differential fluid replaced Redline 75w-90 @ 1/2/2012
- Transmission fluid replaced Redline MTL @ 1/2/2012
- Removed CDV, brake fluid flush @ 1/2/2012
- Waterpump(11517527910), thermostat housing(11537509227), gasket ring(07119963200), temperature sensor(11621433077), radiator cap(17111742231), water hose(11531436408), expansion tank(17117573781), water hose(17127510952), antifreeze(82141467704), leveling switch(17137553919), water valve(64118369805), return hose(11531436410) @ 12/11 (approximately 70k miles)
- Oil change Syntec Euro 0w-30 @ 69,035 miles
- Cabin air filter @ 69,035 miles
- Windshield replacement @ 7/2011
- ZHP gearshifter(25117896886), storing partition f(51168208369), console upper(51168218307), storing partition r(51168225986), wiper blades(61610037009), floor mats(82111470424), console-center arm(51168218305), protect rubber strip(51128195317), protect rubber strip(51118195304), trim grille black(51132158542), trim grille black(51132158543), covering seat rail(52108226431) @ 3/11
- Oil change @ 2/11
- Belts changed, rear brakes, brake fluid flush @ 1/11
- Replace front left exterior door handle carrier @ 61,622 miles
- Oil change OEM BMW full synthetic(07510017954) @ 61,354 miles
- Micro filter change and power steering fluid flush @ 61,354 miles

Picture from craigslist ad.

[pawa_k2001]

Starting my trip back from Houston, TX to NC on 06/08/16. Quick stop for a picture and then got a bit lost and found Circuits of the Americas. I love WEC racing and F1 so it was nice to check out the track. Also saw a random military airplane to take a picture next to. Destination was Austin, TX to visit some friends I know.

[pawa_k2001]

I am used to waking up at 5:40am daily, surprised myself when I was up at 4am today. Since everyone was still asleep, I decided to explore some of Austin before getting some breakfast. It was to dark for twisty roads so I headed to downtown Austin, had to explain myself to a police officer next to the Capital as to way I am walking around the Capital in the dark(there were 4-5 around the Capital building, protecting it I guess). Guess he bought my explanation that I am an eastcoaster and woke up so early. Around 6am, I headed out to Lime Creek Rd which people say is one of the better twisty roads around Austin. Hwy 2222 and Lime Creek Rd are decent drives but I was underwhelmed, probably because of the roads I drive daily in WNC. The area around Lime Creek Rd is beautiful though. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any good places to take pictures and found that both of my GoPros had dead batteries... Had to give up on pictures and GoPros and head back to my friends place. Going to spend the rest of the day catching up with people I know around Austin.

[Oli77]

Well you sound like one happy customer with a grin on his face!
Enjoy the trip back.
And congrats on the purchase. Does the 12 year old car fair well in comparison to the 3 year old car when it comes to handling?

[MiniD]

I drooled over that car while it was on CL. Were you happy with the overall condition of the car? Looks absolutely gorgeous. Also, huge WEC fan here as well.

[pawa_k2001]

Well you sound like one happy customer with a grin on his face!
Enjoy the trip back.
And congrats on the purchase. Does the 12 year old car fair well in comparison to the 3 year old car when it comes to handling?

The GTI started to bore me, front wheel drive and automatic(DSG). The ZHP would run circles around the GTI. The steering feel and the balance make it easy to carve corners in it but then I am used to E46s because my other car is a E46 M3.

I drooled over that car while it was on CL. Were you happy with the overall condition of the car? Looks absolutely gorgeous. Also, huge WEC fan here as well.

Very happy with the condition. Interior trim is in great shape because the previous owners replaced all the scratched and peeling trim. Only the A pillars are sagging. The cars feels very solid and the shifter is amazing. The previous owner really took care of it and he is an enthusiast, his other car is a Cayman S. Can't believe people let it sit on Craigslist for that long, the price was far below other ZHPs in comparable condition.

[BMWCurves]

Congrats on the purchase! I'm glad someone scooped up that car, it looked like a great deal to me.

[Vas]

Great looking car

[slater]

congrats! i, too, was drooling over that ad. i was too busy to follow through on it, unfortunately (i love TiAg!!).

[fredo]

Good find ... Congrats ! Will u be in Austin tomorrow Friday ? I will be in downtown until 4 pm. Maybe we can meet up.