Now that I’ve had my ZHP for almost a month, along with the fact I'm couch ridden with a sprained ankle, I figured it was about time to start a maintenance/project thread for the currently nameless sedan.
A little History:
Back in August 2015, I decided I wanted to get an older BMW to learn more about working on these cars/ be a daily driver, maybe in time, if I get the smarts, make it track worthy. I had another car, so it was kind of just an on again off again hobby looking at 330i/330xi’s looking for good deals and watching “how to ____” videos on a car I didn’t even own. Throughout my search I kept coming across ZHP’s, and noticed a) that they had a much better look (in my opinion) to the sport package and b) that look did not come cheap. I ignored it for the most part as I test drove six or seven e46’s, but eventually the curiosity got the better of me and I test drove a ZHP. Long story short, I now was exclusively looking at ZHP’s. Found the car in Tacoma, 2005 6 speed 2 previous owners. Second owner had it since 2008. Very happy with it.
First Impressions:
Most enjoyable car to drive that I’ve owned (Having owned many automatics, it’s been a blast). Taking time to adjust to the location of the window switch. Also, I slide around in the seat a bit more than in the e90, as well as finding the cup holder locations inconvenient while shifting. I like the crayon smell lol.
Current Task List (Could be added to/removed from when the maintenance records are obtained):
-Cooling system overhaul with belts and pulleys.
-Transmission and differential fluid. Car has issues going into reverse and first when the clutch is pushed in from a dead stop. This is just the starting point
-Tires (somehow Discount tire ordered only the fronts and I had to wait another week for the rears).
-New headlight lenses (Planning on going with khoalty, unless there is a strong case against them.)
-Clear out the side markers and corners, as well as eagle eye LED tails.
-Brakes have some squeal when braking hard. Will look into if condition worsens.
-A way to listen to music from my phone. Undecided on Bluetooth vs. Aux at this point, but right now Justin Bieber is coming out of my speakers far too often.
-Recommendations on other maintenance to perform welcome! From what I’ve seen so far this is a trustworthy group
Purpose of the thread:
Learn more about the guts of the e46, as well as ask questions and chronicle my progress. Hopefully, in time this thread can become a good resource for someone coming into the family. I also can be obsessively frugal, so I hope to include the best price options for parts I can find. Cars in general only became an interest to me about 4 years ago, so I’m looking forward to the challenge!
Completed:
134,970 - PPI
135,3xx - Black performance grills $103
135,452 - Repaired VIN in computer
135,452 - Passenger Airbag Recall
135,469 - Continental Extreme Contact DW mounted and balanced $592
Picture from the day I got the car: