Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
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    Palm Beach County, FL
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    397

    2003-2005 Auto/Paddle/Shifters - How to tell?

    Ok so I am searching for some new e46/ZHP is possible, and I see some photos that are not that clear. I want to avoid fully automatic with my life, so even if it has the autostick/Steptronic or paddle shifters I am fine with that.

    Someone here told me you can install paddle shifters for a few hundred $$$ fairly easily, so that would be my last resort.

    But some of these e46 from 2003-2005 I see I can swear I see that +/- thing next to the "D" like say, the Sonata has for auto-stick/SHIFTRONIC shifting.

    How do I find out from the model, year, maybe even VIN if it has Steptronic, or was it a plain option and the only way to know is to ask the owner?
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    VA/DC
    Posts
    14,445
    For ZHPs (at least) if it's not MT and is AT it is steptonic. I added the paddle shifters to one of my previous cars. Not hard. Need the M parts (clock spring, etc).

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Toronto, ON
    Posts
    1,162
    AFAIK all automatic E46s have the steptronic transmisson. I haven't seen any automatics which do not have steptronic.

    I have added the paddle shifters to my automatic car as well. You need a M3 SMG steering wheel with paddle shifters, the corresponding clockspring and some wiring.

    Here is a DIY for the wiring:
    http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=895897
    anandoc

    2004 330i auto | ZPP, ZCW | Schwarz 2 (668) | schwarz (N6SW)

    aFe Stage-1 Pro DRY S intake | Morimoto FX-R 3.0 retrofit | ///M3 Seats (power, heat, bolster adj.) | ///M3 Strut Brace | ///M3 SMG Steering Wheel retrofit | OEM Alarm retrofit | GROM USB | Khoalty angel eyes


  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
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    18,064
    Only M3's had paddles unless added by the owner, and that is likely rare.

    Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
    Randeaux/Rando/John/jr - '06 Cic ZHP; Southern California
    "ZHP or not, I still like you"


    ZHP Performance Package, Cold Weather Package, Leather, Jet Black/Black/BlackCube, NAV, Anthracite Black "my individual" interior trim
    ESS Stage 1 Twin Screw Supercharger, Sprint Booster, BMW Perf Intake, Magnaflow Exhaust, Dinan TB & STEP S/W, UCC Sway Bars, Apex EC-7 18x8.5 ET38
    Suspension: AST 44100 dampers, Bimmerworld front adjustable end links, Swift springs (8K front, 10K rear), Vorshlag camber plates
    Dynavin D99+, Hardwire V1 (w/V1 Connection), BSW Stage 1 Speakers, Kicker Amp/Subwoofer
    BMW Performance Strut Brace, Orion V2 Angel Eyes, No-holes License Plate, SMG Paddle Shift Mod, Besian VANOS, Gold DISA, Fan Delete, M3 Side Mirrors
    Note: Actual car no longer resembles signature picture

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Atlanta GA
    Posts
    1,279
    Just to make sure you understand what you are getting into..

    E46 m3 came in SMG.. its a 6 speed manual gearbox with a clutch and flywheel and a different bell housing and sequential hydraulic system actuated by paddle shifters and had no clutch pedal. since it still has a true 6 speed gearbox, a lot of people convert it to manual by adding a clutch pedal system, removing the hydro system and modifying the housing or swapping the bell housing.


    the E46 NON M only had a step tronic auto transmission option available. it does not have a clutch or flywheel. its still a true auto transmission (GM auto transmission actually) with a torque converter and drive plate system with a transmission. it has an auto transmission ecu that has faster shit points but nothing more. you can add the paddle shifters to the steering wheel column as others have said by purchasing and installing the M3 SMG clock spring, your choice of paddle shifters for the SMG M3 and some wiring. its still the same thing as hitting + - with the shifter on the console.

    the E60 5 series and E90/92 automatic transmission also had a similar setup for the steptronic mean while the M cars got true 6 speed DCT (the newer version of SMG essentially)



    you can still do it but dont think you are going to have a true 5/6 speed manual setup with paddle shifting.
    2003 ZHP 332i | S54 6 speed
    2002 ZHP Touring | M54 6 Speed

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Posts
    397
    Ya I dont think I am converting to paddle shifters.... but it seems for some reason everything on sale now in FL are automatics, and to me, the Steptronics is better than a full auto, and the paddles are not such a big deal to me right now, let alone tight finances.

    Just frustrating in a tight time frame I cant find one manual that I can at least drive to and come back in a day. This freakin ahole dealer is trying to convince me that automatic is better because its easier to drive in traffic. REALLY? After I TOLD you I wanted a manual? SMFH, clueless. I guess I wont be haggling him down.

    I'll most likely settle for a Steptronic and then be able to relax at least not renting car out of pocket and then keep looking in the future to trade or buy/sell. I really dont wanna be paying $35/day for no reason driving a Sonata, which actually isnt a bad car and has a decent autostick like Steptronic, but ya, I need to move on quick.
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Branford, CT
    Posts
    16,055
    You may need to fly to find the right car. ZHPs aren't a dime a dozen, unfortunately.
    I know there's expense involved, but it's worth finding exactly what you want, even if it means a little travelling, no? You can definitely make that trip in a day; planes travel very quickly.

    You may want to hit up GDMChRiZ - I think he sells ZHPs on a semi-regular basis on the forum, and he is based in FL if I remember correctly. He has one for sale right now, though it's a coupe: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...-Package-Coupe

    Send him a PM and see if he can get you something.
    BP
    2005 330i ZHP / 6MT
    Imolarot / Naturbraun
    2003 330iT / 6MT
    Orientblau / Naturbraun




    It's not the car you drive, it's how you drive it.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Palm Beach County, FL
    Posts
    397
    Quote Originally Posted by az3579 View Post
    You may need to fly to find the right car. ZHPs aren't a dime a dozen, unfortunately.
    I know there's expense involved, but it's worth finding exactly what you want, even if it means a little travelling, no? You can definitely make that trip in a day; planes travel very quickly.

    You may want to hit up GDMChRiZ - I think he sells ZHPs on a semi-regular basis on the forum, and he is based in FL if I remember correctly. He has one for sale right now, though it's a coupe: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...-Package-Coupe

    Send him a PM and see if he can get you something.
    Yes I may, although there are a couple here in FL but not one is ringing a bell with me, and no way I'd spend that much on that coupe, that seems overpriced even if in great shape, seen many live listings much lower than that, and I prefer a 4dr 6MT which I might pay more for. The bonus for looking through private sellers is MANY people dont know they have a ZHP, and thus, price is much lower in my experience anyways.
    __________________________________________________ ____
    2003 ZHP 4dr | 145,000 miles (ACTUAL before RIP) | BBS 17"
    Hankook Ventus V12
    Front: 225/45ZR
    Rear: 255/40ZR-17 Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 XL
    [ Staggered on square (17x8.5 +38) ]

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