Materials to Maintain Your ZHP IIIII Hand Protection IIIII Tools to Maintain Your ZHP
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2021
    Location
    Englewood, NJ
    Posts
    69

    REF's first project car, black slicktop sedan

    Starting this thread to document the work I'm going to do on my ZHP. It's my second ever car and my first ever manual, and I plan to do all the work myself (hopefully), so a first for me as well. Been doing a lot of reading and building up the garage with tools. Located in North NJ

    Some info on the car:

    2004 330I
    6 speed
    Black Sapphire Metallic
    Light Beige interior with black cube trim
    Slick top
    No heated seats
    No rear folding seats
    Harmon Kardon
    2 owners, (1st one to 30k miles, 2nd one had til 192k miles)
    192k miles currently
    As far as i've seen completely stock
    NO SERVICE RECORDS (WOOHOO)

    Some pics:







    Bought it in May, things done so far:

    -changed the oil same day with Castrol 5W-30 (going to try the liquimoly Leichtlauf 5w40 next time)
    -replaced battery (had cranking issues, went away with new battery)
    -new air filter (had a K&N oil filter, replaced with standard paper)
    -new cabin air filter
    -worn rear trunk emblem replaced
    -both rear window regulators, they were original and failed (vapor barrier was untouched)
    -purge valve replaced
    -gas cap seal replaced
    -both front rims straightened and balanced
    -rear rims balanced

    Took it to a mechanic to have it looked at (Rennsport Motorworks), said he didnt find anything glaring and noted the car was in good shape for the mileage, save a few things


    Current known issues:
    -CCV issue (has -16 measured crankcase pressure), getting lean codes,
    -vacuum leak, (this might be fixed, replaced purge valve, then got different leak code, replaced gas cap seal, different leak code, then just had a shop smoke test it and found a leak on one of the purge valve hoses, mechanic threw in a new o-ring, going to run the car to see if the code comes back)
    -Oil filter housing gasket leak
    -Shocks/struts and the associated bump stops feel worn
    -cracked differential bushing
    -cracked filter housing for evap system? (according to mechanic, dont know what part that is, he called it a vapor canister filter)
    -condensation in passenger side turn signal
    -chips in windshield
    -messed up tint baked into rear windshield (REALLY hope this isnt a pain to remove, tint guy started laughing nervously when he saw it )




    Planned work and upgrades:


    Right around the corner
    -fluids (transmission, differential, power steering, brakes)
    -cooling system (purchased oem for most parts, aluminum rein water pulley, CSF OE Plus Radiator)
    -M56 valve cover swap (was going to go GAS CCV but who knows when thats out, and I didnt know this existed, might as well do this instead of replace the CCV)
    -Koni Special Active Shocks/Struts (bought them already, bimmerworld had a sale) Should I do control arms with these too? I hear a knock somethings when turning the steering wheel a lot on the front left wheel area


    Later
    -engine bay cleanup
    -differential bushing
    -fix condensating turn signal
    -windshield replacement
    -square rims/tires setup, drooling over the bimmerworld Ta5r currently, thinking of going 17s for the potholes in NJ
    -fixing rock chips in hood to prevent them rusting
    -fixing deep scratches on right fender (messed up a garage entry by dumping clutch too quickly while learning manual like a week into owning the car, looks like its either at primer or bare metal)
    -Steering wheel leather wrap
    -Other cosmetic detailing stuff

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Austin TX
    Posts
    7,606
    That’s a good plan. I refreshed the suspension last year. I considered Koni SA but decided to stay with Sachs. You can see the list of parts here:

    http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showt...000#post593000

    I replaced both front turn signals shortly after buying my car due to condensation.
    2005 IR / black / 6MT
    157,000 miles

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    SF Bay, CA
    Posts
    1,266
    Nice list of parts! If you're gonna do the aluminium water pump pulley, you might as well do the ps pulley as well. I have both in aluminium from Uro.

    Also yeah you'll love the 17s. I have them in a square setup and it's so nice - better ride quality, cheaper tires, ability to rotate tires, etc.
    2004 BMW 330CI ZHP (well, technically ZAM)


  4. #4
    Looks like a good base to start with and rock solid plan! Car looks great!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    3,130
    Slicktop solid rear seat sedan is the primo chassis. Keep this thing forever and definitely get it out to an autox once you sort out the ccv and suspension issues.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Irvine, CA
    Posts
    818
    Congrats. Looks like you got a good one. Keep an eye on that coolant expansion tank (or simply replace it for piece of mind).

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 1970
    Location
    Southern California
    Posts
    18,064
    Excellent! Git er done!

    Sent from my SM-G998U 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

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2021
    Location
    Englewood, NJ
    Posts
    69
    Thanks everyone,

    Have a crap ton of parts taking space in my apartment:

    Koni Active Shocks/Struts
    Full Cooling system and Pulleys/Belts
    GAS Disa rebuild kit and coolant cap
    Fuel Pump, level sensor, and filter (car is having gas tank issues, shows empty when its half full, figure I just replace them all since I dont know when it was done)
    Voltage Regulator
    Oil filter housing gasket replacement kit
    Power steering reservoir and hoses


    Also replaced the windshield cowl the other day, makes a huge difference in the appearance of the car now.

    Im thinking of doing the full cooling system and oil filter housing gasket, (as well as trans/diff fluids) this weekend. Never done this kind of thing before so a bit nervous, I'm just hoping I can finish it in 2 days. I dont use my car to commute so its not the worst thing if its out of service for awhile.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Waco, TX
    Posts
    75
    Nice progress! I'm about 30 minutes away in Mountain Lakes, NJ, fixing up my own ZHP. Next up for me is replacing the oil pan gasket, securing the oil pump nut and welding in front subframe reinforcements!

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2020
    Location
    SF Bay, CA
    Posts
    1,266
    Quote Originally Posted by MINIz guy View Post
    welding in front subframe reinforcements!
    This one isn't too common, is there something wrong with yours?

    Sent from my SM-G781W using Tapatalk
    2004 BMW 330CI ZHP (well, technically ZAM)


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