New'ish Nashville member here...with purchase story

[330i Lover]

I'm fairly new to the Mafia family but maybe a few of you have seen the Imola I just purchased in the classifieds from last week. I wanted to share the purchasing story and give the seller all the kudos he deserves for adoring his car in such a meticulous fashion. I feel honored to know he chose me to carry on his ZHP's legacy and can't wait to grow within this Mafia family.

I live in Nashville and I've been battling "no bmw-idous" for quite some time. I had an 03 330i AT w/sport pckg from Texas and long story short I couldn't afford to date the "suck-u-bus" of my past and keep the 330i so I mistakenly parted with the car instead of her. 5'ish years later I had an opportunity to go for the gold and shop for a ZHP.

Ramtyper listed his Imola for sale last week and I somehow was the first to reply. Reluctantly I internally battled whether or not it was worth discussing, yet again, the ZHP or not to ZHP conversation with my wife. We have a great, paid-off, 2012 Toyota Camry that we paid way too much money for and it didn't make sense to sell it for a smaller car that's more prone to more expensive maintenance that's 11 years old. Eventually I got her blessing and I pursued Ramtyper's ZHP.

The car was in Windsor, Connecticut (holy shniekies Batman that's way too far away from Nashville!) but no, it's not too far away for an enthusiast like myself that's been eagerly awaiting another e46 for 5+ years. I flew to Bradley Airport and the car instantly demanded my undivided attention.

We went over all the questions I had and I quickly learned that this owner isn't the norm. He cherished this car and couldn't be more proud of it. Without a doubt, Michael J. Fox went Back to the Future 11 years and brought this ZHP to this small town in CT. It was that pristine!

I'll speed up the story, getting late.

We went through the PPI at New Country BMW in Hartford, CT and afterwards agreed on a fair price for both parties. I then got a world-famous grinder from the local Italian joint and I prepared myself for the 1,000 mile trek back home.

Here are some pictures from the wonderful trip:

Me on the left, seller on the right
http://s28.postimg.org/8lt8pzavt/20150720_122038.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/8lt8pzavt/)

Parking the car for the first time to get a Grinder for lunch
http://s30.postimg.org/6sr7anjjh/20150720_140653.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/6sr7anjjh/)

Beautiful sunrise from the hotel room in Virginia
http://s16.postimg.org/uxhpgxq01/20150721_061817.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/uxhpgxq01/)

Cows and rolling hillsides
http://s15.postimg.org/hncn27hyv/20150721_074410.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/hncn27hyv/)

Scenic
http://s27.postimg.org/x6uwbpuof/20150721_074429.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/x6uwbpuof/)

Scenic
http://s2.postimg.org/5tn1kcgv9/20150721_093920.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/5tn1kcgv9/)

About 6:30am going through foggy mountain
http://s9.postimg.org/xpausl32j/20150721_095311.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/xpausl32j/)

Today I washed the car for the first time and took a few snaps.

Front
http://s23.postimg.org/4ziqcnrqf/20150722_200526.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/4ziqcnrqf/)

Side
http://s12.postimg.org/irgqt0tpl/20150722_200555.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/irgqt0tpl/)

Back
http://s13.postimg.org/e1f57v9bn/20150722_200619.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/e1f57v9bn/)

Tucked in for bed in her new garage
http://s27.postimg.org/8hqqcz8qn/20150722_200856.jpg (http://postimg.org/image/8hqqcz8qn/)

Thanks for reading!

[johnrando]

Official welcome. Great looking car and a nice way to get introduced to it.

[330i Lover]

Official welcome. Great looking car and a nice way to get introduced to it.

Thanks, it's laughable to call this a project but yesterday I had such a struggle getting the license plate off so I can send back to the seller. I had to take a hax saw to one of the two screws that attaches the license plate to the license plate bracket because the nut was seized up.

[johnrando]

Time for the 'no plate-holder strip' or the 'no holes license plate holder' so you can put that front plate off set. :biggrin EDIT: that is, if we're talking the front.

[330i Lover]

Hahaha. This is the back plate. Nahh I just gotta buy another screw, two actually since the remaining one is rusted. I had a screw that was the right size but longer than the original. I gave it a whirl and it threaded great but it got stuck and had to get some needle-noses to help thread it out. :guns

[az3579]

Time for the 'no plate-holder strip' or the 'no holes license plate holder' so you can put that front plate off set. :biggrin EDIT: that is, if we're talking the front.

It's always the rear one that's a problem. The screws for the license plate holder rusts and as a result usually ends up either just spinning endlessly or being seized. I've had to replace two license plate holders in my ownership because of this.

Sometimes the screws that attach the plate to the holder do this as well, though the screws supplied in the kit I believe are stainless, so if anything the threads on the inside get messed up.

[Vas]

Great looking Car.

[330i Lover]

It's always the rear one that's a problem. The screws for the license plate holder rusts and as a result usually ends up either just spinning endlessly or being seized. I've had to replace two license plate holders in my ownership because of this.

Sometimes the screws that attach the plate to the holder do this as well, though the screws supplied in the kit I believe are stainless, so if anything the threads on the inside get messed up.
It was a pain but I still conquered. [emoji106]

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[NoVAphotog]

Welcome! Reading this brings back the fun of my "first drive!" Glad to see you enjoyed yours as well!

[BMWCurves]

Welcome! The car looks great and sounds like it was well taken care off. Another Imola in the group

[330i Lover]

Thanks, I'm glad to keep this one in the Mafia fam. She deserves it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Ramtyper19]

That's a really nice car!!!!!!!

:-p


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[330i Lover]

That's a really nice car!!!!!!!

:-p


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks, a user by the name of Ramtyper19 took ultra good care of it. You should tell him you like it. :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Oli77]

^ cosmic! and stays in the family.

[ELCID86]

Welcome to the ZHP and IR family!


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[330i Lover]

I just finished waxing it for the first time in it's life. The original owner only used the polish you spray on with a bottle. So, turtle wax, pads & terry towels kept me busy today.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[brettbimmer]

A big Mafia welcome and beautiful ZHP. On another Bimmer I ended up having to change the entire rear bracket. Grrr...not Frau's best engineering feat.

[330i Lover]

Welcome to the ZHP and IR family!


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.
Thanks, any idea how many Imolas are in the family now? Myself, Vas and 3ZHPGuy do but I wonder how many others.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[fredo]

Welcome, sir ! 2005 IR sedan here.

[330i Lover]

Sweet, others feel free to add to the list:

Imola Crew

330i Lover
Vas
ELCID86
Fredo
3ZHPGuy

[ELCID86]

Sweet, others feel free to add to the list:

Imola Crew

330i Lover
Vas
ELCID86
Fredo
3ZHPGuy

The Boss (Dane)
Charlie
Daniel
Botond
Patrick (Finance Guy)
Alexandre
...


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[Vas]

Quick question. Do you mind taking a look at the h&r springs that are on the car and the color of them?

I love the way your car sits.

BTW did you install the led interior kit yet ?

[330i Lover]

I can already tell ya they are H&R race springs. They make the sport springs as well but they don't lower as much as the race springs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Vas]

I can already tell ya they are H&R race springs. They make the sport springs as well but they don't lower as much as the race springs.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
Thanks

[330i Lover]

Np bud. I installed the Avin double din CD player this weekend. It took about 6-8 hours but she's a peach now. I'll try to post some pics later in the week. How's Harrisonburg IHop these days?

[Vas]

Np bud. I installed the Avin double din CD player this weekend. It took about 6-8 hours but she's a peach now. I'll try to post some pics later in the week. How's Harrisonburg IHop these days?
Awesome. How do you like it ?

Haven't been to ihop since then lol. Too many broke college Kids there now

[330i Lover]

It's a massive upgrade from the crappy stock head unit(HU). The sound quality is leaps and bounds superior in every way. The backup camera was a pain in the @ss but it's pretty sweet once it's hooked up correctly. I have come across a few nuances with the auto-bluetooth and not knowing what all the icons mean but once I familiarize myself with it some more I'm sure it'll be 'cock of the walk'. Wait, I am allowed to say that on here aren't I?

I still plan on swapping out all the yellow-ish lights for the LED ones I got in that kit you recommended. I have some other projects to do first unfortunately. Headlights being one of them, which won't be an easy/inexpensive fix. :(

[BMWCurves]

It's a massive upgrade from the crappy stock head unit(HU). The sound quality is leaps and bounds superior in every way. The backup camera was a pain in the @ss but it's pretty sweet once it's hooked up correctly. I have come across a few nuances with the auto-bluetooth and not knowing what all the icons mean but once I familiarize myself with it some more I'm sure it'll be 'cock of the walk'. Wait, I am allowed to say that on here aren't I?

I still plan on swapping out all the yellow-ish lights for the LED ones I got in that kit you recommended. I have some other projects to do first unfortunately. Headlights being one of them, which won't be an easy/inexpensive fix. :(

Glad to hear about the Avin unit! Looking forward to pics and a lengthier review and discussion of its installation. The Avin is definitely a "down the road" upgrade for me but seems like the one I would go with. What did you end up doing for an internet connection? A dedicated modem/hotspot or...?

[Vas]

Headlights ?

[330i Lover]

Glad to hear about the Avin unit! Looking forward to pics and a lengthier review and discussion of its installation. The Avin is definitely a "down the road" upgrade for me but seems like the one I would go with. What did you end up doing for an internet connection? A dedicated modem/hotspot or...?
As far as internet options, Bluetooth is it for the time being. I've ordered another Galaxy S4 phone so that I can root it and put cyanogenmod on it so that I can tether. Once I get that done I'll transfer my service over to it and sell my current Galaxy S4. That way I don't potential fubar my current phone.

I haven't researched headlight replacements yet. I'm needing to replace belts and cooling parts first.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Vas]

Are your headlight bowls burnt or are you trying to replace just the lenses on them?

[330i Lover]

I don't have a clue to be honest. All I know is they are very dim and almost dangerous to drive at night. Recommendations?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Vas]

Take a look at the headlight and see if they have a zkw stamp.

If they are zkw then you have burnt bowls inside the headlight. So the output is gone since there is no coating on the reflector.

There are a couple of options though to fix the issue

http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/09/10/fd1cb68df1cdc07518169355c1491aeb.jpg

[330i Lover]

Yes, I have the same as your pic. What options?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[330i Lover]

Yes, I have the same as your pic. What options?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
21540

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[slater]

I don't have a clue to be honest. All I know is they are very dim and almost dangerous to drive at night. Recommendations?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

i went through this the first week i had my imola ZHP. it was definitely dangerous to drive at night with them the way they were.

i went with the TRS kit; it was ~$175 and took me a few hours to do, and i replaced the headlight lenses while i did it. the output is pretty good.

peter

[Vas]

Yup ZKW so the bowls are bad.

Options include finding factory BMW headlights that are made by AL, replacing the bowls with new ones, or doing a retrofit yourself or sending them out to get it done.

I need to get this done on my Imola Sedan.

[ELCID86]

There is also a member here who does them and sell em.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

[Vas]

There is also a member here who does them and sell em.


Thumbs, iPhone, TaT.

Yes. Here

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?11085-ZKW-Burnt-Bowl-OEM-Replacements&highlight=bowls

However I will be going with this option

http://www.lightwerkz.net/news/2013/02/02/bills-e46-zkw-fxr-projector-conversion/

[BMWCurves]

Any update on the Avin unit you purchased? Do you like it so far?

[330i Lover]

Yes. I installed it with my brother, who installs car stereo installations professionally. It took us probably close to 10 hours to install. Keep in mind we were doing the bluetooth mic where the moonroof controls are and the rear camera. The installation took much longer than originally anticipated but we kinda figured it would. No wires are showing, no shortcuts were taken, the install looks great!

The first month or so the Avin was great. I dramatically noticed an upgrade in the sound quality still using my original Harmon Kardon speakers.

Bluetooth Issues: The bluetooth feature isn't nearly as seamless as I hoped. With all the other bluetooth devices I've paired and used with my Galaxy S4 phone I've had no problems. When I mean work correctly I mean not having songs skip, jitter, stutter and phone calls sound gargled and too distorted to have a conversation with the other person over the phone. Unfortunately this head unit's bluetooth is very flaky and often-times requires unpairing and repairing for it to work correctly. Sometimes that doesn't fix the issue so you'll have to unpair and go the extra step of forgetting the device and doing a 100% new device setup.

Even more nerve-wracking then the bluetooth complications in the last 2-4 weeks I've been having issues where I cannot have ANY control of what the Avin will do. This is no exaggeration. Here are some examples: 1) Often-times the screen is 100% unresponsive or I'll touch the SD card (primary feature I use to listen to all my music) and it will choose a completely different input like Radio. 2) While listening to a track from a CD in the CD player the song will change all by itself to whatever song it felt like. 3) While listening to the radio I've literally seen the station be changed all by itself. 4) Early last week I wasn't even able to turn it off. 5) When listening to the radio last week I had the volume at around 3 or 4 (very low) all of a sudden the AVIN splash screen was on the display (like I just turned it on) and the volume shot to at least 20 and I couldn't turn down the volume until it finished booting.

It wouldn't be fair to mention Avin's support after going into detail about the issues I've been experiencing. I've messaged Tommy from AVIN a few times and he is suggesting me upgrading the version of android. I've already done a hard reset on the unit, setting it back to factory defaults and it made 0 difference. I still have all the issues previously mentioned after doing a fresh install of Android. Later this week I'll try to find time to follow his instructions of upgrading the version of Android and praying that the issues are resolved. I'm willing to bet that it won't, but I have to follow Tommy's troubleshooting steps before anything else can be done.

In Summary: It may be too early to tell but since installing on Sept 7 I can honestly say that I've had so many issues that if it didn't take 10+ hours to install this unit I would have returned it much sooner. I'll follow the instructions to upgrade and test everything again and I'll upgrade this thread after getting those results. Stay tuned...

[BMWCurves]

Shoot, sorry to hear that. I was really looking forward to this unit being a very nice piece of equipment.

I'll hold final judgement until you've gone through all of Tommy's troubleshooting steps.

[330i Lover]

I've already posted this on another discussion but since I've gone into detail about the issues here I'll continue to update here. Tommy agreed to swap my defective AVIN out for another. I'm waiting for the invoice so I can receive the good one and returning my defective one using the packaging from the new one.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

[Vas]

Latest update on the car? Miles? Mods? Maintenance?

[330i Lover]

Last spring I replaced the belts and pulleys. I recently replaced front and rear rotors and ceramic pads all around, installed coby wheel with M-colored stitching, replaced rear bushings, brake/coolant flushed, oil changed. Used all genuine OEM parts. I installed the glossy black kidney grills during the group ECS group buy, swapped out the burnt bowls that the ZKW is known for using Clemsone46's good bowls. New set of Continental DW's put on 1k miles ago. New battery. I think that about sums it up. The Avin head unit is still running strong. I had issues where the car wouldn't start if it sat for more than 3 days but that was due to a standby mode on the Avin that was draining the power. I adjusted the Avin never to go into standby mode and always do a 'cold boot' when I turn the car on and voila'.

[BMWCurves]

Last spring I replaced the belts and pulleys. I recently replaced front and rear rotors and ceramic pads all around, installed coby wheel with M-colored stitching, replaced rear bushings, brake/coolant flushed, oil changed. Used all genuine OEM parts. I installed the glossy black kidney grills during the group ECS group buy, swapped out the burnt bowls that the ZKW is known for using Clemsone46's good bowls. New set of Continental DW's put on 1k miles ago. New battery. I think that about sums it up. The Avin head unit is still running strong. I had issues where the car wouldn't start if it sat for more than 3 days but that was due to a standby mode on the Avin that was draining the power. I adjusted the Avin never to go into standby mode and always do a 'cold boot' when I turn the car on and voila'.

Good to know!