Rustler
04-13-2023, 11:40 AM
Hello all, I purchased my ZHP last fall, and I've been meaning to post here since!
First, the specs: 2004 sedan, 6mt, Imola Red, black leather, black cube trim, sunroof, winter package.
Mods: I'm planning to keep this in the "OEM plus" style. I bought the car in bone stock form and drove it that way for a few months before deciding what, if anything to do. I've added: a 27mm sway from ECS (and replaced the endlinks with Mahle HD); a GruppeM intake; and black kidney grills. It came with PS4s which I swapped out for Michelin Pilot Alpin 4s for the winter. I've now got to decide whether to put the summers back 135s (in which case I'll probably get a second set of 135s so I can swap seasonally myself at home and save the rims from potential damage during tire swap) OR get Apex ARC-8 in a staggered fitment. Arc 8 are half the cost of new OEM 135s and weigh much less in 17 inch size, but man do I think BMW just nailed the look of the 135, and it's kind of the calling card of the ZHP. I'm hesitant to move away from the 135 but two sets of the same wheels is intensely boring.
My thoughts on ZHP ownership: When I was in high school my mom bought a bog standard E46 328i automatic, and it was awesome, and I credit that car for setting off a lot of my car enthusiasm today. I last drove it in probably 2006 and I've owned many, many cars myself since but always wanted to have another long term go in an E46. When this one was delivered and I drove it for the first time I thought, "uh oh, maybe you shouldn't drive your heroes (again)." It felt a bit too slow, a bit too wallowy, and a bit too quite compared to the cars I'd been driving. But looking back after a few months and a few carefully chosen mods, I couldn't be happier. In reality it has plenty of power for public roads, the engine sounds amazing (it really needed an louder intake), and with the beefier sway that slight wallow on turn in is gone and I'm really appreciating how nice it is to have a little body roll in corners.
After 6 months of ownership I am loving this car, drive it every chance I get, and all my memories about this platform maybe being the most balanced enthusiast daily driver ever are totally redeemed.
Some pics:
397663976739768
First, the specs: 2004 sedan, 6mt, Imola Red, black leather, black cube trim, sunroof, winter package.
Mods: I'm planning to keep this in the "OEM plus" style. I bought the car in bone stock form and drove it that way for a few months before deciding what, if anything to do. I've added: a 27mm sway from ECS (and replaced the endlinks with Mahle HD); a GruppeM intake; and black kidney grills. It came with PS4s which I swapped out for Michelin Pilot Alpin 4s for the winter. I've now got to decide whether to put the summers back 135s (in which case I'll probably get a second set of 135s so I can swap seasonally myself at home and save the rims from potential damage during tire swap) OR get Apex ARC-8 in a staggered fitment. Arc 8 are half the cost of new OEM 135s and weigh much less in 17 inch size, but man do I think BMW just nailed the look of the 135, and it's kind of the calling card of the ZHP. I'm hesitant to move away from the 135 but two sets of the same wheels is intensely boring.
My thoughts on ZHP ownership: When I was in high school my mom bought a bog standard E46 328i automatic, and it was awesome, and I credit that car for setting off a lot of my car enthusiasm today. I last drove it in probably 2006 and I've owned many, many cars myself since but always wanted to have another long term go in an E46. When this one was delivered and I drove it for the first time I thought, "uh oh, maybe you shouldn't drive your heroes (again)." It felt a bit too slow, a bit too wallowy, and a bit too quite compared to the cars I'd been driving. But looking back after a few months and a few carefully chosen mods, I couldn't be happier. In reality it has plenty of power for public roads, the engine sounds amazing (it really needed an louder intake), and with the beefier sway that slight wallow on turn in is gone and I'm really appreciating how nice it is to have a little body roll in corners.
After 6 months of ownership I am loving this car, drive it every chance I get, and all my memories about this platform maybe being the most balanced enthusiast daily driver ever are totally redeemed.
Some pics:
397663976739768