Dilemma

[Jon D]

Love the ZHP on a lot of fronts but I want something with more power. Was at the Audi dealership yesterday picking up the wife's car and drove an S5 vert, short drive but hit a couple of curves and I really liked the extra power [and there is a factory tuning option], car handles really well and the DCT is a blast to drive.

However -- there is this money gap -- really don't have 70 large to drop on a new car. So my debate is....

Just incrementally improve the ZHP step 1 being headers or

Just bite the bullet and do one of these two options...not in any order

Option 1

Active Auto Stage 1 with Headers..

http://store.activeautowerke.com/active-autowerke-e46-330-supercharger-kit-level-1-p35.aspx

Option 2

Technique Tuning Turbo ZHP Auto kit..

http://www.techniquetuning.com/e46zhpauto.html

or just save my pennies until I can afford to by a car that has the kind of power and performance etc I want from the factory. Right now my two leading contenders are the Audi above or a used 997 Porsche vert.

Let's here it...

[johnrando]

Tough call. I've generally heard that you should base performance mods on the percentage of the value of the car, and therefore those mods based on the value of the car would not warrant it. HOWEVER, that's still certainly HUGE savings (obviously) over buying a new car. It seems like the decision point is really how well you like your car and how long you'd want to keep it. Not speaking for you, but I love my car, and personally if this was my choice, I'd FI my current car as I'd like to keep it long term. Otherwise, save the pennies for something new. Hope those .02 help.

[az3579]

Not speaking for you, but I love my car, and personally if this was my choice, I'd FI my current car as I'd like to keep it long term. Otherwise, save the pennies for something new. Hope those .02 help.

This is what I would do as well. It's usually a LOT cheaper to mod a car than it is to buy an entirely different one (one that's a lot better, that is). If I had to make a choice right now, same choices that you have, I'd FI my car simply for the cost factor.

[spencers]

That's quite the dilemma..

I'd save for the 997 vert.

[Mike V]

E46 M3?

[az3579]

E46 M3?

Sorry, but 997 > E46 M3. It's a Porsche; you can't touch that. :)

[Jon D]

Sorry, but 997 > E46 M3. It's a Porsche; you can't touch that. :)

I agree I've decided an E46 M3 vert is not the answer. Especially as I want an auto trans or at least a manual trans that has an auto mode for traffic. 2006 SMG is not there Car is a daily driver.

[static667]

That's a tough call. Personally, I'm a big fan of superchargers. Nothing says love like eight psi of centrifugal supercharger boost.

Sent using Tapatalk on my rooted Droid. Wut?

[lilcdkey]

I would wait it out for a 997.

[az3579]

I agree I've decided an E46 M3 vert is not the answer. Especially as I want an auto trans or at least a manual trans that has an auto mode for traffic. 2006 SMG is not there Car is a daily driver.

Same thing as an auto.

Are there any P-cars within your price range with a PDK (Doppelkupplungsgetriebe)? The double clutch shifts extremely nicely...
(And for reference, NO, I didn't have to look up the spelling! I practiced it enough... lol)

[Johnmadd]

That's a tough call. Personally, I'm a big fan of superchargers. Nothing says love like eight psi of centrifugal supercharger boost.

Sent using Tapatalk on my rooted Droid. Wut?

+1

[Go Horns!]

I love the looks of the A5/S5. I'm hoping that I have enough cash and am in the position to get an RS5 when they come stateside (well 5 years after they come stateside).

What is wrong with getting FI now and then waiting for S5 used verts to drop in price? If you supercharge, I'm sure someone here will take the supercharger off your hands when you sell the ZHP.

[Jon D]

Same thing as an auto.

Are there any P-cars within your price range with a PDK (Doppelkupplungsgetriebe)? The double clutch shifts extremely nicely...
(And for reference, NO, I didn't have to look up the spelling! I practiced it enough... lol)

That's the target car... price not there yet but then neither is the money ;)

[Sockethead]

If I was going to supercharge, I'd go with the ESS Tuning Twin screw SC. Expensive but bad-ass and replaces the composite manifold.
http://www.esstuning.com/categories/BMW/E46-3%252dSeries/330ZHP/

[zhpnsnv]

If I was going to supercharge, I'd go with the ESS Tuning Twin screw SC. Expensive but bad-ass and replaces the composite manifold.
http://www.esstuning.com/categories/BMW/E46-3%252dSeries/330ZHP/

Drove a zhp with this, owned by a member here. It was incredibly impressive. From sheer power to smoothness to driveability, it had it all. Well, except gas mileage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike V]

Sorry, but 997 > E46 M3. It's a Porsche; you can't touch that. :)

Of course but it's just another suggestion for "something with more power". ;)


I agree I've decided an E46 M3 vert is not the answer. Especially as I want an auto trans or at least a manual trans that has an auto mode for traffic. 2006 SMG is not there Car is a daily driver.

It's been a long time since I've driven an SMG car but I thought it does have an auto mode? As much as I hate the idea of an SMG M3, I'd much rather have one of those instead of a supercharged auto ZHP.

But.. as everyone else is saying, I'd hold out for the 997.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

If it was my money, I'd drive the ZHP until the wheels fall off (while also saving for a more powerful car).

[kayger12]

If it was my money, I'd drive the ZHP until the wheels fall off .

..and then I'd buy new wheels and drive it until those ones fell off-- and then I 'd buy new ones and...

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I agree. Let me try this again. I would drive the ZHP until the motor finally dies. I'd keep replacing the wheels until that happens.

At Bimmerfest yesterday, some guy had something like 542,000 miles on his Bimmer. I was talking to a guy in the crowd who had 300,000 on his car.

The guy with 300,000 miles told me that he changes his motor oil religiously. He also boasted that he's still on his original clutch (you've got to be kidding me, I said). He, with a straight face, said that he's still on the OG clutch.

[danewilson77]

I agree. Let me try this again. I would drive the ZHP until the motor finally dies. I'd keep replacing the wheels until that happens.

At Bimmerfest yesterday, some guy had something like 542,000 miles on his Bimmer. I was talking to a guy in the crowd who had 300,000 on his car.

The guy with 300,000 miles told me that he changes his motor oil religiously. He also boasted that he's still on his original clutch (you've got to be kidding me, I said). He, with a straight face, said that he's still on the OG clutch.

Worth quoting. Great stuff Boss.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[kayger12]

That is awesome. My friend's E36 is just short of 300k and he, too, is on the original clutch.

I would like to keep the ZHP indefinitely. When the motor finally gives up, I will definitely look into dropping a motor in. Can't see myself parting with her.

[Jon D]

If it was my money, I'd drive the ZHP until the wheels fall off (while also saving for a more powerful car).

Marcus and I talked live a couple of nights ago and he basically said this. I have decided not to spend any more mod money on the ZHP and drive it till it's really time to replace or the money is there to do what I want as a cash deal.

So not going anywhere and just going to enjoy the car for what it is.

[az3579]

Marcus and I talked live a couple of nights ago and he basically said this. I have decided not to spend any more mod money on the ZHP and drive it till it's really time to replace or the money is there to do what I want as a cash deal.

So not going anywhere and just going to enjoy the car for what it is.

Wise choice, sir.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Marcus and I talked live a couple of nights ago and he basically said this. I have decided not to spend any more mod money on the ZHP and drive it till it's really time to replace or the money is there to do what I want as a cash deal.

So not going anywhere and just going to enjoy the car for what it is.

I agree with BP. Wise choice. Meanwhile, Jon, it was great talking with you on the phone.

[johnrando]

Glad you made a decision. I was going to say, buy the supercharger then sell it to me when your done! :-)

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Glad you made a decision. I was going to say, buy the supercharger then sell it to me when your done! :-)

:thumbup

[Jon D]

Glad you made a decision. I was going to say, buy the supercharger then sell it to me when your done! :-)


:thumbup

:theman

I guess I'll have to reconsider :dunno :innocent