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New member intro - '03 Imola Red ZHP (Denton TX)
Morning, y'all!
Hi, my name is Bob and I purchased my new to me '03 Imola Red ZHP 2 weeks ago from a friend I met out here who lives in Plano. He's moving out of the country for most of his retirement life and in the past few years, he hardly put any miles on this beauty and wanted it to go to a good home and owner (me). This is my 2nd BMW. I previously restored a '76 2002 CA-spec and stupidly sold it but for good reason (that car had bad juju and was cursed lol). The previous PO recommended this ZHP-focused site, so here I am and I have a lot to learn and read about this beautiful car.
My goal for this vehicle is to restore it to near stock condition. I do not plan to mod it for autocross, more futuristic parts, exterior LEDs, etc. Call me boring but that's my goal. Oh, my user handle and nick for my ZHP is "TX Red Devil". Obviously for the color but I'm a fan of the South Korean national soccer team (the fans are called the "Red Devils").
Unfortunately under my ownership, and no fault of my own, it has not been an auspicious start! Two days after buying it, I went to the Tax Office to register my ZHP. Some @#$%@# keyed the right side passenger door. :( There was a significantly deep key scratch that will require a repaint. The pic I've posted here does not show the scratch as it was the first pic I took of her hours after I drove it home. The previous owner's wife also put a somewhat noticeable gouge in the rear passenger door. I got a quote already from a local paint shop who painted my front end on my '98 4Runner and they costed it to around $1K for both doors. The front bumper is faded as well and the repaint will cost about $450, which includes labor to take off all parts to get it off and repaint/clear coat. The rain gutter channels on top of the roof are delaminating as well. I've seen some YT vids of guys pulling them off and repainting/clear coating them. Wouldn't be a bad idea to try.
Interior-wise for a 20 year old car, it's in great shape. No tears or significantly heavy wear, even on the driver's side bolster. The biggest issues I've found so far are:
- Headliner is falling down mostly in the back
- Headlight dial appears to be upside down. How the heck do you pop it off without breaking it?
- Alcantara steering wheel is pilling on the bottom side of the steering wheel
- Rear pass window only rolls halfway down before getting stuck
- The rear part of the center console's cubby area (whatever it's called) the parts have broken off.
Engine is running extremely well. I'm having loads of fun! I can't remember everything that the PO performed, but the Vanos has not been reconditioned with any parts. I recall some gaskets were replaced related to the oil filter housing. Fortunately he's service his car at the same shop since he owned it (2nd owner since 2006).
Cooling system has not had the recommended expansion tank replace or the hoses---I think. I'll have to look at the records. The water pump though has been changed, but not recalling the interval. Not sure if it's an electric fan, I'll have to check.
Suspension is a bit rough, but it might be me not knowing how these ZHPs ride in stock form. Every bump feels like a kidney punch to me on bumps. I've purchased Sachs replacement shocks and struts from FCP Euro. I asked them to send me the same type or equivalent shocks/struts as what was originally installed. I got a quote for install (I don't think I can do this by myself esp. in this 105F Texas heat) and I've got to get more quotes because the quote was pretty high. I believe his mechanic changed the subframe bushings. I'll have to poke around or ask my mechanic to check for subframe cracks, but the PO said his mechanic recently said "no cracks". By the way, are ZHP more prone to these cracks like M3s? Air pressure on the Pilot tires are 32 in front and 36 in back. I believe it should be 38 in the rear.
Other things discovered include:
- A constantly leaking front driver's side headlight washer. When I turn it on to dispense fluid, it does so for both, but the front driver's side keeps leaking. I would love to somehow disable the pump. I find no use for it in my head as I don't plan to ever drive this ZHP in inclement weather. At a later date, I'll try to figure out why it's leaking and possibly replace the parts later (very low priority)
- Rubber trim around the left turn signal lamp is all torn off. Does BMW or any other company sells the rubber gasket?
- Right turn signal lamp's bulb socket is melted. Lamp assembly is NOT OEM and the bulb holder's rubber gasket is torn off and more importantly, the bulb socket is impossible to fit. I had to dremel the female holes in the lamp assembly to allow it to better fit. Anyways, I ordered a new lamp assembly so it'll be a non issue as soon as the part comes in.
- Rear plate holder - I think I have the stock holder. Seems inadequate. I need to find a plate frame holder.
- The PO screwed in the front plate into the front of the bumper. I saw that BMW sells a trim bumper piece with an integrated plate holder. If anyone has one to sell, please message or reply here.
- Black bumper trim is faded. Anyone has a recommendation on long-lasting bumper trim restoring product, I'm all ears.
Other:
- Any great recommendations for a shop or independent mechanics? I'm in Denton TX but would consider shops or individuals within 30 mins of Denton
- I would love to have a rear view camera (all our cars have them and/or were retrofitted with one), but I'm torn because I want to keep the stock radio/look. Any suggestions?
I think that's it for now re: items I've discovered to date. Anyways, lots to read and learn about my "new" ZHP.
Thanks,
Bob
New member intro - '03 Imola Red ZHP (Denton TX)
Welcome to the group! Hope your ZHP brings you plenty of joy.
I too had a leaky headlight washer system and I disabled mine for the time being at least because it seems prone to leaks and doesn’t really provide any value. I went to a junk yard and pulled a reservoir off a car without the headlight washer system and just unplugged my pump and tucked it away.
I also have the AVIN 4 system in my car and I really love having Apple car play, it’s the only thing I really use. The actual OS isn’t really very intuitive and the tech support is mediocre. I could like to get the ibus for it and maybe the integrated back up camera eventually but just haven’t yet. One thing I’ve heard from people is you should opt for the version (PX6 I believe?) with additional memory as the boot times are significantly reduced. I don’t have that version and I’ll say can be a little slow to load sometimes but it doesn’t really bother me.
