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Opportunity to pick up an '03 330i ZHP

merlion

merlion

Senior member
The dealer where my son works just took in an excellent condition '03 330i ZHP as a trade-in for a new BMW 3 series, and I can snag it for a good price before it ever officially gets put on the used lot for sale.

It's Imola Red with just under 74K miles. Only thing that needs attention are the rear tires, and the drivers side seat side bolster (Alcantara) is showing signs of wear. Runs great, and the only mod is tinted windows.

I was originally looking at newer used 3 series ('08-09), but when my son called me this afternoon about this car it really piqued my interest. I guess these ZHP cars are not necessarily rare, but not real common either. I can get it for less than half of what I was willing to spend on the newer model 3's, but it also has twice as many miles.
 
It was a great car for its day as they never made the M3 in a 4 door during that era from BMW.

Nowadays I'd get it only if you HAD to have it. There are better choices out there, but most people like me think that was the last good looking BMW 3 series.

I think you should drive it first. If you were wanting a similar type luxo sedan with a stick I would take a current A4 2.0T over that, 4 years ago not so much.
 
Current A4 2.0T is going to be at least 3x more expensive than an '03 330i :\

IIRC, by '03 basically all of the problem areas in the E46 had been fixed. If you like it and are prepared for the expenses (look for prices on common stuff, brakes, tires, filters, etc, along with average real-world fuel economy), I don't see it being a bad buy.
 
I can pick up the 330i for $9K, and was initially looking at '08-09 3-series cars in the $22-25K range.

The tires are a little pricy, but not ridiculousy so. It has the staggered 18" wheel and tire setup as part of the ZHP package. I've been poking around on the ZHPMafia forums, and the price seems to be a good one.

My son drove it this afternoon, and says it's top notch. He's only 17, but he is a lot tech after school and on weekends at the local BMW dealer, so he's been driving a lot of great cars there the last several months. I intend on driving it Monday.
 
Here's a couple of pics of the 330i.

ccf8994c.jpg


83a063a6.jpg
 
E46 is a very nice car and thats a good price i wouldnt see a reason not to with proper maintenance youll get another 100k out of it and still be well under the 22-25k you wanted to spend on a newer one
 
Does it come with a complete service history? Has it completed Inspection II ?

Around 70-75k is where some common wear n tear items need to be replaced on the E39s and E46s (control arm bushings, exhaust valve gaskets, etc). So while the price is good, you may need to spend some money soon after you buy it on maintenance items. Keep that in mind.

http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=55

But if it does have a good maintenance history, and most of the wear n tear items have already been replaced, then it's a pretty good deal. Heck, you could even buy it and flip it in a few months for more money. ZHPs go for a decent premium in the enthusiast market.
 
ssm0002 said:
That is a very good price. I'm thinking that is what they have in it which is auction price.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's exactly what the deal is. My son's boss at the dealership is his best friend's Dad, and he is the Used/Internet Sales Manager.

satyajitmenon said:
Does it come with a complete service history? Has it completed Inspection II ?

Around 70-75k is where some common wear n tear items need to be replaced on the E39s and E46s (control arm bushings, exhaust valve gaskets, etc). So while the price is good, you may need to spend some money soon after you buy it on maintenance items. Keep that in mind.

http://edgemotorworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=55

But if it does have a good maintenance history, and most of the wear n tear items have already been replaced, then it's a pretty good deal. Heck, you could even buy it and flip it in a few months for more money. ZHPs go for a decent premium in the enthusiast market.
Click to expand...

I'm stopping to look at the car today, but just a walkaround, as the dealership is closed today. But tomorrow I plan to go for a test drive, and to ask about service records, etc.

I was thinking of the flipping scenario, but thought maybe it would be viewed as being a little unethical.
 
If its clean with no surprises thats a great deal right now. I saw one of these with 220k miles a few months ago and it still felt tight and precise on test drive.
 
RKS said:
Update? I don't see anything unethical about flipping a car.
Click to expand...

Technically, may not be unethical. But considering that they're selling it to him at cost (so to speak) as a favor, it would be kinda unethical/not kosher to sell it on for profit. Especially when they could've made money on the deal instead. After all, they are a for profit business.
 
I sometimes wonder if the people that keep saying it requires a lot of maintenace ever owned one. I drive the crap out of my car, make frequent Socal -- Norcal trips and as a result, my car now has almost 110k miles on it. It went to the dealer once for a busted lower radiator hose a few years ago, and nothing since (the hose might have been my fault).

Anyways, I do preventative maintenace on it, things like changing out trans fluid, diff fluid, consumables, etc...and change oil at the dealers at half recommended intervals. In all, the ONLY thing that's wrong with it is, wait, not a damn thing. Btw, oil change cost less than 100 bucks per. Things that I had the dealer changed out, just because, includes fuel filter, FCAB. I changed the VANOS O-rings myself at 60k. My car drives today just as the day I bought it. Things I'm planning to do to it includes changing out fluids again, bushings, yeah...

Go price out maintenace cost and parts price for any cars, then come back here and let's talk fact vs.wives tales.
 
SSSnail said:
I sometimes wonder if the people that keep saying it requires a lot of maintenace ever owned one. I drive the crap out of my car, make frequent Socal -- Norcal trips and as a result, my car now has almost 110k miles on it. It went to the dealer once for a busted lower radiator hose a few years ago, and nothing since (the hose might have been my fault).

Anyways, I do preventative maintenace on it, things like changing out trans fluid, diff fluid, consumables, etc...and change oil at the dealers at half recommended intervals. In all, the ONLY thing that's wrong with it is, wait, not a damn thing. Btw, oil change cost less than 100 bucks per. Things that I had the dealer changed out, just because, includes fuel filter, FCAB. I changed the VANOS O-rings myself at 60k. My car drives today just as the day I bought it. Things I'm planning to do to it includes changing out fluids again, bushings, yeah...

Go price out maintenace cost and parts price for any cars, then come back here and let's talk fact vs.wives tales.
Click to expand...

This

Just because jim bobs sister had a 320i and it blew an engine because she didnt put oil in it all BMWs are crap.
 
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