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View Full Version : Gut check: If you had to choose, would you get a 2006 E46 ZHP or a 2007 E92 w/ Sport?


mynamenumber
10-27-2015, 02:25 PM
Hi, just a thought exercise here. I'm on the lookout for a nice ZHP, but I get distracted sometimes by the slightly higher-priced early E92. I'm totally open to any opinions on the two, in a side-by-side sense. Let's assume purchase price is not an issues, and the cars in question are:

2006 330i ZHP
2007 335i w/ sport package

The ZHP certainly has more magical thinking associated with it (for me, at least), but the on-paper numbers of the E92 are better all-around. I'd love to hear which one you'd pick, given the choice, and what factors really matter to you in this choice.

Really, this is actually a helpful thought exercise for me. In part, I'm testing whether I'm irrationally interested in the ZHP :embarrasm
Stück
10-27-2015, 02:40 PM
The ZHP.

Because E9x is junk.
mynamenumber
10-27-2015, 02:53 PM
Ha, ok wait. How about: to avoid any potential flame wars, let's all provide some background notes no your opinions.

You know, like therapy, right? "I feel that the E9x is junk because of these features / issues..." :)
beshannon
10-27-2015, 02:58 PM
My 2004 330 ZHP was a good car
BimmerBreaker
10-27-2015, 02:59 PM
Well you did ask for our "gut feelings" on it :dunno

I'd also take the ZHP. Cheaper and more fun. If I was getting something as new as an E92 it'd be a 335i or more likely, a 135i.
mynamenumber
10-27-2015, 07:28 PM
yeah you're right - share any opinions you have, I'd love to hear it all unfiltered for sure!

I just didn't want to accidentally create a flame war :)
r33p04s
10-27-2015, 10:26 PM
This is my exact dilemma right now.

Coming from an e36 the e46 feels like more of the same without the LSD but s52 level of power and an extra gear with more weight because vert (top down is really appealing but top longevity worries me). But I'm ready to fix anything that may come up.

The e92 would be a great follow up. Same color as my e36 and a sport package 6 speed car. Larger and more composed with the bbs 18s. Having to reset for a battery swap (and most anything else). A more complicated suspension but no more trailing arms. Similar power to the zhp. More expensive at every turn.

With only a couple grand separating them and equal miles, I'm torn. The newer car speaks to me but the familiar car seems more reasonable. Both have nav, xenon, sport pack.
ddsski
10-28-2015, 02:11 PM
e92 is when the tonnage started to affect the feel IMHO. I've always thought the e46's were the sweethearts of the era. Afterwards, BMW started adding Hp to offset kgs.
DavidD123
10-28-2015, 06:40 PM
335i by a milestone. As an E46 owner for the past 5 years, I love them and ZHP's are amazing cars. But they're still slow. I find the interior quality of the e90 and e46 to be on par with each other. And with only $500 your 335i can be nearly 400hp reliably. For me, it's a no brainer. The e46 body lines are hard to beat, but it's performance leaves a lot to desire in comparison to a 335i.
stephenkirsch
10-28-2015, 07:56 PM
E46 will have lower costs of ownership.

Just compare the price of a water pump on an M54 vs N54/55.
Stück
10-28-2015, 10:48 PM
If you like Beavers the E46 is for you. If you like Ducks the E92 would better suit you.
mynamenumber
10-29-2015, 07:41 PM
What if I'm generally ambivalent about football? Seems like a ZHP owner's trait, right??
ddsski
10-29-2015, 07:57 PM
Moving past the HP numbers which are the biggest excuse for talent when driving, the e46 feels like a BMW, the e92 feels like a BMW after Octoberfest.
stephenkirsch
10-29-2015, 08:14 PM
What if I'm generally ambivalent about football? Seems like a ZHP owner's trait, right??

I like football and ZHPs.
stephenkirsch
10-29-2015, 08:15 PM
For the record, you could just get a normal 330 ZSP and throw a 3.46 LSD in it and be faster than stock ZHPs.
pbonsalb
10-29-2015, 09:15 PM
I'd buy a 335i. 360 rwhp with a $500 tune. Cost more to maintain though
r33p04s
10-30-2015, 04:32 PM
For the record, you could just get a normal 330 ZSP and throw a 3.46 LSD in it and be faster than stock ZHPs.

Where does this LSD come from? Or which car? I swapped in an e36m into my car but it was more involved than originally expected but worth it. Would be the tipping point in favor of the zhp over the e92 of i can put a LSD in relatively easily.
DavidD123
10-31-2015, 03:47 PM
Where does this LSD come from? Or which car? I swapped in an e36m into my car but it was more involved than originally expected but worth it. Would be the tipping point in favor of the zhp over the e92 of i can put a LSD in relatively easily.

You can buy aftermarket LSDs for a e46 or e90