ZHP Impression

[M32NV]

As many of you know my m3 is in the shop for a shole *hi* load of repairs. so i decided to steal my old mans car for a couple of days. a 2005 330ci ZHP, with 1000 Miles on it w/ alcantara seats.

First off let me tell you this is one sick car the manual 6-speed is sick, very short throw. it also seems to be faster then my e36 m3 :shifty .

but the best thing that this car has to offer is alcantara wraped seats and streering wheel. damn that fabric is incrediable.

anyone else get a chance to drive this car yet what were your impressions.

Thanks.

[fliplap]

I've heard a lot of magazines compare the e46 330 ZHP to the e36 M3. I totally disagree. I've driven the 330i ZHP, sedan and coupe, on several occasions, hard, and I don't think it feels anything like the e36 M3.

Shifter throws are short, but not as certain. Clutch take up is down right annoying until the CDV is removed. Steering feedback was wonderful, like most BMWs, however the car doesn't feel as planted in high speed cornering. Accelleration was acceptable, but not as neck snapping as in the M3. Both the cornering and accelleration could be attributed to the increase in weight from the e36 to the e46.

Given all of that, its still a wonderful car.

[JClark]

I whipped around in a ZHP for a few days. Its probably the closest thing to an E46 copy of the E36 M3 as we're going to get. Does anyone have a lot of miles on their alcantara steering wheel yet? The one I drove had 900miles on it and that steering wheel left black flakes all over my hands and lap whenever my hands moved over it. Does it show a lot of wear after a couple thousand miles?

[Don Nguyen]

Since i've driven a E46, I have always considered them to be very "refined" models of BMWs of excellence, but the driver's feel is just not there.

[rmani]

ZHP is a damn nice car but I think the e36 M3 is still a much better driver's car.

[EOSphoto]

It's a whole different car, i borrowed a friends for a weekend. The clutch is VERY soft as is the steering, it feels planted but the limit doesn't feel as high as the M cars. Also the topend seems to be a bit better than the S52 (maybe like a S52 with the M50 IM) but there's definetely WAY less torque @ 3000-4500.

Overall it's a nicer package than an E36 M3 and even my S52 Mcoupe

[snafu]

I whipped around in a ZHP for a few days. Its probably the closest thing to an E46 copy of the E36 M3 as we're going to get. Does anyone have a lot of miles on their alcantara steering wheel yet? The one I drove had 900miles on it and that steering wheel left black flakes all over my hands and lap whenever my hands moved over it. Does it show a lot of wear after a couple thousand miles?

All new ZHPs have perforated leather steering wheels now (feb. '05 build dates and later). The new wheel is really nice, prolly better than my M3s.

[JClark]

Anythings better than the E36 wagon wheel. That sucker is huge.

[M32NV]

I agree with you on some points, but not on the shifting, the throws are very certain.

also i think my girlfriend puts it best after she drove the zhp she said

"it just doesent have the balls of a e36 m3"

the zhp and all e46 are a little to refined they just dont have the same connection with the road. they are agile and quick but lack torque.

But still i cant say this enought there is nothing like alcantara what a feeling you get when you grip that wheel. so soft, so smooth, so aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh.

anyways i want to hear what more of you think.

[mazur]

My mom has a ZHP...with a slushbox!

And about the alcantara, we already have about 2000-3000 miles on it and no complaints so far. I've actually thought of stealing her steering wheel. :devillook

High speed cornering isn't as good as my car, even with my crappy Dunlops.

Accerleration feels quite a bit slower than a stock M3, but that's with the slushbox..

Interior....Beautiful :cool .Though my mom complains that the leather in my car is a lot better than hers...she's jealous :D

[ChiroDoc]

I whipped around in a ZHP for a few days. Its probably the closest thing to an E46 copy of the E36 M3 as we're going to get. Does anyone have a lot of miles on their alcantara steering wheel yet? The one I drove had 900miles on it and that steering wheel left black flakes all over my hands and lap whenever my hands moved over it. Does it show a lot of wear after a couple thousand miles?

10,500 miles on ours and it is still in great shape. That flaking stops after a thousand miles or so or it did with ours at least. Love the car but the wife gets to drive it more than me. :(

[SleepRM3]

I test drove this car:

http://www.dreyerreinboldbmw.com/bmwgreenwood/precar.asp?fan=GUEST2D4B5234C8B96E4EC2AB351597B&id=1086

My expectations were low, but I was pleasantly surprised by the ZHP 330i. In a word, this car is TIGHT--tighter than my '97 E36 M3/4-door--suspension, handling, steering, ride quality, and overall feel--TIGHT.

Brent Rickards, my Dreyer & Reinbold BMW Sales Consultant, was very generous with his time. We were out for 45 minutes in the sticks of Whiteland IN. We went through all sorts of road surfaces, twisting turns, switchbacks, sweepers, and straights. The E46 330i/ZHP's steering is more responsive and FASTER than my E36 M3/4's steering. Turn-in is crisp, and the ZHP takes a beautiful set through each turn. The stock Bridgestone RE040s' stick was impressive. Despite the stock staggered wheel/tire setup, the 330i/ZHP's handling was very neutral with just enough understeer for the car to feel confidence-inspiring.

What really stood out with the 2004 E46 330i/ZHP is its ride quality and solid feel. The newness of the car is apparent compared with my 9-year-old, 67K-mile E36 M3/4. The ZHP E46 sedan is quieter inside, while the engine still sings nicely all the way to redline. BMW's suspension engineers got the suspension right--tight for the twisties, but compliant enough for rough roads--perfect. The sway bars are just the right size to minimize bodyroll (barely there--really).

Throttle response was amazingly good considering the 25 hp deficit (my E36 M3/4 has a Dinan airbox/exhaust + Bonneville Shark ~ 260 hp). Perhaps it's the ZHP's gearing, but to me the acceleration out of each turn from 2nd or 3rd gear was quite good, and on par with my M3/4.

My only criticism was the ZHP's lack of pull in 5th gear. In my M3, I can pull convincingly in 5th gear from 3000 rpm; the E46 330i/ZHP lacked that broad torque curve.

Overall, BMW has done a fabulous job with the ZHP-equipped 330i. Do I like this car enough to unload my M3/4-door to buy it? Not quite.

Nonetheless, I'm impressed with the 330i/ZHP, and would pick a 2005 E46 330i/ZHP over a new E90 330i Sport Package (the E90s have not grown on me, and the 3450-lb sport package is grossly overweight IMO).