330Ci 6 speed, not a ZHP???

[cemimms]

My buddy just picked up an '04 330Ci yesterday and he tells me it is a 6 speed. I haven't seen it yet, but my first question to him was, is it a ZHP? He says no, it does not have the ZHP wheels, it doesn't have a lip spoiler, nor does it have the rear diffuser found on the ZHP, but it does have a 6 speed manual and the M steering wheel.

Were these separate options for 2004 models and later? Or has someone just gone through a lot of trouble swapping a 5 spd manual for a 6 spd manual? Because I was under the impression that the only non-M 6 speed e46 was the 330Ci ZHP.

Any thoughts?

[bmwill831]

correct me if im wrong but all 330 manuals 04 and up came with 6 speeds

[telijah]

See HERE

Changes for March 2003 Production (MY2003 mid-year changes)
Performance package introduced on the 330i sedan. It's only offered with a manual transmission and NOT offered with the premium package.
All E46s are now pre-wired for the BMW bluetooth kit
All 330 manual transmissions now 6-speed instead of 5-speed

[cemimms]

correct me if im wrong but all 330 manuals 04 and up came with 6 speeds

that would be the simplest explanation and could very well be the case, i only know about the pre-face lift e46 since i drive an 02.....

thanks

See HERE

thanks....i learned something new today

[deerpark]

As previously stated, all manual 330's for MY 04 were 6 speeds.

[TopasBlau46]

Yep, all 330s from MY2003 where 6 speeds. Throwing on an M wheel is not all that difficult either, but does it have the M emblem on the bottommost spoke or just a gap? If no M emblem, he have have ZSP (sport's package). Post up a pic.

[sockethead]

I looked at a 2003 330i last spring. It was a 5 sp manual

[Mstearnsy]

2003 1/2 models got 6 speeds
Production months Sept 2002-Feb 2003 were 5 speed
March 2003 and newer were all 6 speeds.

[Dunbar]

Look for red colored needles on the gauges, 6800rpm redline and cube trim on the interior.

[TopasBlau46]

I looked at a 2003 330i last spring. It was a 5 sp manual

MY2003's, not all 2003s, I don't know when that was, but probably those with a production date of 6/2003 or before were definitely 5 speeds.

[pphil09]

Yep, all 330s from MY2003 where 6 speeds. Throwing on an M wheel is not all that difficult either, but does it have the M emblem on the bottommost spoke or just a gap? If no M emblem, he have have ZSP (sport's package). Post up a pic.

not all, some

[croper87]

this question could have been answered by using wikipedia

[GR330ZHP]

March 2003 and up all 330s had 6 speed...his i am assuming has the sport package, to have the M-styled steering wheel...

The easiest way to tell if it is a ZHP is by the Shadowline, and diced interior trim...

[Al Bundy]

this question could have been answered by using wikipedia

Or using the Search function on the forum.

[TopasBlau46]

March 2003 and up all 330s had 6 speed...his i am assuming has the sport package, to have the M-styled steering wheel...

The easiest way to tell if it is a ZHP is by the Shadowline, and diced interior trim...

Yup, all 330s with a production date of 3/2003 and newer were 6 speed. And it doesn't need to have the M-wheel, as ZHPs had that, but the Sport wheel came with Sports package cars.

not all, some

No, all. BMW can't just give half the 330s produced after 3/2003 a 6SPD transmission ..

[LaughaC]

I just bought a 2004 330ci 6 speed convertible with a 3 spoke steering wheel and red gauge needles. How can I identify if it’s a ZHp?

[dworthy]

Punch the VIN in here: www.bmwvin.com

[Chamberlin]

I just bought a 2004 (7/03 build) 330Ci 6 speed coupe which was ordered as a Euro delivery car with sport seats and sport steering wheel, but no ZHP package, and no sport package (so no sport suspension, white needles and chrome trim: bleh). It does have the full width factory crescent rear spoiler, and Style 68 M wheels which I like. Car should be here in a week or so.

Any idea what tranny this car would have? I've seen references to it being a GS6-37BZ-THEG, GS6-37BZ-TBEZ, and I've seen Getrag 460G as well (maybe that's the box they used for the M3?). There's no way to tell from the VIN build sheet unfortunately.