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Thread: Bought my first BMW recently...

  1. #1
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    Bought my first BMW recently...

    ... a 2004 330xi with 109,000 miles on it. The car's from North Carolina, and there's not a spot of rust anywhere (I'm in Vermont where that's unheard of), and in very good to excellent condition. I've been driving a Buick LeSabre for the last four years... Well let me tell you, this is the first car that's ever made me laugh out loud and squeal with delight!

    Of course, I've done a few little things to it... complete service and fluids change, alignment, Michelin Premiers, K&N panel filter, UUC underdrive pulleys, and--just today--a Shark Injector reprogram. The filter seemed to make a slight difference (the old one was a bit dirty), the underdrive pulleys might have helped a wee bit, but the Shark Injector was quite noticeable in terms of throttle response and eagerness to GO at the low end (which surprised me).

    WHAT AN EXQUISITE DRIVER! There is not a bit of play in the steering, and--as you all know--I can go 20+ mph faster through any turn. Sure, it could use more power, but there's plenty there to get the job done and have a blast doing it (for me, at least). Now, I'm no racing champion and have a lot to learn, obviously, but I can tell you that I am absolutely ecstatic with my new toy and felt compelled to share my unbridled enthusiasm with fellow enthusiasts. BMW, where have you been all my life?!

    By the way, it cost me $8,000, and I've put about $2,000 into it as described above--BEST MONEY I EVER SPENT!
    Last edited by Reasoned1; 12-24-2015 at 10:24 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
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    2018 BMW M240i
    Congratz! Welcome to the addiction. Btw, dos you get maintenance records with car? The cooling system needed to be overhauled at 100k miles.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Columbus, OH USA
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    2003 BMW 330xi
    I know the feeling, Reasoned1. Got my 330xi 1 year ago and it still makes me smile every time I drive it!! Welcome!

  4. #4
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    It did NOT come with maintenance records, and it's obvious the water pump was replaced. There were a few little things wrong (leaking rear-view mirror, delaminating side-view mirror, and a leaking valve cover gasket which the dealer fixed, the differential fluid was dirty, and the interior is a bit worn), but everything works, it looks good, it's tight as hell, and super-clean (the carpets are spotless, and the engine bay looks like it's five years old instead of twelve). I dealt with the dealer before, but I admit that, after driving it, it was a bit of an impulse buy.

    Now, I'm dreaming of a 335 with twin turbos...
    Last edited by Reasoned1; 12-24-2015 at 10:29 PM.

  5. #5
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    540i6 S2M5 M2C 135 S52ti
    Congrats man that's a sweet car,.. Take care of it and it will take care of u....

  6. #6
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    So... I've had my my 330xi almost a year now... did a few more performance mods (fan delete, K&N CAI, and--best of all--new, lightweight wheels that shaved almost 5 lbs off each wheel and look great), and the car is a blast to drive (pretty darn quick, menacing sound, and rides on rails). After doing several cosmetic fixes (vinyl-wrapped pillars, replaced shifter knob, replaced broken/discolored mirrors, replaced drink holders with storage tray, and Weathertech floormats), it's also pretty sharp looking... as you can see below.

    New Wheels.jpg

    Well, since I enjoy this car so much and after a long search, I finally found and purchased this beauty--a 2004 330i ZHP with 47k on it...

    2004 330i ZHP.jpg

    Yeah, I guess you could say I'm hooked on the E46.

  7. #7
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    Hah! Great thread. After you own a Bmw most other cars are absolutely boring!

    Congrats on the zhp. I have owned a zhp for ~6 months and it has been very fun to drive. Make sure to update your software to the latest.

    Is your zhp auto or manually?
    Last edited by charter21p5; 10-07-2016 at 10:15 AM.

  8. #8
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    6 speed manual, of course.

    Can you give more details about updating the software? I was planning on Sharking it like my xi.

  9. #9
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    I wouldn't shark tune it yet. There supposedly is a tune via the ZHP package. You might not want to shark it... For example if you research Dinan and ZHP you will find there isn't much improvement for the cost of buying their mods as BMW already provided you very good optimizations via the ZHP package.

    You will also want the latest dealership code on your car. Either take it to the dealer or find someone or a way to update the software. Also there is a 4k dip issue with the DISA valve / knock sensors / DME / adaptation codes. You might notice at 4K your car loses power and then ~5k it is strong through the remaining power band. The dealership has to fix this issue and it is a adaptation code software fix.
    Last edited by charter21p5; 10-08-2016 at 12:29 PM.
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  10. #10
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    Thanks for the heads-up... This might be a stupid question, but I assume there's a charge to have the dealer reprogram with latest updates? So far, I have successfully avoided the stealership except for having my airbag recall taken care of (free, of course).

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Reasoned1 View Post
    Thanks for the heads-up... This might be a stupid question, but I assume there's a charge to have the dealer reprogram with latest updates? So far, I have successfully avoided the stealership except for having my airbag recall taken care of (free, of course).
    Have them knock out the 4k dip fix: SIB: 121705 while updating to the latest software. I assume they will probably charge you for 2 hours either way. Considering everything else in order these two updates really improve performance.
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  12. #12
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    I'll see how it drives this coming weekend when I drive it homefrom Maryland to Vermont--plenty of road to get acquainted. How would I know if suh an upgrade has already been done if it's not in the records? Would my Schwaben/Foxwell scan tool tell me (I'm researching it now)?

  13. #13
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    E83 LCI 3.0si
    Glad to see another person take advantage of how silky smooth shifting in a BMW is...it really rewards a seasoned manual transmission driver. It is punishing to those that are amateurs, however =)

  14. #14
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    2002 BMW 330i
    Congrats! I just picked up a 2002 330i on Tuesday. giggled like a little schoolgirl the whole ride home!
    Mine came with pretty high miles(180k) but shifts just as strong as a much newer one I recently drove.
    I bought the car with intentions of making it a daily driver/beater....but now im thinking track car / auto cross!

  15. #15
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    NICE... I would love to pick up an old, manual like that--I could certainly use the practice. By the time my current beater, a 2001 Buick LeSabre, finally bites it (God, I hate driving that thing), my automatic 330xi will be next in line for beater duty. That's probably not a bad thing, though, since I live in the Northeast, and the AWD is definitely handy.

  16. #16
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  17. #17
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    Well, I drove my new ZHP home today--9.5 hours of mostly interstate, but some back roads too. The car is PHENOMENAL... I LOVE IT!, but I sure need practice! I must tell you, I was surprised by the intensity of the satisfaction I felt looking upon TWO BMWs in my driveway. I highly recommend it!

    By the way, I was highly impressed by Avazi Auto Group. Ardy and Brett were extremely helpful and made sure I drove away a delighted customer (amazing showroom, too!).
    Last edited by Reasoned1; 10-17-2016 at 09:29 PM.

  18. #18
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    My ZHP doesn't have any noticeable stutter throughout the RPM range, so I went ahead and Sharked it. I cannot say it made any difference, but the car sure drives nice. Everything about it is like butter... not at all what I expected. The other surprise is how it pulls in 6th--it just wants to continue to GO! The handling, too, is amazing... my xi feels a tad squirrely in the turns (partly due to the AWD, I think), but this thing just STICKS! I'm sure the big-ass tires have a lot to do with that.

  19. #19
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    Put a front strut bar on it.
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  20. #20
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    Are you recommending the strut bar for the xi for the squirrely-ness? I've been very tempted but the benefit seems controversial, and I'm concerned the strut bar might adversely affect my alignment.

  21. #21
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    For your ZHP.
    _________

    1980 320i - Kashmir Metallic - Sold in 1993
    1985 535i - Cosmosblau Metallic - Sold in 1995
    1985 535i - 1985-06 - Delphin Metallic - Sold in 2016
    1983 320i - 1982-09 - Kashmir Metallic - Currently own!
    2004 ZHP - 2003-08 - Titanium Metallic - Currently own!
    2000 M5 - 2000-02 Titanium Silver - Currently own!

  22. #22
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    I'm more tempted on the xi, since it suffers some body roll but, good golly, my ZHP seems like perfection incarnate for my level of driving.

  23. #23
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    Well, I bought yet another 330 today--a 2005 BMW 330xi with 6MT and sport package--bringing my fleet to three E46s (this has to be the last one). I mainly bought it because, after getting my low miles, ZHP garage queen, I wanted one with a stick that I can hone my manual-driving skills on. It's got 122,000 miles on it, but it's in excellent condition inside and out and is soooooooo smoooooth. I'm elated to have an E46 I can drive through the winter--I've so missed it.

    2005 BMW 330xi Front.jpg2005 BMW 330xi Right Side.jpg2005 BMW 330xi Rear.jpg2005 BMW 330xi Left Side.jpg2005 BMW 330xi Interior.jpg
    Last edited by Reasoned1; 02-10-2017 at 08:13 PM.

  24. #24
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    Are you going to sell your 330xi auto now? 3 seems a bit excessive lol

  25. #25
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    Can't bring myself to part with it--too good of a car and, other than being automatic, I've got it right where I want it with several mods. I'll get the miles out of it eventually.

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