Should I give up my E90 328xi for a ZHP 330i?

tigerm · 12-21-2013, 04:35 PM

Alright guys here's the dilemma;

Back in May I bought a 07 328xi sport + prem pkg. Now at 63k miles, got it for $17.6k.

Now I may be able to buy a 05 330i ZHP with 82k miles for $11k. Haven't checked it out yet but guy seems legit, 2nd owner, has a clear coating on the front bumper (seems he cared for it), super clean inside and out.

I haven't had any probs with my E90 so far thank God. I'd be risking running into probs with the ZHP, never know. E90 needs tires coming up, E46 has brand new tires. Love my E90, but also always wanted a E46 coupe and ZHP tops it off. I plan on keeping the car for at least 2-3 years

dubsesd · 12-21-2013, 04:38 PM

you will be going from awd to rear wheel drive....so winter diving will suck in comparison. and with 82k miles it may need unexpected work in the near future

tigerm · 12-21-2013, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dubsesd

you will be going from awd to rear wheel drive....so winter diving will suck in comparison. and with 82k miles it may need unexpected work in the near future

Yeah that too.. but honestly after driving a 535i (indeed a huge difference) bunch of times I'd prefer rwd just for the fun

E92 M Sport · 12-21-2013, 08:56 PM

E46 coupes are beautiful cars fwiw.

bimmerjph · 12-21-2013, 10:58 PM

Honestly, I'd go E46. Even if money weren't a concern. The E46 is going to be better in just about every regard (except probably straight-line performance and arguably interior material quality).

The E46 is a pretty solid car as far as reliability concerns go. I'd give it a slight reliability nod over the E90 despite its age it is probably a more reliable car. The only real concern for these cars is the cooling system which have been known (although not too common) to fail in early 100k mileage range (more information can be found with a simple search). Adding to that, in my opinion the E46 online community is in my opinion the largest model specific community there is. So finding DIY's if something does indeed go wrong will be quite easy.

Here is more information on the E46:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_E46

Savory · 12-21-2013, 11:12 PM

If you are back tracking to an E46 Coupe, I'd look for a clean M3. They can be had for 15-20k in the early models. They are immensely fast and fun! The ZHP is a very good car, but for me, M3s are the staple of the E46 generation (every generation, to be honest)

tigerm · 12-23-2013, 12:36 AM

Thanks guys

I guess I shall go for the E46 then

I see cooling system does seem to be somewhat common, among with a couple other issues but overall doesn't seem to be too bad. YouTube is filled with DIYs so that should be very helpful

I would love to have an M3, actually found one for under 15k (high mileage) but I'd feel more comfortable with a regular E46 due to reliability and gas haha

benniesebastian · 12-23-2013, 10:06 PM

Your forum is absolutely fantastic as the are lots of great information. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here.

Hokie_BMW · 12-28-2013, 01:47 AM

I came from a 2003 330i ZHP sedan to my 335. Honestly, I miss the ZHP a lot. It's so much more of a driver's car than the e92 you can't even compare the two. You're going to love the ZHP! I sold mine with 160k on the clock and it ran just as good as new. Be sure to post pics when you get it.

Also, ZHPMafia is the best forum I have ever been a part of. Great group of guys and super helpful.

My old car:

cwruck · 01-13-2014, 04:44 PM

I say go for it! Those zhps look great, I myself drive just a regular 330i but it has been modded engine/suspension wise and it is a blast to drive. Handles better than the audi s4 and just has a better feel overall. You actually feel like your driving.
I haven't had any major issues at all with mine, it's actually been next to nothing to maintain.
I haven't drove the new e90 328s but I have drove e36 and e46 and there's just no comparison.
I can understand knowing you know everything going on with your car and stepping into a different used car can be scary, but I also feel like if the other guy purchased a zhp model he knew what he was getting into and most likely took care of the vehicle. He is probably an enthusiast about his bmw, compared to maybe just the average typical person who buys a 325i just to say they have a bmw and don't really know much about them

Good luck to you either way!

12-21-2013, 04:35 PM	#1
tigerm Enlisted Member 8 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2x ZHP, 3x E90, F10, F36 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Should I give up my E90 328xi for a ZHP 330i? Alright guys here's the dilemma; Back in May I bought a 07 328xi sport + prem pkg. Now at 63k miles, got it for $17.6k. Now I may be able to buy a 05 330i ZHP with 82k miles for $11k. Haven't checked it out yet but guy seems legit, 2nd owner, has a clear coating on the front bumper (seems he cared for it), super clean inside and out. I haven't had any probs with my E90 so far thank God. I'd be risking running into probs with the ZHP, never know. E90 needs tires coming up, E46 has brand new tires. Love my E90, but also always wanted a E46 coupe and ZHP tops it off. I plan on keeping the car for at least 2-3 years Last edited by tigerm; 03-23-2024 at 04:30 PM..
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12-21-2013, 04:38 PM	#2
dubsesd #dubspec 6970 Rep 5,283 Posts Drives: G05 X5/ 2016 F80 M3 INDVL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (2)	you will be going from awd to rear wheel drive....so winter diving will suck in comparison. and with 82k miles it may need unexpected work in the near future __________________ LCI ///F80 M3 Individual Atlantis Metallic / Black Full / Carbon Cermics / 6MT MPE / M Performance & Carbon package / KW v3 / 20" HRE R101LW / 20" HRE 527s / Michelin PSS / 20% tint / 3d Design / Streckenn splitters / OEM GTS hood / EAS Carbon seatbacks / Carbon RKP sideskirt / Bootmod3 / M Performance Tri color alcantara / AWE S Flow instagram: @ dubsesd
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12-21-2013, 08:56 PM	#4
E92 M Sport Lieutenant 285 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	E46 coupes are beautiful cars fwiw. __________________ 2016 M4 MW/SS 6mt
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12-21-2013, 10:58 PM	#5
bimmerjph Colonel 123 Rep 2,024 Posts Drives: 2005 Z4 3.0 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tennessee iTrader: (0)	Honestly, I'd go E46. Even if money weren't a concern. The E46 is going to be better in just about every regard (except probably straight-line performance and arguably interior material quality). The E46 is a pretty solid car as far as reliability concerns go. I'd give it a slight reliability nod over the E90 despite its age it is probably a more reliable car. The only real concern for these cars is the cooling system which have been known (although not too common) to fail in early 100k mileage range (more information can be found with a simple search). Adding to that, in my opinion the E46 online community is in my opinion the largest model specific community there is. So finding DIY's if something does indeed go wrong will be quite easy. Here is more information on the E46: http://www.bimmerfest.com/wiki/index.php?title=BMW_E46 Last edited by bimmerjph; 12-21-2013 at 11:04 PM..
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12-21-2013, 11:12 PM	#6
Savory Kaskasero 55 Rep 345 Posts Drives: You Insane Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Azusa, Ca iTrader: (0)	If you are back tracking to an E46 Coupe, I'd look for a clean M3. They can be had for 15-20k in the early models. They are immensely fast and fun! The ZHP is a very good car, but for me, M3s are the staple of the E46 generation (every generation, to be honest) __________________ Rides: BSM E53 X5 3.0i \| Mods: 4.8is Style 168 wheels 1996 MB C280 Sport 2001 E39 M5
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12-23-2013, 12:36 AM	#7
tigerm Enlisted Member 8 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 2x ZHP, 3x E90, F10, F36 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	Thanks guys I guess I shall go for the E46 then I see cooling system does seem to be somewhat common, among with a couple other issues but overall doesn't seem to be too bad. YouTube is filled with DIYs so that should be very helpful I would love to have an M3, actually found one for under 15k (high mileage) but I'd feel more comfortable with a regular E46 due to reliability and gas haha Last edited by tigerm; 12-23-2013 at 07:54 AM..
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12-23-2013, 10:06 PM	#8
benniesebastian Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: PK iTrader: (0)	Your forum is absolutely fantastic as the are lots of great information. I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. __________________ home remedies for heartburn Last edited by benniesebastian; 03-12-2016 at 12:51 AM..
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12-28-2013, 01:47 AM	#9
Hokie_BMW Captain 60 Rep 661 Posts Drives: 2009 335i Sedan Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	I came from a 2003 330i ZHP sedan to my 335. Honestly, I miss the ZHP a lot. It's so much more of a driver's car than the e92 you can't even compare the two. You're going to love the ZHP! I sold mine with 160k on the clock and it ran just as good as new. Be sure to post pics when you get it. Also, ZHPMafia is the best forum I have ever been a part of. Great group of guys and super helpful. My old car:
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01-13-2014, 04:44 PM	#10
cwruck Registered 1 Rep 4 Posts Drives: E46 330i and b7 s4 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	I say go for it! Those zhps look great, I myself drive just a regular 330i but it has been modded engine/suspension wise and it is a blast to drive. Handles better than the audi s4 and just has a better feel overall. You actually feel like your driving. I haven't had any major issues at all with mine, it's actually been next to nothing to maintain. I haven't drove the new e90 328s but I have drove e36 and e46 and there's just no comparison. I can understand knowing you know everything going on with your car and stepping into a different used car can be scary, but I also feel like if the other guy purchased a zhp model he knew what he was getting into and most likely took care of the vehicle. He is probably an enthusiast about his bmw, compared to maybe just the average typical person who buys a 325i just to say they have a bmw and don't really know much about them Good luck to you either way!
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