[beemerlover13]

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So my lease is coming up soon and I've found a good deal on a one-owner 2003 E46 330i ZHP with 38k original miles in Imola Red! But I am also liking the 2019 G20 330i M Sport besides the rear end and non-manual.

Just curious what other's think I should do.

[insanecoder]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

So my lease is coming up soon and I've found a good deal on a one-owner 2003 E46 330i ZHP with 38k original miles in Imola Red! But I am also liking the 2019 G20 330i M Sport besides the rear end and non-manual.

Just curious what other's think I should do.

330i
more powerful (I doubt even the E46 ZHP at its old age will be holding 240 hp)
G20 driving dynamics
much better tranny unit
more up to date interior (and everything)
more bells and whistles
warranty

if yer an older guy get the G20

and if yer a young guy maybe E46 red
if you yearn for the days of hydraulic steering and linear power delivery and can take a rougher ride go E46

[MT4life]

Drive - ZHP
Ride - g20

[beemerlover13]

Well I had an '04 330i zhp and loved it, but it did start to have some issues and then someone hit me so I ended up trading it in for pennies and got an e90.. I'm gonna be 40 in a week, and kinda feel like the e46 might be be suited for someone a bit younger.. I'm thinking I might miss all the bells and whistles too in the g20.. anyone have an idea when we will be able to order the g20? Btw, thanks for the replies!

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by pheerIx

An E46 330i is worth the same as a car that hasn't even been produced yet?

They're asking 23k for it.. but has 38k original miles..I dunno if I wanna spend that kinda money on a 15 year old car..

[G80indy]

ZHP is 235 bhp
At 38k miles it's just broken in. HP should be all there. Ask about the ZHP specific torque dip at 4K RPM. Software-related, and to the more aggressive cams.
Ask about oil changes (often hopefully) and crankcase ventilation upgrade kit, if it's been done.
I love my Dinan ZSP

[jsublime]

Is this a real question, they're completely different cars. If I was gonna spend 20 grand on an older bmw it would be a e39 M5.

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by 330indy

ZHP is 235 bhp
At 38k miles it's just broken in. HP should be all there. Ask about oil changes (often hopefully) and crankcase ventilation upgrade kit, if it's been done.

Supposedly it was bought from a collector in NY. I saw the carfax and it had all services done and recalls.. I'm still a little leery buying sight unseen..

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by jsublime

Is this a real question, they're completely different cars. If I was gonna spend 20 grand on an older bmw it would be a e39 M5.

Yes they are but, the e46 was a great size car and was my 1st bmw, but being its 15 years old its lacking some of the bells and whistles.. just wondering if I will miss the bells and whistles...

[MT4life]

You will miss the bells and whistles since you've mentioned the bells and whistles a few times.

I personally would miss not having a manual transmission more than any bells and whistles combined. You can wire the car for XM radio or Bluetooth Audio or what else do you think you will miss?

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

So my lease is coming up soon and I've found a good deal on a one-owner 2003 E46 330i ZHP with 38k original miles in Imola Red! But I am also liking the 2019 G20 330i M Sport besides the rear end and non-manual.

Just curious what other's think I should do.

Every enthusiast should own a ZHP at least once in their life. Especially if you can get Imola Red, one owner with only 38k miles. I still miss mine. 2004 ZHP in Imola Red with Natural Brown leather.

The G20 will be around for many years and you can get an LCI model after the new car bugs are worked out.

The only problem with the ZHP you’re looking at is the price. That’s pretty steep. Need to do some serious negotiating.

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Every enthusiast should own a ZHP at least once in their life. Especially if you can get Imola Red, one owner with only 38k miles. I still miss mine. 2004 ZHP in Imola Red with Natural Brown leather.

The G20 will be around for many years and you can get an LCI model after the new car bugs are worked out.

The only problem with the ZHP you’re looking at is the price. That’s pretty steep. Need to do some serious negotiating.

I had an 04 alpine white with natural Brown leather but someone hit me and it started having issues so I got rid of it..deciding if I wanna go back to a 15 year old car though that will be my daily driver...

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

I had an 04 alpine white with natural Brown leather but someone hit me and it started having issues so I got rid of it..deciding if I wanna go back to a 15 year old car though that will be my daily driver...

I don't know... spending over $20k on a 15 year old BMW that isn't an M car sounds a little risky. Even with 38k miles its still an E46 with parts that are 15 years old, you can be lucky, or you can be unlucky, but you can't get a warranty, and reselling it, I don't think anyone will pay anything above $12k even with the ZHP package. I'm somewhat bias though, as I just put my E46 330i out to pasture (sold it) as its head gasket just went and coolant went all into my engine and a list of other problems too long to mention. Also, weren't you just last week considering a 4 series gran coupe, and before that a G20?

Edit: you're better off buying a cpo and using the extra cash to rehab a craigslist E46 3 series if you truly want an older 3er.

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

I don't know... spending over $20k on a 15 year old BMW that isn't an M car sounds a little risky. Even with 38k miles its still an E46 with parts that are 15 years old, you can be lucky, or you can be unlucky, but you can't get a warranty, and reselling it, I don't think anyone will pay anything above $12k even with the ZHP package. I'm somewhat bias though, as I just put my E46 330i out to pasture (sold it) as its head gasket just went and coolant went all into my engine and a list of other problems too long to mention. Also, weren't you just last week considering a 4 series gran coupe, and before that a G20?

Edit: you're better off buying a cpo and using the extra cash to rehab a craigslist E46 3 series if you truly want an older 3er.

Oh man, that sucks!! What did you get in replace of it? I'm still considering both the 3 and the 4gc.. I just happened to be bored and was just googling to see if any zhp's were still out there and came across this one..but the more I think about it ,like you mentioned the parts are 15 years old already and I could buy out my current lease for 29k so its def not worth it now. Back to the g20 and 4gc.. I do like the GC, but I'm also curious about the G20 also.. the 4 still has the same interior basically as my '16 3 series (not that it's terrible) the g20 might just offer a bit more and maybe a tad smaller.. I'm not gonna rush my decision, I'd like to test out the 4gc again and heat some more reviews on the g20.

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

Oh man, that sucks!! What did you get in replace of it? I'm still considering both the 3 and the 4gc.. I just happened to be bored and was just googling to see if any zhp's were still out there and came across this one..but the more I think about it ,like you mentioned the parts are 15 years old already and I could buy out my current lease for 29k so its def not worth it now. Back to the g20 and 4gc.. I do like the GC, but I'm also curious about the G20 also.. the 4 still has the same interior basically as my '16 3 series (not that it's terrible) the g20 might just offer a bit more and maybe a tad smaller.. I'm not gonna rush my decision, I'd like to test out the 4gc again and heat some more reviews on the g20.

It just so happened by coincidence that my father in law wanted to sell his 718 Boxster S,(he's a car collector and found himself driving the Boxster the least) so I bought it from him. The E46 was my only manual car left, and I really wanted another so I bought the Porsche from him, especially because of the way it drives. And since I've had the Porsche, i'm actually going to soon buy a Cayenne S or E-Hybrid (when they come out) to replace my 5 series when the lease is up.

Based on your current situation, I say lease the 4GC for 3 years, and by then any bugs should be sorted out with the G20 and there may be better lease deals. My wife has an E90 and she's waiting for the 2020 M340i so hopefully any glitches will be sorted out by then since the 330i arrives months earlier than the 40i.

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by joshuastein55

It just so happened by coincidence that my father in law wanted to sell his 718 Boxster S,(he's a car collector and found himself driving the Boxster the least) so I bought it from him. The E46 was my only manual car left, and I really wanted another so I bought the Porsche from him, especially because of the way it drives. And since I've had the Porsche, i'm actually going to soon buy a Cayenne S or E-Hybrid (when they come out) to replace my 5 series when the lease is up.

Based on your current situation, I say lease the 4GC for 3 years, and by then any bugs should be sorted out with the G20 and there may be better lease deals. My wife has an E90 and she's waiting for the 2020 M340i so hopefully any glitches will be sorted out by then since the 330i arrives months earlier than the 40i.

Nice deal you got with your father in law, he knows it went to good hands 😊. You have a good reccomendation.. I wonder what the leaves will be like for the G20's? I wanna go with the best lease deal.. it looks like the 2018 3 series has the best deals rt now in November.. ughh I hate having to make decisions lolol

[Gamb1t]

Stop romanticizing the e46. It's a great car in its time. ZHP is a neat trim but it's no M3. When parked anywhere, most folks will not able to tell from a plane jane e46 3er. There are tons of 325i modified to look like a ZHP these days. There really is nothing special about this in today's world.

If you want an honest to God classic inline 6 N/A 3-series, just look for an N52 e90 330i. Or better yet, swing for a pre-turbo M3 for that price.

[bimmer_335]

Originally Posted by beemerlover13

They're asking 23k for it.. but has 38k original miles..I dunno if I wanna spend that kinda money on a 15 year old car..

Pick it up and put it in the garage. It will pay for a new M3 one day.

now don't ask me when that day will come... but it will.

[akhter]

Typewriter or MacBook?

[Fuller]

Originally Posted by 330indy

ZHP is 235 bhp
At 38k miles it's just broken in. HP should be all there. Ask about the ZHP specific torque dip at 4K RPM. Software-related, and to the more aggressive cams.
Ask about oil changes (often hopefully) and crankcase ventilation upgrade kit, if it's been done.
I love my Dinan ZSP

I love the e46 design. It's clean and efficient looking, with nothing extraneous.

[goj]

Definitely G20

[beemerlover13]

Originally Posted by goj

Definitely G20

Yeah I'm definitely gonna do the g20 now.. I almost signed for an f30 msport this week though lol