<![CDATA[New Ride: e46 330i ZHP]]>I needed something as a longer distance / more civilized daily that would fit in the fleet between the well worn 318is (not for sale so stop asking 😁) and the first gen Tundra tow vehicle, sooo welcome to a 2004 330i ZHP, 6MT, 154k, slicktop, leather, and a few more tweaks. California car until late 2011, and little negative effect from being in WI since. I'm sorting through a few things like the zkw headlight curse and catching up on changes in technology since the e30 era.

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/topic/5398/new-ride-e46-330i-zhpRSS for NodeWed, 16 Sep 2026 06:34:39 GMTSun, 09 Sep 2018 13:23:11 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 02 Aug 2020 20:53:55 GMT]]>

Boris3 said:

wee bit bent

Nothing a little hammer couldn't fix.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/107030https://wibimmers.com/post/107030Sun, 02 Aug 2020 20:53:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 02 Aug 2020 02:27:05 GMT]]>Able to get back to wrenching on the ZHP this weekend. We found a little surprise at the alignment last fall. Drivers side lower trailing arm was a wee bit bent. New versus old in the picture.

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Replaced both sides. Access to the inner bolt on drivers side is certainly a pain. Joys of unbolting and shifting the diff to get to it. Passenger side is easy.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/107027https://wibimmers.com/post/107027Sun, 02 Aug 2020 02:27:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:28:48 GMT]]>I tend to call it the "when you don't have the proper size tool and really should buy said tool rather than cheaping out" wrench. Which might explain why I never knew how to spell it. But I did already have a Harbor Freight set of them because well they were really cheap with coupon.

Anyway, the crescent 😁 wrench worked. Finished the tie rods without drama. Installed new rods and boots so didn't have to deal with what I've read is the usual nightmare of trying to separate the old inner and outer rods to reuse the old boots.  Next up alignment.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102698https://wibimmers.com/post/102698Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:28:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:14:59 GMT]]>

Boris3 said:

Cresant works thanks

I prefer to call it the “thumb detecting nut-fu**er”

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102695https://wibimmers.com/post/102695Sun, 03 Nov 2019 18:14:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sat, 02 Nov 2019 18:06:48 GMT]]>Cresant works thanks

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102690https://wibimmers.com/post/102690Sat, 02 Nov 2019 18:06:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sat, 02 Nov 2019 16:24:10 GMT]]>

Boris3 said:

Oil leaks corollary: no matter how much you clean up remnants from the old leak and removing the ofh old oil will be caught up in the metal undertray and will drip on floor the day after car is off jack stands making you think new gasket is leaking...when it isn't.

On another note I'm replacing tie rods today. Does anyone actually source a 34mm crows foot to torque the inners, or do you just plumbers / big creasant wrench them tight? 

I use a Image result for crescent roll, but you can get a 34mm from a bike shop locally.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102684https://wibimmers.com/post/102684Sat, 02 Nov 2019 16:24:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:04:36 GMT]]>Oil leaks corollary: no matter how much you clean up remnants from the old leak and removing the ofh old oil will be caught up in the metal undertray and will drip on floor the day after car is off jack stands making you think new gasket is leaking...when it isn't.

On another note I'm replacing tie rods today. Does anyone actually source a 34mm crows foot to torque the inners, or do you just plumbers / big creasant wrench them tight?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102683https://wibimmers.com/post/102683Sat, 02 Nov 2019 12:04:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:22:35 GMT]]>appears to be some sort of healing/energy crystals. I’d keep em.

Anecdotal evidence makes me feel like BMWs are more prone to oil leaks than a lot of cars. At least they are usually worth repairing oil leaks on

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102664https://wibimmers.com/post/102664Fri, 01 Nov 2019 12:22:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 01 Nov 2019 11:33:46 GMT]]>Figured out my oil leak

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Replaced the passenger front window regulator and found leftovers from someone's earlier work in the bottom of the door

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]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102663https://wibimmers.com/post/102663Fri, 01 Nov 2019 11:33:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 11 Oct 2019 22:35:16 GMT]]>Thanks guys. Sways it is.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102286https://wibimmers.com/post/102286Fri, 11 Oct 2019 22:35:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 11 Oct 2019 22:18:40 GMT]]>H&R sports for an e46 ride like stock in my opinion. I had them on 2 of mine. Didn't help much, if at all with body roll. I'd just do the swaybars right away.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102285https://wibimmers.com/post/102285Fri, 11 Oct 2019 22:18:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:41:27 GMT]]>any reason to NOT do sways before springs will be based on things irrelevant to street driving. it will reduce body roll without adding stiffness. i say absolutely do that.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102282https://wibimmers.com/post/102282Fri, 11 Oct 2019 20:41:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 11 Oct 2019 17:17:27 GMT]]>This is for an e36 but they aren't much different.  I have Eibach springs on my coupe and find them very streetable but firmer and slightly lower than stock but not so much that I have trouble in winter.  For reference I am 30 years old, I know streetable means different things to different people ;).

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102280https://wibimmers.com/post/102280Fri, 11 Oct 2019 17:17:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:46:40 GMT]]>So I went with Koni sports and stock ZHP springs, Lemforder front control arms and CABs, sway bar end links, added the front shock tower plates, and rear tower reinforcements. The suspension looked to be original at 156k. Shocks were all shot and FCABs were absolutely trashed.

Tie rods are next up when I get some time... along with replacing a leaking OFH gasket, a leaking PS hose, and the crunching passenger front window regulator.

I'm happy with the ride height and the ride with one exception. Still wallows/body rolls on entrance/exit ramps more than I'd like which is not a surprise given the stock ZHP springs. Is there a streetable e46 spring step up? I have the H&R sports and Bilsteins on the 318is and it's a blast on curves but you jarringly feel EVERY expansion joint/road imperfection which I don't want for the 330i. 

I know that sways typically come after springs to fine tune, but to address body roll I've have been thinking of doing a slight step up for now from stock bars (23.5/18.5mm) with say an e46 m3 front sway and e46 vert rear bar (26.5/20). Anyone gone this route, or more does anyone have these bits lying around?   

Car will not be tracked so don't need a big step up in spring or bars.  I guess I could just drive slower but well you know...

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/102276https://wibimmers.com/post/102276Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:46:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Wed, 28 Aug 2019 03:50:47 GMT]]>Supposedly the off button is the position of the mirror select switch but it doesn't make a difference in my case. Thanks for the mirror motor / cable info.

I need to look back at the wiring diagrams. The car was missing one of the fuses for the Harmon Kardon button and DSC disable button. Wonder if the mirror dip runs off the same circuit and the PO pulled it to "solve" the problem.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/101369https://wibimmers.com/post/101369Wed, 28 Aug 2019 03:50:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:44:12 GMT]]>

straight6pwr said:

Dipping mirrors are definitely on the list of pointless technology because the problem it solves isnt really a problem. 

The mirror on my e91 dips when in reverse and I've found it can be helpful to keep your wheel off the curb when parallel parking. But I guess any other time it's pointless and even annoying. It would be nice to have the feature on a button or something. I'd be surprised if some coding couldn't turn it off.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/101348https://wibimmers.com/post/101348Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:44:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:33:40 GMT]]>the internet suggests replacing the mirror's motor and/or ribbon cable solves many of the incorrect positioning issues - shorting in the system or motor makes the behavior erratic. (versus it being a module thing). it also says you could try unplugging the ribbon cable to the mirrors behind the door card to permanently disable them.

standard e46 mirrors may be the same motor as the ZHP, or at least that's how it looks on real OEM, but i couldnt find 'ZHP'

Dipping mirrors are definitely on the list of pointless technology because the problem it solves isnt really a problem. 

1. Electric scissors

2. Dipping car side mirrors

3. Powered reclining furniture

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/101345https://wibimmers.com/post/101345Tue, 27 Aug 2019 14:33:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:10:06 GMT]]>I can probably deactivate this feature with coding. I will take a look tonight

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/101341https://wibimmers.com/post/101341Tue, 27 Aug 2019 13:10:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:53:55 GMT]]>Bumping my passenger-side mirror reverse question from earlier this summer.  The fix?

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/101339https://wibimmers.com/post/101339Tue, 27 Aug 2019 12:53:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 13:31:15 GMT]]>So I've got a side mirrors and reverse question. My passenger side mirror tilts down to the point of being useless when I shift into reverse. Doesn't matter where I have the mirror selector switch set, over to driver side or passenger side. Take the car out of reverse and shift into 1st and the passenger mirror makes noise and might slightly adjust about a 1/4" up but still pointed down.  I have to use the switch controls to get it back to the regular position I want for driving. A bit annoying so I'd like to figure this out or ideally just like to turn the "lower in reverse" option off. But as I said it happens in every position of the mirror adjustor switch so there is no "off" I've found. 

I'm probably missing something simple here. Insights welcomed!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/100281https://wibimmers.com/post/100281Mon, 24 Jun 2019 13:31:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:12:50 GMT]]>

Boris3 said:

Been a while since I'd done that trip. It's a haul from MKE! Pretty part of the state, especially views of the Mississippi.

Thats why yall haven't seen much of me. Ill make a trip down for an MKE soon.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/100278https://wibimmers.com/post/100278Mon, 24 Jun 2019 00:12:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:53:20 GMT]]>Been a while since I'd done that trip. It's a haul from MKE! Pretty part of the state, especially views of the Mississippi.

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/100277https://wibimmers.com/post/100277Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:53:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 23 Jun 2019 21:48:25 GMT]]>

Boris3 said:

New suspension installed on the car, Koni yellows with the stock sport springs, new Lemforder control arms, fcabs, sway bar end links, strut tower reinforcement plates, heavy duty rear shock mounts, rear shock tower reinforcement plates. Much better ride now. Everything I removed was original with 155k and bushings, shocks and struts we're all trashed.

Conti extreme sports need to replaced since they're worn and howl like 4x4 mudders.

Did a back and forth run from MKE to Hudson, Wi this weekend. 600 miles rt. Cruise in 6th gear at 70-75, roughly 34 mpg. I could get used to this.

Next up: tie rods, new tires, and passenger front window regulator is making bad crunching noises. Need new lenses for the AL headlights. PS line(s) has a weap and also the OFH.

You went through my neckofthewoods!

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/100276https://wibimmers.com/post/100276Sun, 23 Jun 2019 21:48:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to New Ride: e46 330i ZHP on Sun, 23 Jun 2019 20:32:53 GMT]]>30+ MPG! Nice!

the M3 does 18-19 city and 26 freeway which makes it the fuel miser of my household, oddly enough.

could be worse

could also be a lot better

]]>https://wibimmers.com/post/100275https://wibimmers.com/post/100275Sun, 23 Jun 2019 20:32:53 GMT