thanks for the quick responses last time guys. being new to the forum, i have lots of questions. Here is another. I have read many posts about how great the ZHP package is on the 330. I was wondering if you could have that package installed by the dealer "aftermarket." I'm interested in making my bimmer a ZHP. Thanks

You can actually do better by going to the aftermarket, more bang for buck, and personalize it, get what you want, get more aggressive gears, cams, intake, etc... Going thru the dealer for ZHP-esque mods will not only cost a lot, but does not guarantee warranty coverage, etc...

Too much money for the dealer to do it for you. You can get the Mtech kit and probably the wheels from Pacific bmw for a good price and get the rest of the stuff aftermarket, IE exhaust, cams, etc.

I was going to do it w/o the dealer's help but it will void the warranty. I thought of using dinan products, but they are really expensive. Will the dealer sell parts of the package. Meaning, can i just get the upgraded drive ratio and the software through the dealer or do i have to buy the whole package, including the seats, rims, body kits, etc?

Sure, but at that point, you're almost better off ponying up the coin for a used 03 ZHP, or a new 04...

Sure, but at that point, you're almost better off ponying up the coin for a used 03 ZHP, or a new 04...

Yup

Go aftermarket. If you want to upgrade the differential, go with a 3.23 or even a 3.46 since you have a 6-speed (I'm assuming). The zhp has a 3.07 which is only a fairly small jump from the regular 330's (2.93)

What kind of results could i expect if I put in the dinan differential, which is 3.15. I know its not a huge jump from stock, but it would maintain my warranty. Would this diff put me in the mid 5's to 60 or what?

What kind of results could i expect if I put in the dinan differential, which is 3.15. I know its not a huge jump from stock, but it would maintain my warranty. Would this diff put me in the mid 5's to 60 or what?

I think the dinan differential is just a 3.15 diff that can be found on other e46's.

But 3.15 will give you a little more torque. But if I were to get a differential, I would go at least 3.23.

It won't give you any more "torque" per se, but it will aid in accelration. Going from a 2.93 to a 3.15 should give you 1-3 tenths tops in the 1/4 mile times...