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Thread: E36 m3 vs e46 330ci zhp

  1. #1
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    E36 m3 vs e46 330ci zhp

    Hey all, so I'm trying to find a new daily and my options are:
    - 1998 blue m3 sedan , extensive service history- same owner had it for the last 10 years and dealership looked after. 170k miles. Only catch is there is a small rust spot on the rear quarterpanel... Is this of concern ? $6000 asking. Enthusiast owned.
    - 1997 silver m3 coupe, serviced by the owner himself- he's completely replaced the cooling system and all bushings, according to him. 175k miles. Wants $7500
    - 2004 330ci zhp , 150k miles. Only records are a water pump and thermostat replacement.
    Wants $8400

    I'm leaning towards the blue m3, but only thing that bothers me is the rust spot, and silver
    isnt exactly my favourite color on a car. The zhp is nice and I'd like having a newer car , but just don't know as much about its service history. Which should I go for here ?

  2. #2
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    Life is like a car wash and I'm on a bicycle.

  3. #3
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    Get an estimate for the rear quarter fix on the 98 M3. Get a PPI done on it too. If the body work is not too much, Get that car for 5500-5700 negotiate. You will have a well serviced M3 for thousands less than an unknown serviced 330 with kind of high miles for an '04.

  4. #4
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    Drive each and decide. If it were me I'd do the 4 door M3. If it's nice, that's a good deal - but get the rust fixed. If it was extensively maintained I wouldn't worry as long as everything checks out. The M3 will feel like more car than the zhp, and in my opinion looks better. If you like to drive hard the E36 may be more fun. However, the e46 will feel significantly newer from the inside. Drive em and choose



  5. #5
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    I own both. If you don't plan on tracking the car on a regular basis. Id go with the zhp. All 3 cars are going to need maintenance. The zhp is a lot nicer every day. Much more comfortable and smooth. The e36 is more like a gokart in my opinion.

    Also look into the last time all three cars had the suspension redone. Bad shocks will make any car ride like a boat.

    You should get the e36s on a lift and check out the rust situation. Rust is like cancer for an e36.
    Last edited by Aguerra; 03-27-2014 at 09:50 AM.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by pottsalot View Post
    Zhp
    +1

  7. #7
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    The zhp seems like a nicer newer car , but the m3 seems funnier to drive.
    The m3s all have had their suspension redone with new shocks, bushings, etc...
    only thing that worries me about the zhp is how he is still asking 8400 and I have no idea what's been done so far aside from water pump and t stat. On the bright side PPI came back perfect for the zhp and has a bit less miles.

  8. #8
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    I'm not sure what is the question here?

    e36 vs e46. For about $1000.00 you can get a 6 years newer car with less mileage and no rust. Is this a good price to pay? In my eyes yes.
    Lack of maintenance records is not big deal, as long as you do the refresh yourself. About 1500.00 in parts. Plus the PPI was perfect.

    The listed e36 deals may need some attention as well due to age or even some refresh on the refreshed bits that might have seen better times.

    I think it is crystal clear here what you should do.
    1998 323is - m50 intake manifold / 328is exhaust / Shark Injector


  9. #9
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    I would be leaning towards the 6 year newer car also. 15-20 year old cars will only need more and more work. The E36M3 is still a great car, but it is more of a project. If you were looking for a second car as a toy and project car, the E36M3 would be my choice. For a daily driver that is also fun, I'd go with the six year newer E46 330i ZHP.

  10. #10
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  11. #11
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    I suppose it depends on your plans for the car, if its going to be remaining relatively stock I would opt for the zhp for sure... If you want a project/track car then it would be the e36.
    "There are bold drivers and there are old drivers, but there are no bold, old drivers."

  12. #12
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    Like others have said, you need to evaluate a lot of things personally before you choose.

    -what the car will be used for
    -prefer new or old
    -maintenance (and potential maintenance)

    Those are just a few things you need to answer for yourself. I was in an almost similar position before buying my ZHP but I figured a newer car would be better for me, and I've always loved the e46 styling. I didn't even know of the ZHP package until looking at 330s for a little while. When I found ZHP's, I knew I needed one. That, and low(er) mileage e36 M3's were going for what I thought was too much money for how old the car was and for what I was willing to spend on a car at 19 years old.


    2015 M235i 6MT

  13. #13
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    You really need to drive both and decide. You need to decide what you want in your car and what you want to get out of it. The differences in these two cars isn't in performance, but in philosophy and a showcase in how market values changed in 10 years between the designs. In my opinion there isn't much difference in 150k miles and 175k miles... they are both over the hill, reliability is dependent on regular maintenance from here on out. I've never driven a ZHP, but I have driven other e46's e90's etc. I bought a HIGH mileage e36 M cause it's exactly what I wanted. Also I think all prices are little high based on condition, lack of dealership maintenance and mileage respectively. As someone who diy's all things on his car I feel for the 'enthusiast' who diy their cars, but diy maintenance isn't any good for the next owner. Maintenance logs/ receipts or gtfo.

    I almost forgot, the zhp has a 6th gear but a higher final drive, AND the M3 has an *LSD*, that's enough for me.
    Last edited by sullypants1; 03-29-2014 at 07:23 PM. Reason: lsd

  14. #14
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    Since when is an e36 m3 a track dedicated car? I also own both (although my zhp is a convertivle) and can tell you that as a daily, the m3 is certainly the more fun of the two. Both are comfortable cars to daily but the zhp is far softer, if that's what you're into.

    I dailyed the zhp for the better part of a year and found myself wishing I had the M3 back.

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  15. #15
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    I have a 46 non m and a e36m. Daily driven both

    The 46 non m is cheaper to run and less money on fuel

    E36m is not as good to daily drive compared to e46 non m over very bumpy streets; it parks now for this reason
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    S54B32 E36 M3 DTA S100 Sedan Street car full swap:
    http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1437471

  16. #16
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    Zhp is a bit stiffer than the standard e46 sport package. Might make the gap between it and the e36m a bit smaller.

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  17. #17
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    ZHP, but get it inspected for sure.Any uninspected BMW has the potential to swallow you and and your wallet whole. The ZHP is newer, less miles, better looking (imo) and almost as fun to drive.

  18. #18
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    Zhp imo

  19. #19
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    OP, you shouldn't even hesitate: go with the ZHP. The American versions of the E36 M3 aren't even worth fooling with IMHO, particularly not in comparison to the improved rigidity and chassis dynamics of the E46 platform.

    1993 525i; 1997 750iL; 2003 540i M-Sport; 2006 550i w/ Sport Package (Garage Queen); 2007 335i w/ Sport Package (Garage Queen)

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gator325525 View Post
    OP, you shouldn't even hesitate: go with the ZHP. The American versions of the E36 M3 aren't even worth fooling with IMHO, particularly not in comparison to the improved rigidity and chassis dynamics of the E46 platform.
    ^ Haha.....yeah, what this clown said. The anemic US spec engine and wet noodle chassis isn't worth it.
    The ZHP is your best bet.

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sammyzuko View Post
    ^ Haha.....yeah, what this clown said. The anemic US spec engine and wet noodle chassis isn't worth it.
    The ZHP is your best bet.
    Is that you driving the pretty red girl's car in your signature? Nice!

    1993 525i; 1997 750iL; 2003 540i M-Sport; 2006 550i w/ Sport Package (Garage Queen); 2007 335i w/ Sport Package (Garage Queen)

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