I need some good advice on an m3/zhp!??

Originally Posted by 325iZap

Oh alright,I see. Does it seem to make a good difference?

It does if you drive it hard. The car feels less roley-poley, and generally lighter on its feet, especially during transitions such as in an S curve.

The no fold down seats increase torsional rigidity dramatically. IIRC it jumps from 13,000nm to 17,000nm or something like that.

Yes could get a Technique Tuning Turbo kit, or AA or ESS SC, but if big power is your goal you might actually want to look into the M3. I personally will get a turbo for a ZHP eventually because the M3 isn't for me, I have decided.

Tracking costs a lot in itself (tires, brakes, fees, suspension) and the zhp is plenty up to teaching you how to be a better driver. I'd actually buy under your maximum budget if I were you- as I wish I had done.

The E46 M3 is much more of a commitment. From gas mileage to maintenance costs. But it is substantially faster.

OP and most posters are looking at this wrong. If you want to have fun at the track, mod the driver, don't switch cars. Buying a faster, more capable car just means you have a steeper learning curve. And yes, your current 330 is perfectly fine assuming all the maintenance is good, bushings aren't worn, brakes are not worn out, etc. Common sense thing. Buying a slicktop, ZHP, or M3....the ends don't justify the means.

~$50K a year is hardly big money, esp in Cali. If you really want to do it right and have the money to sustain it, buy a cheaper and easier-to-fix second car to track. Y'know, like an e30.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

OP and most posters are looking at this wrong. If you want to have fun at the track, mod the driver, don't switch cars. Buying a faster, more capable car just means you have a steeper learning curve. And yes, your current 330 is perfectly fine assuming all the maintenance is good, bushings aren't worn, brakes are not worn out, etc. Common sense thing. Buying a slicktop, ZHP, or M3....the ends don't justify the means.

~$50K a year is hardly big money, esp in Cali. If you really want to do it right and have the money to sustain it, buy a cheaper and easier-to-fix second car to track. Y'know, like an e30.

Having a separate track car is not cheap. And

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Tracking costs a lot in itself (tires, brakes, fees, suspension) and the zhp is plenty up to teaching you how to be a better driver. I'd actually buy under your maximum budget if I were you- as I wish I had done.

The E46 M3 is much more of a commitment. From gas mileage to maintenance costs. But it is substantially faster.

He has a 325 right now, nothing wrong with wanting to upgrade to a 330.

Tracking your DD isn't cheap, either, especially when something breaks. The difference in 325/330 doesn't justify buying a new unknown used car, and isn't going to be much faster on the track...especially in the hands of someone inexperienced.

[QUOTE=325iZap;14953646]

Originally Posted by zhp43867

Sorry if its a noob question but why no sunroof?

no sunroof is for less top heavy weight. it lowers the center of gravity. but pretty sure it's not for rigidity

you can find well maintained high mileage M3's around, about 20 miles away from me there was a guy selling a 2002 M3 coupe with 175k miles on ita few months back.. he was the original owner, had a book of maintenance and he babied it, it was a very nice M3 and he was asking 9 grand, cheap and well maintained, why is that so unreasonable? i would have bought it myself hadn't he sold it in 24 hours.

heres an example of a nice M3 it is a vert but still.. 79k miles
http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/3456522661.html