Stock E46 ZHP hangs with E90 M3's at the track

I've only ever ridden in an E46 330CI auto, and I thought it was a very slow car. I used to always wonder how in the wonder how in the hell Car and driver used to report mid 14's for the 330CI 5 spd back in the day, as justification for it beating the G35 coupe for instance. I also always doubted the ZHP could run mid 14's stock. Well today, I have to give this freaking car some respect! Looks like with an experienced driver, it has no trouble hanging with, and beating, E90 M's at the track!

if everything being equal except the cars, this shouldn't happen. I think the driver in the e90 sucked or was just stuck behind the other car

As can be said with most things involving man and machine, it's the driver, not the car (to an extent). Even more true on motorcycles where skill plays a greater role in how fast you can go.

Yeah, that M3 was either being held up or he wasn't really trying (shifting early, wrong gear, something). There's a 1.5+ second difference in the 1/4 mile alone and the suspension on the M3 kills the ZHP's. And we haven't even gotten to the brakes.

Also, that ZHP does not sound stock

Good zhp driver and e90 driver wasn't trying probably. 410 hp vs. 230 hp??

The elevational changes on that track look like a blast

The E9x's were coupled with some amatuer drivers though.

Remember what Xcelerator says too, this isn't racing because nobody is inches from each other.

Originally Posted by rsxstock

if everything being equal except the cars, this shouldn't happen. I think the driver in the e90 sucked or was just stuck behind the other car

Driver skills are pretty equal, in my opinion. All 3 guys are friends, and at the start of the run, they are lined up with the Silver M3 first, Black one next and then the ZHP. All 3 have footage of the run. If you look at the silver M3 from the start, he is driving the snot outta his car, and not making any mistakes as far as I can tell:



He gets passed up in the second video at 2:05 by the ZHP:



Here's footage from the black M3

Yeah theres no way that is a stock ZHP

Driver makes a huge difference. Last day I was out I passed a z06 and a 911, was barely able to overtake a zhp, and had a Honda cr-x on my ass half the time. Skill of drivers there ? Cr-x>330i>me (m coupe)> vette > 911. Obviously the cars had very little to do with that ordering.

cool vids

Originally Posted by torqueaholic

Driver skills are pretty equal, in my opinion. All 3 guys are friends, and at the start of the run, they are lined up with the Silver M3 first, Black one next and then the ZHP. All 3 have footage of the run. If you look at the silver M3 from the start, he is driving the snot outta his car, and not making any mistakes as far as I can tell:

but think about what you are saying: you are suggesting that a 228 hp car with 214 ft·lb being able to keep up with one that's around 420 hp and 300 ft·lb on an arguably equal or better chassis. If the drivers were equal, there is no way a stock zhp can keep up

If the ZHP had r-comps, suspension and some power mods against a stock e9x M3 I could see them "hanging" with the M's at best. The 2 M3 drivers let him pass too, he didn't "beat" either of them. Just my .02

Sent from my ADR6350 using Bimmer App

Originally Posted by I8UR911

If the ZHP had r-comps, suspension and some power mods against a stock e9x M3 I could see them "hanging" with the M's at best. The 2 M3 drivers let him pass too, he didn't "beat" either of them. Just my .02

Sent from my ADR6350 using Bimmer App

You can only "beat" a better car if you're a better driver and they're not. Math > opinion

for non M the ZHP manual is one badass car....

Originally Posted by Eliott's-BMW

for non M the ZHP manual is one badass car....

^^What he said! I'm just realizing this myself too.

Originally Posted by rsxstock

but think about what you are saying: you are suggesting that a 228 hp car with 214 ft·lb being able to keep up with one that's around 420 hp and 300 ft·lb on an arguably equal or better chassis. If the drivers were equal, there is no way a stock zhp can keep up

Power and torque aren't everything. The ZHP weights a LOT less than the M3, and the M3 doesn't make peak torque until after 5,000rpms. Add to this the fact that they are at a track that doesn't favor high horsepower cars, because of it's limited straight, then you can see how the ZHP can compete.

Weight alone makes such a huge difference at the track. Miatas, S2000s, and lotus's, own all at the track, including Z06's, GTR's, and R8's. I've seen this in person at the track, while watching the advanced group.

M3 driver used his brakes too much often. Hes a noob, and is not a skilled driver. Just an average driver trying to have some fun. Boring video btw.

Video is obviously fake.











The A-Pillar covering isn't rippled and coming off.

^^^ hahaha