What's better 330ci ZHP or M3 Coupe

Hi new on this forum.

Joined because I am planning on taking the BMW plunge. I drove a E90 3 series convertible last fall in Europe, very smooth at 240km/h on the Autobahn Since then I have been in love.

I have narrowed my personal choice to a 330ci ZHP or an E46 series M3.

This would be my summer car and my local autocross machine.

Would like to get some feedback from the forum on which would be a better choice (if there is one) and why it would be better!

Feedback: Search. For the love of god. Search.

Originally Posted by choxor

Feedback: Search. For the love of god. Search.

Typical response, you owned a Honda once, didn't you?

LOL... seriously, I have searched, that's why the choice has been narrowed. Looking for a little more feedback.. Maybe from someone that has owned both those cars and can speak first hand.

No, you haven't. They are not the same car. Period. They don't have the same maintenance costs. They don't drive the same. The differences are WELL documented. The ZHP vs M3 discussion has been beaten to death. There was a thread about this in the LAST TWO WEEKS.

Um ok, well the M3 is up nearly 100hp, and has a more track friendly suspension. I wouldn't make the zhp anything more than a fun dd. So you decide, what are you going to be using it for?

Does your mother still breast feed you? Ask her which car is best.

M3.

You might as well be asking 330 or m3.

i find these "ZHP or M3" discussions to be funny as the ZHP is even remotely close to an M3. it's just a 330, guys. relax.

What's to discuss?
ZHP brakes and tires cost about the same as the M3 to replace if you're autocrossing, so why not go for the car with 100 more hp?

Originally Posted by E46Mango

M3.

You might as well be asking 330 or m3.

i find these "ZHP or M3" discussions to be funny as the ZHP is even remotely close to an M3. it's just a 330, guys. relax.

If you're questioning ZHP vs M3 you should just go with the 330 since its obvious that the M3 is pushing your budget. Your maintenance costs on the M3 will only keep adding on more change. Maintenance on the ZHP will allow you to live

Originally Posted by E46Mango

M3.

You might as well be asking 330 or m3.

i find these "ZHP or M3" discussions to be funny as the ZHP is even remotely close to an M3. it's just a 330, guys. relax.

Have you ever seen that video where the guy approaches the zhp owner and goes on and on about how his zhp is not special and no different than the guys 330? The 330 owner knows everything about the zhp and is practically obsessed with it?
That's you.

There's a big difference between a standard and sports package car and there's a big difference in the performance package as well.
Albeit they're just packages and neither are the same or even close performance wise to an m3

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

Have you ever seen that video where the guy approaches the zhp owner and goes on and on about how his zhp is not special and no different than the guys 330? The 330 owner knows everything about the zhp and is practically obsessed with it?
That's you.

There's a big difference between a standard and sports package car and there's a big difference in the performance package as well.
Albeit they're just packages and neither are the same or even close performance wise to an m3

We all know how 'not special' ZHPs are, but there really would have been a difference over the ZSP if they would have offered the ZHP with an LSD.

Originally Posted by peytonracer4

Have you ever seen that video where the guy approaches the zhp owner and goes on and on about how his zhp is not special and no different than the guys 330? The 330 owner knows everything about the zhp and is practically obsessed with it?
That's you.

There's a big difference between a standard and sports package car and there's a big difference in the performance package as well.
Albeit they're just packages and neither are the same or even close performance wise to an m3

Nope. That's anyone who knows these cars. Any E46 (ZHP no exception) will need a new suspension. Since most people upgrade anyway, you end up with the same car whether you start with a 330 with a blown suspension or a 330 zhp with a blown suspension.

The only thing different (function wise) is the diff and 10 hp. both easily remedied. my point is for anyone not to get worked up in searching for a zhp. if you find one, great. if you don't, get a 330. both need to be rebuilt anyways (if you like cars)

M3, duh! If you can afford it, do it.

Also, there's a hell of a lot more to the ZHP than 10 extra HP and a 3.07 diff...Getting all the parts you'd need to turn a 330i into ZHP will cost a stupid amount of money. A lot of it is aesthetics, a good chunk of it is function.

The ZHP community is really, really awesome as well. If you do go with a 330, get a ZHP and join our little community We also love ZHP enthusiasts.

Originally Posted by E46Mango

The only thing different (function wise) is the diff and 10 hp.

Don't forget the 18" wheels.

Originally Posted by LeMansteve

Don't forget the 18" wheels.

And the short shifter. And the shifter knob. And the alcantara interior option. And the cube trim.
There more than just the suspension
It was a WHOLE PACKAGE

335i

I'm liking the sedan version of the E46 more each day. The stock M3 front bumper is (imo, don't get offended)

Originally Posted by LeMansteve

Don't forget the 18" wheels.

inb4 "BUT THE 18" WHEELS ARE HEAVIER AND THEY DECREASE PERFORMANCE AND YOU CAN BUY LIGHTER WHEELS THAT ARE BETTER THAN ZHP"

Lots of parts are better than ZHP parts. But they're not made by BMW, and that's why it matters. Look at how much heavily modded cars sell for vs. cars upgraded with OE performance parts.

Also: any shop I've brought my car to, the shop owner refers to my car as a ZHP. I don't even tell them, I just give them my VIN. I think that says it's special in its own way.

I like to think my car is special

M3 hands down.

Only reason you would get a 330/ZHP over an M3 is if you really needed 4 doors. Even then I'd probably look at an e90 335i if your budget would allow it.

And I have to agree with Mango, don't turn down a well maintained 330 just because it's not a ZHP. Since you're in Canada you can probably find an M-Sport 330 which has all the cosmetics and suspension of the ZHP, just not the cams and diff.

People ask these types of questions?

RX8 is better. Don't buy e46