Poor Family Man’s M3: 2004 BMW 330i ZHP
BMW’s E46 generation 3 series was sold from 1999 to 2005 and if you wanted the hot M3 version it was only available in 2 door trim. Folks with little kids or the desire for a sedan had to settle for a regular 3-series, at least until the ZHP came out in 2004. The ZHP added a 6 speed manual trans, engine tuning, suspension work and some M-sport badges to the 3 series sedan at a price considerably less than the M3. Today’s example is ragged, but it is cheap. Find this 2004 BMW 330i ZHP offered for $6,900 in Burbank, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
2004 BMW 330i
VIN: WBAEV53484KM07283
condition: excellent
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 164860
paint color: black
title status: clean
transmission: manual
2004 BMW 330i ZHP black with tan leather interior 6 speed
Runs and drives great
Everything works
Pass smog
$6900 OBO
See a better way to drive a fam3? tips@dailyturismo.com
That’s too bad.
DT, can you explain the “Today’s example is ragged” statement? I dont know much about BMWs. the pictures seem fine. no glaring damage to body or upholstery. no rodent gnawings visible in the carpet.i’ve seen far worse looking cars. Is an included face mask draped from the signal stalk. guess that could qualify as being rag – ged…
The peeling clearcoat on roof/pillars, nasty steering wheel, stress showing on the seats that could explode into stuffing any day, faded plastic, plus M3 badge makes it “ragged” for a car that is only 18 years old, in my opinion. It isn’t ragged like a 1972 Beetle that has been left in a field, but I’ve seen way nicer ZHPs for sale recently, but they demand a higher price.
now i see the point. had not noticed the pillar clearcoat issue. upholstery not showing visible holes, i also missed the fabric distress.
Too bad that someone in the ownership chain felt insecure enough to stick a M3 emblem on the trunk lid. Bimmer aficionados will recognize the ZHP-only wheels and acknowledge the car for what it is, which is plenty good enough.
These are cool, but one correction—-ZHP came out in 2003 for the sedans. 2004 for coupes and verts. Only remember because I was working for a dealer in 2002 and I sold a ton of ZHP sedans.