So my friend wants this car?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
So my friend wants this car?
Hey All,
So my friend has a Mazda RX8 with sway bars and Volk GTS wheels blah blah blah. It's a good looking car and very good with corners, the thing is, it is pretty slow. It has a four speed auto and has less than 200BHP.
He wants to get a BMW 330i with the ZHP (performance package). I don't think he will ever step foot into the MB community.
What do you guys think about this car compared to the C32? How is the handling going to compare? I haven't driven a 330i so I can't compare myself.
Obviously, the power is almost twice in my C32 so don't worry about that.
I read up on E46 fanatics and a lot of people actually like the C32. I expected it to be a bunch of fan boys routing for the M3.
Any other cars that I could mention to my friend that would handle well and are under 14k or so?
So my friend has a Mazda RX8 with sway bars and Volk GTS wheels blah blah blah. It's a good looking car and very good with corners, the thing is, it is pretty slow. It has a four speed auto and has less than 200BHP.
He wants to get a BMW 330i with the ZHP (performance package). I don't think he will ever step foot into the MB community.
What do you guys think about this car compared to the C32? How is the handling going to compare? I haven't driven a 330i so I can't compare myself.
Obviously, the power is almost twice in my C32 so don't worry about that.
I read up on E46 fanatics and a lot of people actually like the C32. I expected it to be a bunch of fan boys routing for the M3.
Any other cars that I could mention to my friend that would handle well and are under 14k or so?
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 110
Likes: 2
From: Daytona Beach, FL
2019 C43 AMG
I would recommend that car. I owned an E46, a 2004 330ci ZHP. Aside from my recently purchased C55 it was my favorite car and I have owned multiple BMWs including an 07 335i which aside from the power was terrible in comparison with the E46. How much mileage is on the car? Hope it is a 6-spd manual, makes the car much more enjoyable with the power. Also make sure to get the subframes checked if it has 50k+ miles (which my guess is it does) as this is the most common issue, along with some VANOS related issues. I took my ZHP up over 100k miles and never had a major issue with it!! He will enjoy it more than the RX-8 which is fun in the twisties for sure but no comparison to the ZHP.
Last edited by AlabasterC55; Feb 16, 2012 at 12:20 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,391
Likes: 2
From: VA
e36 318i, 2004 sti
The 330 has a lot of known problems. The automatic in it has LOTS of problems! Actually a GM tranny sealed box. They are nice cars when they work. The power of course like you said is nothing like the c32. My C350 outruns the 330i easily.
Regarding to E46 finatics, Everytime I log in over there trying to set up a Euro car meet, they start ranting about how AMG's are old man cars that just have big engines and cannot turn... One told me it would be very dangerous to let them near MB owners (quite interesting how fast that was said)... I can go really deep into this. Even got nurburg times out showing that the E46 M3 (coupe of course) did the same track time as the C55 amg (A 4 door sedan) to the hundreth of a second. Nothing against bmw owners but almost everyone I meet with a bmw is cocky and arrogant.
Regarding to E46 finatics, Everytime I log in over there trying to set up a Euro car meet, they start ranting about how AMG's are old man cars that just have big engines and cannot turn... One told me it would be very dangerous to let them near MB owners (quite interesting how fast that was said)... I can go really deep into this. Even got nurburg times out showing that the E46 M3 (coupe of course) did the same track time as the C55 amg (A 4 door sedan) to the hundreth of a second. Nothing against bmw owners but almost everyone I meet with a bmw is cocky and arrogant.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22,058
Likes: 18
From: Diamond Bar, CA
W206 PHEV AMG
e46 330 zhp is a nice car. handling of course is better than the w203 if you don't have a lot of suspension upgrades for the 203. steering is always better. for the size of the car it has enough power to play with. BUT speaking from experience with my 328ci the e46 do have a lot of nagging small issues. If the particular car doesn't have them it'll be a great car.
lol, i never had issue with e46fanatics crowd. lots of my friends were on there.
lol, i never had issue with e46fanatics crowd. lots of my friends were on there.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 883
Likes: 93
Multiple
Bimmers handle well, but almost all non-turbo ones are WAYY down on torque. Bottom line: unless I am looking for a track car, I will never own a small Bimmer again, they are hard work in every day life. Then again your friend is going from an RX8 which makes what 100 ft-ls? 
He will like the ZHP.
He will like the ZHP.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,759
Likes: 96
From: NH
2012 C63 BS & 2014 E63 Estate & 2008 CLK63 BS
My buddy has got a Volvo S60 R.. Its around the $14k price tag and has got 300 hp and 300 lb ft.. Awd, so it handles pretty well and also some what luxurious..
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 5
From: Chicago
2015.5 Volvo V60 Polestar
Find a nice E36 M3.
330i ZHP over all is a stout car, does have some specific problems though. Can't remember what though. Valve train? Still wouldn't keep me from buying one. Nice cars.
Also, dare I recommend an Audi TT?
330i ZHP over all is a stout car, does have some specific problems though. Can't remember what though. Valve train? Still wouldn't keep me from buying one. Nice cars.
Also, dare I recommend an Audi TT?
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,318
Likes: 171
From: Silicon Valley, CA
C63 AMG, P30
I would recommend that car. I owned an E46, a 2004 330ci ZHP. Aside from my recently purchased C55 it was my favorite car and I have owned multiple BMWs including an 07 335i which aside from the power was terrible in comparison with the E46. How much mileage is on the car? Hope it is a 6-spd manual, makes the car much more enjoyable with the power. Also make sure to get the subframes checked if it has 50k+ miles (which my guess is it does) as this is the most common issue, along with some VANOS related issues. I took my ZHP up over 100k miles and never had a major issue with it!! He will enjoy it more than the RX-8 which is fun in the twisties for sure but no comparison to the ZHP.
The 330 has a lot of known problems. The automatic in it has LOTS of problems! Actually a GM tranny sealed box. They are nice cars when they work. The power of course like you said is nothing like the c32. My C350 outruns the 330i easily.
He doesn't want an auto so he shouldn't have to worry about the GM box. He has an auto now and hates it. But yeah they do, they drink oil like no tomorrow, have vanos problems, and the subframe issue. Hopefully he won't get a lemon.
Regarding to E46 finatics, Everytime I log in over there trying to set up a Euro car meet, they start ranting about how AMG's are old man cars that just have big engines and cannot turn... One told me it would be very dangerous to let them near MB owners (quite interesting how fast that was said)... I can go really deep into this. Even got nurburg times out showing that the E46 M3 (coupe of course) did the same track time as the C55 amg (A 4 door sedan) to the hundreth of a second. Nothing against bmw owners but almost everyone I meet with a bmw is cocky and arrogant.
He doesn't want an auto so he shouldn't have to worry about the GM box. He has an auto now and hates it. But yeah they do, they drink oil like no tomorrow, have vanos problems, and the subframe issue. Hopefully he won't get a lemon.
Regarding to E46 finatics, Everytime I log in over there trying to set up a Euro car meet, they start ranting about how AMG's are old man cars that just have big engines and cannot turn... One told me it would be very dangerous to let them near MB owners (quite interesting how fast that was said)... I can go really deep into this. Even got nurburg times out showing that the E46 M3 (coupe of course) did the same track time as the C55 amg (A 4 door sedan) to the hundreth of a second. Nothing against bmw owners but almost everyone I meet with a bmw is cocky and arrogant.
e46 330 zhp is a nice car. handling of course is better than the w203 if you don't have a lot of suspension upgrades for the 203. steering is always better. for the size of the car it has enough power to play with. BUT speaking from experience with my 328ci the e46 do have a lot of nagging small issues. If the particular car doesn't have them it'll be a great car.
lol, i never had issue with e46fanatics crowd. lots of my friends were on there.
lol, i never had issue with e46fanatics crowd. lots of my friends were on there.
Bimmers handle well, but almost all non-turbo ones are WAYY down on torque. Bottom line: unless I am looking for a track car, I will never own a small Bimmer again, they are hard work in every day life. Then again your friend is going from an RX8 which makes what 100 ft-ls? He will like the ZHP.
He will like the ZHP.I don't blame him, I'd go for the ZHP any day over an E36. If I were to get a small car like that, it would be and S2k for sure.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 4
CLK63 Black Series
I like those, I'd say go for it as long as it's the stick shift. Unfortunately I don't have any insight as to how it stacks up against a C32. I'll probably pick up an e46 M3 or e39 M5 one of these days. I owned an S60 T5 and have driven the R as well, they are pretty nice and I wouldn't rule them out unless you just have to have the bimmer.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 5
From: Chicago
2015.5 Volvo V60 Polestar
Sadly, I would take a mint e36 m3 over a ZHP any day. Still has one of the best driver/machine connections out of any cars to date IMO.
What about a Mini Cooper S?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 21
From: Orange County
a land yacht.
Its not "just a volvo" it has brembo brakes and a few other cool additives, nice car for sure
