You need this: The next best thing to a BMW E46 M3 sedan

Although BMW never officially offered the E46 M3 as a sedan, lovers of four doors could option the more pedestrian 3-Series with the ZHP Performance Package.

More specifically, this package added a number of upgrades that included the M Sport suspension and M Aerodynamic Package, plus an increased output of 235 horsepower.

This six-speed, 2004 BMW 330i is one such model that has been factory-equipped with the ZHP Performance Package and is billed as being an unmodified example fresh out of long-term ownership.

Comments

Duke MegaDork
8/8/23 12:51 p.m.

When I was shopping for a lightly used E46 in 2006, I started out looking for 330i ZHPs.

What I wound up with was a 325i ZSP, and enough leftover money to buy the Manic Miata outright.

For a while a few years after that, the price difference was quite narrow. I imagine that nowadays it's going to widen again.

David S. Wallens Editorial Director
8/8/23 12:55 p.m.

Yeah, I also looked at getting a ZHP as well. At the time, the M3 didn’t fetch that much of a price premium.

calteg SuperDork
8/8/23 1:46 p.m.

I swear the 6 speed in the ZHP cars felt much better than the 6 speed in the same era M3

Rodan UltraDork
8/8/23 1:50 p.m.

I do need it. I want the drivetrain for my E36 Touring...

I was actually thinking about bidding on this one (it's 'local') if the auction stayed under the radar... guess that's not going to happen.

glyn ellis New Reader
8/8/23 2:56 p.m.

I had a ZHP that I used as a track car. Loved the car, great handling.

strawman GRM+ Memberand New Reader
8/9/23 7:25 p.m.

I'm helping a buddy swap the drivetrain from a ZHP sedan with manual 6-speed into his E46 wagon sleeper. I've already swapped "regular" M54B30 engines into older BMW chassis, including our 1981 BMW 633csi (E24) Lemons car that we race on the West Coast. The other swap is into my 1986 BMW 524td (E28), which has been pushed onto the back burner by the current wagon project and earlier by the aforementioned E24 racecar. Parts are still pretty easy to find in Pick-n-Pull yards (even from X5s and the first-gen X3s, which are much more plentiful in these parts), but it is always best to just buy a running car so that you can frankenstein the donor/donee wiring harnesses.