Best way to tell if an M3 is a ZCP?

[mlhj83]

Originally Posted by ///Montreal3

I'm sorry, that is not true at all. EDC is certainly part of the ZCP, but it has always been, and still is, a stand-alone option in Canada.

This. EDC has always been standard/option from the start, regardless of country. ZCP adds a variable damper program for the EDC Sport setting, which would otherwise be a fixed setting in "regular" EDC.

[///Machine]

Press the M button and you will hear "Winning!! 100 more hp!!". Just couldn't resist.

[cms22]

For 2011s that have had the wheels swapped, I think that the only way to tell is by doing a VIN check because, as noted, the EDC is not exclusive to ZCP cars. In my experience, the following site has proven pretty reliable in providing a complete list of options based on VIN:

http://www.rubmw.ru/vincode/eng/

Just plug in the last 7 of the VIN and look for option code S7MAA - if it shows up, it's a ZCP.

[mofbb]

Originally Posted by ///Montreal3

I'm sorry, that is not true at all. EDC is certainly part of the ZCP, but it has always been, and still is, a stand-alone option in Canada.

Just double checked that and realized i was wrong. Thanks for the correction.

[M3776]

Check the window stickers, diligent owners..the kind you would feel comfortable dealing with usually keep these along with service records. I know I do.

[HALOTHANE]

Originally Posted by mlhj83

This. EDC has always been standard/option from the start, regardless of country. ZCP adds a variable damper program for the EDC Sport setting, which would otherwise be a fixed setting in "regular" EDC.

Is the variable damping only on the EDC sport setting? Or is it also active on Normal and Comfort modes?

[bnombe]

Originally Posted by mlhj83

Err no, EDC button has always been next to the gear shift. There is no visual way of telling whether an LCI M3 has ZCP with 100% certainty. VIN check is the only reliable way.

Didn't know EDC was/is a stand-alone option, now I know. Thanks.

Agreed best way is to do VIN check. This is a site I've used when I was stalking my car from production to shipping to arriving; seems good:
http://bmwvin.com/

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Check the owner's ego.

My ZCP is better then yours..

[regensburg94]

Originally Posted by tibra1

My ZCP is better then yours..

Ha ha...mine's the original ZCP (and cost a full $4000, not $2500)...

[mlhj83]

Originally Posted by HALOTHANE

Is the variable damping only on the EDC sport setting? Or is it also active on Normal and Comfort modes?

Regular EDC has variable damping only in comfort and normal.

ZCP EDC has variable damping in all three modes.

[drchuck72]

Originally Posted by itf joegun

It's so obvious! Check the lap times during a track day! ZCP is significantly faster than the non-ZCP versions...

Top gear lap time for a ZCP M3 was actually slower than for non ZCP M3.

[NoM3ForMe]

Originally Posted by regensburg94

Check the owner's ego.

LMAO.

[dimabimmer]

if it doesn't look lower and wider than other M3, then it's not ZCP...
- ask me how I know
- I have ZCP!!!!

[GIdriver]

Originally Posted by mdosu

look for this:

LMFAO!!!

[mlhj83]

Originally Posted by drchuck72

Top gear lap time for a ZCP M3 was actually slower than for non ZCP M3.

You do know that the ZCP Top Gear lap was in the wet right? Pretty much every other credible magazine, including EVO, CAR and Autocar of the UK, have set quicker lap times in the ZCP and recommend the ZCP if one was buying new. Not trying to say that a standard M3 is by any means lacking in performance, but the ZCP - according to these respected journalists - is noticeably sharper and measurably quicker around a lap. Not trying to be defensive or offensive, I'm just trying to be objective. Personally, I made the choice for ZCP as I was going to track my car regularly and didn't want to go down the modification route. If my car was purely for road use or if I was going to mod it, then I may have not picked ZCP.