ZCP? Buy it or build it?

[BPMSport]

Originally Posted by Longwong

Honestly if your looking at keeping the car the EDC is a huge pain if you need to repair it down the line out of warranty. That was the decision for not getting EDC. Personally I loved the 220 19's and did not want the zcp wheels so it was a no brainer for me but if you want to keep the car and want to keep it maintence and repair friendlier, there is no need for the edc. I have driven cars with the edc and once you get over the novelty of switching different modes, 99 percent of the time driving in the "normal" setting is perfect for street and track as the stiffest setting is too stiff on the road and even on the track with any bumps, the normal is much more complaint than stiff. My .02

There's nothing crazy about the EDC system that it would make it prone to failure out of warranty. Hell, they have proved to be pretty reliable systems.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

You may want to think about keeping the zhp as well.

Interesting viewpoint... Why do you say so? And trust me, I'd love to keep it!

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Interesting viewpoint... Why do you say so? And trust me, I'd love to keep it!

because i had one as well a 2004 that i traded for my 08 m3 and wish i hadnt. got raped in the trade and the zhp is a great car. should have kept both.

[JupiterBMW]

Thanks for the continued replies. I am in love with the M359 wheels, so I wouldn't be changing those, and I wouldn't change suspension either. I do like the fact that it's got a slight drop over the non ZCP car, even more reason for me to keep OEM suspension.

Sounds like ZCP is right for me.

[JupiterBMW]

Ahh ok. Yeah I'd love to keep both but finances wouldn't allow. My ZHP is a 6spd, so my wife can't drive it. I'm also still torn on a transmission choice for the M3.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Ahh ok. Yeah I'd love to keep both but finances wouldn't allow y ZHP is a 6spd, so my wife can't drive it. I'm also still torn on a transmission choice for the M3.

stick with the 6mt so the wife cant drive it. one less headache so you dont have to deal with curb rash and stuff.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

stick with the 6mt so the wife cant drive it. one less headache so you dont have to deal with curb rash and stuff.

Yeah surprisingly she's really good about that stuff. I'd have no problem letting her drive it, she's had her X3 M-sport for a year and a half now and no rash.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Yeah surprisingly she's really good about that stuff. I'd have no problem letting her drive it, she's had her X3 M-sport for a year and a half now and no rash.

good to hear then its your call. i prefer the 6mt, never considered the dct until i thought damn it would be so much easier at the track. but who wants easy!

[slicer]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Thanks for the continued replies. I am in love with the M359 wheels, so I wouldn't be changing those, and I wouldn't change suspension either. I do like the fact that it's got a slight drop over the non ZCP car, even more reason for me to keep OEM suspension.

Sounds like ZCP is right for me.

If you believe this to be true then the ZCP package is right for you. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we wont modify a car once we get it... then a few months later the mods begin. The fact that you are posting on here and already mentioned some possible mods leads me to believe you will be modifying the car in the future.

I ordered my car and chose not to get ZCP because I knew that I would be getting coilovers and new wheels. Having EDC actually makes coilovers more costly to install because you need code delete modules (or live with an EDC malfunction message) plus you are left with an unused EDC button. ZCP wheels are always for sale in the wheel and tire section so snagging a used set at a reasonable price is easy. On top of that you can buy the wheels new from one of the sponsoring venders for around $2200. The ZCP wheels are sharp and the 10mm lower ride height is a plus. For me I wanted a much lower ride height and I change wheels like socks.

I think getting a clean car, good history, with the other options you want is more important. Creating a car better than ZCP with coilovers and wheels is easy to do. The premium package, navigation, etc, are much harder to replicate.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by slicer

If you believe this to be true then the ZCP package is right for you. Sometimes we convince ourselves that we wont modify a car once we get it... then a few months later the mods begin. The fact that you are posting on here and already mentioned some possible mods leads me to believe you will be modifying the car in the future.

I ordered my car and chose not to get ZCP because I knew that I would be getting coilovers and new wheels. Having EDC actually makes coilovers more costly to install because you need code delete modules (or live with an EDC malfunction message) plus you are left with an unused EDC button. ZCP wheels are always for sale in the wheel and tire section so snagging a used set at a reasonable price is easy. On top of that you can buy the wheels new from one of the sponsoring venders for around $2200. The ZCP wheels are sharp and the 10mm lower ride height is a plus. For me I wanted a much lower ride height and I change wheels like socks.

I think getting a clean car, good history, with the other options you want is more important. Creating a car better than ZCP with coilovers and wheels is easy to do. The premium package, navigation, etc, are much harder to replicate.

I would say most people do not mod there car pass a certain point. Most buying a newer M3 are not changing out suspension parts. Plus there is something to say about OEM setup over aftermarket. For people also caring for warrnety, getting best package possible is the way to go.

Personally i would never dream of changing out any suspension parts in my M3. i daily drive my car, and it goes though hard miles with terrible roads in my state. I need to be able to pull into dealerships for repairs if need be. half the time i am not even close to home either. I know a after market setup is going to be better for performance, just sharing benefit of OEM parts with warrnety.

also i feel the ZCP rims are better looking than most aftermarket rims. my point is that most people are not going down the route you went down. plus your setup without a doubt costed much more that ZCP package. again for what you get ZCP is a deal.

[slicer]

Originally Posted by Ezio

I would say most people do not mod there car pass a certain point. Most buying a newer M3 are not changing out suspension parts. Plus there is something to say about OEM setup over aftermarket. For people also caring for warrnety, getting best package possible is the way to go.

I agree and I feel like that is what I said above. Based on the OP's posts he already mentioned coilovers and other modifications so I wanted to make the point that he needs to be honest with himself on what he will actually end up doing. I have convinced myself in the past that once I get "X" car I would have no need to modify because it's already perfect. Then I got "X" car, got bored and modified it....

Originally Posted by Ezio

Personally i would never dream of changing out any suspension parts in my M3. i daily drive my car, and it goes though hard miles with terrible roads in my state. I need to be able to pull into dealerships for repairs if need be. half the time i am not even close to home either. I know a after market setup is going to be better for performance, just sharing benefit of OEM parts with warrnety.

Again I agree that a warranty is nice to have. I however have found that certain modifications present little if any risk to warranty issues. Examples include cosmetic mods, wheels/tires, suspension, and exhaust. Suspension modifications do not have a high failure rate. I had an M3 in MN that I drove year-round with lowering springs without any issues. I would not however recommend that someone install coilovers driving their car in a salty / snowy environment. The threads on the coilovers will corrode the first winter and you will be left with a non-adjustable suspension. The OP is in FL which is far different from your location in MI.

Originally Posted by Ezio

also i feel the ZCP rims are better looking than most aftermarket rims. my point is that most people are not going down the route you went down. plus your setup without a doubt costed much more that ZCP package. again for what you get ZCP is a deal.

I agree. The ZCP wheels are by far my favorite OEM M3 wheel. In the used market the price difference to buy a ZCP should be negligible (although the OP is saying that there is a premium for ZCP). Assuming that it is in fact negligible price-wise and all else being equal (condition, service history, other options, etc), I would definitely choose ZCP car. It would however not be a deal breaker for me because the ZCP package can be replicated.

[JupiterBMW]

Great info guys, thanks. I'd have to reread my other posts, but I don't think I mentioned getting coils on my future M3. I'm not a huge suspension guy. In general, mods for me are typically wheels, exhaust, and a few cosmetic things. If I got a ZCP, wheels and suspension would definitely stay stock. I drive very few miles and the roads where I live in FL are all flat and in great shape. Not to mention it's summer time all the time.

So, if I can find the right ZCP, I'd go for that, but if I had to go without, I would be happy with just the wheels.

Now the next question is DCT or 6MT. I drove a 6MT m3, and I've driven a DCT 135i M-sport, I really need to drive a DCT M3 to compare.

[Black Gold]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Now the next question is DCT or 6MT. I drove a 6MT m3, and I've driven a DCT 135i M-sport, I really need to drive a DCT M3 to compare.

that will open a massive clusterfrick here on the forums

but I will say this, I have owned a 6mt and driven both.

the DCT imo is a much better fit for the car with the tighter more aggressive gearing and ease in keeping the car at higher RPMs.

it feels noticeably quicker and stronger than the 6mt car imo, specifically at lower RPMs and in the midrange.

the DCT in the m3 is pretty impressive (much different feel than the version in the 135)

you should drive both

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

that will open a massive clusterfrick here on the forums

but I will say this, I have owned a 6mt and driven both.

the DCT imo is a much better fit for the car with the tighter more aggressive gearing and ease in keeping the car at higher RPMs.

it feels noticeably quicker and stronger than the 6mt car imo, specifically at lower RPMs and in the midrange.

the DCT in the m3 is pretty impressive (much different feel than the version in the 135)

you should drive both

i agree the DCT is a masterpiece and fits the car better. i even like the way the engine sound while shifting. although the 6 speed is still a great pick!

the DCT is going to be a lot more money to fix out of warranty also, but it seems like they are holding up rather well.

[JupiterBMW]

Hmm yeah I definitely want to drive an M with the DCT to get a feel for it. Is the DCT the same in all years or are there software upgrades in the later years?

[JupiterBMW]

Wow, thread from the dead... I got a notification from Bimmerpost about this thread, so I just read through it all.. as for what happened, I ended up with a DCT ZCP sedan, very happy I did. I already have the full dinan exhaust, and a few cosmetic mods. Im glad I went with the ZCP car because I have no desire to lower the car or change wheels... Very happy with the car and thanks to everyone for helping out back in the day!

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Wow, thread from the dead... I got a notification from Bimmerpost about this thread, so I just read through it all.. as for what happened, I ended up with a DCT ZCP sedan, very happy I did. I already have the full dinan exhaust, and a few cosmetic mods. Im glad I went with the ZCP car because I have no desire to lower the car or change wheels... Very happy with the car and thanks to everyone for helping out back in the day!

You still here? Someone told me you sold the m3 and bought a Huracan...no?
p.s. ZCP is the shyte!

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

You still here? Someone told me you sold the m3 and bought a Huracan...no?
p.s. ZCP is the shyte!

Haha yeah I'm here. I don't frequent the forum much other than the classifieds section... Always searching for parts on the cheap, haha. And you, still have your car!?

[loveskiing]

Originally Posted by JupiterBMW

Haha yeah I'm here. I don't frequent the forum much other than the classifieds section... Always searching for parts on the cheap, haha. And you, still have your car!?

You mean the garage queen? Of course...she's getting paint correction full detailing as we speak...kinda like pedicure, manicure, hair, etc. all rolled into one!
Good to see you...sans the Huracan I mean

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by loveskiing

You mean the garage queen? Of course...she's getting paint correction full detailing as we speak...kinda like pedicure, manicure, hair, etc. all rolled into one!
Good to see you...sans the Huracan I mean

Haha mine needs a full spa day when I get home. She's tucked away in the garage right now, awaiting my return... Funny you mention the Huracan... My buddy is a tech at Ferrari and just got to drive a Huracan today... He said the acceleration is absolutely incredible... Much more so than the numerous Ferraris he's driven.

[delirium330]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

because i had one as well a 2004 that i traded for my 08 m3 and wish i hadnt. got raped in the trade and the zhp is a great car. should have kept both.

I came from a ZHP as well and wish I would have held onto it. Was an 05 6 speed with 90k miles and I got 13.5k for it private party sale, about 2 years ago. I don't want to peck away on my phone explaining why I want it back, but a blend of all the time and energy I put into keeping it in perfect condition, the fact that it is fun to really ring it out across all of the gears. You can't really do that im the M3 on the street since at the top of 2nd gear your at high freeway speeds.

[JupiterBMW]

Originally Posted by delirium330

I came from a ZHP as well and wish I would have held onto it. Was an 05 6 speed with 90k miles and I got 13.5k for it private party sale, about 2 years ago. I don't want to peck away on my phone explaining why I want it back, but a blend of all the time and energy I put into keeping it in perfect condition, the fact that it is fun to really ring it out across all of the gears. You can't really do that im the M3 on the street since at the top of 2nd gear your at high freeway speeds.

Oh man I can resonate with you 100%, you are absolutely correct. I had an '03 ZHP 6speed with 135K on it and I sold it for $18k, which is why I sold it, a little less than 3 years ago. I saw the ZHP market starting to lose value and I figured I would get out before I lost any more money, but I should've hung onto it too. I've always dreamed of my current car though, so I'm happy, but ideally I'd have kept both. Now I'm on the hunt for an E46 M3, the car I've never owned.