2003 BMW 330i Sedan ZHP Performance Package

The success of the Motorsport derived versions of each generation of the venerable 3-series mean that it’s both easy and a natural choice to concentrate on them in the used market. But BMW has also offered some pretty special non-M models in the 3-series lineup, and that’s especially true of the 2003-2006 330i. Much like the M3, the 330i was available in 2-door coupe and convertible; no surprise there – but the 330i was also quite popular as a sedan and the E46 M3 never came in that configuration. If you ticked the ZHP Performance Package box, you paid an additional $3,900 on top of the premium for your top-of-the-line 330i. While that was no small amount of change, what that amount resulted in was actually quite a bargain.

Developed by BMW Individual, you got a plethora of performance details throughout the package. Outside, M-Tech body pieces adorned the car front, sides and rear and blacked out trim replaced the chrome. So too were M-branded special Style 135 18″ wheels, with tires to match the width of bigger brother M3. Lower and stiffer suspension was met with more negative camber, special reinforcement, and revised control arms. The engine was upgraded too, with unique cams and a revised engine map resulting in 10 more horsepower, but the ZHP was more than 10 hp quicker off the line thanks to a shorter final drive and a 6-speed manual borrowed from M. Performance wise, the ZHP split the difference between the 330i and M3 in acceleration and cornering, so it really was a performance package to live up to its name. Inside, too, many special details adorned the ZHP – from small items like lightly revised gauges with special needles to unique shifter, steering wheel, seat fabric and eggcrate dash trim. Just like the S-Line Titanium Package Audis, these more potent 330is have a cultish following who proudly claim they;re not only special, but one of the most special BMWs made:

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2003 BMW 330i Sedan ZHP Performance Package on eBay

Year: 2003
Model: 330i Sedan ZHP
VIN: WBAEV53433KM03690
Engine: 3.0 liter inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Mileage: 91,750 mi
Location: Tenafly, New Jersey
Price: $16,800 Buy It Now

more photos: https://imgur.com/a/vV8Y5Yx

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you; this is an Alpine White, slicktop, 6-speed, ZHP sedan with low miles, a clean Carfax, and no rust. This is an exceedingly rare spec that has recently had a ton of maintenance and repairs done, and it’s ready to go for the next owner.

Highlights include new Michelin PS4S tires, refinished wheels, a reupholstered headliner, new brakes all around, and a ton in the engine bay (VCG, DISA, spark plugs, alternator, etc).

2003 330i with Performance Package (ZHP)
– Alpine White over black leather
– 6-speed manual
– silver cube interior trim
– heated seats
– bi-xenon headlights (AL, not ZKW)
– Harman Kardon audio w/ aux-capable Business CD radio
– no sunroof, no navigation, no headlight washers, no PDC – true enthusiast spec

History:
– originally a Texas car up to 75k miles (2003-2011)
– never driven in the snow once it made it to the northeast
– clean Carfax with no accidents or damage reports
– clean AutoCheck with no issues
– both reports available upon request

Exterior: 9/10
– great shape with no dings on the car whatsoever
– some rock chips commensurate with mileage, most touched up
– new windshield and windshield cowl
– new headlight lenses
– new gloss black grilles
– new front license plate delete trim (original plate holder included)
– new BMW roundel in front

Interior: 8/10
– good shape with everything working
– some bolster wear on front seats commensurate with mileage
– ZHP knob in great shape
– no dead pixels on instrument cluster or radio
– tint would benefit from replacement
– mirror controls have intermittent issues
– new suede headliner with all pillars done
– new suede wrap on steering wheel with OE-style grey material and tricolor stitching
– new trunk struts

Mechanical: 10/10
– no lights on, runs and drives perfectly
– no rust anywhere
– new valve cover gasket
– new spark plugs (NGK 3199)
– new alternator
– new DISA valve
– new Zimmermann brake rotors (front and rear)
– new Textar brake pads (front and rear)
– new Ate brake anti-rattle clips (front and rear)
– new H8 battery
– new intake boots (upper and lower)
– new drive belt tensioner pulley
– recent MAF sensor

Wheels/tires: 10/10
– freshly powdercoated Style 135 wheels (staggered) in BMW hyper silver
– new 225/40ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires up front
– new 255/35ZR18 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires in back
– new M stickers all around

Recent receipts and records, two keys, manuals, and the original window sticker will come with the car. Clean title in hand.

$16,800 – will entertain near offers. Local cash sales preferred. Message me if you would like to come see the car or have any other questions. Serious inquiries only, please. Thanks for looking!

Whew, clean examples of the 330i ZHP have really gotten expensive recently. This one looks generally nice, has some work that’s been done, and is in a nice color combination. It also appears to be reasonably original from what I can tell. You’re going to pay if you want a nice example of one of these right now, with pricing ranging from the mid-teens through the mid-20s. You’d be right to think that was M3 money a few years ago. And you’d also be right that you can get the much more potent replacement – the 335i – for less. But these have a special place in fan’s hearts as one of the more special total packages that came to the US, and as a result, they won’t be cheap soon.

-Carter