When I wrote up yesterday’s 2002 Dinan S3-R M3, I wanted to find an equivalent model to it for sale for value comparison. Naturally, I think the best counterpoint would be a lower mile late build E46 M3 equipped with the ZHP competition package, the hardest-edged M3 available without modification in the U.S.. To my surprise, I found an even better comparison; a ZCP equipped M3 with enough modifications to get a Dinan registration, but without the supercharger and suspension rework of the S3-R. Today’s example looks ready to race in Imola Red:
Year: 2005
Model: Dinan S M3
Engine: 3.2 liter inline-6
Transmission: 6-speed SMG semi-automatic
Mileage: 39,003 miles
Price: $35,991 Buy It Now
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2005 BMW M3 Dinan S on Ebay
2005 BMW M3 Coupe w/ $20K in DINAN upgrades!
1 Owner! – Low Miles! – Never Raced! – Creme Puff!Call Laurel BMW Sales – 630.537.0311
Over $20,000 in DINAN upgrades include:
— Performance Exhaust
— Air Package
— Throttle Bodies
— 3.9 Rear End
— Additional Oil Cooler
— Water and Oil Guages
— Stainless Stainless Steel Brake Lines
— Stiffener Braces front and rear
— Cam Shaft
Dinan Registered
　
VIN:　　 WBSBL93495PN62120
　　Chassis Number:　　 PN62120
　　Line Make:　　 01 – BMW　
　　Model Year:　　 2005
　　AG Model Code/Desc:　　 BL93 – M3
　　NA Model Code/Desc:　　 0537 – M3 　　Exterior Color Code:　　 405　 (Imola Red)
　　Interior Trim Code:　　 N5SW (Black Leather)
　　MSRP:　　 $59,740.00 　　Vehicle Production Date:　　 2005/02
　　Motor Type:　　 S54　
　　Platform/Engineering Series:　　 E46　 　
　　　　　　　　　　　
　　　Original Options
　　　0ZCP　 Competition Package　
　　01CA　 CO2 relevant vehicles
　　　0403　 Moonroof
　　 0459　 Power front seats　
　　0473　 Center armrest
　　　0494　 Heated front seats　　
　0508　 Park Distance Control
　　　0521　 Rain sensor and auto headlight
　　　0522　 Xenon headlights
　　　0640　 Phone preparation　
　　0650　 In-dash CD player
　　　0676　 Hi-fi sound system　
　　0692　 CD changer preparation
　　　0793　 SMG-Sequential Manual Gearbox　　
The ZCP Competition Package on the M3 added some nice details, but in my eye the best of those is by far the wheels. Those BBS 19†wheels transform the car’s look to be both prettier and more aggressive at the same time. There are some modifications to add some power – the exhaust sounds great, the throttle bodies add a few horsepower, and the 3.91 rear end gives you a bit better acceleration, but to me these modifications don’t really alter the M3’s basic characteristics, unlike the supercharger addition in the S3-R. Imola Red fits the character of the M3 well and is one of the prettier reds available on any car, although I still don’t understand why anyone would spec a car with black leather. This car with caramel leather, or better yet Imola leather, would just put it over the top in my opinion. As is, though, the car presents very well and looks to be in fabulous shape.
Both the 2002 Dinan S3-R M3 and this car are priced right at the top of the E46 market. One of the long term benefits of not having the supercharger is less wear on the transmission (in my mind, a big benefit with the SMG) and perhaps a less expensive engine rebuild/replacement if you owned it long enough. To me, that’s probably a good enough trade off for the loss of acceleration. I don’t think the Dinan registration helps the value short or long term on this vehicle, but I also don’t really think the modifications detract from the value and are pretty easily reversible if you wanted to revert to stock specification. Which would you rather have?
-Carter
Just a polite correction: ZCP is the code for the Competition Package. ZHP is the code for the Performance Package on the 330i.
I agree about the leather color, Red on Carmel or Red on Oyster would be really sharp. The best part of the ZCP package to me, aside from the wheels, is the tighter steering rack and the M track mode.
If I wasn’t already building my own ZCP for track over the past year, and I was looking for less of a track car and more of a street tuned M3, this would be a perfect candidate for “SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!” I’d leave all the Dinan bits in place. Dinan tests and obsesses over their upgrades to the point they might as well be factory options.
This is on the high side for price, but just barely for the miles from the shopping I did. Mine is a 2005 ZCP in Silver Grey Metallic that I got at 101000 miles for $19k. Bilstein PSS10, full Supersprint exhaust with stepped headers, Turner CAI, Turner sway bar kit, adjustable camber/caster, subframe reinforcement, front and rear shock toward supports, underpower pulleys, PWR radiator, race oil cooler, 4.10 3 clutch diff, all bushings and ball joints replaced.
I can tell you, I’ve spend more on the upgrades than I did on the car itself, but I did get to build it exactly the way I wanted it. Considering all that, the “high side” price for this example looks pretty damn good and for someone unwilling to put in the kind of work I have, it’s pretty great.
lunaslide, thanks for the correction – post is updated with the correct information. Also, thanks much for the firsthand knowledge and opinion!
Carter
Very clean looking E46….I am guessing that the price reflects the fact that it is a dealer sale hence a bit of a mark-up…yes no doubt that if you want an E46 M3..the Competition Package is the way to go!…there is a distinct difference in the driving nature of the car when compared to a regular kitted E46….
as far as color combo…not a red guy sorry…so if I were in the market..I’d pass..
Interlagos Blue or Carbon Black w/Cinnamon interior or Caramel…
nice find though!
All this upgrades and never raced. Sure. Just be honest and say: “On occasions, car was properly exercised. Of course, oil was brought to proper temperature prior to every exercise”. Add like that would actually bring more customers. Nice car, regardless.