330I ZHP or 330Ci ZHP ?

[cheng6991]

I plan to lease a 330i ZHP this month but 330Ci ZHP has better deal . Does 330Ci zhp has stiffer suspention? Is it more harsh than sedan? my current Altima 3.5 SE has very bumpy ride which I hate it .

Anyone know when it is the good time to lease 330i ZHP?

[jetstream23]

I plan to lease a 330i ZHP this month but 330Ci ZHP has better deal . Does 330Ci zhp has stiffer suspention? Is it more harsh than sedan? my current Altima 3.5 SE has very bumpy ride which I hate it .

Anyone know when it is the good time to lease 330i ZHP?


I'm not sure how the 330ci could be a better deal than the 330i right now. There is a $3,800 Marketing incentive from BMWNA to dealers who deliver a 330i in the month of January. As far as I know there is no such incentive for the 330ci.

Based on this, you should be able to get a better deal on the 330i lease. I'm buying (not leasing) my 330i ZHP for roughly $2K below invoice because of the incentive but only because I'm taking delivery in January.

[mkh]

Does 330Ci zhp has stiffer suspention? Is it more harsh than sedan?
They both have the same suspension, so the rides are the same.

[mkh]

my current Altima 3.5 SE has very bumpy ride which I hate it.
The ZHP ride is quite bumpy too, though it's not harsh. You should go drive one before making any decisions. If you hate bumpy ride, you might be better off with the Sport Package.

[Artslinger]

Is there any difference beside the choice of two or four doors? The decision should be fairly simple. If number of doors are not factor then go with the better deal.

[Moderato]

If you don't need 4 doors, then get the coupe. Simple. :)

[Wrong Way]

And if the original poster thinks his Altima's suspension is too harsh, he'd be better of checking out what Buick has to offer.
I think he's in the market for a large luxury sedan but doesn't know it yet. I would suggest driving a Lexus if you want quiet & smooth.

[mkh]

The sport package suspension feels no different than the perf pkg suspension as far as harshness (i.e. bumpy ride).
I'm sorry, I can feel the difference between the two. The ZHP to me is noticeably more bumpier.

[wingspan]

I'm sorry, I can feel the difference between the two. The ZHP to me is noticeably more bumpier.

:stupid:

Very noticeable to me, drove them back to back. ZHP feels much more "snubbed" (don't know how else to describe it) as well. YMMV...

[cheng6991]

I test drove 330i, 330i ZHP and 330Ci last year and like 330i ZHP very much. great handling but not bumpy at all compare to my Altima SE. 330Ci is more bumpy than than 330i and 330i ZHP.

I prefer four door over two door but will go for two door if the two door has better leasing deal as long as they both have the same ride.

[cheng6991]

I test drove 330i, 330i ZHP and 330Ci last year and like 330i ZHP very much. great handling but not bumpy at all compare to my Altima SE. 330Ci is more bumpy than than 330i and 330i ZHP.

I prefer four door over two door but will go for two door if the two door has better leasing deal as long as they both have the same ride.

[mbmw8268]

I test drove 330i, 330i ZHP and 330Ci last year and like 330i ZHP very much. great handling but not bumpy at all compare to my Altima SE. 330Ci is more bumpy than than 330i and 330i ZHP.

I prefer four door over two door but will go for two door if the two door has better leasing deal as long as they both have the same ride.

Based on the lease rate (http://forums.roadfly.org/forums/financing/6097929-1.html), the 330 Ci does have lower money factor in 24 and 36 month lease, as well as higher residual. However, $3800 incentive is NOT offered to 330Ci so the cap will be higher. You can use lease calculator or ask dealer to give you print out on both sedan and coupe to find out the difference. But I guess the sedan will have lower monthly payment than coupe's due to the incentive.

By the way, I got my 330i $2500 under invoice.

Hope this help.


BMWFS 2005 Lease Programs – Effective 1/6/2005

Add 2% to Residual Value for 12k mi/yr and 3% for 10k mi/yr on all terms


330i Sedan

24 mo/15k mi – 62% Residual Value – Money Factor .00225 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 53% Residual Value – Money Factor .00225 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 44% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 35% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate


330i Coupe

24 mo/15k mi – 65% Residual Value – Money Factor .00080 Base Rate
36 mo/15k mi – 58% Residual Value – Money Factor .00080 Base Rate
48 mo/15k mi – 44% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate
60 mo/15k mi – 36% Residual Value – Money Factor .00250 Base Rate

[BlackChrome]

I test drove 330i, 330i ZHP and 330Ci last year and like 330i ZHP very much. great handling but not bumpy at all compare to my Altima SE. 330Ci is more bumpy than than 330i and 330i ZHP.
That's weird because, if anything, the 330Ci/330i ZHP *should* be bumpier/stiffer than a 330i just because the ZHPs have low profile 18-inch tires.

[jetstream23]

That's weird because, if anything, the 330Ci/330i ZHP *should* be bumpier/stiffer than a 330i just because the ZHPs have low profile 18-inch tires.

Not just the different wheels and tires but the suspension itself is slightly different with the ZHP package is my understanding. Felt stiffer to me when I test drove but not very "bumpy." I feel it drives like a sports sedan should drive.

[tierfreund]

Never mind the ride.

Go with the Ci !

It´s the most one of the beautifull cars around. The sedan is very nice as well, but not quite as stunning. Just my 2 cents. And me driving a Ci of course has nothing to do with my opinion... ;)

[shizat63]

I went from a 325Ci sport to a 330i ZHP. I love having 4 doors and the coupe doors were too big. The suspension is a bit stiffer on the i ZHP vs. Ci ZSP but not much. The coupe looked sleeker but I think it attracted more attention from ricers wanting to race and possibly even the cops :eeps: . But I'm happy I switched to the saloon :)

[mustang]

The only real difference is the Coupe has the engine set further back in the body which gives better weight distro and less space for rear passengers.

[Artslinger]

The only real difference is the Coupe has the engine set further back in the body which gives better weight distro and less space for rear passengers.

Really I didn't know that.

[jetstream23]

The only real difference is the Coupe has the engine set further back in the body which gives better weight distro and less space for rear passengers.

How much further back?

[JonathanIT]

Two things available only on the coupe/cabrio not available on the sedans... (that may be minor but I think they're awesome):

Xenon Adaptive Headlights (they turn!)
LED side/rear/brake lights (clears with SP all around).

The neat thing about LEDs is that they are completely colorless when off, allowing for a "pure white" effect on the back clear lenses. They blink amber when in use. The only old fashioned "filament" bulbs on the outside of my car are the front parking/turn signals and the DRL's (oh yeah and the foglights).

Also, because the reflector is incorporated into the parking light assembly, you can't get DOT approved OEM clears for the front end of the sedan. On the coupe/cabrio the DOT reflector is in the bumper, enabling factory clears all around with the Sport Package. If you're into that sort of thing. :)

--J.

[330ciPfmcePkg05]

u kidding me? 330ci no question..i just got one a 2005 330ci ZHP orient blue/black...looks sooooo sick...2 doors low to the ground, looks so much sleaker and sportier than 4 door family sedan..no doubt get the 330ci

[jetstream23]

u kidding me? 330ci no question..i just got one a 2005 330ci ZHP orient blue/black...looks sooooo sick...2 doors low to the ground, looks so much sleaker and sportier than 4 door family sedan..no doubt get the 330ci

Cool. Post some pictures of your car?

[cwsqbm]

Xenon Adaptive Headlights (they turn!)

They don't turn on the new sedans? :dunno: (I love the feature on my 330Ci).

I don't know why you need to ask which to get. To me, I don't see much cross*****ping between two and four door cars. They are very different in style and function.

[James]

Not just the different wheels and tires but the suspension itself is slightly different with the ZHP package is my understanding. Felt stiffer to me when I test drove but not very "bumpy." I feel it drives like a sports sedan should drive.
Maybe tire preasure in the cars you test drove would account for differences in "bumbiness"? :dunno:

[FenPhen]

The only real difference is the Coupe has the engine set further back in the body which gives better weight distro and less space for rear passengers. :confused: I haven't measured... but according to BMW NA's site...

325i:
wheelbase: 107.3 in.
length: 176.0 in.
weight: 3219 lbs.
distribution f/r: 50.3/49.7%

325Ci
wheelbase: 107.3 in.
length: 176.7 in.
weight: 3197 lbs.
distribution f/r: 50.4/49.5%

330i:
wheelbase: 107.3 in.
length: 176.0 in.
weight: 3285 lbs.
distribution f/r: 50.1/49.9%

330Ci
wheelbase: 107.3 in.
length: 176.7 in.
weight: 3285 lbs.
distribution f/r: 50.1/49.9%

On a side-note (possible thread hijack :eek: ), the difference between a stock 330Ci convertible (3616 lbs.) and a ZHP (3693 lbs.) is 77 lbs.

[tierfreund]

The only real difference is the Coupe has the engine set further back in the body which gives better weight distro and less space for rear passengers.

I don´t think that´s true. :(

[Bronzee]

I think BMW did a great job making the sedan and coupe almost identical performance-wise and ride quality. When you comapre sedan ZHP vs. coupe ZHP, it's so close that something like tire pressure of the two cars could potentially throw the comparison off.

The coupe doesn't have a black plastic strip all around the car - it's painted body color. I like the look of the coupe better. If you don't need 4 doors, then are you willing to pay the extra for the look of a 2 door? :D

EDIT: Doors are harder to open and close on the coupe, as well... :dunno: maybe just mine