Love my ZHP

Have a little over 2k on my '05 silver grey zhp, w/ blk leather. Previous car was '01 325 5speed w/o sport, so this car is significantly different in terms of transmission, ride, handling and power.

The ride is stiff, but not harsh - I feel connected to the road and I'm finding I prefer this suspension setup versus my 325. Most of my miles are freeway, and ride is not bad at all on commute. Running 39/41, so I could reduce pressure a bit if I really wanted to. Impressed so far with Pilot Sports. If Pilot Sport II is better, sign me up!

Handling is awesome. Turn-in is sharp. Have yet to feel any understeer, so I know I have not come close to cars limits (and given my cautious nature, probably won't). Dialed-out some understeer w/ tire pressure, and can do more if I choose to. I'm experimenting w/ tire pressure now. Car feels very secure @ 80mph in sweepers, and outstanding on highways 25 & 198 (winding backroads paradise 10 minutes from my house - roads well maintained).

Car pulls strong and power delivery is refined and linear - doesn't throw me back in my seat, but I'm very satisfied. Significant difference from 325.

Happy to have larger brakes

Love the 6speed! Like the shorter gear shift and throws and solid gear-engagement. Also, like getting 26 mpg (lots of freeway miles, but not bad)

Like the sport seats, prefer them to seats in my 325. Steering wheel is waaaay cool. Kinda mixed on cube, may have preferred brushed.

Of course, the car looks awesome!!! Aero package and 18s are great.


All-in-all, close to perfect. Few minor complaints: would have preferred w/o moonroof (more headroom) and the HK SUCKS!!!!


Can't wait to drive this car in the morning.

Welcome to the club.

1 1/2 years later I still get a big smile when I open the door to my car and enjoy every minute I spend in the car.

Same here

I luv imola red

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

Have a little over 2k on my '05 silver grey zhp, w/ blk leather. Previous car was '01 325 5speed w/o sport, so this car is significantly different in terms of transmission, ride, handling and power ...,

All-in-all, close to perfect. Few minor complaints: would have preferred w/o moonroof (more headroom) and the HK SUCKS!!!!


Can't wait to drive this car in the morning.

Why don't you like the HK?

HA HA HA...you are just breaking it in..

Wait until you have 10k on the odometer..it gets better everyday as you drive it..

BTW, I agree with you on HK.

Enjoys,

Originally Posted by pjsatz

Why don't you like the HK?

First let me say that I am not an audio expert. The sound is muddled and murky. The highs and lows do not come through. I had HK in my 325, but it sounds significantly worse in my 330! Why, I don't know. Neighbor across the street came over the other night to check out the car ( Lexus guy, but he was drooling). When I expressed disapointment in the stereo, he asked to listen - and agreed that it sucks!

Sounds like another satisfied customer.


P.S. Whats a good overall tire pressure to run? Right now i'm running 34/38, would it be wise to raise it? When is handling affected most?

Originally Posted by Double Vanos

Sounds like another satisfied customer.


P.S. Whats a good overall tire pressure to run? Right now i'm running 34/38, would it be wise to raise it? When is handling affected most?

I'm not an expert - what I know I've read in the archives of bimmer.org, and here at bimmerfest. Also, UUC has a great matrix on their site: http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_pr..._bar/setup.htm

I'm running 39/40.5. My ride should be a bit stiffer than yours, and exhibit less understeer. I started with the pressure listed on the doorjamb: 39/46, but found that the steering seems significantly sharper at 39/40.5. Steering was even better at 38/38, so I may go to that next - once I get enough miles on the car to evaluate rear tread wear.

Higher pressure = stiffer ride.
Higher rear pressure compared to front = understeer. (We already have some understeer as a result of larger rear tires)

Also note that we have -0.5 camber. In front tires this promotes oversteer.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Double Vanos

Sounds like another satisfied customer.


P.S. Whats a good overall tire pressure to run? Right now i'm running 34/38, would it be wise to raise it? When is handling affected most?

Our cars are identical w/ exception of weather package and tint!!!

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

I'm not an expert - what I know I've read in the archives of bimmer.org, and here at bimmerfest. Also, UUC has a great matrix on their site: http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/html_pr..._bar/setup.htm

I'm running 39/40.5. My ride should be a bit stiffer than yours, and exhibit less understeer. I started with the pressure listed on the doorjamb: 39/46, but found that the steering seems significantly sharper at 39/40.5. Steering was even better at 38/38, so I may go to that next - once I get enough miles on the car to evaluate rear tread wear.

Higher pressure = stiffer ride.
Higher rear pressure compared to front = understeer. (We already have some understeer as a result of larger rear tires)

Also note that we have -0.5 camber. In front tires this promotes oversteer.

Hope this helps.

Thanks! I think i might try the 38/38 to see how the stiff the ride is.

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

Our cars are identical w/ exception of weather package and tint!!!

Yes sir my friend. Not to many ZHPs on here with leather and i can understand. I liked the alcantara trim but i had no idea on how it would age thorough the years plus i like the smell of the leather and the ease to slide in an out when wearing fine pants.

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

I started with the pressure listed on the doorjamb: 39/46,

that's if your car is at maximum payload...try reading the sticker again

Originally Posted by atyclb

that's if your car is at maximum payload...try reading the sticker again

I can read my doorjamb 14 times and I'll see 39/46. There is no other pressure listed. Is your doorjamb sticker different? However, in the owners manual, max pressure (32/38) and max w/ luggage (39/46) are listed.

What do you prefer, and why?

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

I can read my doorjamb 14 times and I'll see 39/46. There is no other pressure listed. Is your doorjamb sticker different? However, in the owners manual, max pressure (32/38) and max w/ luggage (39/46) are listed.

What do you prefer, and why?

The door jamb decal/matrix is a little confusing to read with all the tire sizes listed but there are 2 columns with "up to 4 persons" (or something like that) and "maximum load". Under "up to 4 persons" the pressure recommended is 32/38. Running your tires at full load pressure but the car carrying minimum weight will have your tires show increased wear of center portion of the tread.

Originally Posted by Double Vanos

Yes sir my friend. Not to many ZHPs on here with leather and i can understand. I liked the alcantara trim but i had no idea on how it would age thorough the years plus i like the smell of the leather and the ease to slide in an out when wearing fine pants.

I do like your color!

Originally Posted by LDV330i

The door jamb decal/matrix is a little confusing to read with all the tire sizes listed but there are 2 columns with "up to 4 persons" (or something like that) and "maximum load". Under "up to 4 persons" the pressure recommended is 32/38. Running your tires at full load pressure but the car carrying minimum weight will have your tires show increased wear of center portion of the tread.

I'll say this, you guys have me hustling out to double and triple check the label on the doorjamb!!!

I took a picture of the label on my doorjamb, but it's over 1meg, so I cannot attach to this post. TRUST ME, the ONLY pressure listed on the label is 39 front/46 back and 61 for the spare. Label also lists OEM tire sizes. Additionally, it says to check owners manual for additional information - which, by the way, is consistent with the information you noted.

Your point is well taken.

Ran 36/38 today, according to archives this is pretty common for zhp owners. Not sure steering seems quite as crisp as it did at higher pressure - but still feels awesome. Ride seems a bit softer. I'm on your page about higher pressure and tire wear, so I'll definitely pay attention.

Again, I'm very happy with car!

Thanks for the help.

Originally Posted by stephen05zhp

I'll say this, you guys have me hustling out to double and triple check the label on the doorjamb!!!

Here is my door jamb label. Note the bottom part with the pressures for up to 4 people.

If I am reading this correctly it is saying that you should have 32/38 psi for front/rear if you are carrying up to 4 passengers and you should be at 39/46 psi for front/rear if you are at maximum load. Is this correct? Doesn't the load in your car change depending upon what you're doing? I don't think I'd ever have close to a max. load in my 330i but I may have 4 people whose total weight gets up to 700 lbs. or something. For daily driving should I be at somewhere between 32 and 39 for the front, say 34? And similarly, between 38 and 46 in the back, say 41? I have the ZHP wheels/tires. Thanks. I am somewhat new to this.

Originally Posted by jetstream23

If I am reading this correctly it is saying that you should have 32/38 psi for front/rear if you are carrying up to 4 passengers and you should be at 39/46 psi for front/rear if you are at maximum load. Is this correct? Doesn't the load in your car change depending upon what you're doing? I don't think I'd ever have close to a max. load in my 330i but I may have 4 people whose total weight gets up to 700 lbs. or something. For daily driving should I be at somewhere between 32 and 39 for the front, say 34? And similarly, between 38 and 46 in the back, say 41? I have the ZHP wheels/tires. Thanks. I am somewhat new to this.

Please note that the up to 4 passenger pressure is ONLY a factory recommendation. This recommendation is not arrived through a mathematical formula but rather by the factory engineers trying to balance handling, ride, tire wear, and safety. Therefore it can be used as a starting point. What is a big NO NO is exceding the max tire pressure recommended on the decal or the tire sidewall.

Having lived abroad I noticed that cars do come with an additional recommendation. If you are to do highway driving (triple digits) the recommended tire presures should be increase by 2 lbs.

I've always gone with with what the minimum pressure is to avoid abnormal wear. So, I've been running 32/38. I'm pretty sure that it was higher from the factory though. A while back I read here that everyone agreed that 38/38 was optimum for drivability etc- but would this have any accelerated wear issues?

~Jon

Originally Posted by LDV330i

Here is my door jamb label. Note the bottom part with the pressures for up to 4 people.

Your door jamb label is different than mine! I have '05???

I can't imagine how poorly my e46 would ride on the street with pressures set at 39/46.

Alex

Originally Posted by LDV330i

Here is my door jamb label. Note the bottom part with the pressures for up to 4 people.

Just to show you I'm not crazy - again, agree w/ what you are saying.

That door jamb is dirty. Looks like someone needs to ... oh, sorry. Wrong forum!

Johnny

Originally Posted by JAWJr

I've always gone with with what the minimum pressure is to avoid abnormal wear. So, I've been running 32/38. I'm pretty sure that it was higher from the factory though. A while back I read here that everyone agreed that 38/38 was optimum for drivability etc- but would this have any accelerated wear issues?

~Jon

Of everything I've tried to this point, I like 38/38 best. It's what I'm running right now.