Back in a BMW!

rosbif

rosbif

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#1
At last after 6 years of not having a BMW I'm back in the BMW world! I sold my last one (a 328i Convertible) when our first kid was born - and now the second one is four it was time to get back into top-off motoring!

Went to Germany and bought a 3 year old 330Ci Cabriolet with all the toys - much cheaper than here in France and a good 750km drive back to get used to it. Boy those German autobahns are scary! I was cruising at 180Km/h (110mph) and finding people coming steaming up behind me whenever I was overtaking! Big AMG Mercedes and the like doing at least 220 (135mph)!

Still, back in France and all is well - the car is beautiful, my first automatic too so that will take some getting used to.

Have posted a couple of pics in the gallery - but here it is anyway!

 
Kirby

Kirby

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rosbif said:
... Boy those German autobahns are scary! I was cruising at 180Km/h (110mph) and finding people coming steaming up behind me whenever I was overtaking! Big AMG Mercedes and the like doing at least 220 (135mph)!
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At least there is some "protocol" on the German autobahn. On the Italian Autostrada, they drive fast AND with no respect.
 
rosbif

rosbif

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Yeah the Germans all seem to put the full M bodykit (styling and aerodynamic) on their 330s and the M interior too - I guess that way you get the M styling without the harsh M performance! Then they take the model designation off the back to try and pretend!

Kids are happy in the back - those seats seem to 'cradle' them pretty well and the seatbelts have a little 'bracket' that you can hook the belt behind so it doesn't ride up over their neck and face.

And it's 30deg here this week! What more could I ask!
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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DrivingTopless said:
Nice ride!

It's got the M3 front fascia too! And also appears to have black inserts in the headlights like the 325/M3 instead of the titanium inserts that the 330's have here in the states.

Enjoy! [thumb]
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Sorry, but that is not a M3 front fascia. That is the equivalent of a BMW 3 series (330) w/ZHP package. That is not a M3 front end....

BTW, beautiful car and welcome back to the family. On the same note welcome to the board.....
 
Average Jae

Average Jae

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Adrian, welcome aboard, and that's one nice ride!

Scott, you are correct in saying that it's not an m3 front end, but i believe they call it m tech something or another.

european models don't have the zhp package, because the 6cyl already produces 231 horses, and has equivalent package.

i just love the pre-facelift coupe w/ the m tek front. it makes the car look cool, but not as agressive as the m. i wish the scoop was a bit bigger, but i think it has the "it looks cute" effect on the car.
 
///M SPEED

///M SPEED

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Average Jae said:
Adrian, welcome aboard, and that's one nice ride!

Scott, you are correct in saying that it's not an m3 front end, but i believe they call it m tech something or another.

european models don't have the zhp package, because the 6cyl already produces 231 horses, and has equivalent package.

i just love the pre-facelift coupe w/ the m tek front. it makes the car look cool, but not as agressive as the m. i wish the scoop was a bit bigger, but i think it has the "it looks cute" effect on the car.
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I know all about the M Tech, but in America that front end came on (only) cars equipped with the ZHP package. That is why that front end was available in the year 2002 in Europe long before it was offered on the ZHP packaged 330 coupes and sedans....
 
rosbif

rosbif

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The garage over here described it as just the 'M Sport Pack' and 'M Aerodynamic Pack' - am not too 'up' on what it is exactly - but I like it!

Incidentally - talking about that front spoiler - was a bit concerned to notice some 'peeling' when washing it. It appears to be a see-through top layer peeling back - leaving the underneath showing a slightly different colour (sorry - color!). Any ideas what to do about it?

Thanks for the welcome guys!
 
R

rjp325i

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While the M-Technic bodywork kit only came from the factory on the ZHP models it is available as a dealer installed option on other models, as well as in the aftermarket catalogs such as Bavarian Autosport. It is probably cheaper though to buy the ZHP option if buying new rather than the parts and having it painted installed by the dealer. But if you have an older model and want the look it is an option especially if you can do some of the work yourself. I have not had any peeling on my ZHP front spoiler after 22K miles. Was this spoiler repainted? The clear coat should not be peeling. It is sometimes indicative of a quicky repaint to get rid of chips etc.
 
Average Jae

Average Jae

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i just wanted to illustrate why people might get it confused w/ the m3 front.

doesn't it look quite a bit like the m3 front tho? abit smaller scoop? unless you are into details and into m cars, many will dismiss the zhp and other m-tek body kit cars as an m3.

i'm still running across, "but this is an m3 right? how does it have 4 doors?" and i'm like, I WISH!!!!" ^^
 
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Steve176

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to bad in America we have speed limits! I have all kinds of trouble driving my 330cic with in reason of the speed limit. Have been lucky so far, no tickets. Does anyone else have this problem?
 
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