E34 M5 or E46 ZHP?

[Staszek]

how so? maybe a plain E90, 328 without the sport package. the ZCP package on the 330i is no slouch.

I agree, the E90 330i handled just as well with ZCP as the ZHP, its only a little over 100pds heavier with more power.

Dont get me wrong I still love the ZHP, and its still one of my fav non m cars, but the E90 330i sport package was an awesome car in its own right and had one of the last really good NA engines in it.

[nando]

I don't think it's any heaver. pretty sure the 330i 6 speed is only about 3250-3300lbs, the E46 is about the same.

[Staszek]

I don't think it's any heaver. pretty sure the 330i 6 speed is only about 3250-3300lbs, the E46 is about the same.

3285 E46

It was 3400 for the step and 3300 and change for the 6speed so not much.

[nando]

who wants an automatic though. leave that for the girls on bimmerpost. :p

[Jb325is]

I would say e39 m5 for sure. If you do your own maintenance.

[Nisse Järnet]

e34 540i/6 is faster than M5

No, even the 3.6 is faster than a 540i/6. Not by very much though.

Edit: at least the euro versions, if theres a difference..

[E30 Wagen]

I would say e39 m5 for sure. If you do your own maintenance.

Not e39, e34 with the last truly motorsport derived engine.

Despite the investment potential and how well it blends in, I've scratched the M5 as it's too costly to operate/fix and overall isn't practical for daily driving, which is what i will need it for at times. Regarding e90s, I simply can't get past the pre-lci front end.

There's a nice looking ZHP a couple hours from me that i want to look at. But then the responsible part of my brain tells me it's smarter to take the raise i got from work and use it to pay my house off faster.

[8380 Labs]

I was on a similar mission in the spring of '14, looked at most of those same cars, and ended up getting an '04 ZHP sedan. If you're gonna thin the herd down to one car, an E34 M5 would be an insane choice, especially in Michigan.

ZHP is a fun daily drive, good performance, decent mileage and creature comforts, but not too nice that you worry about every little rock chip. Still a unique car that's (to me) is different than all the other E46s on the road. I'm in Maryland, so winters are not a big deal - I have a set of Blizzaks and that was more than enough.

No regrets on the decision after nearly 18 months.

[straight6pwr]

to me it would depend on your motives.
1)something to drive every now and then - m5 (will hold its value the best)
2)daily driver or putting lots of miles on it - e46 330i (easiest to maintain)
2)best value in a 'go fast' car - e34 540/6 with mods or m5 goodies added. (most fun, and pretty good DD)

[Jb325is]

Not e39, e34 with the last truly motorsport derived engine.

I know, I was saying scratch the e34 and buy an e39 m5. They are the same price and the e39 is a better car in every way. I went from e34 m5 to e39 m5 and the s62 is so much more enjoyable than the s38.

I also looked at all of these cars when shopping for my m5. I looked at ZHP's and really like them, but I am just not a fan of the m54.

[straight6pwr]

I know, I was saying scratch the e34 and buy an e39 m5. They are the same price and the e39 is a better car in every way. .

not in the looks department, and while the s62 may be a better motor, there is a lot of value in popping the hood and seeing that 340hp NA inline-6 ITB sex-machine. :bow:

[Jb325is]

I agree, I love e34's, and I still think they look better for sure. But as far as a usable, practical, fun car, the e39 is much better. I think the perfect car for me would be an s62 swapped e34. Around town, the s62 is a lot more enjoyable than the s38, even without driving like a jackass

[Kevinl]

Another vote for e90 330i with sport package not a fan of e46's they are e36's that ate to many bon bons

[dishwab]

I had a 330ci for 3 years and loved it. The ZHP will definitely hold value better than a regular e46, but other than that the differences are minimal. For me, the e46 was the perfect daily driver: smooth, comfortable, quick, and handled really well (albeit with some light suspension mods). The only reason I sold it is that I needed something bigger/AWD for ski trips in the winter, and my E30 won the weekend toy battle.

I should also point out that I bought my car with 95k and sold it at 130k, and other than the expected wear items (brakes, bushings, shocks, fluids, etc.) I had 0 major issues with it. Most people thought it was a < 5 year old car. In my opinion the build quality on these cars is fantastic.

I can't speak to the e90 as I've not driven one other than an automatic 328 (terrible), but I'm sure with the right package and at the right price that would be a great choice too.

And now, shameless whoring of my e46:

[RobertK]

A ZHP you can still drive daily but it still suffers from all the weaknesses associated with the M54. Its a trim and performance package and I have been seeing them weaken in the market lately.

E34 M5 is a car that will continue to appreciate over the years not due to its performance vs. newer car but for the fact that it was the last of the hand built ///M cars.

I would not daily an E34 M5 at this point. If I could own one I would restore and insure with agreed value insurance. Drive it on dry weekends up in the mountains.

ZHP I would drive daily until the M54 begins to excessively consume oil or randomly overheats.