DD to Replace E46 ZHP
11-28-2017, 08:55 AM
#12
I'd imagine the DSG programming is different (from my TDI Sportwagen) but it's possibly my least favorite aspect of the car. The shift programming sucks, and it overrides manual inputs A LOT.
11-28-2017, 09:43 AM
#13
11-28-2017, 10:05 AM
#14
Registered User
Thread Starter
I had a 2016 GTI S 6spd with a downpipe, tune, and a few other little things. I ended up selling it a year and a half later with 30k miles, deprecation was like a rock since I bought it the week before dieselgate and I ended up getting $19.5k out of it. The car was ****ing immaculate, otherwise I'd have gotten less. Oh, have it clear bra'd before you pick it up, the front bumper paint is very soft.
They are a great DD, I had a long commute and was able to average over 30mpg. I pulled a trailer with my two track motorcycles on it from Phoenix to Spring Mountain Raceway, to Thunderhill Raceway, down to San Francisco, through LA, and back to Phoenix at an average of just over 26mpg.
Two reasons I got rid of it were:
1. I was worried about breaking it since VW does not look at cars that have been tuned nicely.
2. It's kind of a boring car to drive.
I replaced it with an 05 ZHP.
They are a great DD, I had a long commute and was able to average over 30mpg. I pulled a trailer with my two track motorcycles on it from Phoenix to Spring Mountain Raceway, to Thunderhill Raceway, down to San Francisco, through LA, and back to Phoenix at an average of just over 26mpg.
Two reasons I got rid of it were:
1. I was worried about breaking it since VW does not look at cars that have been tuned nicely.
2. It's kind of a boring car to drive.
I replaced it with an 05 ZHP.
11-28-2017, 11:52 AM
#15
Most cars are fun on a short time scale 
The GTI was a four door, and it felt overall roomier everywhere in the interior (the back seats are much more comfortable), quieter, and was obviously much quicker. My ZHP saw 26mpg on my normal commute, so just a few miles per gallon less than the GTI normally.
One of the main things that made the GTI boring to drive was how light all of the inputs were. Steering was light and without much feeling, the clutch pedal is terribly light stock (remove the spring and restrictor, but it's still light and you will destroy it if you don't take your time on the 1-2 shift to give it time to fully engage), the shifter has this weird magnetic pull feeling gate-to-gate. Brakes were pretty decent. The motor also doesn't sound that great compared to the usual BMW I6 noises. Also, the FWD thing. Major wheel hop unless you get a dogbone insert. The car also plays with the throttle itself, one easy to see example is to put the car in first at a stop with the clutch in then slowly draw the clutch out, the revs will rise on their own.
It's worth noting that you can buy three or four ZHPs for the price of one GTI, which was my main reason for getting rid of it (it was part of my path to being 100% debt free). I realized that I enjoy a more raw driving experience. The GTI is the opposite of that.
I realize you are looking for a DD, so most of what I say doesn't apply to you.
The GTI was a four door, and it felt overall roomier everywhere in the interior (the back seats are much more comfortable), quieter, and was obviously much quicker. My ZHP saw 26mpg on my normal commute, so just a few miles per gallon less than the GTI normally.
One of the main things that made the GTI boring to drive was how light all of the inputs were. Steering was light and without much feeling, the clutch pedal is terribly light stock (remove the spring and restrictor, but it's still light and you will destroy it if you don't take your time on the 1-2 shift to give it time to fully engage), the shifter has this weird magnetic pull feeling gate-to-gate. Brakes were pretty decent. The motor also doesn't sound that great compared to the usual BMW I6 noises. Also, the FWD thing. Major wheel hop unless you get a dogbone insert. The car also plays with the throttle itself, one easy to see example is to put the car in first at a stop with the clutch in then slowly draw the clutch out, the revs will rise on their own.
It's worth noting that you can buy three or four ZHPs for the price of one GTI, which was my main reason for getting rid of it (it was part of my path to being 100% debt free). I realized that I enjoy a more raw driving experience. The GTI is the opposite of that.
I realize you are looking for a DD, so most of what I say doesn't apply to you.
11-28-2017, 12:30 PM
#16
Also, I would say the "Lighting Package" is a must-have. It makes the car look much better (IMO) and is so much brighter than the halogen alternatives.
I also have the sport package. I like it, not sure if it's necessary for a DD though.
Scratch that. The upgraded brakes come on the sport package. They are very nice.
Last edited by Barrett54; 11-28-2017 at 12:31 PM. Reason: adding info
11-28-2017, 03:20 PM
#18
11-28-2017, 03:56 PM
#20
As long as it isn't a diesel, I also had a 2011 335D MSport and it was a total lemon. Tossed the crank pulley into the hood at 35k miles, spent a combined total of 9 months with a loaner waiting for DEF tanks, major carbon buildup issues (expensive on this car since it has two sets of intake runners and two sets of intake ports in the head), never could get the brakes to stop squealing, intake coupler leaks, BMW replaced the injectors twice, multiple wheel bearings by 75k, etc.