One less e34 in our midst - Mine has moved on...

[MicahO]

The e34’s are all gone from the O’Connor automotive stable. The last to leave was my 535, the reincarnated Black Chariot of Expensiveness. Somehow, when Joe Ording let his Chariot go, it’s soul must have channeled through the forum and inhabited my car. In any event, the car was sold last Friday, to my mechanic, who was quite happy to buy it. This closes my e34 chapter, started a number of years ago with the Wife’s 525iT, sold last summer to my nephew.

I pick up the new vehicle tonight, and I’ll get some pictures up as soon as possible. I don’t know when I’ll be back at work or when my wife will see me again for that matter. Just after 5:30 this eveningI will pull out of Manhattan BMW with a 2004 330i ZHP – the US Performance Package. It’s about 60 miles home, we’ll see how many miles actually pass before I get there. The only glitch is the potential for gully-washing downpours this evening. Thank goodness for DSC?

6 speed with a short-shifter, reinforced and lightened flywheel, hotter cams, revised ECU software, free-flowing exhaust, M-tuned suspension, M body kit, Alcantara sport interior, 18” wheels, 225/40 rubber up front and 255/35 rubber anchoring the rear, and a shortened rear end (3:07 vs 2:93, from the -xi) to top it all off. The US ZHP Performance Package basically loads up a 330i sedan with all of the M goodies from BMW Individual. Of course, this is the US Market, so there’s no real “Individual” choice in what you get. I am just lucky in that I’m getting all the goodies from the factory that I would have chosen anyway.

The BMW Canada web site has better pictures and easier-to-browse information than the US site, though it appears the Canadians do not get the shorter rear end in their cars?
BMW Canada web page - 330i M

For me, it was time to move on. All I’ve really been interested in lately is time with the kids, not time under the car (go figure!). When I farmed out a new radiator and sway bar links last month I knew that maintenance (read: labor costs) would get expensive again soon, and I decided I’d rather pay depreciation than maintenance. Perhaps a different and non-possessed 535 would have treated me better, perhaps a different commute would have provided more time.

This new car will also give me the ability to schedule track days and autocrosses without wondering if a nagging vibration is going to become a massive part failure in the middle of a turn. I know lots of people here have lots of fun with e34’s at autocrosses and tracks, but this ZHP is built for it right from the factory. I won’t have to do any prep – just drive to the event and drink coffee to wake the hell up. Of course I won’t raise as many eyebrows as a “lard-assed e34” hustling around with such vigor, but that’s okay.

In any event, I’ll still lurk around this joint. You all have been a great part of the ownership experience and much more. From giving me the balls to rip a car apart, to giving me the chance to play with a bunch of CGI scripts (Ed thought I had some experience with that stuff!!!), I’ve done nothing but learn around here. Thanks much everybody.

--Micah O'C
'04 330i ZHP
formerly '90 535im
formerly '92 525iT

[MBXB]

Good Luck Micah!!

[TheGeak]

:'(

always sad to see an E34 go....

i was almost tempted to dump the M5 when the headgasket went, just pawn it off to someone who would fix it and buy an E30.....

I have to say, reading some inspiring stories and lurking on these boards really helped change THAT around. Now i just need to figure out how to afford an E30 325iS and an E34 M5....

Best of luck with the new whip though, i hope you still take the time to do SOME personal mods!

[Scott H]

My g/f friend bought a 2003 330Ci 5-spd on Saturday! And we got engaged Sunday.....so I guess I now have an E46 also....LOL. Time to learn a lot about another car Congrats on a kick ass car Micah.....I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[632 Regal]

Damn...another warrior gone awry.

[DrewZ]

Width:
330i: 68.46" 535i: 68.9"

Height:
330i: 55.7" 535i 55.6"

Wheelbase:
330i: 107.3" 535i: 108.7"

Length:
330i: 176.0" 535: 185.8" (Sorry guy, you're losing 10" of length )

Weight:
330i: 3300lbs 535: 3570lbs

HP:
330i: 235 535i: 208

Torque:
330i: 222 535i: 225

So the new car has more hp, is shorter, almost 300lbs lighter, and has MASSIVE (325mm front/320mm rear) brakes.

When are you coming down to show it off already . . .

The e34’s are all gone from the O’Connor automotive stable. The last to leave was my 535, the reincarnated Black Chariot of Expensiveness. Somehow, when Joe Ording let his Chariot go, it’s soul must have channeled through the forum and inhabited my car. In any event, the car was sold last Friday, to my mechanic, who was quite happy to buy it. This closes my e34 chapter, started a number of years ago with the Wife’s 525iT, sold last summer to my nephew.

I pick up the new vehicle tonight, and I’ll get some pictures up as soon as possible. I don’t know when I’ll be back at work or when my wife will see me again for that matter. Just after 5:30 this eveningI will pull out of Manhattan BMW with a 2004 330i ZHP – the US Performance Package. It’s about 60 miles home, we’ll see how many miles actually pass before I get there. The only glitch is the potential for gully-washing downpours this evening. Thank goodness for DSC?

6 speed with a short-shifter, reinforced and lightened flywheel, hotter cams, revised ECU software, free-flowing exhaust, M-tuned suspension, M body kit, Alcantara sport interior, 18” wheels, 225/40 rubber up front and 255/35 rubber anchoring the rear, and a shortened rear end (3:07 vs 2:93, from the -xi) to top it all off. The US ZHP Performance Package basically loads up a 330i sedan with all of the M goodies from BMW Individual. Of course, this is the US Market, so there’s no real “Individual” choice in what you get. I am just lucky in that I’m getting all the goodies from the factory that I would have chosen anyway.

The BMW Canada web site has better pictures and easier-to-browse information than the US site, though it appears the Canadians do not get the shorter rear end in their cars?
BMW Canada web page - 330i M

For me, it was time to move on. All I’ve really been interested in lately is time with the kids, not time under the car (go figure!). When I farmed out a new radiator and sway bar links last month I knew that maintenance (read: labor costs) would get expensive again soon, and I decided I’d rather pay depreciation than maintenance. Perhaps a different and non-possessed 535 would have treated me better, perhaps a different commute would have provided more time.

This new car will also give me the ability to schedule track days and autocrosses without wondering if a nagging vibration is going to become a massive part failure in the middle of a turn. I know lots of people here have lots of fun with e34’s at autocrosses and tracks, but this ZHP is built for it right from the factory. I won’t have to do any prep – just drive to the event and drink coffee to wake the hell up. Of course I won’t raise as many eyebrows as a “lard-assed e34” hustling around with such vigor, but that’s okay.

In any event, I’ll still lurk around this joint. You all have been a great part of the ownership experience and much more. From giving me the balls to rip a car apart, to giving me the chance to play with a bunch of CGI scripts (Ed thought I had some experience with that stuff!!!), I’ve done nothing but learn around here. Thanks much everybody.

--Micah O'C
'04 330i ZHP
formerly '90 535im
formerly '92 525iT

[Jeff N.]

Hey Drew - that's a purdy cool comparison there!

[Warren N.CA]

One thing I'd really like to fine out about your new car.- When you take your foot off the gas to shift, does the RPM remain high (Maybe 3000) for a second or two? My '99 E46 did that, and it was a constant source of irritation.

The e34’s are all gone from the O’Connor automotive stable. The last to leave was my 535, the reincarnated Black Chariot of Expensiveness. Somehow, when Joe Ording let his Chariot go, it’s soul must have channeled through the forum and inhabited my car. In any event, the car was sold last Friday, to my mechanic, who was quite happy to buy it. This closes my e34 chapter, started a number of years ago with the Wife’s 525iT, sold last summer to my nephew.

I pick up the new vehicle tonight, and I’ll get some pictures up as soon as possible. I don’t know when I’ll be back at work or when my wife will see me again for that matter. Just after 5:30 this eveningI will pull out of Manhattan BMW with a 2004 330i ZHP – the US Performance Package. It’s about 60 miles home, we’ll see how many miles actually pass before I get there. The only glitch is the potential for gully-washing downpours this evening. Thank goodness for DSC?

6 speed with a short-shifter, reinforced and lightened flywheel, hotter cams, revised ECU software, free-flowing exhaust, M-tuned suspension, M body kit, Alcantara sport interior, 18” wheels, 225/40 rubber up front and 255/35 rubber anchoring the rear, and a shortened rear end (3:07 vs 2:93, from the -xi) to top it all off. The US ZHP Performance Package basically loads up a 330i sedan with all of the M goodies from BMW Individual. Of course, this is the US Market, so there’s no real “Individual” choice in what you get. I am just lucky in that I’m getting all the goodies from the factory that I would have chosen anyway.

The BMW Canada web site has better pictures and easier-to-browse information than the US site, though it appears the Canadians do not get the shorter rear end in their cars?
BMW Canada web page - 330i M

For me, it was time to move on. All I’ve really been interested in lately is time with the kids, not time under the car (go figure!). When I farmed out a new radiator and sway bar links last month I knew that maintenance (read: labor costs) would get expensive again soon, and I decided I’d rather pay depreciation than maintenance. Perhaps a different and non-possessed 535 would have treated me better, perhaps a different commute would have provided more time.

This new car will also give me the ability to schedule track days and autocrosses without wondering if a nagging vibration is going to become a massive part failure in the middle of a turn. I know lots of people here have lots of fun with e34’s at autocrosses and tracks, but this ZHP is built for it right from the factory. I won’t have to do any prep – just drive to the event and drink coffee to wake the hell up. Of course I won’t raise as many eyebrows as a “lard-assed e34” hustling around with such vigor, but that’s okay.

In any event, I’ll still lurk around this joint. You all have been a great part of the ownership experience and much more. From giving me the balls to rip a car apart, to giving me the chance to play with a bunch of CGI scripts (Ed thought I had some experience with that stuff!!!), I’ve done nothing but learn around here. Thanks much everybody.

--Micah O'C
'04 330i ZHP
formerly '90 535im
formerly '92 525iT

[Bimmer Nut Ed]

Yes, I am a nut, I also own BMWE46.com is any of you new E46 owners want to develop something on it specific to your model. I'm certain to own an E46 eventually too, as I see that as a fine successor to the E34, lighter, yet close to similar roominess. And yes, the performance package would be totally cool. But then again, I'm more likely the type to get an older E46 and put on my own performance package. Besides, my E34 shows no signs of aging, yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. And by the time it does go, the E46 will be old enough for me to buy one, and refresh it.

Micah, we're going to miss you. By all means, visit and post. It's not just about E34's as you know. And you still owe me a dinner here in Chicago, remember!

[billb]

There are lots of folks here from waaaayyyy back who have appreciated the time and effort you have contributed to help work through a problem, offer an opinion, or just take a moment to "chat" offline. Your advice (not just about cars) has been well-heeded by me for one, and I certainly appreciate it. As I type this, my wife and #1 son are downstairs in our new (to us) home, and Ginger sits snugly in the two-bay garage (next to the Model A of course...the E30 sits outside). Your thoughtful words about a month ago regarding house-hunting have been things that helped get us through some rough times lately.

Keep your love for bimmers strong, but your love for family stronger! I still hope our paths cross someday...would love to swap Model A stories with you!

Best regards,
Bill B.