Performance Package

[Flat Out 32]

Is it durable the alcantara cloth interior? Does anyone makes software upgrades or any mod for the 330 Performance Package? Need the opinion, planning on one very soon! The local dealer has one with leather but not sure if that's the best way to go. Any opinions? Thanks!!

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Just got rid of the M3, need help fast!!!

[peterkulesza]

alcantara is spectacular. combined with the cloth seats it gives an excellent feel of the car (compared to leather, on which your ass slides in corners).

i 've had mine for about a year, seems not affected by wear.

no software mopds aside form supercharging that i knwo of. shark stuff is about equivalent to a stock 330 modified. i.e. no gain if you pout it on the pp.

[Flat Out 32]

Thanks man! They gave me a nice deal on a 2005 w/cloth so I took it; black on black. It'll be here by mid October. Again thanks for the feedback. If someone has pics post 'em 'cause I've never seen it in black.

[peterkulesza]

if i may suggest mods:

the car will be about as fast as the e36 m3. i think any perf mods aside from supercharging will be almost useless, the car has been remapped, and has a stumpier diff, so it is noticeably faster than a stock 330.

brakes: stock is mushy. i tried a variety of combinations, the current setup is very good. steel lines (front and back) and power slot rotors on front. hawk hp plus (NOT HPS THEY SUCK) pads. be careful with the pads cos the backing plates are cut poorly, and pads rattle or bind on the caliper. i ordered three sets each from tire rack, mixed and matched to get best fit, then returned the unused sets for full credit.


tires: ask for michelin pilots, not bridgestones. i have the potenza re040, they are decent, but much worse then michelins. also, they are stupidly staggered. so the next set will be 235/40 on all corners.

[VaderDave]

Did you get the coupe, sedan, or convertible?

I have a 2004 ZHP convertible in black on black. I personally think it looks awesome. The color isn't everyone's cup of tea; I know a lot of people who like some contrast to their interior. Although the color is all the same, the interior textures are quite varied, so the effect is really nice, IMHO.

I have been very impressed with my ZHP. I bought it to replace my MBZ SL560, which is going on 16 years old. I needed a car with a rear seat, and I've always loved the E46 body style in convertible. Hopefully this car will be running as well in 16 years as the SL560 runs now (they wouldn't give me enough on trade-in, so I kept it). Say what you will about MBZ--at least they knew how to build a hell of a good car in 1988.

[Flat Out 32]

You know what? My family has always been MBZ fans but in 1988 we got an e28 M5 and that car changed my view. I really like MBZs but love the BMWs specially for the sport inspired ride and the straught 6. I got the sedan with the cloth hides since that's what they're racing. It'll get here in a month when it does I'll post pics. Thanks for the posts.

[XTREME]

I should be on my way to the dealer this week and I need to decide between a 04, now, or a 05 in October. What kind of a deal did they make you on the 05 (what did you pay and what was the MSRP?)?

[Silver4evr]

Here's a FAQ on Alcontara interior upkeep.

[Flat Out 32]

Thanks a bunch Silver4ever for the paper on the alcantara surfaces. Very helpful!
In Puerto Rico we get a lot of taxes for that kind of car but I thiink the MSRPis somewhere in the high $30 - low $40Gs for the Performance package car in the US. You can get it in google.com, I found it that way. The difference between both model years is that the 05 has the moonroof as standard equipment. You'll get a better deal on a 04 car being both the same.