My 3rd M3 is in the garage. Thoughts on ZCP

[NewM3driver]

So after putting 50K miles on my 2008 E90 M3, and then 10K miles on my 2016 F80 M3, I took delivery of my 2017 F80 ZCP yesterday. As I have posted here before, I personally felt the F80 was a much better daily driver than the E90, other than sound and steering feel.

My new car is Alpine white over full black leather. I promise to take photos over Thanksgiving week and post them here. It looks clean and sharp... menacing but sophisticated. The comp pack wheels do turn some on the forum off, but to me in the flesh they compliment the muscular body perfectly. They "look" like a BMW wheel. I'm certain they will be a royal PITA to keep clean.

I had the passive suspension with 18's on my first F80, and the ride quality with the active suspension on the 20 in ZCP rims is vastly superior in comfort AND in sport. Setting the suspension into sport plus does firm things up quite a bit and is really not necessary for daily driving.

I've only driven the new car about 100 miles, but the increase in the level of refinement is amazing. I haven't pushed it at all, but the sound and smoothness in which it pulls away from a stop is markedly different than my 2016. This car feels and sounds more sophisticated, more grown up. The exhaust doesn't seem louder, but is does sound better throughout the rev range.

Another big advancement is in the handling. It is a night and day difference. The ZCP is sharper, more nimble and yet smoother in every way. It's a remarkable difference really. The difference in the steering is noticeable and improved.

I am 5'9 and weigh just about 200. (The cardiologist says my weight should start with a 1, lol) I never had a problem with the seats in my 2016, but the bolsters on the bottom part of the seats did seem a bit narrow. The ZCP seats feel roomier, deeper and more comfortable. I may miss the lumbar adjustment down the road... time will tell. The holes in the seats do present a temptation for people (not just the kids) to poke you from behind, lol.

The striped seat belts are uber cool, BUT, they only upgraded the front belts... the rear seat belts are just black. I mean what's up with that??? Shame on BMW for cheaping out (what else can you call it?) and only putting the striped belts in the front.

I can't wait to clay polish and wax the new ride this weekend. I need to relearn the Idrive as the software seems to have changed a bit.

Photos and a more updated report to follow as I get more seat time.

[bb1857]

Great overall review and comparison but be forewarned the non-ZCP folks are going to come calling here soon telling you you're wrong. LOL.

I too have an AW ZCP but F82 and SO inside. I was in my car for over 6 hours yesterday driving the wonderful streets of Washington DC and Baltimore MD and I couldn't agree more about the ride quality. I am coming from a 535 with run flats and the expansion joints, potholes, road rises, and other debris don't seem terribly different between the two. yes you feel more with the M but it is not jarring or unsettling in anyway and I am lowered on Swift springs. Now I do clench my cheeks when i see speed bumps or big road dips but taken slowly hasn't created any hair raising events. I was on the cobblestone streets in parts of Baltimore last night and that was less than pleasant but to be expected.

The handling is so much fun and the car certainly has more grip than i have talent so I seriously doubt I will look for the edge.

Congrats on your next M and thanks for the post!

[F80Dreamer]

Great review and congrats on the new ride...I absolutely love my car for many of the reasons you mentioned above. And yes, the wheels are a real PITA to clean...I will be seriously looking into a good wheel coating to help cut down on cleaning time, plus a swap to different pads when the time is right.

[Ghetto2315]

The ZCP upgrades you are feeling are a placebo affect. Good job wasting your money!











Juuuuuuust kidding ZCP is definitely worth it. Congrats on the new ride!

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by bb1857

Great overall review and comparison but be forewarned the non-ZCP folks are going to come calling here soon telling you you're wrong. LOL.

I too have an AW ZCP but F82 and SO inside. I was in my car for over 6 hours yesterday driving the wonderful streets of Washington DC and Baltimore MD and I couldn't agree more about the ride quality. I am coming from a 535 with run flats and the expansion joints, potholes, road rises, and other debris don't seem terribly different between the two. yes you feel more with the M but it is not jarring or unsettling in anyway and I am lowered on Swift springs. Now I do clench my cheeks when i see speed bumps or big road dips but taken slowly hasn't created any hair raising events. I was on the cobblestone streets in parts of Baltimore last night and that was less than pleasant but to be expected.

The handling is so much fun and the car certainly has more grip than i have talent so I seriously doubt I will look for the edge.

Congrats on your next M and thanks for the post!

Thanks for the reply. I anticipate the push back from some of the non ZCP folks, but getting out of one and into the other the improvement in the overall personality of the new car is dramatic.

If folks take one thing away from reading my post it should be this: If you have an F8x M car enjoy it... it is an awesome car. BUT, if you are going to be purchasing a new F8X M car you DEFINITELY want to opt for the competition package. I've been with the brand since 1985, and this M3 with ZCP is by far the very best BMW I've ever driven. Dare I say approaching P car territory?

It's really REALLY good!

[***M4***]

Great Review. Cant wait for mine to come in.!!!!

[frKENm3]

#agree =) love every single damn mile i put onto this damn machine damnit

[KevinM]

Thanks for the comparison between your cars. Yeah, the ZCP wheels are not my favorite to clean, but luckily they don't often look dirty because of the grey color of the inner part of the wheel.

Congratulations!

[doberzus]

Congrats!! The Competition Package is the way to go for sure.

Coming from a 6MT, non-ZCP(M adaptive+ 18"s) to a DCT, with ZCP. Talking strictly ZCP, it is totally worth it! From the amazing wheels(they MAKE the car), to the new exhaust with its burbles and crackles, to the seats and seatbelts. The "cosmetics" alone are worth it. Anyone who says otherwise is just justifying, because $4750 is a BARGAIN! The car definitely feels more special than my old one with the 18"s.

The car is a monster for sure, can't say it's faster(aside from 6MT/DCT difference). I was extremely pleased with the sound, I love the sound of the ZCP. To be honest, I can't tell a huge difference between the two cars regarding tightness and steering. Might be placebo, might not. Car feels well put together, but so did my 2016.

I can say for sure the car feels brutally fast, going from 100mph-160+ was a breeze on the Autobahn. I cant truly say the car is night and day from my 2016.

[NewM3driver]

Thanks to all that responded. After having the car for all of three days, I have one small gripe. The WHEELS look awesome on the car, but are a royal pain in the ass to clean. They looked like they were going to be tough to clean, but holy-O-man.... they have so many concave angles and back cuts I simply can't get my hands in there to clean them.

I keep my cars clean. I need to figure out a process for these comp pack wheels.

On the other hand, the attention this car gets is amazing. I have had more compliments in three days than I got with my other M in 6 months. Same color, same car. Must be the wheels....

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

Thanks to all that responded. After having the car for all of three days, I have one small gripe. The WHEELS look awesome on the car, but are a royal pain in the ass to clean. They looked like they were going to be tough to clean, but holy-O-man.... they have so many concave angles and back cuts I simply can't get my hands in there to clean them.

I keep my cars clean. I need to figure out a process for these comp pack wheels.

On the other hand, the attention this car gets is amazing. I have had more compliments in three days than I got with my other M in 6 months. Same color, same car. Must be the wheels....

Grab a couple wheel brushes from Detailed Image. I have two sizes and can clean my wheels in about a couple minutes each. I also use the wheel woolie brush for the lug holes.

[TonySCV]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

The striped seat belts are uber cool, BUT, they only upgraded the front belts... the rear seat belts are just black. I mean what's up with that??? Shame on BMW for cheaping out (what else can you call it?) and only putting the striped belts in the front.

This stuff KILLS me about BMW of late. Their penny-pinching has gotten out of hand.

[Super Spartan]

Originally Posted by TonySCV

This stuff KILLS me about BMW of late. Their penny-pinching has gotten out of hand.

I think it's more that they forgot or didn't bother, what's the cost of stitching a seatbelt anyway. So annoying

I'd rather have it all or nothing, this way it looks weird that only the front seat belts are stitched

[MFNATIK]

I'm picking up my 2017 ZCP this week and am looking forward to experiencing the upgrades

[NewM3driver]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I think it's more that they forgot or didn't bother, what's the cost of stitching a seatbelt anyway. So annoying

I'd rather have it all or nothing, this way it looks weird that only the front seat belts are stitched

I agree totally. Once you have the striped belt run off, how hard is it to have it fitted to both the front and rear belts in the car. Honestly it looks silly having 2 striped and two black. The car is 80 thousand dollars.

Another example: My 2012 X5 had a full merino leather interior, comfort seats, leather dash. The merino leather, as most of you know, is SMOOTH. So what does BMW do? They put pebbled, dakota leather on the steering wheel. RUINED the entire look of the interior.... again, on a car that was north of 80 thousand dollars.

They really need to cut the shit.

[Gibson6594]

Originally Posted by NewM3driver

I agree totally. Once you have the striped belt run off, how hard is it to have it fitted to both the front and rear belts in the car. Honestly it looks silly having 2 striped and two black. The car is 80 thousand dollars.

Another example: My 2012 X5 had a full merino leather interior, comfort seats, leather dash. The merino leather, as most of you know, is SMOOTH. So what does BMW do? They put pebbled, dakota leather on the steering wheel. RUINED the entire look of the interior.... again, on a car that was north of 80 thousand dollars.

They really need to cut the shit.

Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if BMW had an official stance on this that was similar to how they feel about many things with these cars. It's about the driver. He/she should get the "better" seat belt, we don't care about the people in the back seat.

[stevehifi]

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 17 silverstone 6MT M3 with Comp package. (traded my 08 m3). I was wondering if you guys know what part of the exhaust is different? Is it just the axle back or the intermediate pipes as well?

Thanks,

Steve

[Ilikemike]

Originally Posted by stevehifi

Hey Guys,

I just bought a 17 silverstone 6MT M3 with Comp package. (traded my 08 m3). I was wondering if you guys know what part of the exhaust is different? Is it just the axle back or the intermediate pipes as well?

Thanks,

Steve

I asked the same question.... The answer (from the intelligencia) was that only the internal baffles are different, resulting in a much better sound but no external differences, except the cf tips...

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by Ilikemike

I asked the same question.... The answer (from the intelligencia) was that only the internal baffles are different, resulting in a much better sound but no external differences, except the cf tips...

This is correct but not CF tips as you get the gloss black tips. The appearance of the giant diaper is the same(terrible) but internally it's different for mo better sound

That being said I am picking up my new Gintani exhaust today for more volume

[captainaudio]

I went on BMWUSA and built an M4 convertible. I noticed that when I added the competition package it took away full leather.

[Golfster]

That's a configurator problem on the website. Full leather is an option when ordering the Comp option.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by Snappy Phoenix

I think it's more that they forgot or didn't bother, what's the cost of stitching a seatbelt anyway. So annoying

I'd rather have it all or nothing, this way it looks weird that only the front seat belts are stitched

The colored seat belts are my least favorite part of ZCP. I may try to trade someone for standard black.