E46 M3 Base vs ZCP Conundrum

[adr_M3]

Wow that reupholstered M-texture interior looks amazing. Mind sharing what something like that costs? Looks like you built the car that you wanted

It ended up being north of $11K as many of the existing parts weren't able to reused given the entire interior was in grey. I ended up getting a new headliner and OEM A-pillars to correct errors made by another upholstery shop, who used the wrong material as well as crazy glue in their install 🙄


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[simon_c]

Wow that reupholstered M-texture interior looks amazing. Mind sharing what something like that costs? Looks like you built the car that you wanted

[adr_M3]

It's been a few months since I first made this post which has allowed me time to read through folks' responses and contemplate what I wanted to do with my car. I ultimately decided not to get through the hassle of selling my undesirable spec and finding a ZCP so I went all-in on creating a ZCP-lite/OEM + car.

First order of business was finding a set of ZCP wheels and the forum's resident rack rebuild master davidinnyc happened to have a set for sale. Next up was the interior; after seeing examples of M-Texture interiors on other members' cars, I was dead set on getting it for mine. I reached out to Joni from Prestige Auto Upholstery in CT and after initially intending to just purchase in the interior and have it installed by an LA based shop, I ultimately decided to send my car our and have them do it since I wasn't able to find a local shop knowledgeable about the E46 platform nor willing to take on the job. I sent my car out the first week of January and was throughly impressed by what I got back. Gone was the Nappa Grey that I grew to loathe and in its place was an M-Texture interior that exceed my expectations. Along with new seats, dash, and door cards was a reupholstered headliner done in OEM-like material along as well as refinished trims from TexaZ3 that made the whole interior factory fresh.

I had intended on stopping there for the time being but gave in to the idea of going further with my "restoration" and sprung for a much needed suspension refresh and install of LCI LED taillights. I worked with EAS in Anaheim and had the following items installed:

- ZHP Yellow tag rack from davidinnyc
- New bellows and steering coupler assembly
- Bilstein B6 shocks and struts
- Eibach springs
- Lemforder OE tierods and control arms
- Powerflex FCABs
- Turner front and rear anti-sway bars

These new components turned the previously bouncy and somewhat harsh ride into one that is supple, yet firm and the new ZHP rack gives a steering a welcome lightness without compromising feedback.

I still have a few items that I'm planning on addressing such as getting my side mirrors repainted and a 6MT conversion (once I become more adept at driving stick) but for now I will just step back and enjoy the car that I am proud to have made my own.

[heinzboehmer]

Harsh.

I get it…the MK60 is better. Even in the hands of a novice like me I can feel the difference.

But to trade a car because of it? 🤔

I have an MK60 and an MK20 car. I don’t think I would even notice a difference between the two on the street. And on the track, I feel like my competence and ability to execute consistently is more significant than the difference between those two systems.


Except when the MK20 decides you're on ice, resulting in you not having brakes as you head into turn 1
(^^ this last sentence here, I did not write it. I suppose a moderator did. OldRanger 11 Jan 7:40pm EST)

Ha, yeah, I guess that did come across as kinda harsh.

I meant trade in the context of this question. If already considering to get a later car and the current one is MK20, then the MK60 car would be even more appealing.

Agreed that MK20 should not be the only reason for trading a car.

[OldRanger]

MK20 or MK60? If MK20, then it might be worth considering trading the car for an MK60 car.

Harsh.

I get it…the MK60 is better. Even in the hands of a novice like me I can feel the difference.

But to trade a car because of it? 🤔

I have an MK60 and an MK20 car. I don’t think I would even notice a difference between the two on the street. And on the track, I feel like my competence and ability to execute consistently is more significant than the difference between those two systems.


Except when the MK20 decides you're on ice, resulting in you not having brakes as you head into turn 1
(^^ this last sentence here, I did not write it. I suppose a moderator did. OldRanger 11 Jan 7:40pm EST)

[MTiz]

What took you so long on the swap? If you removed the dash, which is completely unnecessary then yes. I didn't, just the cut down center, to go around the heater core, and tucked the inner center pieces up under the plastic trim dash trim. You cannot and wouldn't ever be able to tell I did that. I had it done in probably 8 hours (other than I broke the gas pedal white clip thing and had to order).

My dashboard was dove grey, and I was not keeping that in while swapping to black carpets and imola seats and door cards. That'd be horrible.

[jvit27]

ZCP if you're going to leave the car stock/collectible (boring). But it really doesn't change the experience that much, especially if you upgrade the car. You can add a rack, and wheels are purely subjective. Brakes can be changed too but it's not like E46's need more front bias, and single piston calipers are nothing to write home about anyways. Just get Euro 2pc rotors if you want the look without having to change anything else.

Color is subjective, I actually think IB doesn't look good. TiAg is classic and you have a clean slate to do a special interior if you want. MK60 swap is doable especially considering how much work you've already put into the car. Not to be a hater on ZCP, I've had one. Nice option to have as far as aesthetics but I wouldn't go out of my way for one.

[maw1124]

I feel ya, one man’s treasure…. another man’s garbage.

Didn't know yours was a swap... smart move.

I hunted for that color combo... it was the only one I would accept. Didn't like Carbon over Imola and didn't like the darker Grey at all. And never White.

As for ZCP v not, I couldn't see anything in the difference I really cared about. And since it was Coupe only that was out. Maybe I saved a couple bucks by avoiding that hype premium. But then again convertibles were more expensive when I bought (2010Q4). Consumer preferences and market dynamics shift. It happens.

maw

[oceansize]

I swapped my Dove to Imola and it is NOT EASY, you're lying lol. It will take a very long time and you will likely break a lot of 20+ year old crappy plastic along the way. Zero regrets but yeah I was stressing doing that.

@OP, sell it and buy a dream spec. You'll never regret it.

What took you so long on the swap? If you removed the dash, which is completely unnecessary then yes. I didn't, just the cut down center, to go around the heater core, and tucked the inner center pieces up under the plastic trim dash trim. You cannot and wouldn't ever be able to tell I did that. I had it done in probably 8 hours (other than I broke the gas pedal white clip thing and had to order).

[MTiz]

Interior swap will change your life. It's what I did. Dove grey to Imola. Tiag and imola is such a good combo. You've got a good car it sounds like, swap the interior and move on IMO. Interior swap is easy, just a little time consuming.

I swapped my Dove to Imola and it is NOT EASY, you're lying lol. It will take a very long time and you will likely break a lot of 20+ year old crappy plastic along the way. Zero regrets but yeah I was stressing doing that.

@OP, sell it and buy a dream spec. You'll never regret it.

[9kracing]

Also it's the rack not the column

[xansabi]

By swapping it. But, faster isn’t “better” (if it was, it would be stock, as it’s not more expensive to make)— just a different compromise of high speed stability to responsiveness.

Thanks!

[Obioban]

What's the most common way to switch the steering columns to CSL/ZCP?

By swapping it. But, faster isn’t “better” (if it was, it would be stock, as it’s not more expensive to make)— just a different compromise vs high speed stability to responsiveness.

[xansabi]

ZCP had the CSL steering rack which has a faster (more sensitive to input) ratio. So less turns of the wheel for same turning radius. IMO, this was a great improvement. Base models I’ve driven feel loose at center and slow whereas my ZCP feels amazing to me. Lots of folks comment on ZCP being cosmetics, but the steering rack to me makes a difference.

But I am partial to the ZCP for cosmetics too ha

What's the most common way to switch the steering columns to CSL/ZCP?

[WestBankM4]

I'm in the, keep your car camp. I bought my Carbon Black w/ grey interior and hated the interior color. I decided to convert the interior to black and I bided my time to collect parts from eBay and Craigslist for the build. Waited for pristine parts, 9/10 or better, lucked out on door cards, dash and carpet all locally from a clean example becoming a race car. Some of the small bits I had to buy OEM, but also found a parts car I could nab small things needed in black.

All in all, I did a lot while I was in there to future proof and lighten as much as possible within limits. Upgraded sound components, replaced a lot of electronics, sensors, blowers behind the dash because I didn't want to take the dash out a second time.

The good news is that you have grey interior, keep your seats and the door panels! They're the best to dye given the nature of the color since you want Cinnamon in the future. I bought the dye kit which is very close to the OEM color from a company called, Leatherique. Waiting on a new HVLP gun, but I'm going to start testing summer '26. If I can get good results, I'll be reusing all my old leather interior but Cinnamon in the car. I upgraded my seats to Sportsters so getting a Cinnamon cover can be had by AMX Performance or similar, otherwise you can dye your OEM seats and repair them at the same time if worn or cracked.

I personally love Titanium, such a timeless and classic color.