"The Truth About Cars" M3 ZCP Review

[z335is]

Just came across this today, strip away some of the backstory and it seems to be the first "bad" review of the ZCP package. The reviewer seemed to find little to no difference with the ZCP.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...ge-track-test/

[JoeFromPA]

Finallly, a reviewer who knows troof:

"So what makes an M3 a Comp Package? Well, to begin with, there’s a modest power bump to 444 horses. But the M3 didn’t need any more power. You might argue that it needed less power. The turbocharged straight-six can be both unsubtle and unexpected in its torque delivery, particularly when rolling the throttle through fast corners. But BMW’s owner base expects a direct MSRP-to-dyno correlation, so there you go."

[CSanto]

Thats a lot different from the people on this forum who will make you believe the ZCP makes it an entirely different car.

[Kevin G]

This comparison is tiresome. And it's mostly from those who don't have a ZCP trying to make themselves feel better. I imagine most of us with ZCP have no regrets (maybe other than the wheels)...

[s2k750]

Originally Posted by CSanto

Thats a lot different from the people on this forum who will make you believe the ZCP makes it an entirely different car.

Put some better tires on a base M3 and it'll be just as "improved."

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by s2k750

Put some better tires on a base M3 and it'll be just as "improved."

You're wrong but cool story. I had RE11s with HRE R101 on my 15 and my ZCP feels better.

If you want to take some dumbass magazine reviews word over a bunch of guys who have more than 1 afternoon of seat time in both cars go for it. But the longer I drive my ZCP the more noticeable the differences are. Its the way the car should have come stock.

Don't even get me started on how much better it sounds. And before you say it no it's not just the tune.

[CaryTheLabelGuy]

Originally Posted by dmk08

You're wrong but cool story. I had RE11s with HRE R101 on my 15 and my ZCP feels better.

If you want to take some dumbass magazine reviews word over a bunch of guys who have more than 1 afternoon of seat time in both cars go for it. But the longer I drive my ZCP the more noticeable the differences are. Its the way the car should have come stock.

Don't even get me started on how much better it sounds. And before you say it no it's not just the tune.

^This.

Sorry fellas, but there really is no argument here. Anybody that claims they can't tell a difference between the ZCP and the non-ZCP and that the difference isn't for the better, is fooling themselves or have no business reviewing cars.

[Fake News 2017]

I have a cup of shut up juice for anyone who thinks less power is a good thing

[mic_crispy]

Originally Posted by CaryTheLabelGuy

^This.

Sorry fellas, but there really is no argument here. Anybody that claims they can't tell a difference between the ZCP and the non-ZCP and that the difference isn't for the better, is fooling themselves or have no business reviewing cars.

Yep. I've had both, its they are very different.

[danniexi]

omfg. so sick of this shit.

"automotive journalism" is a fucking joke. people with ZCP are going to say their cars are the best. those without ZCP will say that there is "no real difference". and any other non-F80 BMW owners are going to say that the steering sucks, engine sucks, and BMW "lost their way." everyone is going to say something otherwise in order to justify their purchases/ownership and, above all, make themselves feel better. this BS is getting ridiculous.

[ASAP]

drove a zcp in autox... i will say that it is a solid upgrade

[M370z]

Originally Posted by danniexi

omfg. so sick of this shit.

"automotive journalism" is a fucking joke. people with ZCP are going to say their cars are the best. those without ZCP will say that there is "no real difference". and any other non-F80 BMW owners are going to say that the steering sucks, engine sucks, and BMW "lost their way." everyone is going to say something otherwise in order to justify their purchases/ownership and, above all, make themselves feel better. this BS is getting ridiculous.

Something definitely took a turn from a journalistic perspective with the F8x though. I owned an e92 M3 and I never remember it getting the vitriol that the F8x gets. And IMO, the F8x is a better car, so I just don't get it.

As for ZCP, regardless of how much better it is, you can't deny that it is a no-brainer option at the price.

[dmk08]

Originally Posted by M370z

Something definitely took a turn from a journalistic perspective with the F8x though. I owned an e92 M3 and I never remember it getting the vitriol that the F8x gets. And IMO, the F8x is a better car, so I just don't get it.

As for ZCP, regardless of how much better it is, you can't deny that it is a no-brainer option at the price.

I'm not sure I would tick ZCP on a daily driver as its definitely more harsh to drive. My car is a weekend only car tho and its worth every penny IMO.

danniexi best car ever? No. Better than standard? Yes.

[Gibson6594]

You'll never hear me say the zcp isn't a better car. I just question the value of the package, especially when it includes wheels I don't want, and even more especially when I don't track or race my car.

[CanAutM3]

I haven't read much "truth" in that article. Just opinions

[Acturater]

Take 2 steps back and observe what we r arguing here. Its like Paris Hilton and Kim kardashian arguing about who has the latest jacuzzi in their Hollywood mansion. To 99% of the population they have a Hollywood mansion, full stop.

[yaymitch]

I have non-ZCP and if I were ordering today I would check the box. Magazine reviews are just another source of information to be taken for what they are...just another opinion from a test drive.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by dmk08

danniexi best car ever? No. Better than standard? Yes.

i was obviously exaggerating with my post. but clearly the ZCP is a big upgrade and in my eyes, a bargain. i don't have it (got my car before zcp was even announced), but why people have to argue over it is pointless in my eyes.

[F80 ZCP]

Originally Posted by Kevin G

This comparison is tiresome. And it's mostly from those who don't have a ZCP trying to make themselves feel better. I imagine most of us with ZCP have no regrets (maybe other than the wheels)...

I have no regrets on the wheels. In fact I've grown to love them. Pictures don't do justice to the wheels. I can't wait to get mine soon.

Regarding the article I was halfway through the piece when I decided to skip the entire article and went on to read the comments. It was more entertaining to read the comments .

[m4282]

Tbh if your looking to lower your m4 (camber upgrades etc)and add any type of performance exhaust (not the "sport exhaust" that the zcp comes with) there is no need to get the ZCP package. And get a software tune to the MDM You'll be wasting your money.

Now if your not looking to do anything related to the above mods and just want it as is or maybe some "cosmetic" mods then go for ZCP. It's as simple as that!

Either trust then BMW mods on the ZCP and do nothing or save the 5500 and put it towards your own mods on a non ZCP.

Outside of that to each his own.....

Full disclosure I have a non ZCP and I am upgrading the camber, springs and toe links so I knew the ZCP price wasn't for me. The only thing I wish they could add a la carte is the "sports exhaust" as to be honest even the MPE doesn't do much for gains individually unless paired with a broader engine tune and CAI and inter cooler. But agree with all I miss the sound.... But hey otherwise it's great

Heck the sports exhaust on the ZCP should be half the cost of the MPE at best! If anyone knows if you can replace the current stock exhaust on a non ZCP with a sports exhaust that comes with ZCP I'd be interested in the part number as again power gains with out full engine tune on an MPE are negligible, it's either all in or nothing

[JoeFromPA]

I wrote my earlier post in haste and let me add a few things:

I have nothing but happiness with ZCP folks. It's a solid package by all accounts, reasonably priced. ANY new platform will be able to identify tweaks for improvement after a year or two and it's nice to gain those in one package - a bit more traction, better steering, sound, etc.

I would personally tick the ZCP box except my car is used alot on long highway trips. I PREFER 18" wheels in my usage, though I think the car looks slightly better on 19s (though these 18s are some of the best BMW has ever made in terms of looks).

I personally believe the stock f8x platform has a power delivery that exceeds the factory chassis/suspension/tires - which I find tremendous fun. But to me adding another 80hp without notably more traction wouldn't make it more fun. That's just my opinion though. I realize that, technically, with careful prep on a track I could add ~6-8mph to my trap speed with a tune. I just don't drive that way and in real world driving I tend to overwhelm my rear tires more than enough, and definitely very easily in gears 1-3 at any RPM. So I applauded the writer of the TTAC article for saying that, hey, power increase on the F80 wasn't necessarily a "must have" but people do expect it. I find that to be accurate.

[Leaveit2bevo]

I cant believe everyone is arguing about the ZCP and not about how stupid this kid is for buying two M3's and one is a "track rat." Has this kid never heard of a GTR or GT3?