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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

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idej_z4
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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by idej_z4 » Mon Jul 19, 2021 5:10 pm

The Mrs's Zed was advertised on the various Facebook groups and it had the BMW Performace shifter. I had a few comments saying people had never seen it before so thought it might be interesting for some to see a comparison. It's worth noting I've also had a Storm Motor Works V4 shifter as well.

Weight - the big one! The ZHP weighs 180grams, the BMW Performance 170grams. The interesting thing is that BMW Performance shifter seems heavier due to its smaller stubby size. The weight is concentrated over the entire thing whereas the ZHP feels light towards the top.

Finish - the ZHP is more or less all leather. The BMW Performance Shifter has Alcantara in the areas that matter and the rest is hard plastic.

Size - the BMW Performance shifter is considerably smaller and gives you less to grip than the ZHP but has a racier feel to it.

Price - The BMW Performance is around £48 and the ZHP is £70 so quite a saving getting the BMW Performance.

I've opted for the BMW Performance shifter based on the look (you get the added benefit of one less ///M badge on your car if you're not driving an ///M) and feel between shifts. The ZHP to me feels a bit old fashioned, a bit long when you're going from 1st to 2nd and then to 3rd...the all-important shifts in a Zed.

The trouble with the Storm Motor Works V4 was the finish, it had great weight and shape, but the leather around the edge stuck out where it had been stitched and it still suffered from being hotter than the sun anytime the weather was above 20 degrees! The BMW performance has a similar shape, without the drawbacks.

Here are a couple of images for comparison:
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20210719_164652.jpg (73.81 KiB) Viewed 593 times
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20210719_164645.jpg (52 KiB) Viewed 593 times
Oh, and even though I have swapped BMW shifters at least 50 times over the years, this time I still somehow managed to nearly give myself a black eye yanking it into my face! :headbang:

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by Weston Matt » Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:15 pm

I’ve got a BMW performance one and have recently swapped it for a motorwerks v1. Whilst I liked the performance one it felt a little angular to me

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by idej_z4 » Mon Jul 19, 2021 9:52 pm

Weston Matt wrote: Mon Jul 19, 2021 7:15 pm I’ve got a BMW performance one and have recently swapped it for a motorwerks v1. Whilst I liked the performance one it felt a little angular to me
How are you finding the V1? Is that the solid metal one? Brave choice in summer. :poke:

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by Weston Matt » Tue Jul 20, 2021 8:09 pm

I really like the feel, yes it does get hot but when your driving it’s ok

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by srhutch » Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:27 pm

All personal taste, but I feel the ZHP suits the E85/6 better than the MPerformance one which in my mind is for a car of the next generation.
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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by Haggisman » Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:44 pm

I’m na bit torn, agree with srhutch in terms of the look of the zhp for the early E85 but can see that the BMW performance one would give a shorter shift. Haven’t seen them over here in NZ
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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by M1k3yC » Wed Jul 21, 2021 11:02 pm

I like the BMW Performance one and hadn't seen it before, either. I'm quite tempted for my E86, which is still on its original gear knob. Nothing wrong with the ZHP, but it's a bit like CSLs or CSL reps - they look great so everyone buys them!
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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by breezyloco » Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:02 am

Thanks for the info! I just ordered the V4 recently, so I'm curious to see how it feels (I've got the rogue short shift kit but I'll wait for the knob to come to install all of it)... So does the black leather wrap not do enough heat insulation in your opinion?
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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by idej_z4 » Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:34 am

srhutch wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:27 pm All personal taste, but I feel the ZHP suits the E85/6 better than the MPerformance one which in my mine is for a car of the next generation.
Tottaly agree it is personal choice, and actually agree that the ZHP is more fitting in looks for the time. I've gone for function over form this time is all.

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by idej_z4 » Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:35 am

M1k3yC wrote: Wed Jul 21, 2021 11:02 pm I like the BMW Performance one and hadn't seen it before, either. I'm quite tempted for my E86, which is still on its original gear knob. Nothing wrong with the ZHP, but it's a bit like CSLs or CSL reps - they look great so everyone buys them!
As Hutch said, from a looks perspective they do suit the car better...just like CSLs

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by idej_z4 » Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:37 am

breezyloco wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 2:02 am Thanks for the info! I just ordered the V4 recently, so I'm curious to see how it feels (I've got the rogue short shift kit but I'll wait for the knob to come to install all of it)... So does the black leather wrap not do enough heat insulation in your opinion?
It's the top section where the palm of your hands go, you can just your fingers and utilise the leather bit until the air con does it job. It's a great shifter and I think is probably the best in terms of weight and functionality. You won't be disappointed. :thumbsup:

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ZHP vs BMW Performance (and a bit of Storm V4)

Post by Mr Tidy » Thu Jul 22, 2021 7:39 pm

idej_z4 wrote: Thu Jul 22, 2021 10:34 am srhutch wrote: ↑Wed Jul 21, 2021 10:27 pm
All personal taste, but I feel the ZHP suits the E85/6 better than the MPerformance one which in my mine is for a car of the next generation.
Tottaly agree it is personal choice, and actually agree that the ZHP is more fitting in looks for the time. I've gone for function over form this time is all.
Yes, that's my feeling too. The MPerformance one would look out of place in any Z4 of the E85/86 generation, but does look like a nice bit of kit.

But it's true, the ZHP like I have is a bit like CSLs which I no longer have, mainly because so many others have them!

I keep looking at the F10 M5 illuminated ZHP though. :roll:
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