[uucdigest] Sunday, February 6 2000 Volume 03 : Number 205 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | For all available Digest commands including unsubscribe/subscribe, | visit the BMW UUC Digest page: http://www.uucdigest.com | Send SUBMISSIONS to [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Complaints? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you must. | Visit http://www.bubbaclub.com | www.bimmers.com - "serving enthusiasts on the 'net" | Visit http://www.bimmer.org - ultimate BMW bulletin boards! | Subscribe to the Zionsville Autosport Parts Digest: | http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com/majordomo.htm ����������������������������������������� In this BMW UUC Digest: [uuc] San Diego Chapter Tire Tech Session [uuc] dead 6er [uuc] <E34> Stereo Upgrade/Need Help [uuc] Re: Automatic virgin [uuc] Re: Initial engine RPM on cold startup Re: [uuc] The Sixer Club [uuc] e30 changing brake hoses with stripped nut [uuc] Re: <E36>Electrical Gremlins BA [uuc] Re: "R*ceboy" [uuc] 528i not fast enough? [uuc] Auto Transporters [uuc] X5/RR comparo [uuc] Off-roader durability, autos and Chuck ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 12:19:47 -0800 From: Jim Powell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] San Diego Chapter Tire Tech Session Discount Tire in El Cajon and the San Diego BMW CCA Chapter will be hosting a Tire Tech Session on February 23rd. Please see the Club web page at for more detailed information. See you there. http://www.sdbmwcca.com/what.htm Jim Powell Webmeister San Diego Chapter, BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 16:21:26 -0500 From: "ianreiddc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] dead 6er Sorry if you have seen this post from bcg, but I love my 6er(just ask my girlfriend)! I Tried to start my 85 635csi today after sitting for about three weeks and nothing. I was sure it was the battery, but I had been starting it about one a week and lettiong it run. Well I jumped it and it ran. By the time a had removed the cables and moved the cars back to there spots (the 6er was left running while I was doing this)I went over to the 6er and it had stopped running. I tried starting it again and nothing. Is my battery not keeping the charge like I think? Do I need to jump it and then drive it, like most cars? If I plan on letting it sit like it has because of the snow can I disconnect the battery and reconnect it when I'm ready? Will that keep the battery alive? I know that it's less than 2 years old. Please help me. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 17:09:59 -0500 From: Matthew Dull <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E34> Stereo Upgrade/Need Help I am contemplating upgrading the stock stereo in my 93 M5. Anyone with any experience in upgrading this unit would do me a great favor of replying to my e-mail. I am wondering about a couple things: 1. The head unit is the one with the weather band. I have heard that it is a little better than the standard unit. Has anyone done a sucessful upgrade while keeping the head unit and cd changer? I did this on my 95 M3 by running low level outputs off the board and was not very happy with the results. 2. What has been the setup of choice to replace the funky 5" speaker and tweeter on the rear parcel shelf. 3. Is it possible in this car to do something similar to the ads upgrade for the E36 that utilizes the stock head unit and takes a high level input for signal?? Thanks in advance for any personal experiences that may help me. Matt ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 15:08:54 -0800 From: Chris Chong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Automatic virgin >From: John Edward Miller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > 4) At redlights, I still find myself putting it in Neutral, because > > it doesn't creep forward this way... > >Bugs the crap out of me when people do this. Really? How come? I'm taking a stab at this, but I guess people who dream at the lights waste alot of time putting the car in gear? > > 5) Are there any "performance" driving tips for an auto? There's this > > one corner which I always took really fast. In my 320is, I do my > > braking brfore the corner, downshift and power my way through it... > >Few manual transmissions are any good about getting you into the gear you >want to be in when you want to be there, and most of the ones that are, are >in Detroit cars. You will need to be manually downshifting in advance of >the corner. Downshifting in corners can be unsettling because you don't >necessarily control when the car's going to change gears. I didn't say I downshift in the corner (if that's what you're implying). I didn't go to drivers school for nothing. I don't think it has anything to do with whatever transmission type one has, it's the level of skill the driver has. However, you could be right. I do feel a bit uncomfortable taking a corner fast in an automatic. That's why I asked about shifting from D to 2 on an auto. I'm proberbly asking too much from my car anyways... for now (wait for the mods)... Thanks :-) Chris '83 528e Barvarian Auto Club of Vancouver Island member #2137 http://members.home.net/iphoto/home.html ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 18:09:46 -0400 From: bob rosa <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Initial engine RPM on cold startup Question: Is the following normal or is an adjustment needed? When I turn on the ignition for the first time on a cold winter morning, I notice the rpm momentarily jumps up to 1500-1800 rpm and then settles down to around 800-900 rpm. Assuming I'm using the correct oil viscosity, doesn't this still seem a bit high considering that the engine has been sitting in freezing weather all night and oil circulation is at a minimum. If I drive around and later restart the car, initial rpm surge only raises to 800-900 rpm. Is there a way to adjust the rpm so that the rpm doesn't move over 900 rpm on cold start up? or, are my concerns unfounded? Bob Rosa '92 325i - E36 '86 VW Golf Gti ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 18:13:38 -0500 From: George Ax <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] The Sixer Club > >From: "ianreiddc" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Subject: [uuc] DC Metro Area 6er list > > > >Hi all, I am trying to gather a list of all the 6ers in the DC Metro Area. > >Why am I gathering names?My intention for the list is that I would like to > >set-up some spring and summer rallies. We could start our own little "DC >6er > >Club." We could meet up at times and take drives in our 6ers to different > >locations. We could also gather to trouble shoot our cars, and exchange > >ideas. Another idea is that we could go out to tracks or conduct 6er > >autocrosses. > >Ruh-Roh! Might be a pretty small club! Other than Dwight Derr (and Jim >Moran until he moved to Boston), I can't remember when any other 6er showed >up from NCC on a regular basis to autocross and go to the track. Might >outta solict at the Concours at Woodlawn this Spring. Most the semi-active >6'ers show up for that to polish the cars... > >And the NCC in the past will not support specific model events that exclude >other bimwads driving the other series models, so that autocross might have >to run with stopwatches and flags. > >- Duane Collie < Can I come too? Only has a Seven though.... - ----- Make it the Big-6ers club and you'll expand the interest .. and can count me in - -George (Arlington, VA) ___________ o/______\o AxMan '88 535i, 135K miles (oo_OO_oo) Bilstein Sport, Eibach's, front-end, []o----o[] UUC-SS, E32 brakes, sharked ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 15:41:59 -0800 (PST) From: jun lim <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] e30 changing brake hoses with stripped nut I have an '89 325iX. I am trying to change the brake hose on the car. In the front the top nut on the metal brake line is stripped. I've tried visegrips to no avail. Any suggestions? It seems that if and when the nut does turn, I will not be able to reuse it. Do I need to replace the brake line to replace the nut? One more question. What kind of fitting is at the junction of brake line to brake hose? Is the hose the male end going into the female fitting on the line? At the caliper end the hose looks to be a female fitting. Thanks in advance Jun __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 6 Feb 2000 18:52:01 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <E36>Electrical Gremlins BA > From: Pearson-Franks Family <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] <E36>Electrical Gremlins > I have several electrical gremlins in my new-to-me > '95 M3 > > 1) The SRS light comes on at times. > - It occasionally comes back on a few seconds after > it goes off after starting the car. > - When it *does* come on in this mode, it usually > goes back out after a few minutes. Most likely a seat belt switch or passenger seat occupancy detector with an intermittent fault. SRS system defaults active in either case. Downside is, if the fault is on the passenger seat, the passenger air bag will deploy regardless of occupancy of the seat. If it's the drivers seat belt switch, the air bags will deploy at a slightly lower impact than otherwise. > 2) The tumbler spins freely in the cylinder on rare > occasion. (turning the key just goes and goes . . . ) > The ETM depicts a solenoid engaging the lock mechanism, > driven by a black box - I am presuming this is some sort > of 'driveaway protection', even though I didn't think the > '95's had the full gig. A design feature gone wrong. The lock cylinder is designed to disengage from the switch if forced, preventing someone from simply forcing the lock with a screw driver. Occasionally, it screws up and you get what you have. Only fix is to replace the lock cylinder housing, not easy or particularly cheap. If your car was produced after 1/95 you have the EWS driveaway protection system. > 3) "Check Brake Circuit" comes on from time to time, even > though all the brake lamps are lit. Replace the brake light switch. It has an intermittent fault on the check switch (there are two switches in the one unit.) > 4) Blue lights flash erratically behind the vehicle, Carry a handgun. Brett Anderson www.koalamotorsport.com Home of the E30 M3 CD-ROM repair manual. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 11:04:15 +1100 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: "R*ceboy" Joseph ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > I agree that the term is both incorrect and improper. It's also a bit played out. > It's like those people who put "M"'s on there BMW's > that don't deserve it Well, that's a bit of a cheat, but hardly a crime. You and I know they're fakin' it, and we're the ones they're trying to impress - just think of it as an advertisement for the real thing. > or who replace the model number with a higher one > (like putting a 535i on a 525i or even a 540i or 530i- I've never come across this, meself (in that I was able to tell), although I agree it would be a bit strange. I once saw a 520i badge on a 3er, though - it freaked me out. Does that count? :) > I've even seen Mercedes owners that take the S320 > off so people think it is a S500. Well, with respect, that's what *you* think, and you have technically made a value judgement. De-badging is commonplace in other countries, as has also been discussed at length; owners aren't out to fool people that they have a more expensive car (it's usually enough that they already drive an S-class). When I see a badged Merc, it's a surprise. > To each his own. Absolutely! Andy T "This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. When addressed to our clients, any opinions or advice contained in this email are subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing KPMG client engagement letter. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email or telephone +61 2 9335 7000 and destroy the original message. Thank you." ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 11:14:21 +1100 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] 528i not fast enough? Phil ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > I am new to this list and I am about to purchase a 528i 5-Speed. > I have previously owned a fully optioned 1974 Bavaria which was > a most excellent car! I like the 6 cylinder car as I see the 540i as > overkill, considering that it would be a rare day when you would > get to utilize the full potential of that car, or even the 528i for that > matter. What does concern me about the 528i is that the 193 HP > engine is rather modest in terms of power. Well, um, Autocar tested an early, single-VANOS manual 528i in 1995 and got it to 60 in 6.8 sec. You won't find a Camry or Maxima overtaking you (even if you do, would this be enough to make you question your choice?). I read that the US-only Maxima is pretty quick, but then it does have something like 220 bhp. Which is more than a piffling 193, but then I would strongly recommend that you make comparisons on something other than paper. Andy T "This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. When addressed to our clients, any opinions or advice contained in this email are subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing KPMG client engagement letter. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email or telephone +61 2 9335 7000 and destroy the original message. Thank you." ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 06 Feb 2000 19:41:38 -0500 From: "Jason E. Markel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Auto Transporters Anyone have recommendations/warnings on auto transport companies? I need to move a (non-BMW) vehicle from Santa Rosa, CA (near the Bay Area) to Buffalo, NY. Thanks. Jason 87 325 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 11:34:51 +1100 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] X5/RR comparo Jonathan ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > Didn't knock the X5 in any way. Kudos to BMW for building a > Sport Ute which is safe for the road. This is a rare thing... Of > the ones I have driven the Land Rovers (what do ya know - BMW > owned) are the only ones I feel safe in. I presume I will come > away with the same feeling after driving one at the Ultimate Driving > Experience on March 11. I'm not enormously keen on the X5 either - although I understand the irresistible force behind its conception. I've driven an older 5-speed Range Rover and a Discovery, neither of which had anything to do with BMW other than ownership of stock and board presence (although I understand new ones use minor interior bits from a BMW, which probably helps in showroom appeal). I did find them very solid, although the basic design is fundamentally different - body-on-frame, not monocoque. Hence the off-road performance superior to almost every other 4WD. And the off-road ability of the RR was surreal, especially in muddy conditions. The original 1970 Range Rover was a model of design simplicity (Spen King's finest hour) but the late 80s brought some very ordinary redesigns - even Terence Conran's architecture of the original Discovery's passenger cabin was remarkable in nothing more than association. The all-alloy V8 motor in the front made up for everything, though. Still, I did feel like I was driving a monster, even in the Disco. Heaven knows was the Excursion must feel like - the USS Lincoln, maybe? Andy T "This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. When addressed to our clients, any opinions or advice contained in this email are subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing KPMG client engagement letter. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email or telephone +61 2 9335 7000 and destroy the original message. Thank you." ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2000 11:49:09 +1100 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Off-roader durability, autos and Chuck I'm a bit behind here - sorry. Larry ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > It was interesting to discover that the X5 does NOT have a rear > LSD. Curious, since the iXs came with a > 25% rear LSD from > the factory (25% is standard for most BMW factory LSDs). Well, remember that we now have the technology, why use a tried-and-tested mechanical solution when a complex electronic one will do? :) > I remember a "trick" from my early 4X4ing days that made we > wonder if this same "trick" is being used in the new DSC-X. > When we found the 'ole Chebby K2500 stuck, we would "gently" > apply the brakes and "fool" the differential into thinking that both > wheels had the "same" traction, which would cause both wheels > to pull equally. A recent 4WD magazine a while back tested a crowd of 4WDs, including a Ford Explorer. While the Land Rover chugged round their test course easily, the Explorer failed. The trick of riding the brakes to fool the diff' into "locking" worked for a while, until the Explorer's autobox overheated and started spouting the pink stuff. But then the mechanicals of such cars are often straight out of a road car and do not lend themselves well to being used off tarmac. How will the X5 manage in the hands of an owner who actually uses it to go off-road regularly? > 2) Assuming it is, is this technology as effective as the tried and > true LSDs and Quaffe differentials? I doubt it. I wonder how, in ten or twelve years' time, a 3rd or 4th owner is going to cough up dealership prices to get the ECU fixed or replaced should it go wrong. I find replacing proven mechanical solutions with complex electronic ones a dubious approach. > 3) The list of 3 character electronic "acronyms" for the X5 is awfully > long...how does the group feel about computers making all these > driving condition decisions automatically? I think it's daft. I also think the inability to turn of ASC+T, if that is indeed the case, is proof that darwinism has lost the fight :). On a different note, Chris ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) asks about autos: > 1) If I want to start off much faster than usual, is it okay to shift > it to 1 (first gear), 2, and then D? 2) Is it okay to redline it this way? Yes. At full throttle most transmissions will change at redline in 'D' anyway. If you choose to shift yourself, you may find the lag between selecting the next upward gear and the transmission responding too great; so if you redline it in 1st, then shift to 2nd, by the time the gearbox responds you go into the red and hit the limiter, slowing your times. > ... However, can I just shift it from D to 2 while in motion? Yup. Although most autos should downshift readily without booting it too hard. Selecting the gear manually should be OK in a modern auto, as you can't do stupid things with the stick (short of ripping it into 'R' at 70 mph). However, as John Miller points out, take some care with older ones as their shift inhibitors may be inoperative or missing altogether. > 4) At redlights, I still find myself putting it in Neutral, because > it doesn't creep forward this way... Trivia for you: BMW's (and Audi's) new 6-speed autobox, built by ZF, does this automatically. In fact some 4-speed GM 'boxes (not the BMW ones!) do this at the moment. It's intended to reduce wear, tear and driveline vibration - there's a clue - but road-tests of the GM approach indicate that re-engagement of drive - when lifting the brake and stepping on the gas - is jerky, and uncomfortable if you accelerate briskly. Select 'N' for prolonged periods of idling, just as it says in the book. Better still, do as the Germans do and switch the motor off altogether if you're waiting a long time. > 5) Are there any "performance" driving tips for an auto? There's this > one corner which I always took really fast. In my 320is, I do my > braking brfore the corner, downshift and power my way through it... Here you need an autobox that will downshift aggressively when braking reasonably hard. I don't know of any automatic transmissions that will do this - perhaps drivers of the newer generation of adaptive BMW automatics can comment? Oh, one more thing - in Charlton Heston's speech, courtesy of John Sabatini, Chuck pointed out that if US was PC they'd still be subjects of the UK. While I agree with many of his points - I rather find politicial correction to be the language of cowardice - you might like to know that in my UK passport it says "British Citizen". Nothing about being a "subject" (which is what it used to say a long time ago). I became a "citizen" some time in the early 1980s, when people found they couldn't handle the label "subject" without spouting on about constitutions, freedom etc.. Andy T "This email is intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above and may contain information that is confidential and privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email is strictly prohibited. When addressed to our clients, any opinions or advice contained in this email are subject to the terms and conditions expressed in the governing KPMG client engagement letter. If you have received this email in error, please notify us immediately by return email or telephone +61 2 9335 7000 and destroy the original message. Thank you." ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #205 ************************** _________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Bonneville Motorwerks . http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com | Circle Tire Co. 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