[uucdigest] Friday, February 11 2000 Volume 03 : Number 246 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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] Re: airbags [uuc] RE: Daytona & other ranting Re: [uuc] Airbag types - lots Re: [uuc] Re: M5 vs. Dodge Viper Re: [uuc] Airbags and my E34 [uuc] RE: <WOB> Airbags - new technology! [uuc] <E36> Need dead cats <g> Re: [uuc] <E36> Need dead cats <g> [uuc] Know a good AC Schnitzer Source? [uuc] Re: Euro hfm without upgrading chip? [uuc] Teens <new drivers> and the cars they should drive [uuc] Re: M5 vs. Viper & Rolex 24 [uuc] another airbag spouting about airbags...<WOB> [uuc] Need your help Re: [uuc] Emissions failure and occillating idle on 535i ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, Feb 11 2000 17:08:38 GMT-0500 From: Ken W <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: airbags Michael Fennell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>: > You can teach a teenager anything you want, except > maturity. The only thing that kept my friends and I > alive (did you know you can put a Honda Accord on three > wheels? we have photos) was the hopelessly under-capable > cars we drove. Sure, you can crash a 4 cylinder Chevy > Celebrity if you try hard enough but you're not going to > be going 120 when you do it. While I would have loved a > performance driving school, I would have only driven > faster on the streets with my new found "skills". Maybe > others would have a smarter reaction. Funny, since doing driving schools I find that I drive more SLOWLY on the street. Either that I have learned more or just that I am able get out high speeds at the track in a controlled environment, or both. I find it rare these days that I go more than 10 mph over the limit on highways, maybe 15. I think I have these schools to thank for it, especially when I see a cop pass me or pass by one knowing that my heart didn't have to skip a beat. - -Ken '91 M3 '86 GTI ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:51:14 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] RE: Daytona & other ranting This is the last time IM going to say this, the reason BMW and Porsche and Panoz were not at Daytona this year is b/c of the new rules brought on but Grand America Road racing. It was not b/c they are not interested in racing but when Dyson can change the rules to make it not worth it for others to compete so he will win by default, well you catch were IM going. and to people bitching that they don't like where BMW is heading, Call BMW individual and have them build you what you want. Or quit bitching. I was under the impression that everybody here loved there cars for what they are, if you want something different, make it! Brian Jacobs 98 318ti 99 Z3 coupe Everglades CCA [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:55:29 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Airbag types - lots Dean Boucouras wrote: > There are side airbags and head airbags. They are actually 2 different > airbags. > > The side airbag is built into the door. The head airbag is the tube like > airbag that you described. I think that there are now 6 types of airbags : 1) steering wheel/passenger dash mounted - keep you from hitting dash/windshield 2) seat mounted - for protecting torso from side impacts 3) door mounted side - same as seat mounted, different design execution (no pun intended ;-) 4) head bags - A-pillar to B-pillar mounted tube-like restraint for keeping head from hitting window or something else 5) side curtains - mounted from A-pillar back to B/C-pillar similar to tube bags, but designed to also prevent ejection thru window in event of a roll-over. these apparently are designed to stay inflated a bit longer to accomplish this. not in produciton in many cars currently, but coming soon. 6) rear seat front impact bags - these are mounted in the back of the front seat (!) I believe - same function as front bags. I like the quick acting foam from "Demolition Man" too, tho un-intended activations of that would be a real chore to clean up.. my advice - keep belted, avoid hitting stuff, save red-mist driving for the track w/a helmet. Ben Keyes '99 M coupe '88 M5 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 17:05:26 -0500 From: "Peter Sterne" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: M5 vs. Dodge Viper You got it exactly right! This is why I have a '93 325is and my Miata is for sale 8^( Regards, Peter (Busy at work and responding to e-mail from 3 days ago) Sterne '93 325is '91 Miata SE Scott D Miller wrote: > I keep having to remind y'all of the proper Bimmerhead philosophy: > > You buy a BMW because you want a sports car, but you need a back seat. > > Hey, it isn't my fault that BMW designed a couple of cars where they plum > forgot the back seat! Is that MY fault? I think not. > > Scott Miller > GGC BMW CCA #44977 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 17:12:51 -0500 From: "Pat Donahue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Airbags and my E34 After plowing through a bunch of posts I didn't see the reply to this. The air bags have two different threshold speeds. If you're not wearing the seatbelt they'll fire at a slower vehicle speed in an impact. If you're wearing your belt you have to crash harder for them to fire. That said, I don't remember when BMW started putting them in. BMW also puts in sensors to detect if there's even a passenger to fire the bag for in an impact. This saves money and windshields. Geeeze '84 Suburban K10 Turbo Diesel for sale $5k (have to, no air bags!) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Moe Drippins" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > When I bought the car, the dealer told me that the airbag had 2 > "speeds"; it'd deploy slower if the seatbelt was being worn, quicker > if not. > > -- > Just Moe > '95 540 6 speed, BL/SS ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:14:44 -0600 From: "Fadeev, Alex" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: <WOB> Airbags - new technology! Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> sez: > > And airbags help you in a minor roll over .... how? What airbags? Front impact? Side impact? => neither one will do much, nor were they designed to do much in a roll over. Curtain/sausage over the side windows? => these will help keep my sorry ass inside the vehicle. alex f > "Fadeev, Alex" wrote: > > > "Osterbrink, Mark (AFS-Warren)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> opinionates: > > > I'll take a roll cage and five point harness over airbags any day. > > > > And you will crack your head on the roll cage in a minor roll over. > > Congratulations and say hello to Darwin for us! > > > > alex f ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 17:41:48 -0500 From: "Frank Massaro" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E36> Need dead cats <g> Hey Everyone, No, not house cats.....Sorry Matt Yip....;) What I need is a dead catalytic converter for a 6-clyinder E36. Well, I don't really need the dead cats, I just need the sections of pipe in front of them. "What the hell for?" you might ask.....This will allow me to remove my entire functional cat section intact, and give me the tubing and flanges I need install a center resonator. Someone on the east coast would be preferable, Iam located in N.C. Thanks in advance, Frank Massaro BMW CCA Tarheel Chapter '92 325is Club Racer, #23 KP '88 M3 '83 533i ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 15:04:00 -0800 (PST) From: Matthew Yip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <E36> Need dead cats <g> Damn - I thought you were having another cookout. - --- Frank Massaro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > No, not house cats.....Sorry Matt Yip....;) ===== Matthew Yip [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.geocities.com/mgyip/ '87 GTi 16v - x2 '88 M5 '99 F350 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 15:28:53 -0800 From: Roger Baker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Know a good AC Schnitzer Source? As the subject says, anyone know of a good ACS parts source?? I'm considering their sport mirrors if anybody knows a good source (other than BavAuto) or has a set for sale. Roger Baker - - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 18:31:33 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re: Euro hfm without upgrading chip? Is there anyone out there that has a '95 M3 with a Euro hfm or an hfm from a used 540i/ 740i (same hfm as the Euro) that has *not* upgraded their chip (but already had an aftermarket chip) just for the larger hfm? I've heard that it might not be necessary to replace my aftermarket chip just for the larger hfm. But I thought I had also heard that the car may run lean, thus causing problems with the catalytic converter. Anyone out there running their '95 like that? Ken Arutunian '95 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 18:36:44 -0500 From: Mark Yarger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Teens <new drivers> and the cars they should drive When I was shopping for my first car as a high school senior I explored a number of avenues, but fortunately came across the formula for the ideal teen vehicle. The recipe to success is an automobile that instills an appreciation for the reason one owns a car - transportation. The best way for a newly mobile and liberated teen to appreciate their car, and not take it for granted, is if it never runs quite properly and frequently doesn't run at all. My father, unbeknownst to me, understood this fine detail of automotive appreciation and understandable started developing my desire for a british or italian sports car at a young age. His plot worked well, perhaps too well. In 1983 I purchased a 1972 MGB-GT with 'only' 60K miles and just a 'little' rust. Little did I know that mileage on these vehicles is measured in motorcycle not automotive time, and that a little rust provides charming features such as the ability to see the pavement through the drivers floorboard. Of course those and other little drawbacks, (most instrumentation didn't work, needed new brake calipers all round, funny wires wheels for which tires were nonexistent, a heater core that provide a steam bath to the cabin, a cracked cylinder head, leaking slave cylinder on the clutch, and rust - did I mention rust) did not prevent me from falling senselessly, hopelessly, head over heels in love with my new car. My father who so wisely instilled my automotive taste was also inspired to purchased the tools and manuals with which I could attempt to 'restore' my new love to pristine condition - and then even more wisely refused any more involvement. Now to a young boy of 17 the notion of restoring a classic car to original condition was truly a romantic and thrilling prospect, one that damned me to 5 years of automotive growth. The first problem that occurred with my well developed plan was financing. I'd spent all my money to obtain this fine automobile, so buying quality replacement parts was mostly out of the question. My father, in his infinite wisdom, sprung to get the brakes working properly - but after that the 'restoration' budget was depleted. Never deterred by reality I took it upon myself to refurbish and repair the inoperable parts on my high quality british racing machine. Of course repair and refurbish took on a new meaning in my attempt to also satisfy a longing for basic transportation. And thus, it became normal to carry silicone brake fluid so I could crawl under the car and bleed the clutch every 2 - 3 days or run out of gas frequently due to an inoperable gauge (did I mention budgetary constraint). Reaching under the car to fiddle with starter wires on frosty winter mornings became no odder than turning the key. About a two years later the car was in its prime. It was a cool fall night when a friend (long pony tail, goatee) and I were driving through rural upstate New York, on our way home from grateful dead night at a local watering hole, when on an abandoned country road what should appear in the rear view but the flashing welcome of our local constable. We stopped and the officer approached the car only to ask, "Son do you know how fast you were traveling?". Smugly I stated, "No officer I'm afraid I don't, my speedometer doesn't work". With a flash of irritation and anger he shot back, "You expect me to believe *THAT*". "*YOUR* going to have to come up with a better one", he challenged me. So casually reaching back into the parts bin behind the drivers seat I retrieved the speedometer, handed it to him, and pointed at the large hole in the dash. Now irritated he pressed on, "Are you aware that your passenger side taillights are out?". At this point I was starting to enjoy our conversation because I knew what wonderful surprises my MGB had for our forlorn officer. I reached under the dash, popped the hood, and as I walked around and lifted it explained to the officer - "I'm sorry sir, but will you go to the back of the car and take a look at the taillight." Once the officer was in position I was ready for the show so with a solid <smack> to the fuse box I continued, "Sir, I've been trying to fix that and thought I had - Is the taillight on now?" Upon seeing the light our poor servant started to become frustrated, and decided to play the one card he still held. Thinking better of producing my drivers license at the beginning of the traffic stop - due to certain inaccuracies it contained in order to allow my participation in activities at our local watering holes - I'd left myself open to one final attack - and thus the officer issued a citation for 'Driving without a license'. Fortunately our story ends happily. It turned out that the judge, however peculiar this might sound, thought the officer should *not* have written my drivers license number (which he obtained over the radio) on this particular type of citation - thus reducing the event to an educational waste of time. So before I get carried away and explain how I spent an entire summer disassembling the Smith Instruments speedometer (documenting each spring and screw removal) over the course of an entire summer (fixing it BTW) - or bore you with how the car was ultimately sold without my consent or knowledge in a garage sale for $150 - I'll conclude with this. IMHO the best car for the new driver is *any* italian or english sports car that can be purchased for less than $2000.00. The cheaper the better for this car provide far more than transportation (far less too), it will provide an education and lifetime of automotive enthusiasm. Cheers, Mark #1 Teen car - Fiat 850 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 15:42:35 -0800 From: Herman Chan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: M5 vs. Viper & Rolex 24 > BMW not having a strong corporate presence at "The premier Road Racing > endurance event in the US" is unthinkable and a sad indicator of the > direction of this carmaker. That's like saying the 95+ Indy 500 is still the premier open-wheel racing event in the US. Insert <sanctioning body/tyrant> in place of <carmaker> and you wouldn't be far off in either case. Herman ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 15:54:44 PST From: "Gilbert Hoffman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] another airbag spouting about airbags...<WOB> There was an accident in the paper earlier this week. (Happened on rt.80w in Wayne, NJ.) A man driving an S70 at 60+ mph ran head-on into an Accord that was traveling the wrong direction. (Police suspect DUI, or suicide.) Anyway, both men were seatbelted. The Honda was a bit older and had no airbags. (Nor did the paper say how fast the Honda was traveling.) Anyway, Honda guy is dead, as in there was no car in front of the windshield after the accident. Volvo guy broke his knee. Other than that he is fine. Now I know what everybody is thinking...Volvo vs. Honda...Volvo wins. Maybe that guy in the Honda would still be with us if he had airbags? Anyway, airbags, (front, side, head) are one of the many reasons I purchased a BMW. Head specifically, being I'm 6'3" and saw the E39 crash tests. According to the IIHS the test of the E39 15mph (or was it 10) into a steel pole resulted in a head injury 4x what the organization considers fatal. With the HPS, it was less than fatal. That's enough to sell me. Being that I'm long-legged, I'm not particularly worried about hitting my head above the windshield. But I'd also like to see what happens with dem larger dummies. Gilbert Hoffman hoping airbags won't have to save this airbag ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 19:02:07 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Need your help My mother has a 94 325isA w/ 88k miles. I am looking for a good repair shop in the Northern, VA/DC Metro area. This is my mother/father, and they have very little technical experience, so a dealer that is really good at working with almost no info is best. We need some good diagnostic help, I have some trouble with the tranny (very hard and delayed shifts), and some other phantom concerns. Thanks in advance and please respond privately - -Jonathan ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 16:09:10 -0800 From: Erick Baumeister <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Emissions failure and occillating idle on 535i Update on questions asked re: my 88 535ia with High idle HC No one seems to think the AFM could be the source of the problem, even though the resistance track is really worn at the idle part. - -1. Oil was changed between tests, which were a few weeks apart. - -2. I alway make sure the cat. convertor is good and hot, and I don't let the car sit before they put it on the machine. - -3. ICV on this car is the one piece, non adjustable Bosch unit, recently replaced. - -4. Idle Position Sensor and TPS units test out fine. - -5. I've reset the Motronic after each repair. - -6. I've swapped out the Dinan & stock chips with no change. - -7. Car has a miniscule exhaust leak at the manifold, undetectable without a stethoscope. - -8. Cold idle appears to be almost OK, although it's now getting to need the throttle opened a bit to start when stone cold. I'm leaning towards clogged injectors now....any more ideas? Here's my original message, sorry for the WOB, but I really need to fix this! I was less frustrated changing my own rear subframe bushings without a lift! > Way high HC(559ppm) @ idle, idle CO: 0.63% > California Limits at idle for my car are HC:120ppm and CO 1.0% > > My readings at 2500 RPM are HC:35ppm and CO 0.47% > California limits at 2500 RPM are HC:140ppm and CO 1.0% > > Exhaust CO2 at idle is 13.0%. O2 is 2.3 (measured idle of 669, although > it goes back and forth between 600-800) > Exhaust CO2 at 2500(actually 2407rpm) is 14.4%. O2 is 0.5% > > Watching the meter, the tech told me the HC numbers jump at the same > time as the idle transition. I neglected to ask him if it jumps on the > way up or down. He was convinced that the problem was the Mass Air > Sensor(even after I pointed out twice that this car has an Air Flow > Meter instead) so I didn't bother asking too many questions. > I've had a low or loping idle for as long as I've owned this car(almost > 4 years). This is the first time it hasn't passed the biennial > inspection. Previously, I've passed with numbers low enough to qualify > as a Ultra Low Emissions vehicle! That was probably due to several > vacuum leaks leaning out the mixture. Those have all been fixed > including the injector o-rings. > Car has 156,000 miles, mine for last 65,000. Engine related mods are a > Dinan chip and a Metric Mechanic System 300 exhaust. The exhaust is > comprised of the 50mm Euro downpipes, a 2 into 1 Catalytic converter, > and a Bosal muffler. > Recently got new spark plugs(old ones all look good and alike-new ones > gapped wide), cap&rotor, and valve adjustment (.014 stone cold) as well > as cleaning and reoiling the drop-in K&N air filter > Parts replaced over past few years(some more than once) include: > Ignition wires, all intake rubber with the exception of the charcoal > canister hoses, oil filler gasket, idle control valve, Main relay, > cold start injector, injector o-rings. > > Items checked: All injectors are clicking(all original), all electrical > connections are have been cleaned or checked, including plug wires. Fuel > pressure checks ok per Bentley. Temp sensor & thermo time switch in > range. Air flow meter tests ok although resistance track is worn-most > severely at idle position. Reference Sensor and Speed sensor > removed,cleaned and swapped with no change. Replaced a few vacuum hoses > again and verified no leaks as much as I could by spraying carb cleaner > at all joints. Dipstick seals well. O2 sensor is a year and a half old > and is putting out ~230-~900mv. Tried running open loop for a few days > with no change. Battery voltage and connections good. > > Oh, by the way, the car runs spectacularly at all engine rpms but idle. > Pulls well and no misfires. Idles fairly strongly now with just a hint > of a miss at the same time the rpm occillates. > > What's next? Air Flow Meter? Ignition Coil? leaking fuel injector? or > maybe a few clogged ones throwing off the computer and flooding the > other ones? even though all the spark plugs look normal? > > Erick Baumeister-BMWCCA 131280 Livermore,CA,USA ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #246 ************************** _________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Bonneville Motorwerks . http://www.bonnevillemotorwerks.com | Circle Tire Co. (used & classic BMW parts) e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Curry's Auto Service . http://www.currysauto.com | Eurosport . http://www.eurosport-hp.com | Koala MotorSport . http://www.koalamotorsport.com | Taylor BMW - http://www.taylorbmw.com - Doc Bimmer! | The Ultimate Garage . http://www.ultimategarage.com | UUC Motorwerks . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com | Zionsville Autosport . http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com ����������������������������������������
