[uucdigest] Wednesday, February 23 2000 Volume 03 : Number 317 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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: Lets cut! [uuc] Re: e46 m3 pricing & side "vents" Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA [uuc] battery size for E30 325is Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA [uuc] <FS> E28 M5 in AR, cheap [uuc] E36 Radio [uuc] <E30> won't go into first Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA Re: [uuc] What's with the newer BMW's Re: [uuc] What's with the newer BMW's Re: [uuc] E36 Radio [uuc] Re: <e30> Identifying a 325i -w- sport pkg ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 06:36:43 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re: Lets cut! Hey Duane, In a message dated 2/23/00 1:34:03 AM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: << Reminds me of a pal of mine in Delray Beach, FL who had an old Corvair coupe. He wanted a convertible Corvair in the worst way. So one day, after we'd been hammering beers on the beach all day, we got a Sawsall and converted the poor coupe in his driveway. Did it all in one evening. Funny thing though, the car was never quite right after that..... >> Remind me to never ask you over for a "few beers"! John Weese Nittany Bimmers Chapter '88 M5 3 2002's (All have roofs! and I want to keep them that way<g>) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 07:36:45 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: e46 m3 pricing & side "vents" Jonathan Reiser wrote: > Well... Since we are for the first time getting the Euro version and since > the old Euro version was about 12-15k more than the US Spec. We are all > presuming the new one will be about 55k in the US. Some think $60k. & Timothy Taylor wrote: > If BMWNA really charges $55-60K for this car I gotta believe that the S4 > will become REAL attractive to a whole lot of buyers. $60K for a 3 series, > come on... The prevailing theory is that the new M3 will start at about ~$47-48k, with options putting the price up around $52k. there is apparently a significant savings in terms of ecomonies of scale when the engine volume is increased by a factor of ~2 when US production is added into the mix, allowing the price to come down. There do not seem to be a lot of likely options tho - Nav system, PDC, CD changer, extra leather, special paint, moonroof are obvious ones. (Pricing is per Bruce of the bimmer.org message boards, who has an inside source at BMWNA whose information has proven to be very accurate in the past.) However, paying MSRP is going to be very difficult for a good long time unless you have been ont he waiting list for 6+ months with a signed deal. Dealers are being told they will get M5-like allocations at first, which means long waiting lists, lots of speculation & paying waaay over sticker in some areas.. Timothy Taylor wrote: > Looks great, but those vents on the side look superfluous. I like 'em on the > Z3 and M Coupe though. So, I'm a hypocrite. Get over it. if the "vents" are like those on the show car, they are _really_ cheese looking & flimsy to boot (you could reach across the rope & sueeze the fins very easily at the Detroit show). They should put something like the side vents/turn signal repeaters on the Z8 on the M3, now those are _sweet_. I agree they are border-line on the Z3/MZ3, but maybe I'm biased ;-) Ben Keyes '99 M coupe '88 M5 - thinking of getting "E28 M5" or "MMMMM" for my new Mich license plate - - whadda ya think ?? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 04:41:36 -0800 (PST) From: Matthew Yip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA I tried this process (unsuccessfully) in the early 90s with a car that was already in the US. It's not an easy or inexpensive task BUT in certain cases, it can be accomplished. EPA and/or DOT and/or NHTSA have specific regulations concerning the importation of cars. If I recall, the regs allowed importation of 6 yr old cars or older but that's about it. - --- Adam Friedman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > 1. What is involved in meeting US emissions/safety standards & what > is the estimated cost to convert this vehicle? Figure anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 depending on how much federalization is required - in the case of an E34, most of the parts are interchangable - namely bumpers, lights, glass. I'm uncertain about emissions controls however. > 2. What recommended shipping/transit company could facilitate > moving the vehicle form Belgium to Boston, MA? Hhmm - I used Harmes shipping to put the car in a container and have it sent via boat from Baltimore to France. Roughly $1500 > 4. What is the required documentation I need to secure from the > seller to import and register the car in the US? Check with Customs, DOT, EPA and NHTSA > 5. Is there any other issues/questions I should be thinking of > prior to purchase since I can't actually see the vehcile? Service history would be nice. Perhaps a VIN to check the history. Don't know if the US computers can access service records in Belgium BUT you could always call BMW Belgium (or NA for that matter) to obtain information. > Piece of mind questions: > 1. I currently own a '90 E34/535i & LOVE IT! Is the E34 M5 fairly > reliable? Is there any caveats I should be aware of for a European '89 E34 M5? The E34 should be as reliable as your current car, only faster. The only caveat to any Euro car is that it's resale value will be half that of a US Spec car. > 3. Are there any draw backs to owning a European M5 (obtaining > parts, routine servicing, etc) in the USA? Again, most of the parts are interchangable. If the federalization goes as I'm envisioning, you'll own a US Spec version (probably without door intrusion beams however) which will make servicing almost routine - except for the cost. Remember the "M" is actually a multiplication factor - with an M5, expect to pay 5x as much for normal service as you would with a standard E34 model. ===== 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: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 05:03:40 -0800 From: "John Coffin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] battery size for E30 325is Does anyone know the battery group for a E30 325is? Or recommend a pecular battery group/size? Thanks John ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:06:20 -0500 From: "Pat Donahue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA Adam, A lot of the importation type questions can best be answered by contacting a Registered Importer. They do it for a living and have done it before. There is a list available at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ which should include one near you. As for E34 M5s in general, if you maintain it properly and drive it hard on a regular basis it will give you fantastic service. I drove mine hard for the 3 years I had it and went through several sets of rotors, several sets of BF Goodrich R1s (the good ones, not these new crappy ones), a lot of oil changes, and other normal maintenance items. Sorry, I'm not one to track costs so I can't give you a figure but it's not too high. Someone with experience with the 89 can give you some feedback on issues. Personally if I was going to go to the trouble to import one it'd be with the 3.8 liter motor instead of the 3.6. Geeeze '84 Chevy K10 Suburban Diesel with Banks turbo for sale $5000 - ----- Original Message ----- From: Adam Friedman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > I am currently staying awake at nights thinking about an M5 I am currently > in the process of trying to purchase over the internet and import from > Belgium. But I have a few reservations. > > The major & immediate questions: > 1. What is involved in meeting US emissions/safety standards & what is the > estimated cost to convert this vehicle? > 2. What recommended shipping/transit company could facilitate moving the > vehicle form Belgium to Boston, MA? > 3. I assume in a situation where a vehicle is shipped to a buyer an escrow > service is used? Is there any other services I should look at for this > purpose? If so, who should I use? > 4. What is the required documentation I need to secure from the seller to > import and register the car in the US? > 5. Is there any other issues/questions I should be thinking of prior to > purchase since I can't actually see the vehcile? > > Piece of mind questions: > 1. I currently own a '90 E34/535i & LOVE IT! Is the E34 M5 fairly reliable? > Is there any caveats I should be aware of for a European '89 E34 M5? > 2. What is the estimated yearly cost to maintain or premium above & beyond a > 535 like I have? ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:08:38 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <FS> E28 M5 in AR, cheap snipped directly from the Welty digest V9 #1386 : "Date: Mon, 21 Feb 2000 17:48:05 -0600 From: "Mike Theuri" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: <FS> 1988 M5 No affiliation, just noticed this in the paper : BMW 1988 M-5, very rare, 65K miles, very clean, runs great, asking $6500, call (501)267-3187, Farmington, AR Mike Theuri 93 318i" sounds a little bit too good to be true, but maybe it's real..... Ben ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:40:41 -0500 From: "Jay I. Goldfarb" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E36 Radio I am in need of an original radio for my 97M3 coupe. If anyone has one for sale at a reasonable price, please contact me. This is the final part needed to put my car back together. Tel: 561-471-9479 Day 561-477-9736 Eve. Jay Goldfarb 97 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 07:46:01 -0600 From: "Alarcon, Rob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E30> won't go into first >>"They all do that" Well, I must have been the exception up until about a couple of weeks ago. My car never exhibited this difficulty of getting into any gear before, and my 85 325e didn't do it either so I don't buy the fact that they all do it. ...I will find the cause. Robb Alarcon ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:46:02 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Purchase & Import of an E34 M5 from Belgium into the USA Adam Friedman wrote about importing & federalizing a Belgian E34 M5 in the US. Ben wonders : Why not just get the drivetrain from a wrecked M5 and have that shipped over, then duplicate the suspension changes on an existing E34 car ? shipping on the engine & trans would be waay cheaper than the whoel car & if a complete car can be bought for $9,800, the engine/trans/electronics might be available for say $6k, right ?? you might also be able to import an entire car as "for parts only" and then transfer things over to an existing car. You end up with a car with all the required good parts for certification (bumpers, door intrusion, headlights, etc) & all the good parts for going fast - engine & trans at a minimum, more if you get a whole car & transfer parts. you would likely have to get someone to certify that the original Euro car was un-driveable and would not be re-built for use on the road, but how tough can it be to prove that the car is dismantled and un-driveable ?? I'd think that the engine swap would be pretty simple & you could off-set the cost by selling off the parts you take out. getting the car to pass emissions would not be any more difficult than it would be with the complete car since the exhaust would have to be changed anyway. the discussion about the 528e M5 on the digest about insurance would apply here as well, but as Tom Childers (sp?) mentioned about his car, he can get it insured for the full true value pretty easily. just my early-morning thoughts... Ben Keyes '88 M5 '99 M coupe - maybe needs the new E46 M3 engine ? nah, it's fast enough. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 08:47:19 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [uuc] What's with the newer BMW's Kevin wrote: >These cars look like they're going to be a royal pain in the ol' arse to work >on. Granted valves will probably be hydraulic, one issue solved, but what about >starters, rear valve cover nuts, etc.? I assumed the opposite, as in solid lifters. So what is the maintenance schedule on the E39 M5, specifically when are the valves supposed to be adjusted? I'm assuming the same will be true for the E46 M3. BTW I didn't see anyone answering Kevin's question about why the engines are so far rearward, I'd take a crack at it but I don't have any scientific proof. ;-) Carlos 91 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 06:04:21 -0800 (PST) From: Chester Wong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] What's with the newer BMW's > BTW I didn't see anyone answering Kevin's question about why the engines > are so far rearward, I'd take a crack at it but I don't have any scientific > proof. ;-) It's to account for all the weight they have in the front of the car ;) GPS, sound deadening material. BAH! I guess they need to place it there to achieve that 50/50 weight ratio. Or maybe it's to make room for that restrictive airbox ;) Chester ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 09:09:11 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E36 Radio Jay - I have the HK cassette head unit from my M coupe (replaced with OEM CD head unit) - if that will work for your car, you can have it for $200, including shipping. I do not know if it will fit, so am replying to the whole list for their expertise. also if my asking price is way to high, I'm sure the list will let me know ;-) btw, if anyone else needs a radio & it will not fit Jay's car, same price applies. Ben Keyes '99 M coupe '88 M5 "Jay I. Goldfarb" wrote: > I am in need of an original radio for my 97M3 coupe. If anyone has one for > sale at a reasonable price, please contact me. This is the final part > needed to put my car back together. > > Tel: 561-471-9479 Day 561-477-9736 Eve. > > Jay Goldfarb > 97 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000 06:18:14 -0800 From: Randy Walters <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <e30> Identifying a 325i -w- sport pkg Tom Newton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Hi folks: >I understand that in 1991 BMW offered a sports package for the 325i in >both the 2 door and 4 door versions (there was no 325is). Is there any easy >way to identify these cars? Does the VIN# specifiy the sport package? If not, >is there a specific suspension component that would be visably identifiable to >a non-technical person? >Thanks for any help... >Tom Basically, the 91's Sport Package turns the 325i into a virtual clone of a 325is. You should see bolstered leather sport seats, a body-colored chin spoiler extension, 14x6.5 cross-spoke wheels, a rear decklid spoiler, an OBC, probably the high-end pyramid radio with raised rear speaker covers, and a full power package inside (windows, sunroof, mirrors). It will also have the 3.73 limited slip diff and slightly stiffer front springs. Both the 325i and 325is share the same rear springs, and the same front and rear swaybars. I believe the shocks are a little stiffer too. The engine, tranny, exhaust system, and brake system is identical on both cars. It was also the only E30 hard top to be available in that deep aqua-blue color (Lagoon green?). I've seen two of these running around Marina Del Rey, Calif and i've checked one of em out closely. The owner came running out when he saw me peering in the windows :-) I was intrigued because it looked exactly like a 325is only without the "s" on the rear badge, and this was before i knew about the 91 having the Sport Package option. He said the LSD automatically came with the package (the most important part :-) The four-door's 91 sport package adds a rocker panel extension much like the one on the 325iX, and should have all the goodies above. I've seen two of these and thought they were tastefully upgraded by their owners, until i talked to the 65 year old woman who owned hers since new. She said it was bone stock. She also said she'd never sell it cause it was rare :-) Randy Walters 89 325is http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=153582&a=1200064 ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #317 ************************** _________________________________________ | 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 ����������������������������������������
