[uucdigest] Monday, March 6 2000 Volume 03 : Number 396 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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] <E36>tranny mount upgrades [uuc] Re: friggin' dealer! [uuc] Saw this 88 M6 for Sale in FL Re: [uuc] Re: friggin' dealer! Re: [uuc] 318ti auto, gas prices [uuc] Theft of personal property by dealer employee's [uuc] Free BMW cassette/radio owner's manual for '93 E30 325 Re: [uuc] Theft of personal property by dealer employee's [uuc] Suggestions for E30 325is light 15x7wheels [uuc] Free Sears Craftsman Torque Wrench Case [uuc] Pencil mark in Headliner [uuc] M-Contour Wheel Weight [uuc] Brake Ducts for 325 [uuc] Good Service - Stebro [uuc] Re: E30 M3 upgrades for Solo2 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 15:33:48 -0500 From: Thomas Philip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E36>tranny mount upgrades I saw the tech tip on the uucmotorwerks site about tranny mounts, and they list the E36 M3, the E36 318, and the E30 M3 as potential recepients. Is this applicable to the E36 325is? I do have the hourglass style mounts like the ones pictured. Has anyone done the upgrade to the 320i mount or mount with enforcer? Thanks for the info. Tom Philip '94 325is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 14:18:28 -0800 (PST) From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: friggin' dealer! On Mon, 6 Mar 2000, Michael Weishaar wrote: > I get the car back, and I notice a dent in the hood - made from the > underside. I eyeball it, and sure enough, it lines up with the air . > had it for one day. Came out perfect, the dealer picked up the tab as > they should have. My dealer let my hood slam on the engine lift bracket while the engine was dislocated for clutch work. They fixed it for free, (body filler & repainted the whole hood) but matching 7 year old paint is tough, so my hood is only the same color now under some lighting conditions. I feel your pain. > doubt he will find out who took them. I guess you should have taken > them out of your car before bringing it in." > > What the f*ck kind of customer service is this? Has anyone else out Doesn't nearly every place have a disclaimer on their paperwork about not being responsible for personal items left in the car? It certainly sucks that stuff would disappear, but I doubt that anything can be done now. The worst part sounds like the lack of tact on the part of the service mgr. There are certainly better things to say to a customer than repeating what he has just learned the hard way. Next time, make your own CD of Rammstein's "Du hasst mich" over and over and leave that in the car for them. - -- John Bolhuis | "In America it is not considered to be mentally ill bolhuijo | when a woman advances on her prey in a discotheque @bolhuijo.com | setting with hardy cocktails present." | -Madonna ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 14:20:43 -0800 (PST) From: Steve J <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Saw this 88 M6 for Sale in FL I thought I might pass this on to the digesters. I think I saw this ad for the past three or so weeks running... I would offer to check this car out for the digesters, except that since I know little beyond oil changes (all right, recently graduated to changing water pumps), even I wouldn't trust my checkover ;) The usual disclaimers: not affiliated with this seller/car, et cetera. - -------------------- BMW 1988 M6 - RARE collectible. Only 57K miles. Black ext/beige leather int, 5 spd, History/maint rec avail. Exceptional cond. throughout. $21,500. St. Petersburg, FL 727-827-1569 - -------------------- Steve 93 325is Stock _________________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 16:50:26 -0600 From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: friggin' dealer! John Bolhuis wrote: > > On Mon, 6 Mar 2000, Michael Weishaar wrote: > > > My dealer let my hood slam on the engine lift bracket while the > engine was dislocated for clutch work. They fixed it for free, (body > filler & repainted the whole hood) but matching 7 year old paint is > tough, so my hood is only the same color now under some lighting > conditions. I feel your pain. But did they tell you about it, or was it just so big they couldn't hide it? Part of what pisses me off about the dent is the fact that they just gave me the car back with the dent. If I didn't notice it right away, they would have "gotten away with one". > Doesn't nearly every place have a disclaimer on their paperwork about > not being responsible for personal items left in the car? Paperwork, schmaperwork. Yeah, I think I have seen that, and I did sign it. But does that mean that everything not nailed down is up for grabs? It wasn't a stock CD changer, does that mean that they have every right to take that too? Sure, it is only a few bucks for the CDs, but it is entirely the principle of the thing. It is almost enough for me to take my business elsewhere. Certain things just get under my skin. Dammit, now I am going to have to go out and buy another Brittney Spears CD. :) Just kidding. Michael 88 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 10:29:50 +1100 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 318ti auto, gas prices Simon ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > I have finally persuaded my girlfriend to be part of the BMW > fraternity, and she is taking out a 318ti compact Auto for a run > this afternoon in West London. > ... > Does anyone have any tips on checking these out before purchase ? I don't think there's anything that stands out on this car, especially the later ones. Other ti owners will correct me I'm sure. The compact was introduced in Oct 1994 so there are none of the gasket problems you hear about with cars fitted with the earlier 1796cc 16v (M42) engines. If the one your gf is looking at is later than late '95, it may have the M44 1895cc engine in place of the 1.8. This is torquier and better suited to the autobox. The M44 produces more poke lower down and is smoother than the slightly rattly M42. One possible weakness is the rear shock mounts, which can crack after a couple of years or so, depending on how hard the car is used. Certainly it affects other E36 cars, although I don't know if it's so prevalent with the ti/Z3 (both of which use a simpler rear end design). Otherwise, it's your usual used-car caveats. Too many to go into here but you could start by checking the trim and pedals for wear and tear not consistent with the quoted mileage. Make sure the gearbox drops in and out of drive promptly when instructed, no slipping between gears and make sure the kickdown works properly. If the car has air-con, make sure it still works and doesn't smell. BMW uses brake pads that produce lots and lots of dust, so check the condition of brake pads and discs, and the alloys if fitted (London is a town full of dirty front wheels). The engine is pretty strong, although driving round London is hard on the mechanicals so check for signs of smoke or a rotted exhaust - short trips can be the death knell for silencers and catalytic converters. One more caveat: BMW dealers in London are often run by piss-artists (pardon my French). Don't know if that's still the case, but if they offer the usual BMW pre-owned package, make sure they really did service it properly - my bro dropped his car off at Milcars once for an oil service, and they "forgot to do it", but they didn't forget to charge him the 90 quid. And not to flog a dead horse, but Grant ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > Man! That's horrible! No wonder there are lots of econocars > in Europe.. Running a taxi or any other vehicle-based > transportation has to be expensive too! Almost all taxis run on diesel or LPG (liquid petroleum gas). Diesel is no cheaper but of course the car goes a lot further on a tankful. > Why is it so expensive there? Import cost? Taxes? Monopoly? 86% excise duty, and 17.5% VAT. European mainland prices aren't much cheaper, fair dinkum. Also the sitting government is very anti-car (although it does have a secretary of state for transport who runs two Jaguars and a Rover, go figure). 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, 06 Mar 2000 17:35:15 -0600 From: "Christopher J. Kolaitis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Theft of personal property by dealer employee's > Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 09:50:46 -0600 > From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] friggin' dealer! > > I want to hear the digesters opinions on this one. > > I had my car (88 M3) in to the dealer to have some kind of minor work > done. (I don't really remember what, it was just too damn cold here in > Chicago at the time for me to do it myself) > > I get the car back, and I notice a dent in the hood - made from the > underside. I eyeball it, and sure enough, it lines up with the air > plenum. Some jag-stick had probably left a tool on the plenum and > either tried to close the hood, or it fell - whatever. I take it back > in, and show the service manager. He went into the shop, but nobody > remembered anything happening that might have caused it. Of course. So > they said to bring it back in sometime, and the guys from Dent > Busters/Wizard/Gurus would fix it. I took it in last Thursday, and they > had it for one day. Came out perfect, the dealer picked up the tab as > they should have. > > The next day I was out driving around, and I was having problem with my > CD changer. The first CD wouldn't play, for obvious reasons - it was > gone. I had 2 CDs stolen out of my car (one from changer, one from > glovebox) while it was at the shop. So I called up the "service" > manager this morning, and he said the car was taken off site to the Dent > guys to have the work done. His resolution to the problem? > "Well, I have left a message with the manager of Dent Wizard, but I > doubt he will find out who took them. I guess you should have taken > them out of your car before bringing it in." > > What the f*ck kind of customer service is this? Has anyone else out > there had anything taken from their car while it was in the shop? > Certainly if they send it off site to have something done, they are > responsible for it. It is only a couple of CDs, but that is a small > price to pay to keep my patronage. > > Michael "simmering" Weishaar Hey Michael, We're all sorry to hear of the theft of your personal property while you were at the "dealer" for service. That is about the worst thing next to charging you for poor or bad service. The value you can provide us fellow Chicago area list members is to name the "dealer" so we can stay away, far away. Is the dealer located in Chicago, with the name beginning with a "P". If so, this dealer has a lot of horror stories floating around, going back about 17 years, both by BMW NA, former employees and customers. Ask me what I know. My personal experience at Knauz BMW in Lake Bluff, has been nothing short of great. Knauz BMW may very well be the best customer service dealer in the USA. They have a strong culture and bias for outstanding customer service. I have purchased 3 M cars there, a 97 M3/4, 00 M5/4 and a 99 M Roadster. I feel for the anger you have at getting ripped off. Take Care, Chris, Windy City Club ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 15:55:12 -0800 From: Olivia Simantob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Free BMW cassette/radio owner's manual for '93 E30 325 Would anyone like a "BMW Anti-Theft CD-Ready Radio Owner's Manual"? I tossed the stock BMW cassette/radio that it went with last spring when I upgraded to an in-dash CD. (As with the missing key codes, there was no existing info on the radio to make it work after being removed...) If anyone wants the booklet, let me know and I'll put in the mail, otherwise it's going in the trash in the next few days. Olivia '93 325ic ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 18:00:20 -0600 From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Theft of personal property by dealer employee's "Christopher J. Kolaitis" wrote: > > Hey Michael, > > The value you can provide us fellow Chicago area list members is to name > the "dealer" so we can stay away, far away. > Is the dealer located in Chicago, with the name beginning with a "P". Not Chicago, but a suburb. Sounds like you might already know the name. I won't name names until I have a final answer on this. > If so, this dealer has a lot of horror stories floating around, going > back about 17 years, both by BMW NA, former employees and customers. Ask > me what I know. I would be interested in hearing, feel free to email me privately with details. Personally I will give a dealer a chance, because a lot of things can change over the years. But one bad experience, not properly rectified, can change all that. > My personal experience at Knauz BMW in Lake Bluff, has been nothing > short of great. Knauz BMW may very well be the best customer service > dealer in the USA. They have a strong culture and bias for outstanding > customer service. I used to go to MotorWerks in Barrington, and had great service there, but I moved further away from there, so I started going to this other place. I live in Roselle, so maybe you other Windy City members can figure it out. I know Midwest Motorsport is a good place, but it is kind of far from me. But it might be worth it, considering that I only go to the dealer for things I can't do myself. Michael > Take Care, > Chris, Windy City Club ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 16:01:43 -0800 From: "John Coffin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Suggestions for E30 325is light 15x7wheels Any suggestions for wheel brands would be appreciated. - -John ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 18:13:59 -0600 From: "Christopher J. Kolaitis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Free Sears Craftsman Torque Wrench Case Hi Ya'll, I have a Sears Craftsman Torque Wrench red case catalog number: 44024, only fits Sears Craftsman torque wrench number: 44595, 1/2" drive. Free to the first Windy City Club member to claim it and pick it up. Not worth shipping, sell price is only $6.99, sears refuses to pay return shipping, they sent me the wrong case and will send out a no charge replacement. Hint, hint, a multi billion dollar corporation can't afford return shipping charge. Don't you even think about paying for shipping. Best Regards, Chris, Windy City Club ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 16:42:00 -0800 From: "KKiely" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Pencil mark in Headliner Murray, In all seriousness, how about an eraser? The pencil "lead" is really clay and graphite and a gentle rub with either a stiff brush or an eraser might take it out without removing the felt covering. - -Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 19:56:48 -0500 From: Dave Hogg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] M-Contour Wheel Weight I dunno but I just weighed a 7.5" ten-double-spoke '95 M3 wheel at 21.8 lbs. That's pretty fat (not phat). I understand the M-Contours are slightly more. Is that right? Dave Hogg ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 21:26:18 -0500 From: Christian Bernhardt <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Brake Ducts for 325 I've decided that adding brake ducts to my '95 325is will be the next upgrade in my braking system (At the track, I currently use PF 90s with stock rotors and stainless steel brake lines). I am interested in any recommendations the folks at the digest would care to share with me. I have found a system at BMP and Bimmerworld that evidently fits my car. If possible, I'd love to be able to connect the ducting using the rectangular 2 x 4 slot that already exists in the fender wall and leads to the bumper grill work that's next to my fog lights. I also know that Dinan and Korman offer a system that will neatly fit, but at a cost of ~ $1000. Now, I love neatness -- but at a cost of $1K -- I don't think so. Direct replies would be great, since I don't want to take up air time for the whole digest. For those folks that might be interested, I'll send out a brief summary of what I find out from those that have "been there, done that." Thank You, Chris Bernhardt ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 19:06:11 -0800 From: Polands <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Good Service - Stebro Just thought I'd let all of you know that some suppliers really do believe in customer service. I e-mailed Dan Petschenig at Stebro <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> last Friday to let him know that the third party catalytic converter he supplied a year ago has become plugged, and that I'd like him to work on sending out a replacement quickly, and to let me know the warrantee arrangements. On Sunday morning PST he has responded by e-mail that he'll be on it first thing Monday morning. I called him at noon here, and he had already requested his supplier to direct ship the replacement today. I'll have to pay for labor of course, but shipping of new and return of old one are covered, no charge for the catalytic converter. so I should be back in business by Friday. Can't ask for much more than that. Steve Poland '88 535is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 06 Mar 2000 19:32:02 -0800 From: Randy Walters <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: E30 M3 upgrades for Solo2 Randy Walters wrote: >> Hmmm, it's possible that those "Killer Audi S4s" have the H&R Coilover >>Kit that's so popular with the VW and Audi crowd. If that's what they're >>using, then that boots em out of Street Prepared. The H&R Kit uses >>a threaded body strut, but the rules allow changing or modifying spring >>perches originally attached to struts. They cannot, however, change the >>whole strut. In other words they have to retain the original front strut >>and i'm pretty sure the H&R setup completely replaces it. If this is true, >>tell em to take it to OSP :-) Besides, a well driven CSP E30 M3 should >>be able to beat any Audi.... Jim Ochi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: >I was just taking a look through my brand new 2000 Solo II rulebook, and >section 14.5.c says: >"MacPherson strut equipped cars may substitute struts, and/or may use any >insert." Hey you're right ! Since i already know that any shock may be used, i've never bothered to look at Section 14.5 (Shocks) and never even saw that little blurb ! I would think they would insert this strut info in with the other strut info in Section 14.8.a, and not have it hidden in the Shock modification section :-) I have been going by the allowances listed in Section 14.8.a in the '99 book, which says nothing about substituting struts even though you think it would be mentioned along with the spring perch issues: "14.8 Suspension: A. ...... <snip> ........Springs must be of the same type as the original (coil, leaf, torsion bar, etc.) and except as noted herein, must use the original spring attachment points. Coil spring perches originally attached to struts or shock absorber bodies may be changed or altered, and their position may be adjustable." I guess i should read *everything* even if i think i already know it :-) >P.S. - on today's course, in CSP, a Honda beat out all the Audis! Also, at >least two E36 M3s beat the best Audi S4's time... Ah, that's more like it. Audis should only be allowed to win in the rain :-) Randy Walters 89 325is DSP (definitely does not like running in the rain...) ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #396 ************************** _________________________________________ | 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 ����������������������������������������
