[uucdigest] Thursday, March 23 2000 Volume 03 : Number 493 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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] <E30> Fuel Lines R&R Re: [uuc] Re: BMW/Honda [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car Re: [uuc] FW: Input on Potential Mods to '96 328i [uuc] Re: <Z3> Roll Bars? [uuc] Re: Cryogenic treatment for brake rotors [uuc] Re: UUC Fest [uuc] <E34> Front Seats [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs Re: [uuc] <E34> Front Seats [uuc] Re: Signal Sound In Radio [uuc] RE: [uucdigest] V3 #492 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:14:36 -0500 From: "Neil Deshpande" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E30> Fuel Lines R&R When I bought my 1988 325 iS in Feb 1998, I had replaced the fuel lines with some fuel lines from NAPA. These aged quickly and the outer rubber had cracked quite a bit. About 3 m (three 1 m lengths) of fuel line and 12 clamps are needed to do a decent job. I replaced the lines in the engine compartment - 4 - and the line out of the filter and the line out of the fuel pump. When using clamps from the local store I found some leaking, probably on account of them being too wide to clamp effectively. The BMW ones are faily thin - 5 mm. I highly recommend getting the right clamps. I believe Steve D'Gerolamo recommends actually using the Mercedes-Benz ones. When cutting the hose, cut all the way and do not twist the last bit off. Twisting might cause a tear and a thinning of the lip on the cut end. This might not seal properly. Neil Deshpande 1988 325 iS 1989 325 iC ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:22:03 -0500 From: "Adam Fila" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: BMW/Honda Eric, chill out. I have followed this entire thread, and don't remember reading any retarded brainwashed statements. Some people state their feelings about other marquees, and that's fine - their are entitled to their opinion, whether you agree with it or not. You on the other hand launch into an attack, calling people retarded, with sub 3 digit IQ's, needing major help, uttering most ridiculous statements, etc.... I mean why was that called for ? Why can't we keep this forum to a civilized exchange of opinions, why should we resort to silly personal attacks ? Particularly you mentioned someone saying that NSX is no BMW equivalent. Well if you go back and re-read his message, you will realize that he said that there is no BMW equivalent for the NSX ! As in, BMW does not make a car comparable to the NSX, and therefore it's impossible to compare the NSX with anything that BMW makes. Who's "defense mechanism" is "reducing their unbiased judgment" here ? The bottom line is, that many people like BMW because of their independence, and their own unique often not the "best" or "most economical" or "most cutting edge" way of doing things. And in this age of soul-less auto manufacturers, consumer focus group driven car design and cars that end up all looking and feeling the same, BMW was lucky sticking to their formula, and is now rewarded by huge worldwide demand for their cars, and this combined with very high profit margins means that they can keep their independence longer (especially after dumping the money pit that was Rover) This is why many of the people here including me are worried by all this merger/takeover talk. As a Honda fan, you should probably understand this - Honda is another small independent company with some unique technology and cars. Would you really like to see these two merge, each losing their own uniqueness in the process for the sake of cost saving ? I for one am very glad that the Quandt family shares this opinion, and is not selling BMW to anybody (they have put out a press release to this effect last week, to kill these silly takeover rumors) Why tinker with a formula that works. I respect small companies that try to do one thing, but do it well and with pride in their product. It's unfortunate that the recent stock market craze has created this mentality of "who can we takeover, how can we cheapen and dilute our product, which corners can we cut to make that extra penny of our profit" rather than "let's build a real solid quality product, and people will buy it". Many say that in today's "global economy" this is the only way to go, and whoever doesn't join the bandwagon, will go bankrupt and lose. I am not sure this is really true - look at BMW, and their success. I have found BMW's to provide exactly the right mix of feel, style, performance and utility that appeals to me. It's not just because BMW's are European, or German, as Mercedes doesn't do it to me, nor does Audi. But neither does Honda. I would love to own an NSX, if I could have and afford multiple cars, but as it is, the M3 now provides me with a reliable and usable daily driver, which also happens to be a lot of fun at the track on the weekend. Honda does not have a car comparable to the M3 in these respects. I don't feel that this makes me retarded nor that I need major help. Sorry. - -Adam Fila '95 M3 - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Eric B. Kerub" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, March 23, 2000 10:26 AM Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: BMW/Honda > I must say I'm quite surprised at this list. I've been a "silent" member on > this list for some time now, and I just can't help but share my opinion on > SOME of the members here. I think the narrow minded, tunnel visioning, > uneducated, "BMW is no.1 and everything else is crap" philosophy some of > you take is striking! I'm also a member on the NSX list and this topic > is/was also in discussion. Being the owner of both makes, I CAN share > unbiased opinions on the cars (like Joe), and I happen to LOVE both makes. > You should have read some of the NSX threads on this topic. People there > don't jump all over BMW, defending their precious little NSX's and God > forbid anything else in this world might have some value! > > I mean....statements like the NSX is "No BMW equivalent" just goes to show > how retarded some people can be. This guy has OBVIOUSLY never driven one... > and if he has, needs major help. What is it with some of you? It's almost > like you have been brainwashed. If anyone dares make a comparison between > BMW and xxxx it's almost like a defense mechanism takes over reducing your > unbiased judgement to nil and your IQ to sub 3 digits while uttering the > most ridiculous statements to try to make a point. > > To me...the best 2 auto makers, for VERY different reasons are BMW and > Honda. But you'll never see me call Mercedes, Nissan, Lexus, Ferrari etc. > inferior. Next time, try explaining *why* you chose BMW, and what makes you > happy about owning a BMW, and stop concentrating on picking out so-called > defects on other cars. > > Eric B. Kerub > > eric "at" e-scape "dot" net > 1997 NSX > 1993 NSX > 1999 BMW 740i (Sport Package) > 1988 BMW ///M3 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:40:41 -0500 (EST) From: Brian Sanniola <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car Like the subject says, I would appreciate any & all feedback from some drivers that have attended a driving school in a rental car. I currently have a 328 convertible & a truck, so I am out of luck on using either, especially a Ford Ranger at Road America! (although it would be interesting) I have checked some local rental places, Enterprise, Budget, and National. Most of the policies use the same wording. No competitive speed events, or racing. And I do have documented info from my local chapter stating that the school is not timed, and not competitive, and no racing. So I might be in the clear, but would like some actual experiences to back up my decision. If you have some words of wisdom to pass along, it would be appreciated. What type of car? I would like to get something RWD to *TRY* to simulate vehicle dynamics that are associated with RWD. But nothing too powerful, as this is my first school. (V6 Mustang?) Thanks in advance & sorry for the cross post! ~ Brian BMWCCA 151378 97 Dinan 328ic 96 Ranger (um, too powerful for the racetrack, yea that's it!) ______________________________________________ FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:40:41 -0500 (EST) From: Brian Sanniola <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car Like the subject says, I would appreciate any & all feedback from some drivers that have attended a driving school in a rental car. I currently have a 328 convertible & a truck, so I am out of luck on using either, especially a Ford Ranger at Road America! (although it would be interesting) I have checked some local rental places, Enterprise, Budget, and National. Most of the policies use the same wording. No competitive speed events, or racing. And I do have documented info from my local chapter stating that the school is not timed, and not competitive, and no racing. So I might be in the clear, but would like some actual experiences to back up my decision. If you have some words of wisdom to pass along, it would be appreciated. What type of car? I would like to get something RWD to *TRY* to simulate vehicle dynamics that are associated with RWD. But nothing too powerful, as this is my first school. (V6 Mustang?) Thanks in advance & sorry for the cross post! ~ Brian BMWCCA 151378 97 Dinan 328ic 96 Ranger (um, too powerful for the racetrack, yea that's it!) ______________________________________________ FREE Personalized Email at Mail.com Sign up at http://www.mail.com/?sr=signup ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:30:21 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] FW: Input on Potential Mods to '96 328i I think you are doing this backwards. Establish your goals first, then evaluate the options. Autocross times, track times, get to work faster, look cool, make noise, impress friends, etc. Be honest with yourself. Designing a project to consume money will do just that. Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Listers, > As the tax man has been kind enough to give me some of my money back, I now > have a couple of bucks to improve my car. So, I have a fixed budget which > needs to include the labor necessary to accomplish these upgrades. > > I'm leaning toward upgrading the brakes to floating rotors and replacing the > pads as well. Also to redo springs, shocks, and sway bars. > > My questions are: > Is this the best bang for the buck given my budget? > Other suggestions to stretch the budget? > Merits of Eibach Pro-Kit vs. H&R springs? > Any other comments or suggestions? > > By the way, the car is completely stock, has the sport package, with 65,000 > miles. > > Thanks, > Mike Ellman > '96 328i > Now in Vermont > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 08:41:00 -0800 From: "Scott D Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <Z3> Roll Bars? I just wanted to thank, again, eveyone who responded with info on roll bars for Z3s. I passed the info on to Stan, and he is leaning towards the HKS roll bar. As for Devon's comment: >Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 18:29:34 -0600 >From: Devon Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [uuc] <Z3> Roll Bars? > >Have you asked for specifics about there rules? One rule I saw said that the >roll bar must be 2 inches above the helmeted head. It all depends largely on the height of the driver. Stan is aware of his sanctioning body's rules and will proceed accordingly. Thanks for the concern, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA #44977 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 08:43:35 -0800 From: "Scott D Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Cryogenic treatment for brake rotors Satch uses the ATE PowerDiscs, which he got from Bill Arnold, a.k.a. Billy the Wrench in San Rafael, CA. They are not cryo or drilled. They have a groove that runs back and forth across the face of the rotor a couple of times. Depth of the groove is at minimum thickness, so if you don't see the groove any more, it is time to replace the rotors. This supposedly gives the benefits of a slotted rotor but is, supposedly, less harsh on the pads. I'm pretty sure there is still some "cheese grater" effect. Whether or not it is as bad as other slotted rotors, I have no idea. They do seem to help prevent rotor warpage. Many of Bill's customers like the PowerDiscs. HTH, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA #44977 >Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 11:45:06 -0600 >From: "Fadeev, Alex" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [uuc] RE: Cryogenic treatment for brake rotors -- snake oil, or not? > <prior message snipped> > >Two data points: >1. The rotors and the pads are sacrificed to stop your car. If you succeed >in preventing rotor wear, you are left with only the brake pads taking the >pounding. If this desirable, I don't know. Rotor warping is another matter. >Preventing rotor warping would be a good thing. >1.5. Similar questions surfaced in the Roundel a few issues ago regarding >325is that warps rotors for lunch. Satch reported trying the cryogenically >treated (as well as cross drilled and gas slotted) rotors on his iX and >warping them just as fast as the stock ones. He ended up with Bolos? (or was >it another brand, I don't remember) replacing them as needed. > >YMMV, >alex f ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:45:33 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re: UUC Fest I don't know about you guys, but sunday the 30th would be better for me. I am a ticket broker and usually have concerts going on sale on saturday's. Just putting in my .02. Tony '95 M3 '00 Explorer ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 09:09:29 -0800 From: "Scott D Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E34> Front Seats Co-worker Ellen has an E34 540i. It is either a '93 or a '94, depending on who you ask - the jury is still out on this. Ellen is short and finds the seat uncomfortable. The upper part of the seat or headrest (I'm not clear which from her description) angles forward too much, and if she reclines the seat enough to keep it from pushing her head forward, she ends up reclined too far. Were there different seat options for that year E34? Is there perhaps a different seat that a short woman might find a little more comfortable? Please let me know and I'll forward the answer on to Ellen. Thanks for any assistance, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA #44977 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:15:37 -0600 From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs I was at lunch yesterday with the president of the company I work for, and let's just say he doesn't have to worry about money. The topic of cars came up, and of course BMWs came up. He said he would never buy another BMW, and I asked him why. He said he has had two of them, both in the late 80s. One was a 3 series, and the transmission went bad shortly after he got it new. The other was a 635csi, and he said one day the door hinge just broke. He had to get his jack out and jack the door up just to get it back into place so he could close it. I guess the doors are pretty heavy. To him, these weren't things that should happen on $40k cars. He also said that German cars (he has owned Mercedes as well) seem so sparse inside, all they have are a few gauges, and that is about it. He wanted to see nice wood and leather. His argument was that they (German cars) drove well, but he wanted to KNOW that he was sitting in an expensive car. He also said that the exterior styling within a marque was too similar. Looking at a Mercedes from 50 feet, you couldn't tell if it was an "E this" or an "E that". I didn't tell him that I can usually tell a series of BMW from that far, no problem at all. But I consider myself an enthusiast. He wanted a unique, stylish, and expensive feeling car if he was going to be paying a lot of money for it. I told him he should check out the new BMWs, because a lot has changed since the late 80s. He currently is driving a new Jag, and he said he is very happy with it, not like the Jag he had back in '91. But he said he would never buy another BMW. Just some food for thought about what "other" people think of BMWs, and maybe why BMW has done some of the things it has done recently. Michael 88 M3, one of them old, non-expensive feeling cars ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 12:31:44 -0600 From: "Jason Lile" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <E34> Front Seats > Co-worker Ellen has an E34 540i. It is either a '93 or a '94, depending on who > you ask - the jury is still out on this Gimme the VIN and I'll tell you what the procuction date and MY are for the car. > Were there different seat options for that year E34? Is there perhaps a > different seat that a short woman might find a little more comfortable? Please > let me know and I'll forward the answer on to Ellen. There were sport seats available in the M5 and the ///M version of the 540i. I doubt used ones will be possible to find and I also doubt that anyone would pop for new ones ;) Other than the sport seats, all E34 seats are the same. Hope that helps (even though I know it doesn't ;)). - ----------------------------------- Jason Lile Zionsville Autosport "BMW Parts Specialists" 1-800-BIMMERS http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com Administrator - BMW Parts Digest - ----------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 09:33:09 -0800 (PST) From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Signal Sound In Radio On Thu, 23 Mar 2000, Celisa wrote: > I would like to ask this question. I don't know if it has > anything to do with my back window being tinted at this point, but > the reception to my AM radio is terrible. Also, when I turn on the > left or right signal light, I can hear it clicking though my radio. > Now if I have on FM, I don't hear it. Whats up with that? Thanks > for any help I can get, this is really working my nerves:-) AM radio is wonderful for that. Any electrical spark generates radio frequency noise across the AM band. In your case, there is a teensy spark each time your turn signal relay clicks open and shut. (That same spark is also responsible for the eventual failure of the relay as it slowly burns away the electrical contacts.) FM is not affected the same way, so you don't hear much interference. Lightning also makes AM radio fun to listen to. Ah, the memories of humid summer nights past listening to Tiger baseball on AM. "..and Trammel steps up to the *crackle* the pitch and it's *BZZZZZTT* fly *KRACCCKKK* center field! *SZZZZT* I'm Ernie Harwell." Farmers can use AM radio in their old pickup trucks to find shorts in their electric fences too. Just drive around until the noise is the loudest, then get out and find the problem. - -- 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: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 09:46:46 -0800 From: "Jerry Chyo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: [uucdigest] V3 #492 Eric's sig line stated: > eric "at" e-scape "dot" net > 1997 NSX > 1993 NSX > 1999 BMW 740i (Sport Package) > 1988 BMW ///M3 You have tow NSX's? Can I have one? I promise not to complain about 5k rear tires. I'll even pay for your's when they need replacing. FWIW, I'd love to have an NSX. It's a Honda with Character. Jerry Chyo '88 M5 '72 tii ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #493 ************************** _________________________________________ | 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 ����������������������������������������
