[uucdigest] Thursday, March 23 2000 Volume 03 : Number 495 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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: RE: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs Re: [uuc] <misc.> Laser or Radar? Black cars exempt? [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car [uuc] Input For Potential Mods For '96 328i [uuc] Re: <misc.> Laser or Radar? Black cars exempt? Re: [uuc] RE: Eric's NSX' Re: [uuc] E39 M5-Comments from Europe [uuc] Radio Noise Figured Out Re: [uuc] UUC incompetence [uuc] ti-Fest in VA/MD/DC in August (Was: UUC Fest) Re: [uuc] NCC Cars of the month Re: [uuc] RE: Input on Potential Mods to '96 328i [uuc] Re: BMW/Honda Re: [uuc] UUC incompetence [uuc] radar RE: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:57:21 -0500 From: "Kovac, Michael" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs Well, I've heard some horror stories about '85-'92 Jags, and it sounds like your president had a few of his own with his '91... which reminds me of a certain '86 XJ6 that my friend's father used to own. Somehow, my friend had convinced (read duped) his father of the many joys and virtues of owning a British luxury sedan, and so it was settled that in three weeks, he would be driving home a spanking new navy-blue XJ6. Finally the day arrived, and said father went to the dealer to pick up his baby. He had traded in his 1982 Honda Accord with no A/C, and on this particularly hot summer day, he was looking forward to a nice, climate controlled 68 degrees on the way home. Well, the salesman had finished explaining most of the features on the car (including the dual gas tanks, remember those?), but for some reason, forgets to explain the operation of the A/C. Normally, this wouldn't have been a problem, except the ergonomics for the HVAC controls in that car were anything but intuitive, so he asked the salesman to demonstrate. Bear in mind, that both of them are sitting in the car, the salesman in the passenger seat. "Oh it's easy..." he says, pressing a few buttons. No sooner had the words come out of his mouth (and he's still leaning over), when two flames come shooting out of the center vents, effectively singeing the front of the salesman's perfectly combed coiffure. The XJ6 was sold several months later, and my friend's father swore he would never own another British car again. So, for some it's broken door hinges that pushed them over the egde, and for others it's flaming A/C systems. Go figure. Mike 87 535i >Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 11:15:37 -0600 >From: Michael Weishaar <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs <snip> 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 15:07:37 -0500 (EST) From: Moe Drippins <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <misc.> Laser or Radar? Black cars exempt? David Taylor writes: > Rob, > You wrote: > How very annoying... damn, why didn't I buy another > black car so this laser BS would be a non-issue? > > Are black cars harder to detect? Are they stealth? Is it that black absorbs > all and white reflects the most? > > That may be the only benefit from owning a black car. I think this is fallacious. At least with states that require front (highly reflective) license plates, the car color has 0 to do with laser reflection. Too, the lamp lenses on the sides, rear, and so forth are rather anti-stealth as far as laser goes. So I read, anyway. Maybe I'm wrong. - -- Just Moe '95 540 6 speed, BL/SS BMWCCA Peachtree Chapter ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:09:58 -0600 From: "Ned Coonen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Driving School in a Rental Car Brian, dude, you need to join your local chapter of the Ford Ranger club. Or, if there isn't one, try joining Knuckleheads Anonymous if you aren't already a member. You've got a ticket to drive Road America - a premiere U.S. road course - and you're looking for a V-6 Mustang with a stick? You'd be better off taking the registration money and buying a PlayStation. ...ned. '98 M3 (lots of RA miles) '88 M5 - ----- Original Message ----- > 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! <<much blather snipped>> ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:11:44 -0500 From: "Henry Caldwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Input For Potential Mods For '96 328i Michael Ellman" asks" > > 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. To Which Alex responded: >Fix the driver first: do the driving schools. >The come back do them again. >Driving schools, driving schools, driving schools. >Then, and only then, when you YOURSELF can tell what parts of your car need >improvement will you want to spend any money on the parts. Great advise. I could not agree more! Wanting my 325i to handle like an M3, I did a lot of suspension mods. Then not satisfied, I went for more power and quicker acceleration. yes improvement still. But, it wasn't until my first driving school did I realize just what the car is capable of and how to drive it. Regardless of what mods you do to your bimmer it will only serve to increase performance in proportion to your skills. If you still wondering about the last statement, have a better more skilled driver, drive your car. The car will handle and respond better, every time. Go to a driver school, then spend your money on mods more wisely. Henry '92 325i modified, but much better as result of driving school. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:11:00 -0500 From: "Rob Levinson - UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <misc.> Laser or Radar? Black cars exempt? Yes, black cars are nearly invisible to radar. That's why many states have switched to reflective license plates and require front plates to be used. Things like exposed headlights and chrome grilles make a car easier for lidar to see. Car & Driver did a lidar and lidar detector test awhile ago. A black Pontiac Firebird with no front plate almost had to be right in front of the lidar gun to be seen. The Firebird has hidden headlights, of course. I had a similar black sports coupe a few years ago with hidden headlights, I even went as far as to remove the front plate and black out the front turn signals (still showed fine when on) with window tint to minimize the theoretical effectiveness of lidar... but that's just me being ornery towards revenue-collecting speed enforcement. - - Rob - ----- Original Message ----- From: David Taylor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: <misc.> Laser or Radar? Black cars exempt? > Are black cars harder to detect? Are they stealth? Is it that black absorbs > all and white reflects the most? > That may be the only benefit from owning a black car. > David ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:27:43 -0500 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [uuc] RE: Eric's NSX' Zach wrote: >That's what I was thinking. "Two NSX's". >Eric liked it nice enough to go out and >buy another one.. You guys believe everything you see written, the second one is a "parts" car. Sheesh. ;-) - -Carlos 91 M3 lotsa parts ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:31:13 -0500 From: "Bill Matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E39 M5-Comments from Europe From: Steve D'Gerolamo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <some snippage> >One person called yesterday complaining of using a quart > of oil every 400 miles. Perhaps BMW is using a light break-in oil on these > motors. > US versions come with 10w60 Castrol RS (currently only available from BMW or Porsche dealers AFAIK) with instructions not to change until the fist service at ~15,000 miles and then to replace with the same. Bill Matthews Hockessin DE 00 M Geeze - 2k miles, no oil consumption, following the break in procedures except it will get an oil change at 3k miles some Volvos ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:42:49 -0600 From: "Celisa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Radio Noise Figured Out I just called my dealship, and found out that the metalic in the window tinting would case this. Also, I called the people that did the window tinting, and they stated that they had this problem in the past. Thanks for those who tried to help me. Best Regards, Celisa ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:42:45 -0500 From: "Pat Donahue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] UUC incompetence See? Now you know why people buy old British cars like my old MGB. I could rebuild the engine with a screwdriver and a crescent wrench.* Geeeze http://patdonahue.com/forsale * and a few other tools. - ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Fennell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I'll never make it as a full-fledged member of the UUC. > > Laina has been working long hours lately, so I thought it safe to > order a few things (oil cooler, trans cooler, cat-back exhaust) > for my tow vehicle and have them shipped home. No problem, I > *always* beat Laina home. Except yesterday. I ordered everything > on Monday. > > I thought Summit Racing was in CA. They're in Ohio. 2 days UPS > away... <g> > > Mike Fennell > > PS: Is it heresy to confess that I have far more fun tinkering with > the "Extra Long" ('89 GMC 2500 extended cab long bed) and its small > block chevy than I ever did with my E36M3? It's about as complicated > as a hammer. Not too many more moving parts, either. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:40:25 -0400 From: Steven Schlossman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] ti-Fest in VA/MD/DC in August (Was: UUC Fest) At 11:45 AM -0500 3/23/2000, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >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. Are you suppling tickets for everyone to see a concert? Personnaly I'd probably rather hang out in a park and see how many cheerleaders will fit in Duane's Sled. I do have a suggestion about the date. Next year volunteer to arrange an UUCFest II on a Sunday. No matter what day is chosen there will be people that can't make it. Dem is da breaks [or is that brakes?] ...steven THANK YOU Rob for taking the time to organize something! For those who want to come down to the MD/VA/DC area in August 11-12-13 See http://www.318ti.org/ti-fest2000/ The dates are firm! The events are tentative. Everyone is welcome. ...steven ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:28:06 -0400 From: Steven Schlossman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] NCC Cars of the month At 10:19 PM -0800 3/22/2000, Stephen J. Albrecht wrote: > .BTW, do you suppose the NCC would mind if we instituted the >same 'Car of the Month' feature? $hit, it's like pulling teeth to get people to submit their pictures to the NCC magazine. The term newsletter doesn't really do it justice. I wouldn't be surprised if you could submit your own car to the NCC. <g> ...steven ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 15:38:41 -0400 From: Steven Schlossman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] RE: Input on Potential Mods to '96 328i At 12:01 PM -0500 3/23/2000, Fadeev, Alex wrote: >Driving schools, driving schools, driving schools. >Then, and only then, when you YOURSELF can tell what parts of your car need >improvement will you want to spend any money on the parts. And keep your stock tires on. Only thing I would research is brake pads. This is sometimes a hard concept for people to grasp. You must improve the driver before improving the car. The car is already damn good right out of the box. ....steven <always something to learn or improve at a driving school> schlossman ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:47:39 -0600 From: Scott Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: BMW/Honda AAAcccccckkkK! Someone dares to shower disdain up on the Great Marque! Burn him at the stake, that heretic who claims that a honda-based "sports car" can dare to attempt to compete with even an e23 BMW! Wrap him in duct tape with a bag full of Solex carburetors as ballast and toss him off a bridge! Die, Die, DIE!!!! The great M3 HAS no competition! I dream of owning such a car someday, and paying $1,000 for tires ever 9000 miles. It's my wet dream come true to dump tons of money into an early e32 750il. After I started owning BMW's, my hair grew back, my karma account swelled, and my sexual prowess increased tenfold. I now buy only gold-plated Snap-on tools and laugh at any car that's been lowered with clear marker lenses (because that only looks cool on MY car, then it's Bitchin'!) Honcuras, Ferraris, Pors**es, and Buicks all STINK like wet poodles in comparison to a race-spec'ed Isetta! <rocking in corner> BMW's are perfect... BMW's are perfect... BMW's are perfect... tongue firmly in cheek, Scott Ferguson 1985 535i - 252,000 miles, and STILL perfect!!!!!!! 186,282 miles per second: It isn't just a good idea, it's the law! ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 16:12:51 -0500 From: "Bill Matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] UUC incompetence From: Pat Donahue <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > See? Now you know why people buy old British cars like my old MGB. I could > rebuild the engine with a screwdriver and a crescent wrench.* > Yea, but didn't it have to be a Whitworth screwdriver and crescent wrench ;^? Bill Matthews Hockessin DE 00 M Geeze some Volvos No UK cars in my history but helped a few friends wrench on old(er) British motorcycles. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 16:19:28 -0500 From: "Lee Leslie" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] radar A few years back I recall an article ( I think in car & driver) about a black t-bird that they but a bra on got dirty as hell and taped over all the crome & stated that it significantly reduced the radar perception.. also they said High beams helped like 33% (don't quote me)... Anyone know what I am referring to that may remember more? Also on this Honda thing... can we drop it? I think we all can agree that we like (various degrees) BMWs hence the reason we have them, weather or not we like other cars as well is a mute point. If I want to hear about other cars I will go to their respective newsgroups & listen in... Thanks, Lee 97'M3 V1 w/ Laser - If I am spending $300 for the best, I may as well pay $400 & buy the best! 99 HONDA 99 Snapper 82 Johnson 82 Whaler 30year Mortguage ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 14:17:40 -0700 From: Bob Sutterfield <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] non-enthusiasts and BMWs Michael Weishaar wrote: > To him, [transmission and door falling off] weren't things > that should happen on $40k cars. He's right, of course. > He also said that German cars seem so sparse inside, all > they have are a few gauges, and that is about it. He > wanted to see nice wood and leather. At a previous job, the president drove a recent 540iA. He's maybe sixtyish, and drives it like a Buick: rather sedately. Once in a departmental meeting our director said that the president was making the rounds of all the departments, and would be joining us at the next week's meeting. We were invited to think of questions for him, stuff we'd always wondered about and now was to be our chance to ask The Man and get a straight answer. I commeted "I want to know how he keeps his wheels so clean. I have a heck of a time with brake dust. How does he do it?" The director said "he doesn't need to use his brakes like you do!" :-) - -- Bob Sutterfield <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> '87 E30 325iS / CO plates "DAS KAR" BMWCCA #169277 ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #495 ************************** _________________________________________ | 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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