[uucdigest] Tuesday, March 28 2000 Volume 03 : Number 526 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ | 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: E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? BA [uuc] RE: <e28> M5 control arm bushings [uuc] Re: <e28> M5 control arm bushings [uuc] Re: [uucdigest]E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? [uuc] Re: E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? [uuc] Re: Euro E36 seat belts, weight loss and Saab motors [uuc] remove [uuc] E30 erratic idle? explain this one [uuc] Track wheels - suggestions pls ?? Re: [uuc] testing wheel trueness [uuc] E28 M5 Repairs Re: [uuc] RE: Speeding, Valentine & Arrogance Re: [uuc] More on the 2 series [uuc] <E28> wiring headlights [uuc] digest sponsorship question ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 18:36:53 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? BA > From: "Cagann, Alexander" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [uuc] E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? > > OK, my friend has an 88M5 with 175 grand on it. >Please let me know your collective thoughts on >1)part prices Realistic. >2)labor costs They seem low, but you don't give the shops labour rate. If the labour rate is above $45 per hour, then these prices are cheap. >4)the mechanics statement that he will not do the work > unless he gets the parts at his mark up. There's a problem with that ? A business can't survive without X gross profit. You get two choices, you pay the business that profit partially in parts, partially in labour, or you pay it all in labour. I charge $65 per hour on parts I supply, $125 per hour on parts you supply. > He is a bit weary of spending a > bunch of mulah on this car because it is in such bad shape. It is a > shame....really....this M5 has shot interior, dented up panels, etc. It is a shame. Get this moron out of this car and into the 1983 Ford Escort that he deserves. Brett Anderson www.koalamotorsport.com Home of the E30 M3 CD-ROM repair manual ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 18:37:22 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: <e28> M5 control arm bushings Shiv asks: >Folks, > >It's time for me to go the 750 bushing route...Mr Dinan wants $99 a pop, >while Steve'D is charging a far more reasonable $30... > >Can anyone guide me here ? > >Thanks, >Shiv Uhhhh... if you need guidance on how to save $66.00 - well.. Steve isn't near as rich as Mr. Dinan, and he doesn't spend a lotta $$$ on fancy ads or a fancy shop. He also is a sponsor of this digest, which I don't seem to remember Mr. Dinan being. Steve doesn't have Stage I and Stage II and Stage whatever.. he just has the parts. You gotta pay for all that staging stuff. That enough guidance? Oh - Steve's also a nice guy. Never heard Mr. Dinan called that, but mebbe I wasn't listening.. Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ JMP#1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] NJ Shore BMW Riders web page: http://www.monmouth.com/~deilenberger "You're absolutely right, and I apologize" --Darryl Richman "Silly me... I apologize." --Tim Hall "Sorry..." --Magwa ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 15:43:16 -0800 From: Shiv Sikand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <e28> M5 control arm bushings Don wrote: > Uhhhh... if you need guidance on how to save $66.00 - well.. > > Steve isn't near as rich as Mr. Dinan, and he doesn't spend > a lotta $$$ on fancy ads or a fancy shop. He also is a sponsor > of this digest, which I don't seem to remember Mr. Dinan being. > Steve doesn't have Stage I and Stage II and Stage whatever.. he > just has the parts. You gotta pay for all that staging stuff. > > That enough guidance? Oh - Steve's also a nice guy. Never heard > Mr. Dinan called that, but mebbe I wasn't listening.. I was trying to establish if they have the same procedure for modification and whether or not there is any known quality or performance issue with one compared to the other. I know they both start from the same point, I was interested to know if one can tell the difference from an engineering standpoint. Dinan may not be known for his prices or friendliness, but no one I know faults his technical capabilities and quality of work. Thanks, Shiv ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 15:45:44 -0800 From: Shiv Sikand <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: [uucdigest]E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? The Bilsteins are available for $92 dollars each. So, the mechanic is charging almost double. Bit high, IMHO... - --Shiv ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 17:58:36 -0600 From: Scott Ferguson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: E28 M5 shop visit....opinions? Alex says, of his friend: >He is a bit weary of spending a >bunch of mulah on this car because it is in such bad shape. It is a >shame....really....this M5 has shot interior, dented up panels, etc. then quotes a price of around $1,600 for a bunch of work. My view? Not being an M5 owner myself, that seems like a really, REALLY cheap price to get so much fixed on a car normally considered to be a semi-exotic. If he can't pony up the bucks to keep it running right, he needs to sell it and buy something he can afford. I'm honestly not trying to be snotty here, I'm just saying that if you're looking at economy, an M5 of any year is NOT the way to go, especially if it's not in great shape. My $.02? Sell it for parts and buy a 535i. Parts will be cheaper and more readily available over the counter. Hope I didn't offend... Scott 1985 535i - 250,000 miles, not folded, spindled, or mutilated. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2000 10:12:16 +1000 From: "Thomas, Andrew j" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Euro E36 seat belts, weight loss and Saab motors Steven ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > Do right hand drive E36s have what is called 'child protection' > seat belt? I'm assuming by "Euro" you mean LHD and RHD cars (RHD for UK and Eire only, although I think Malta drives "that way" too). There was no mention of a "child protection" seat belt in my 1995, RHD E36 owner's manual, only a section on how to fit child seats to the front or back (passenger airbag was not standard in this market for '95). The only concession to size was a fitment that allowed the vertical adjustment of the upper belt anchor on the B-pillar, but this was present on the driver's side too. Plus, of course, the usual inertia-reel arrangement and a device that fired in the event of an accident, retracting the seal belt down tight. Ben ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > possibility of all alloy body to keep weight down despite > the cost penalty, rather than steel body with alloy subframes, > suspension & brakes. I can buy the subframe, suspension and brake theory, but I wonder about the validity of the alloy chassis. This car will have to be cheaper than, or as cheap as, the 3 series, and previous use of expensive spaceframe technology has not shown huge weight advantage so far. Audi's alloy A2 is very light, at under 1000kg, but it's a still a small car that wouldn't weigh much more if it was made of steel. > weight target of 1000kg That'll be the day :). Michael ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) writes: > Hopefully you can clarify, but isn't the V-6 used in the 9-5 just > a turbo-charged derivative of the GM one used in the Catera/Omega, > or I am totally offbase here? BTW, I recently had the chance to > drive the latest Saab turbo 4 in the 9-3, and it was impressive, > especially on the highway. This question was aimed at Neil D but as John points out, Saab's V6 is fundamentally a Euro-GM design. Saab persists with the blown I4 (based on a Triumph 2000 engine, apparently!) because of the torque delivery, it's a "clean" engine emissions-wise, and very efficient. And I've read that a large proportion of Saab's loyal customer base won't consider anything else. On Neil's point, I doubt that BMW could improve on its current engine designs with more money. I'm biased of course but it already makes some of the best engines in the world. Certainly the diesels are at the top of the tree and the M engines have always had few, if any, peers. But perhaps their smaller motors could do with a bit more character these days (I'm talking about the fours here). BMW's last foray into the budget market ended in ignominy in its biggest export market, but smaller and cheaper models from prestige manufacturers are always very popular in European countries. Including the Mercedes A-class, incidentally, whose diesel versions are seemingly being bought by minicab firms by the boatload. 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: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 19:14:47 EST From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] remove ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 19:24:41 -0500 From: Quenton B Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E30 erratic idle? explain this one I am not a techno guru so I don't know how this happened but I am glad it did. When I brought my 1985 325e (2dr) out of its temporary winter sabbatical, the 3 year old battery was having a hard time starting the engine (I had kept it on a trickle charger most of the winter. . . but every now and then I would take her out for a spin when the roads cleared up so that the tires wouldn't go out of round and to just give her a little "exercise" . . . but I had neglected to reconnect the charger during the last 5 weeks because we had some record breaking warm weather for a while) so I took her to Batteries Plus (where I purchased the battery with a warranty) to have them check the battery. As expected it was only producing about 40%. . . this is where the 1st problem begins. Batteries Plus did not have the correct battery in stock, so they placed an order for a new battery. . . well the manufacturer of the battery that was in the car no longer supplies batteries to Batteries Plus and the battery they have to replace it is to tall to sit in the trunks battery well with the cover over it, plus the battery didn't have the connection for the vent hose either. So you are probably asking yourself about now. . . "I thought he had an erratic idle problem?". Well, a few years ago my car had developed the not unusual erratic idle surging after warming up. I had dug into the archives and tried the cleaning of the ICV and as they had stated, it had gummed up, but my car still surged. Then I found the trick of drilling a whole in a penny, inserting it in the hose that leads into the the top of the ICV (it's funny how the hose widens at the end that goes into the ICV and a penny fits perfectly in the hose when you push it all the way in to where the hose begins to constrict). . . but I digress. . . that little trick worked and my engine idled perfectly around 750-800 RPMs. [THANKS TO WHOMEVER CAME UP WITH THAT LITTLE FIX!!!] Now, to come up to date. . . since I had been waiting for Batteries Plus to come up with a battery. . . I had been driving around with jumper cables in case I get stranded (which happened a couple of times) AND the erratic idle surging problem reared it's ugly head again!!!. Every racer wannabe was screeching off from the light for the past week thinking I wanted to drag race with them. . . sheeshh. . . well anyway, it appears BP (Batt/Plus) is having difficulty finding this battery, so they called me today to put in a temporary (of which I am grateful). Also, today I had made some calls, reticent that I was going to have to finally plunk down the $$$ to buy an ICV (or if that didn't work, an ICM). But when they put the temporary battery in and I started the car . . . I let it continue to run as we went back in the store to do paperwork. . . I expected the car to be doing its usual surging when I came back out . . . it wasn't. The surging had stopped and the engine is again idling between 750-800 RPMs. . . which is fine and dandy in my book. So do any of the tech gurus know what happened? Is the strength of the car's battery somehow connected with the electrical flow that's needed to modulate the car's idle? Quenton Smith 1985 E30 325e 1998 Ford F150 contemplating the purchase of an E32???? I must be crazy. . .but I luv'em anyway ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 19:31:14 -0500 From: Linda Rowlison <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Track wheels - suggestions pls ?? Ok, I been sitting on the sidelines watching for all too long now. Time to jump in... I finally have a legit Q... I've been doing several schools here in Ontario(Mosport) and Quebec(Tremblant) last year with a set of Momo Arrows shod with BFG G-Force R1's. The wheels have been good for my first season, - bought them used, - guy said they were "perfect" but of course they are not! Anyways, they've been relegated to my snows this past winter and after having just put the OEM wheels and tires(summers) on the car last week - what a difference - I guess I forgot how good my others were. So, I need some advice if any one would care to offer it on a) the best track wheels (ie. read lightest/stongest) vs. b) the best for the $$ I remember reading in this or other lists about the "IFG". Don't know if I can get these in the Toronto/Canada or not??? Also, the wheel/tire guy at one of our better shops here is trying to sell me on a set of "Team Dynamic - Monza's" They look like the one many BTCC cars use (multi-spoke - flat face) Has anyone out there used these? The tire guy says there as strong as hell, yada, yada, yada and that's why the BTCC cars use that style of wheel...(More (thin) spokes = strength and continuity but a little more weight) Also, just in the midst of putting together a track car for club and local events here so they will be used on a prepared car eventually if it makes any difference. Any qualified opinions from users or the like of any wheel would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Dave Rowlison, Toronto '97 M3/ 2 Boston/Modena, BL/ss'd, x'd, B&B Triflow. '95 325 4 dr - Track/race project (in process) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 19:27:04 -0500 From: Steven Schlossman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] testing wheel trueness At 10:23 AM -0800 3/28/00, Christopher Myers wrote: >Does a tire shop need a special machine to test the trueness of a >wheel, or can they just use a balancing machine. I don't think so. I had new tires mounted and balanced and with my untrained eye I could easily see one of my wheels slightly out of round. ..steven 1998 E36/5 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 16:38:00 -0800 From: "Michael Lesser" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E28 M5 Repairs Not only does the guy have to eat, but he deserves a fair price for his work, and that includes the parts he provides. If your friend wants to buy the parts mail-order, at discount prices, then perhaps he should do the work himself or with the help of friends. On the other hand, it might be a good idea to find a good service shop (maybe this mechanic is it), and develop a relationship that will pay off in the long term with someone who will know the history of the car, be able to anticipate work that needs to be done and repay your friend's loyalty to him down the line. I thinlk it is well worth the extra 10% or so that the initial parts will cost. Especially with an old M car, it is a very good idea. I have owned 3 BMWs for the past 27 years (2002=15 years, tii=8 yrs., E28 M5=2.5 yrs.), and the independent BMW shop I use in San Francisco is the best friend my cars and I have ever had. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 18:58:41 -0600 From: "Daniels, Jason S" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] RE: Speeding, Valentine & Arrogance They can't issue you a ticket unless they saw it. Only if contact was made between the two vehicles, and there was paint transfer/ damage to either car. The law should be similar in most states. (father was the chief of police and a patrolman for 33 years.) jason daniels - ---------- > So the moral of the story is: even if some #@%$ calls you in over the > phone/CB, the cops can not issue a ticket unless they personally witnessed > the event? > True or false? > > inquiring minds want to know... > alex f ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 20:05:56 -0500 From: "Rob Levinson - UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] More on the 2 series Wow, that's amazing! (That they spelled all the words right.) ;-) - - Rob - ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Due to AOL, the following. This is what you can find with a quality provider > <G> <snip> ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 20:23:47 -0500 From: Patrick Burns <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <E28> wiring headlights I'm ready to install a set of E-code lamps, and I'm building a totally over the top wiring harness with 12 gauge power leads to the relays, bulbs, and ground. My problem stems from the fact that I don't see how to wire the relays such that the low beam fault indicator doesn't light up. I just tried leaving one low beam lead plugged into a standard sealed beam lamp, and wiring the other to switch a Hella 15A relay, and even when the relay engages, the fault indicator lights up. I imagine the fault system detects amperage, and when it drops below a certain point, it alerts the driver, and the relay isn't pulling enough amperage to satisfy this requirement. If I'm wrong here, please enlighten me (no pun intended). If I'm correct, I imagine others have run into this very same problem. How did you solve it? ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2000 20:15:22 -0500 From: "Rob Levinson - UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] digest sponsorship question Technically the UUC Digest has no sponsors, no business puts any money* or effort into it. Companies that I list at the bottom of the UUC Digest are there because I think they are good companies that I would recommend (but are not the only companies, just a partial listing). And FWIW, the folks at Dinan are very helpful and have given me good, free advice on several occassions... and there are many items I would recommend getting from them. (* there was the incredibly generous sticker fundraising that Mssr. Collie put together last year.) - - Rob Levinson UUC Digest ListOwner - ----- Original Message ----- From: Don Eilenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Steve isn't near as rich as Mr. Dinan, and he doesn't spend > a lotta $$$ on fancy ads or a fancy shop. He also is a sponsor > of this digest, which I don't seem to remember Mr. Dinan being. > Steve doesn't have Stage I and Stage II and Stage whatever.. he > just has the parts. You gotta pay for all that staging stuff. > > That enough guidance? Oh - Steve's also a nice guy. Never heard > Mr. Dinan called that, but mebbe I wasn't listening.. > > Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ JMP#1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #526 ************************** _________________________________________ | 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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