[uucdigest] Sunday, June 24 2001 Volume 03 : Number 3921 _________________________________________________________________ | | Search the ARCHIVES: | http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] | | Visit Richard Nott's Ultimate BMW Database: | http://www.gis.nsw.gov.au/staff/rnott/bmw/bmw.html | | 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. | Technical Problems? Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] |__________________________________________________________________ In this BMW UUC Digest: RE: [uuc] OEM or aftermarket battery, which to buy? ["David Ellsworth" <m] Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record [Scott Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] [uuc] Re: <E34/E24> M5 Vs M6? Comments? [James Muskopf <james_535@yahoo.] [uuc] <e30> re: leaky rack [Chris Pawlowicz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record ["Gilbert Hoffman" <gil_a_monster@hotmai] [uuc] Aftermarket Interior Trim Suppliers for e46 coupes? ["Jonathan Farb] Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record ["Joao T. da Costa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Re: [uuc] <e30> re: leaky rack [Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] [uuc] e30 leaky rack [Neil Deshpande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 08:32:53 -0400 From: "David Ellsworth" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] OEM or aftermarket battery, which to buy? I checked out several sources for a battery for my 96 318ti. Some were should fits, ought to fits, might fits and as much or more than the factory battery from BMW...with my BMWCCA discount. Perfect fit, no hassles, best price. David and His Alaska Blau Ti - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Steve Mizumoto Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2001 5:11 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] OEM or aftermarket battery, which to buy? Hi All, I will be buying a battery tomorrow and wanted to get your opinions on whether I should buy an OEM battery from BMW or an aftermarket brand. I assume that the after market brands will cost less. Have you heard of internal vs. external venting for BMW batteries? Steve M3 96' Estoril _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 17:50:56 -0700 From: Scott Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record > >You're surprised? The X5 LM has something like 700 HP and AWD. > > Yes. > > It is also equal to the time of a 650hp Supra. (A better handling and > somewhat lighter vehicle.) > > It also beats a 996 turbo which is 1000lbs lighter, handles better, has more > sophisticated AWD...and is generally considered to be the Gold standard in > production sports cars. > > It wouldn't surprise me as much if we are talking about lapping Sebring > faster...but we are talking about a course with over 100 turns. None of > which do I have any comfort believing an SUV outcorners a 996 or 360 Modena > or 550 Maranello... > > I understand Hans is driving...and that does make somewhat of a difference. > However, Walter Rohrl in a 996 GT2 can only do 2 seconds better a lap?? yes it has 170 turns (depending on how fast you're going), but there are alot of straightaways... The turns are packed very closely together. Besides the 2? 1.5? mile front straight, there's a long uphill section in the back. there was an article in the Roundel about this beast. Didn't they lower it and run sticky tires? how wide were the tires? it had a cage which helped to stiffen the chassis -- did they put it on a diet too? Ring laptimes are always a funny thing to compare because you don't really know exactly what they were running. doesn't the M5 run the Ring faster than an M3? Scott ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 18:03:37 -0700 (PDT) From: James Muskopf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: <E34/E24> M5 Vs M6? Comments? It's actually spelled "Zeemax". They make WEIRD-looking wide-body fiberglass fender flare kits, like adding E30 M3 fender flares on steroids. You can see the E34 kit at: http://www.zeemax.com/7e34wb.htm James [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Date: Sat, 23 Jun 2001 18:38:56 -0400 > From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: <E34/E24> M5 Vs M6? Comments? > > What is a Zmax kit? Flares, rolled fenders or something else? > > Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > A E34 can easily put 275mm rears, with a Zmax > > kit, 300mm rears. An E28 can at best do 255mm rear. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 21:55:46 -0400 From: Chris Pawlowicz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <e30> re: leaky rack Joe sez > So my steering rack is leaking. After 14 years, I am not surprised. > Everything I have seen in the various forums indicates that you can't > replace the seals in an e30 rack. I do notice that alloembmwparts.com has a > seal kit for the e30 rack (but not the e36 rack). > > Has anyone had any luck in replacing the seals in an e30 rack? I just snipped the power steering belt, drained most of the fluid out of the rubber bellows (so as not to burst them) and have been driving power steering free for a few years now. (umm.. I think it was in '96) Steering feel is wonderful once the car is moving. Parallel parking takes a bit of getting used to but is no big deal ( and I am using 225/50zr15 RE71's, no sissy stock 195/65r14s ) A few people on digests past *have* reported having their racks rebuilt with success. alloem lists a rack seal kit but when you click to find out how much seems to gag (no info..) If you can't get it there Steve d'G @ Ultimate Garage used to have 'em - I saved some info from '96 (!) where he wrote: - ------- I would strongly suggest using a ZF remanufactured steering rack over the slightly cheaper aftermarket rebuilds available on the market...ZF incorporates all the latest engineering changes (basically the latest seal & o-ring updates). For the ambitious owners, BMW does offer rebuild kits (seals & o-rings) for the E30 racks...part # 32131128685 for 84-10/86 and # 32131132798 for 11/86-91 (each is around $70.00 mail order price, $100.00 list). The ix kit is # 32131137410. You should consider the "mount kits" for all of these as well. SD Steve D'Gerolamo c/o The Ultimate Garage, Emerson, NJ (201-262-0412) - -------- Rebuilt warrantied racks cost $300-$400. (advertisers in Roundel + elsewhere) If the rebuild kit is $100 and you have to pay someone labour to do the seals, savings are debateable. > > Also, as the only adjustment in the alignment on an e30 is the toe, how hard > is it to set this yourself? I ask because I will need to realign the > steering after I replace the rack or seals. > No big deal - lots of people make their own toe gauge using a piece of rod with some adjustable pointers.. Just another point to consider - if you are going to replace the rack with a rebuilt one, one of the neat upgrades is to pop in an E36 M3 rack (see Zionsville autosport web page).. they sell the used M3 racks (which don't seem to be as prone to leaking..?) and the small amount of mods you need to plumb it in. Chris Pawlowicz '89 325i '74 2002 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 25 Jun 2001 02:20:13 From: "Gilbert Hoffman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record Scott wrote: >yes it has 170 turns (depending on how fast you're going), but there >are alot of straightaways... The turns are packed very closely >together. Besides the 2? 1.5? mile front straight, there's a long >uphill section in the back. Yes, but a 996 GT2 has a published top speed in the vicinity of the X5LM. I believe both of the current Ferrari two seaters best the X5LM top speed, yet have higher lap times. I would think that closely packed turns would just mean that the X5 is even slower through them. >there was an article in the Roundel about this beast. Didn't they >lower it and run sticky tires? how wide were the tires? it had a >cage which helped to stiffen the chassis -- did they put it on a diet >too? Don't remember the particulars. I'm sure it's lowered, but it still won't corner like an F360. >Ring laptimes are always a funny thing to compare because you don't >really know exactly what they were running. I'll totally agree with that. Some information states who the driver is, some information even states race or street tires. One of the reasons I stated the Walter Rohrl time in a 996. Whenever possible it's nice to see a 'name' driver associated with a time, because perhaps some hack is was driving if there isn't a name. Also, with BMW production vehicles the 155mph limiter may/may not be in effect. You would think that 'performance' manufacturers would want their 'best' drivers to put in times. Like Ferrari using Schuey to 'ring out a lap in an F360. (Bad pun intended.) >doesn't the M5 run the Ring faster than an M3? According to my numbers the E36 M3 'evo' and E39 M5 both have turned laps of 8:20. Two seconds ahead of the 8:22 lap for the 321hp M coupe and E46 M3. Supposedly a 'stock' 4.4l X5 laps in 9:20. AFAIK the times for the E39 M5 and E46 M3 are both done by BMW AG test drivers. Of course, they may have been told to hold back when driving the M3, so that a 'cheaper' car wouldn't be their top dog. (After all, it doesn't hurt testing to ease up enough to be two seconds slower on a 2-mile straight.) Gilbert _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 22:35:14 -0400 From: "Jonathan Farber" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Aftermarket Interior Trim Suppliers for e46 coupes? Hey gang, does anyone know of any suppliers of high-quality interior trim kits for the e46 coupe? I got my e46 M3 last week, and want to replace the "Hyundai Black" gloss trim that it comes with. I've purchased the BMW Matt Chrome pieces but honestly am not excited about the cheap plastic composition, although it's better than the black. What I'd really like is actual brushed aluminum. Anyone seen this available? Thanks, Jonathan Farber PS: I'll post a review of the M3 in the next few days... right now I'm frustrated by the break in restrictions... ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 23:35:22 -0300 From: "Joao T. da Costa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] New Nurburgring record > > >>doesn't the M5 run the Ring faster than an M3? > >According to my numbers the E36 M3 'evo' and E39 M5 both have turned >laps of 8:20. Two seconds ahead of the 8:22 lap for the 321hp M >coupe and E46 M3. Supposedly a 'stock' 4.4l X5 laps in 9:20. AFAIK >the times for the E39 M5 and E46 M3 are both done by BMW AG test >drivers. Of course, they may have been told to hold back when >driving the M3, so that a 'cheaper' car wouldn't be their top dog. >(After all, it doesn't hurt testing to ease up enough to be two >seconds slower on a 2-mile straight.) > >Gilbert > Do you have a number for the McLaren F1 road car? - -- Joao T. da Costa Sao Paulo, Brazil '97 E36/5 318ti '89 E30 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 23:10:43 -0400 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <e30> re: leaky rack Joe, Chris and insomniacs, For my daughter's '87 325is, I just bought a Maval unit from Zygmunt <http://www.bimmerparts.com/> in Doylestown, PA for $236 (+ core) and change. It was to replace a newly rebuilt, never installed, badly, badly leaking unit from a Roundel supplier. It went in without bending the tabs, in under two hours, works great and has a three year warranty. I carefully considered the alternatives and actually had tried the rebuild route and found this to be the best choice. If you really, really want a ZF reman unit, they'll sell you one of those for $327.90 (+ core). In the money pit (my '89), I'm considering the E36 M3 unit and would have a good used rack for sale. Ed Chris Pawlowicz wrote: > > Joe sez > > So my steering rack is leaking. After 14 years, I am not surprised. > > Everything I have seen in the various forums indicates that you can't > > replace the seals in an e30 rack. I do notice that alloembmwparts.com has a > > seal kit for the e30 rack (but not the e36 rack). ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 24 Jun 2001 20:49:31 -0700 (PDT) From: Neil Deshpande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] e30 leaky rack Joe: The seal kit, with upgraded seals, is $80 from Steve D'Gerolamo. HOWEVER, the last Lister who bought the kit could not figure out how to do the replacements. There was a lister about 3 years ago whose mechanic did this in about 3 hours. As I recall the cost was about equal to a rebuilt rack, which is about $275. I would recommend you go with a rebuild. Also, you could upgrade to the E36 M3 rack for an improvement. Details at http://www.zionsvilleautosport.com, I believe. Apparently it is really easy to set toe. Gary Derian is the expert, but I've reviewed the procedure and it appears to be very easy indeed. I won't describe it as I've not done it, but it is basically measuring the separation of the tire fronts and backs with right angle (seat against tire) and string and setting toe that way. Neil Deshpande http://www.neilwerke.com *** [EMAIL PROTECTED] Let's try this again ... So my steering rack is leaking. After 14 years, I am not surprised. Everything I have seen in the various forums indicates that you can't replace the seals in an e30 rack. I do notice that alloembmwparts.com has a seal kit for the e30 rack (but not the e36 rack). Has anyone had any luck in replacing the seals in an e30 rack? Also, as the only adjustment in the alignment on an e30 is the toe, how hard is it to set this yourself? I ask because I will need to realign the steering after I replace the rack or seals. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #3921 *************************** ________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | Camptown Automotive - http://www.camptownauto.com | Circle Tire Co. (used & classic BMW parts) e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] | Detailwerks Chicago Inc. "Chicago's Premier Automotive Appearance | Center" . http://www.detailwerkschicago.com |==================================================== | Koala MotorSport . 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