[uucdigest] Sunday, July 22 2001 Volume 03 : Number 4044 _________________________________________________________________ | | 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] Rant#9? Premature tire wear? [[EMAIL PROTECTED] (John Hart)] [uuc] E36 Head unit question [Avinash Heroor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] Re: [uuc] Rant#9? Premature tire wear? WOB, LONG ["Michael Lawrence" <95] [uuc] E36 Wheels w/ track tires FS [[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Re: [uuc] E36 Head unit question [Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>] [uuc] ten little questions from a pretty big A [[EMAIL PROTECTED] (John ] [uuc] E30 M3 fuel starvation right hand sweepers [Mark Williams <williamh] [uuc] RE: Wheel "reconditioning" contractual failures. [Mark Williams <wi] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 17:45:58 -0400 (EDT) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (John Hart) Subject: Re: [uuc] Rant#9? Premature tire wear? Thanks all, and Mr. Derian for prompt reply, esp., considering that I have indeed been formally been a big A?G-take your pick... No inner or outer wear was found by dealer. Just a whole lot of even wear, down to near wear indicators...no tracking of car, no mega burnouts from stop signs, yet perhaps a lot of LSD torgue shift on left or right start offs..nothing I wouldn't expect as normal in a 200bhp front or fwd sports car configuration. Yes, there is something high maintenance in my expectations-haning always been defeated on the road to M3 Nirvanadom(dumb), yet, I sense I'm not the only one who wore out their rubber tread prematurely (no pun intended, only incited by default)... for example..I went 200 miles to CT last month to pick up four Blizzak snows that the poster said were "for a good home" but in reality, according to my tire mounter/dealer, had very little life left in the tread department. In sum, gotta tell ya, rear wheel drive is a losing propositiion, and moreso with a heavier rear weight bias, e.g my convertible 96 328...what else can I assume when the front and rear alignment is normal, the backs are burning off in 5,000 minus miles of semi-normal driving..ok, yeah, I still wish I had an M3, and, yet, I still love the top down BMW effect. I swear, its going to be a hell of a lot cheaper to get a Mini S next year (or a VW Beetle cabrio) and replace fronts as I hear them chirp out, than it has been to drive by rear end wire, and suddenly realize, hey, I ain't got no rear end...then again, I just visited my procto! Thanks for all the replies, and sorry for continued crudities...this is a damn knowledgeable list set of post/respondents (apart from me..I don't know what the hell to do with this car for 6+ months!) John ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 15:50:55 -0700 From: Avinash Heroor <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E36 Head unit question I just got a stock head unit from a friend with a '98 E36 with the H-K option. Will it work in my '92 325i? I have the 10 speaker system I believe. Based on what I can see in the Bentley, the pin-outs are the same. Thanks, - --Avi. '00 1150GS '92 325i San Jose, CA - ----------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 19:01:48 -0700 From: "Michael Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Rant#9? Premature tire wear? WOB, LONG - ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Hart" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <snip of a lot of extra words> I have to ask, what kind of work do you do? Write text books, work for the gov. or what? I think you would find that being straight to the point would help in getting responses to your questions. A long post with humor is good sometimes, but not when you are looking for advice. Nothing personal, it is just that normally I ignore your posts due to the length and seemingly bitching about everything. Now, if you are only getting 5000 miles out of a set of tires, THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG. It is the car, your driving style, something. I have had more than a handful of BMWs since leaving college in the 90's. 2 95 M3s, a 93 325i, 92 535i, etc etc etc. I drive harder than most I know. On my daily driver 95 M3, yes I did burnouts from stop signs sometimes, basically raised hell when the urge hit me. and I still got about 15k miles out of a set of tires except for the first set of pilots, they lasted about 8k. Your car either has way too much toe in in the back, or your car has been tweeked in a wreck. Or you are full throttle ever time you drive. I would have to see it to believe it if someone could wear out a set of tires that quick without doing driving schools, leaving 50ft black marks every week, etc. I would also suggest trying another alignment shop. Even if they had you a print out, some dont even do anything. I suppected a shop of doing this, so I checked the rear alignment myself with some toe bars, set it to the max, which was not what I wanted etc. Marked the bolts with chalk. Took it in the shop, told them I wanted the factory spec alignment. $100 and 5 hrs later, took the car home, even with just my eyes, I could tell they did not change the rear toe. Sure enough, the bolts had not been touched. Took it back and the guy did not even know how to set the toe on a E-36, the dealership claimed it was not adjustable until I should them how. So that might be your problem, dont know. Other than trying a new alignment, buy some Kumho tires and ease up on the foot. If you get an alignment, get the print out and let us know what it is. On my M3, I run 0(ZERO) toe in on the rear and about -2 camber. Maybe tell them you want the least amount of toe in and 20% less camber than stock. that will give you the best wear on the tires, might make the car alittle unstable at speed, but everything is a tradeoff. Good luck. And why dont you just sell the car and buy an M3, life is too short for M-posers and cheap beer! Mike ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 20:03:24 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] E36 Wheels w/ track tires FS Group, I have (4) Konig Concorde 5 spokes mounted w/ R1s? I bought a set from a fellow lister to use on my E36 M3 and they've never been mounted on my car. The R1s have only seen 2 driver's schools and the wheels are in very good condition. $650 plus shipping from Knoxville, TN 37919. They are 71/2x17 mounted w/ 235/45x17 R1s. If you go to the Konig Wheel web site you can view them. TIA Evan ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 20:37:29 -0400 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E36 Head unit question It will work perfectly *except* you cannot control the trunk mounted CD changer in your '92. If you want a trunk mounted CD changer, you'll need a cable and an I-bus changer for the trunk, both available for the E36 chassis. I've done several of these upgrades. HTH, Ed Avinash Heroor wrote: > > I just got a stock head unit from a friend with a '98 E36 with the > H-K option. Will it work in my '92 325i? I have the 10 speaker system > I believe. Based on what I can see in the Bentley, the pin-outs are > the same. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Jul 2001 00:14:46 -0400 (EDT) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (John Hart) Subject: [uuc] ten little questions from a pretty big A Sorry, I'll try to beat the point outa mice elf: Ten questions I never asked the list: 1. Which is better for 17'' tire/wheel upgrades, in terms of minimal handling changes..the sticker says 235 40 17's, but Tire Rack offers... A. 225 45 17?...I saw a E36 M3 sedan w. and others say..235 45 17 for slightly better sidewall "protection" and slightly worse response? 2. Why is the speedo always 2 mph over actual speed, as verified by the OBC speed "alert" alarm? Is this to make drivers think they are going faster than they are, to stay out of hot water, or like Jaguar, to simply overstate performance vs. reality? Any insights? 3. Why is the European E36 standard lighting by Hella of an entirely different design than the ZKM's (imported by Bekker's, BTW)..among other things, the low beam fluting is much more refined (Hella), and the high beam seems to have a projector lens (Hella, as well), whilst the ZKM seems opposite in design. Which Euro cars got Hella, vs ZKM, or were they interchangable, model to model? 4. What does BMW "Business" mean in terms of the radio nomenclature for N.A? Is this a status label, like making money, or does it refer to Elvis...GDTB=Getting down to business? 5. Is the BMW lightweight cast alloy any more resistant to bends from potholes, or is it equal or more likely to be damaged b/c of its lighter "unsprung" weight than standard cast alloy BMW wheels? 6. Does fitment of a M3 exhaust to a 3 2.8 engine result in low end loss of power torque. More specifically, are the fittment pipes "wider" in diameter, being designed for the 3.2? If so, it would seem to make sense that only intake changes, like different filters or supercharging, would be able to take advantage of a larger route out of the exhaust tubing. 7. More specifically, is there a direct relationship between exhaust gains in terms of BHP/torque and NOISE? If so, which exhaust wins the greatest noise and power gain equation, UUC or BB Triflow..alternatively, which exhaust other than BMW gives the greatest boost, however small, in BHP/torque, with the smallest increase in "ear candy", i.e noise? AA? Supersprint? 8. Would the general consensus on the highest performance, highest tread wear life tire for 17 M3>328 favor one brand? Is it Pirelli Pilot, Bridgestone, Yokohama AVS, or something else, as far as tread wear life first, Z rating supplementary? 9. Are ECIS/Conforti air intakes better off with the stock BMW plastic air diverter/radiator "hose" plug in coupling?... plastic shrouds, or can one achieve better results with cutting the former stock air box plastic to butt up against a foam or "airbox type" filter? I have seen the latter quite professionally done in UK BMW mags, but wondered if leaving that whole plastic S bend piping OFF might better suit the so-called "air box"=created by sealing off the entire filter area? 10. What is the purpose of the little rectangular cut away panel on or below the rear bumper? BONUS: Now that the E36 is going the way of Jurassic Park 3, can anyone say whether the E36 platform continues to be produced anywhere in the world..S.Africa? I have heard the new 318 uses a E36 back end, just as the old 318 used an E30! Sure! Thanks for any insights John ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 23:25:43 -0500 From: Mark Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E30 M3 fuel starvation right hand sweepers Eddy, You are correct that this is a common problem, and your symptoms are those of a faulty in tank fuel pump, which you have already replaced. Replacing the fuel filter is certainly easy and inexpensive and is worth a try. �It is important that you cease driving the car on the track with this problem until you are able to get it resolved.. With the loss in fuel pressure, the motor will run lean, and before long you will melt a piston or launch a rod.. While having a 2.5L motor is fun, paying for it is not.... not to mention the six to eight weeks down time while the motor is being rebuilt..�� :( �� I'd suggest checking to make sure that the new� in tank fuel pump is indeed functioning properly.. Also check to make sure that the two electrical plugs for it are indeed tightly connected.. Next, be sure that the MAIN fuel pump is running (under the driver's side door) and maybe next would be to check/replace the fuel pressure regulator... Good Luck! PS... if you are not a member of the E30 M3 SIG you should join immediately! http://www.bimmers.com/m3/sig/ Mark Williams Dallas, TX 91 ///M3 2.5L � � >Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 23:38:53 -0700 >From: "funa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [uuc] E30 M3 fuel starvation right hand sweepers > >I understand that this is a common problem; At track events my E30, >M3 is starving for fuel on hard right hand sweepers. I've changed the in >tank fuel pump 2 weeks ago but at my 1st track event since the change I >discover that the problem still exists. It started happening at � empty, and >now its starting to do this at 2/3 full. It's� odd that it may do this on one of >our sessions (toward the end of a 20 minute session) but not do it at all the >next session. My next step is to change the fuel filter under and behind the >drivers seat along with the regulator that's just in front of it, hoping that this >may make a difference. Has anyone out there had this problem and found a cure? >Thanks >Eddy >Central California � � ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Jul 2001 23:33:27 -0500 From: Mark Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: Wheel "reconditioning" contractual failures. John, Sorry to hear of your misfortune.... I am a little confused as to what you did with the payment, however, if you are truly this unhappy you should return the wheels to them (insured and certified with return receipt) and dispute the charges through your credit card company.... Maybe you will have better luck finding a used set from a Roundel advertiser, via ebay (shudder) or another uuc digester.. Mark Williams Dallas, TX 91 ///M3 2.5L � - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Jul 2001 22:42:12 -0400 (EDT) From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (John Hart) Subject: [uuc] Weekend rants! !1. Wheel "reconditioning" contractual failures. ���� Sorry for frothing the weekend gruppe groping, but no one will likely remember Monday what's my latest complaint; ����� I just got my M3 lightweight wheels from Rim and Wheel Works, in Bath PA, and I feel I've really taken a bath. ���� ASIDE: I know Mr. Levinson says flame only if you feel someone really deserves it, but I mean, I called the folks for 6 weeks after they charged me 1,450US $, and what I got, reconditioned, as their phone hold announcer says is.."factory as new refinished..guaranteed".. is in my case: 1. Mirror finish chrome on outermost surfaces, which is easily singled out from OEM poilished chrome, and of questionable durability..i.e, in northern climes at least, mirror chrome fades quite readily.� 2.The fact is, even the most novice M3 aE36 afficianado can tell that the wheels are nowhere near polished and professionally coated as the GMBH OEM's.� That, on top of 3. various pits, scratch marks and blister repairs of cracks that look like solder points make me willing to RANT to others reading thus far to AVOID this company for refinishing (and take a whole S---load of photos B4 and after mounting of wheels. ���� Ontop of all this, they double spoke to me as a novice customer=DELAY TACTICS, in terms of the chemistry of refinishing and blah blah, etc, rather than making promises that they could keep, other than that the wheels will be straight and true (FWIW, all their anodizing and chroming happen to be farmed out to who knows who in Latrobe PA or god knows where, and the result is crappy quality and turnaround, even though they contracted with all the "Lehigh Univ. metallurgical studies qualifications"� as if to say they do it all in house! � .� I know this sounds like I'm griping, but they clearly had me over a barrel for almost two months, promising they'd have results as good as stock, and yet again, I am screwed seeking a cheaper than OEM alternative at $360 each....I actually had my credit card co. charge their bank back for non-delivery..so tell me, capitalist bretheren..should I pick on this company for a credit adjustment, b/c of the failure to live up to their "good as factory" guarantees, or refuse to pay altogether, claiming inferior quality of goods delivered not as promised, not when promised, and not in keeping with OEM standards of fit, finish and likely longevity?� Anyone, anyone!? John-96 328 is cabrio � ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #4044 *************************** ________________________________________ | 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 . BMW technical information, special tool sales/rental | http://www.koalamotorsport.com |==================================================== | Taylor BMW - http://www.taylorbmw.com - Doc Bimmer! | UUC Motorwerks . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com |__________________________________________
