[uucdigest] Thursday, February 13 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6110
_________________________________________________________________ | | Search the ARCHIVES: | http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] | | Visit Richard Nott's Ultimate BMW Database: | http://www.bmwdatabase.com | | 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] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Re: [uuc] Advice on 5 series Re: [uuc] More driveline woes....Please help Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon [uuc] Re: Power to be gained EGO Signal adjustment? RE: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 07:16:22 -0800 (PST) From: "Neil N." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Dennis, I can't give you any personal experiences, but I met someone at the Glen that uses his wife's X5 to tow his 635si on a Trailex open trailer. IIRC, I think he even had the X5 3.0. He told me it towed that setup very well. What kind of enclosed trailer do you have that only weighs 1,800 lbs? Is yours a Trailex too? Those seem to be the lightest ones I've come across in my research. If the 4.4i doesn't do it, you could always convince your wife you need the 4.6is. Just tell her the big, wide tires improve accident avoidance or something... :) Neil - --- Dennis Liu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Here's an interesting question (well, interesting to > me at least).... > > Does anyone tow with their X5? Or their 540 wagon? > > Does anyone know what the tow rating is for the 540? > I think that BMW NA > does not publish any tow ratings for the 540 in the > US, but I would think > they must in Europe, because when I've driven on the > continent, I've seen > every make of BMW from Z3 on up towing things -- > even a 520(ish) wagon > towing a giant camper for vacations. > > I'm looking to buy a new mommy-vehicle for the wife. > Would love to be able > to use it as a tow vehicle; 1800-2000 lbs. enclosed > trailer, 3000lbs. car. > So an X5 with a 6000lbs. rating is probably on the > marginal side, but it > would only be a half-dozen times a year, if that. > > I know that something like a Suburban would be > ideal, but I do NOT enjoy > driving big trucks on a daily basis -- hence the > interest in an X5. But I > also know that a 540 wagon actually has more room > than an X5, and aside from > lacking AWD, is more fun to drive. > > So, any and all suggestions welcome! And any links > to websites with more > info on X5s (and 540 tourings) would be most > appreciated. > > thx, > > --Dennis > > > > > . > __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Shopping - Send Flowers for Valentine's Day http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:15:16 -0500 From: "Pat Donahue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon How about getting a 525iT as a mommy mobile - a '92-'95 E34 model would be good for that. Then you can get an old Suburban and gut the back end to use for a real tow vehicle. That lets both vehicles be specialized for their purpose. The Suburban could be a rusted hulk with a mountain motor in it since it'll get used rarely while the mommy mobile can be safe, economical, and attractive. Most insurers have special categories for multi-vehicle or special use vehicles. The Suburban could also be used for storing your racing supplies that you don't need in the garage and you could build a nice fence inside to keep the stuff in the back in the back. Geeeze From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Here's an interesting question (well, interesting to me at least).... > > Does anyone tow with their X5? Or their 540 wagon? > > Does anyone know what the tow rating is for the 540? I think that BMW NA > does not publish any tow ratings for the 540 in the US, but I would think > they must in Europe, because when I've driven on the continent, I've seen > every make of BMW from Z3 on up towing things -- even a 520(ish) wagon > towing a giant camper for vacations. > > I'm looking to buy a new mommy-vehicle for the wife. Would love to be able > to use it as a tow vehicle; 1800-2000 lbs. enclosed trailer, 3000lbs. car. > So an X5 with a 6000lbs. rating is probably on the marginal side, but it > would only be a half-dozen times a year, if that. > > I know that something like a Suburban would be ideal, but I do NOT enjoy > driving big trucks on a daily basis -- hence the interest in an X5. But I > also know that a 540 wagon actually has more room than an X5, and aside from > lacking AWD, is more fun to drive. > > So, any and all suggestions welcome! And any links to websites with more > info on X5s (and 540 tourings) would be most appreciated. > > thx, > > --Dennis > > > > > . > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:19:27 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon AFAIK 5 series are rated at 3500 lb. The E34 has nice hitch mounting points built into the rear frame. E39 likely has same. Bekkers or Maximillian can get Euro hitch kits, but those have Euro setups and lighting. Will Zareska has towed 5000+ lbs with his 7 series, only problem was cracked rear wheels (18 inch M parallel). Gary Derian > Here's an interesting question (well, interesting to me at least).... > > Does anyone tow with their X5? Or their 540 wagon? > > Does anyone know what the tow rating is for the 540? I think that BMW NA > does not publish any tow ratings for the 540 in the US, but I would think > they must in Europe, because when I've driven on the continent, I've seen > every make of BMW from Z3 on up towing things -- even a 520(ish) wagon > towing a giant camper for vacations. > > I'm looking to buy a new mommy-vehicle for the wife. Would love to be able > to use it as a tow vehicle; 1800-2000 lbs. enclosed trailer, 3000lbs. car. > So an X5 with a 6000lbs. rating is probably on the marginal side, but it > would only be a half-dozen times a year, if that. > > I know that something like a Suburban would be ideal, but I do NOT enjoy > driving big trucks on a daily basis -- hence the interest in an X5. But I > also know that a 540 wagon actually has more room than an X5, and aside from > lacking AWD, is more fun to drive. > > So, any and all suggestions welcome! And any links to websites with more > info on X5s (and 540 tourings) would be most appreciated. > > thx, > > --Dennis > > > > > . > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:34:24 -0500 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon I didn't recall the cracked wheels, were they the forged originals, or cast copies? I do recall the reports on the 7 digest of the rear self leveling rebelling at the tongue weight. Ed Gary Derian wrote: >Will Zareska has towed 5000+ lbs with his 7 series, only problem was cracked >rear wheels (18 inch M parallel). > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:52:10 -0500 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Advice on 5 series A good start is www.bmwe34.net Having owned E28s and the E34, I can tell you that the E34 is a true evolution of the E28. Virtually everything you liked about the E28 is present in the E34, and you also get improvement tweaks in the suspension (no major revolution, but effective updates), stiffer chassis, better wind noise suppression and generally quieter cabin, updated interior controls, and more reliable and effective engine management. Of course, the weight increase minimizes the power gains between the E28 535i and E34 535i, but it is certainly no slower. Reduced engine maintenance costs of the E34 are offset by potentially higher costs in other systems such as climate control, ASC (if equipped), etc. When I first got the E34, I popped the hood and expected everything to be similar as it was fundamentally the same engine as the last E28 I had. That idea was destroyed in about 10 seconds of looking at various parts and thinking, "What's that? And that? And what the heck could that be? Where's the...?" But, just like the E28, the learning curve is steep but straightforward. I really like both chassis, and occasionally look at E28s for sale... but let nobody kid you, when BMW produces an updated chassis, it's for more reasons than simple flashy marketing. - - Rob '98 750iL/6 '94 M5 Touring ex-'88 M5 Turbo ex-'85 535i Turbo ex-'86 535i ex-'85 535i - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Andrew Harkonen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Advice on 5 series > Hello Group, > > I sold my '95 M3 a few weeks ago. I miss her dearly but it had to be done. > I am now in the market for a 5 series. I have owned an E28 in the past and > could not have been happier. I was originally thinking an E28 535is would > be nice. During my search I have seen a few nice E34 535i(s) for sale in my > price range. Can anybody point me to any sites that document the things to > look out for on these cars as well as trim levels, sports packages etc? Has > anybody owned them both who can give me a idea of the major differences > besides obvious appearance, for example driving characteristics, handling, > etc. Thanks in advance for the help. Direct replies are welcome. > > Andrew Harkonen > BMW-less for now, borrowing a '69 MGB for the time being. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:37:29 -0500 From: "Eurowerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] More driveline woes....Please help Sounds like the rear subframe mounts where the subframe mounts to the body right in front of the rear wheels to me. I would look for a problem there first. Sounds also like this is kind of a hodgepodge car, not good. Who has done all of the suspension work to this car? Doesn't sound like I would be going back. This also reminds me of how nice it is to use factory parts, that are meant for the car, not some "upgrade" that is supposed to work better. If BMW wanted it to work better, they would have done it that way first! Kirk A. Gilchrist EURO-WERKS / Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo Service and Repair 8 South Highland St. / Winchester, KY 40391 / 859-745-0125 [EMAIL PROTECTED] / 888-522-0271 toll free ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 10:56:14 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon Forged originals. Cracked in the bead flange. Gary Derian > I didn't recall the cracked wheels, were they the forged originals, or > cast copies? > > I do recall the reports on the 7 digest of the rear self leveling > rebelling at the tongue weight. > > Ed > > Gary Derian wrote: > > >Will Zareska has towed 5000+ lbs with his 7 series, only problem was cracked > >rear wheels (18 inch M parallel). > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 08:34:40 -0800 (PST) From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Power to be gained EGO Signal adjustment? On Wed, 12 Feb 2003, Christian Els wrote: > Any debunkers/defenders want to weigh in on the utility of this > device? My guess: It's a box with a tiny amplifier circuit that reads the EGO sensor output and feeds a slightly lower voltage to the ECU to make it believe that more fuel is needed to reach the desired A/F ratio. If newer Motronic systems still work the same as my E30, then it won't have any effect at WOT, since the EGO output is ignored. It's a hack. But I imagine it works within a narrow range. If you have a car with 2 EGO sensors (another one after the cat), you would be in danger of having it think your cat is going bad sooner than normal since the delta between EGO1 and EGO2 would be greater. So in that case you need to buy 2 hack boxes. :) - -- "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster." -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2003 11:36:50 -0500 From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon That's an excellent suggestion, but, alas, Pat, I'm already WAY out of driveway and garage room. And, FWIW, in the People's Republic of Massachusetts, the government mandated "multi-car discount" is all of 5% on each stinkin' vehicle. Don't ask how much I pay for insurance per annum.... - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Pat Donahue Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2003 10:15 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [uuc] Towing with an X5 -- or a 540i touring wagon How about getting a 525iT as a mommy mobile - a '92-'95 E34 model would be good for that. Then you can get an old Suburban and gut the back end to use for a real tow vehicle. That lets both vehicles be specialized for their purpose. The Suburban could be a rusted hulk with a mountain motor in it since it'll get used rarely while the mommy mobile can be safe, economical, and attractive. Most insurers have special categories for multi-vehicle or special use vehicles. The Suburban could also be used for storing your racing supplies that you don't need in the garage and you could build a nice fence inside to keep the stuff in the back in the back. Geeeze From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Here's an interesting question (well, interesting to me at least).... > > Does anyone tow with their X5? Or their 540 wagon? > > Does anyone know what the tow rating is for the 540? I think that BMW NA > does not publish any tow ratings for the 540 in the US, but I would think > they must in Europe, because when I've driven on the continent, I've seen > every make of BMW from Z3 on up towing things -- even a 520(ish) wagon > towing a giant camper for vacations. > > I'm looking to buy a new mommy-vehicle for the wife. Would love to be able > to use it as a tow vehicle; 1800-2000 lbs. enclosed trailer, 3000lbs. car. > So an X5 with a 6000lbs. rating is probably on the marginal side, but it > would only be a half-dozen times a year, if that. > > I know that something like a Suburban would be ideal, but I do NOT enjoy > driving big trucks on a daily basis -- hence the interest in an X5. But I > also know that a 540 wagon actually has more room than an X5, and aside from > lacking AWD, is more fun to drive. > > So, any and all suggestions welcome! And any links to websites with more > info on X5s (and 540 tourings) would be most appreciated. > > thx, > > --Dennis > > > > > . > ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6110 *************************** | | In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. |________________________________________ | Please visit these UUC-approved BMW parts vendors/service providers: | (listed alphabetically) | | Autoscope-Motorsports - http://www.autoscope-motorsports.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 |__________________________________________
