[uucdigest] Thursday, February 27 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6154
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff Re: [uuc] Re: re: E34 steering [uuc] Mystery Part [uuc] Mystery Part RE: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff [uuc] Re: Latest in Custom Gauge Faces> [uuc] FW: Micro-car models ..slight WOB [uuc] Re: E34 525 alignment and steering stuff RE: [uuc] Mystery part - Oops Re: [uuc] Consider this before you go to Road Atlanta [uuc] Leaking 88 iS? [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff Re: [uuc] Consider this before you go to Road Atlanta ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 11:54:18 -0500 From: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff > I've got a dealership vs. independent question. The car > needs an alignment > following my steering linkage replacement. The local dealer > wants 3x what > another German marque shop wants. Is this a case of dealer > overpricing or > will an alignment at the dealer really be worth the price? I would say this is a stealer mark-up. I've found that independents, especially enthusiast independents, can do a much better alignment at a better price. Another question....you're still taking an out-of-warranty E34 to the dealer?!?!?!? Are you a glutton for punishment and over-paying? There must be some folks in your area who can recommend a good indy shop. > > Secondly, I didn't get any responses so I'll try this one > again- the rear > tires of the car have a noticeable difference in wear from > the inside edge > to the outside edge. Noticeable as in nearly down to the > wear bars on the > inside and nearly new on the outside. The only thing that caught my > attention was that the front suspension ride height was 1" > greater than what > the Bentley shows. Any suggestions where I need to look? If the wear is gradual from the inside to the outside, then you have too much negative camber. If the wear is only on the inside edge of the tires, then you have too much toe-out. Actually, my new set of P-zeros I got has displayed that I have way too much negative camber in the rear, they have worn to the wear bars since December, only a few hundred miles. My last set of Toyos and the previous set of Pzeros didn't do this....I guess I got a really soft set this time..... > > One more; the accelerator pedal squeaks, are there any > bushings or whatnot > that could be replaced? Can it be lubed? Dunno..... > > Cheers, > > Roland Lee ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 12:09:47 -0500 From: "KMS - Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: re: E34 steering Your car does not have Servotronic. To tell if a box has servotronic, look underneath it. There will be a small square solenoid housing hanging off the bottom of the box. - ----------------------------------------------------- BMW Special Tool Rentals Pay per incident tech support - ----------------------------------------------------- Brett Anderson KMS (440) 338 1650 www.koalamotorsport.com OSS committee member - ----- Original Message ----- > Thanks Brett. I guess I better study up cuz I didn't know it was a > box..duh... > Yes, I wondered about swapping out with the M5 cuz the e34 535i steering > is so squishy compared to like the the e28s we've had. I replaced all > the control arms and tie rods and had three wheel alignments and added > some toe out on the last which helped but it still has this slightly > delayed indirect feel. My car is a 1990.(late 89) How can I tell if it > has servotronic? Would replacing with the M5 box be an improvement? > Tom Dotzler > 90 535i ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 09:19:27 -0800 From: Steve Albrecht <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Mystery Part I'm sorry but I couldn't look at the photo long enough to even give it a shot. The snow in the photo blinded me and I had to hit the 'Back' button on the browser. Steve Albrecht Living in a snow free zone in the Bay Area ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 12:13:29 -0500 From: Norman Lieberman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Mystery Part ?Whats left of a seat from the ill fated 850? Norman Lieberman '97 528/5 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 09:56:40 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff Sadly I've found most dealers to be clueless when it comes to an alignment. If you want factory specs they might get it close, but if you want your own specs they will generally screw it up. If you want a spot on alignment find a good race shop, even for stock settings you'll at least know they did it right. I've seen guys at race shops use string and levels and get a better alignment than a dealer with a zillion dollar machine. If you're in the San Fran bay area I can pass on some recommendations. Marco - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Beaudette, Roland Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 8:32 AM To: Uuc (E-mail) Subject: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff I've got a dealership vs. independent question. The car needs an alignment following my steering linkage replacement. The local dealer wants 3x what another German marque shop wants. Is this a case of dealer overpricing or will an alignment at the dealer really be worth the price? Secondly, I didn't get any responses so I'll try this one again- the rear tires of the car have a noticeable difference in wear from the inside edge to the outside edge. Noticeable as in nearly down to the wear bars on the inside and nearly new on the outside. The only thing that caught my attention was that the front suspension ride height was 1" greater than what the Bentley shows. Any suggestions where I need to look? One more; the accelerator pedal squeaks, are there any bushings or whatnot that could be replaced? Can it be lubed? Cheers, Roland ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 13:00:53 -0500 From: Neil Maller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Latest in Custom Gauge Faces> on 2/27/03 11:45 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > What about gauges for the Donna Seeleys and the Kathy Lyles of the > world? So much more profit to be made, if they would just expand their > offerings. And just think what you could do with the gauge needles... Neil 96 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 11:16:23 -0500 From: "BMWBITS" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] FW: Micro-car models ..slight WOB Some of you may consider this somewhat off-topic but there IS BMW content .... In the 1950s in Yurrup there were a whole gaggle of what can only be referred to as 'micro-cars' ..such as the well-known BMW Isetta et al .All were basic variants of a 'covered motorcycle' with tiny engines to provide high MPG to two people in the vehicle (and usually using a motorcycle driving licence !).Some of them ,in more sophisticated form have continued up until recently ...eg the Reliant three wheeler in UK Revell have come out with a collection of Metal 1:18 models covering some of the more famous micros .When I first saw them I considered their pricing to be rather high ,BUT in the last couple of months there have been at least 4 in-original-box models available at our local Big Lots store for $12.99 each . Models I got included Goggomobil , Messerschmitt ,Lloyd and (trallaaa!!) BMW Isetta .They are all nicely finished , the Isetta is prtcly attractive in its two-tone cream and yellow with black sunroof and chrome rear cargo-rack . Well worth a look if you want something more unusual on your model shelves ... Gentlemen .Start your Micros .....Ladies ..you can beat them cuz you already know those stores !! :-) Bill & Shirley Proud, Tennessee..winters, Seattle..summers Long commute in between . ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:10:00 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re: E34 525 alignment and steering stuff Hi Roland, your car's alignment should be done on a high quality alignment rack that has been kept in proper calibration. Many independents can do this procedure correctly. The shop I use (Conversion Techniques in Oakland, CA) uses a fancy schmancy Hunter computerized optical alignment rack which they have calibrated per the manufacturer's recommended schedule, and the shop owner does an excellent job with it. If you can't get something close to this level of service from your local independent shops, then go to the dealer. But I'd be surprised if you couldn't get it done cheaper by a competent independent. Most BMWs leave the factory with a fair amount of rear negative camber. The problem is worse if the car is lowered. If you don't (or can't) rotate the tires regularly, premature inside wear is the result. But it is also possible that there is a camber or toe problem at the rear, which would indicate possibly worn bushings? The shop that does your alignment should be able to check this for you. Can't help with the squeak. HTH, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 11:32:29 -0500 >From: "Beaudette, Roland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff > >I've got a dealership vs. independent question. The car needs an alignment >following my steering linkage replacement. The local dealer wants 3x what >another German marque shop wants. Is this a case of dealer overpricing or >will an alignment at the dealer really be worth the price? > >Secondly, I didn't get any responses so I'll try this one again- the rear >tires of the car have a noticeable difference in wear from the inside edge >to the outside edge. Noticeable as in nearly down to the wear bars on the >inside and nearly new on the outside. The only thing that caught my >attention was that the front suspension ride height was 1" greater than what >the Bentley shows. Any suggestions where I need to look? > >One more; the accelerator pedal squeaks, are there any bushings or whatnot >that could be replaced? Can it be lubed? > >Cheers, > >Roland ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:11:16 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: RE: [uuc] Mystery part - Oops Well it sure as heck isn't the right side back door from an 8 series! (Sorry, couldn't resist.) Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:00:44 -0500 >From: "Andrew E. Skopp" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: [uuc] Mystery part - Oops > >Right side front door from an 8 series > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 13:45:15 -0500 From: "Tom Melton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Consider this before you go to Road Atlanta Yes sir, definately consider it! I instruct for the Peachtree Chapter BMWCCA, and we had an E36 M3 hit that same wall (a little higher up the hill) and I believe it was totalled. With that said, Road Atlanta is still a great track! Mistakes happen, sometimes with wall contact, sometimes not. But nothing beats the rush of a race track. - -Tom >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 02/27/03 10:58AM >>> Just had a friend send this to me. This is the difference between an amateur track with lots of runoff and an FIA spec track with concrete barriers all around. Ouch! Every time I get the urge, I see one of these: http://www.f150online.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=107562 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:53:42 -0800 (PST) From: Neil Deshpande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Leaking 88 iS? Carlos: What is up with the leaking coolant? Can't recall when I changed the hoses on that car, but I did receive a 'wrong' kit for it that caused me to give up on it. I never bothered to return the kit as I was too busy. Get a new hose and clamp kit and do all the hoses, IMHO, even though some of them are newish. I did that on the iC (ordering each hose and clamp by part number from The BMW Store) and have had no trouble since. Neil Deshpande *** Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 91 M3 <--chased a few misfires 88 iS <--trying to make it stop leaking oil & coolant :-) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 10:57:18 -0800 (PST) From: Neil Deshpande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E34 525 alignment and steering stuff Roland: "Beaudette, Roland" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> "The car needs an alignment following my steering linkage replacement. The local dealer wants 3x what another German marque shop wants. Is this a case of dealer overpricing or will an alignment at the dealer really be worth the price?" Go to the shop with a reputation. Most shops suck at alignment ... even with lasers! "the rear tires of the car have a noticeable difference in wear from the inside edge to the outside edge. Noticeable as in nearly down to the wear bars on the inside and nearly new on the outside." Check the rear alignment and see if it is in spec. I don't know what the non-M5 cars have back there. The M5 has rear adjustable toe, but your's does not, I think. Also, there are some extra arms on the M5 that wear out - dogbones. My car has uneven wear as well, but I think that is due to the camber. "One more; the accelerator pedal squeaks, are there any bushings or whatnot that could be replaced? Can it be lubed?" Lube. I think Ron Stygar made some sort of delrin bushing for the later cars, but don't know about the E34. Neil Deshpande ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2003 14:06:06 -0500 From: "mike" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Consider this before you go to Road Atlanta But on the other hand, if you have never been in a drivers school, DO NOT let stuff like this persuade you to not do one. I have never seen a beginner student total a car and I cannot even think of when a beginner had a wreck either. Your speeds are low and you will be nowhere near the limits of the car etc on your first weekend. 95% of all wrecks at schools happen to higher level students/instructors who have gotten to the point where they are really pushing it, run out of talent, out of balls or over drive the car. I promise you that Lambo wrecked because the guy came over the hill, panicked when he was not where he thought he should be, lifted the throttle and spun. As a beginner, you will learn so much about the car and yourself, you will have regretted not doing it the minute you had a drivers license. It is your choice to keep doing schools and reach the level where a dedicated track car might be a better choice, but for the first few weekends, a stock BMW is the perfect car and you will learn tons of important skills to apply to everyday driving. Instructs for peachtree aswell Mike - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tom Melton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2003 1:45 PM Subject: Re: [uuc] Consider this before you go to Road Atlanta > Yes sir, definately consider it! I instruct for the Peachtree Chapter BMWCCA, and we had an E36 M3 hit that same wall (a little higher up the hill) and I believe it was totalled. > > With that said, Road Atlanta is still a great track! Mistakes happen, sometimes with wall contact, sometimes not. But nothing beats the rush of a race track. > > -Tom > > >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 02/27/03 10:58AM >>> > > Just had a friend send this to me. This is the difference between an amateur track with lots of runoff and an FIA spec track with concrete barriers all around. > > Ouch! Every time I get the urge, I see one of these: > > http://www.f150online.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=107562 > > > ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6154 *************************** | | 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 |__________________________________________
