[uucdigest] Wednesday, March 12 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6211
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Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] |__________________________________________________________________ In this BMW UUC Digest: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members [uuc] E36 M3 rear speaker nettings [uuc] Re: [E30] 325ic Clutch Replacement Pricing? [uuc] Radio question Re: [uuc] Radio question Re: [uuc] E36 M3 rear speaker nettings Re: [uuc] Re: [E30] 325ic Clutch Replacement Pricing? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 16:39:49 -0600 From: Robert Phelan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members To answer a few questions: 1. Why pay for chapter membership if you're already in the club? A. Each chapter is individually incorporated. This means that the IRS sees every chapter as a single entity. The fact that those entities are related is irrelevant. Each entity (incorporated group) is taxed (or not), considered, and audited individually. 2. Income Vs. "Profit" tax. A. As far as my understanding goes, I think Brett said it well: The law states that at least 85% of the club's (Incorporated Entity's) INCOME has to come from members. As it's a not for profit operation, it's not likely that the IRS would be looking to tax profit.... Hope this helps. Rob - -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 14:57:54 -0800 (PST) From: Jason Knight <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members It may become mute, but I want to point out that it also becomes a hypothetical debate, or moot. One of my pet peeves. Jason - --- Dave Kelley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My point exactly... since there is not likely a > profit, the issue of paying taxes on the "profit" > becomes almost mute! ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 18:23:22 -0500 From: "Dave Kelley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members My deepest apologies. Damn spell checkers can't tell silence from hypothetical! Must have been "Freudian"? Did I spell that right? Dave > It may become mute, but I want to point out that it > also becomes a hypothetical debate, or moot. > > One of my pet peeves. > > Jason > > --- Dave Kelley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > My point exactly... since there is not likely a > > profit, the issue of paying taxes on the "profit" > > becomes almost mute! > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 15:33:35 -0800 (PST) From: willie yeo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members I am against having to pay for the additional chapter fee in addition to DE registration fee. But I'm reluctant to fork out the money for chapters where I may not get a chance to reserve a spot. Would it be illegal for the chapter to collect chapter member fee when one signs up the DE? This practise will be similar to the existing practise taken be varies chapter to allow non-BMWCCA member take part in BMWCCA DE by paying DE fees + BMWCCA membership fee. - --- Kathy Lyle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > The IRS has rules that apply to social clubs. One > is that a club is > organized to serve its members, and that the amount > of income it takes > in from non-members must be limited. In general > terms member income > must be at least 85% of gross revenues; non-member > income less than > 15%. If the non-member limit is exceeded the club > is subject to > corporate income tax on the pro-rata portion of its > net income earned > from non-members. > > Because each BMW CCA (and PCA, SCCA, etc.) chapter > is separately > incorporated each is its own "club" for purposes of > the non-member > revenues test. There are several SCCA regions under > audit right now on > this issue; no doubt there is a program underway in > the IRS to look at > social clubs. For that reason chapters deem it best > to make sure that > all attendees at their events are chapter members so > there will be > little to no non-member income (consider that > newsletter advertisers and > event sponsors may also come under the non-member > classification). So > don't begrudge the chapter the $13.50 you must pay > to be a chapter > member; your chapter will be imposing the same fee > on others who attend > its events. > > Kathy > > > > There seems to be a change slowly taking place > where only chapter members > > are allowed to signup for DE events. The > following is a reply from a DE > > organizer to an inquiry by a fellow DE > participant. For someone who goes > > around the country enjoying different tracks each > year, this is an added cost > > to each DE event. That is not considering the > P-club events that I plan on > > particpating. > > > > > > Personally, I do not mind paying for chapter > membership when I'm accepted > > for the DE event. Can someone who had similar > experience care to comment on > > this? > > -- > Kathryn M. Lyle, CPA, CVA > Lyle & Associates CPA > www.lylecpa.com > Creating Business Value __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - establish your business online http://webhosting.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 18:40:07 -0500 From: "Kathy Lyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members I think you're the one who's confused Dave. We're talking about paying taxes on the pro-rata net income when non-member revenues exceed 15% of total revenues. Example: half our gross income comes from non-chapter-members, and we make $1,000 net. We pay tax on $500. Most chapters make money on their driving events, some substantial amounts. Kathy >Are we confusing "revenue", "income" and "profit". In your example, I don't >think anyone would be >paying taxes on revenue or income as you state it, they would be paying >taxes on profit. Kathy, >Gee, our chapters around here have hard time breaking even much less >make an 85% profit >(income?) on gross revenues! <G> >Dave Kelley, MBA - ---- Kathryn M. Lyle, CPA, CVA Lyle & Associates CPA www.lylecpa.com Creating Business Value ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 18:46:00 -0500 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: Restriction on DE events for non-chapter members Moot, also. Ed Dave Kelley wrote: >My point exactly... since there is not likely a profit, the issue of paying taxes on >the "profit" >becomes almost mute! > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 16:52:38 -0800 From: Ben Chung <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E36 M3 rear speaker nettings Hi all, Probably due to over-exposure of sun, the rear speaker cover/nets (right below the rear windshield) had turned from a black color into this brownish color. Where can I find a replacement for that? I don't think those are bwm parts so if anyone knows where to get the parts i'd really appreciate it. thanks Ben 95 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 17:23:27 -0800 From: Olivia Simantob <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: [E30] 325ic Clutch Replacement Pricing? Thank you everyone for the wealth of great information on clutch replacement pricing and other work to do while in there. If you want scary labor rates, it turns out Phaedrus in San Francisco - -- with whom I have been very impressed by the little work they have done on my car -- charges $105/hour! The wide range in labor rates begs some questions: - - Do such high-priced shops (or Phaedrus in particular, if anyone is familiar with them) do a better job, or am I only paying more for the good location and very polished shop? - - Do they generally work faster or more efficiently than less expensive places (so total labor rates are similar to places that charge less per hour)? - - Even if the more expensive shop is better, is clutch replacement and related work something that will actually benefit from the greater skill and be worth paying more to have done by a shop I know and like? (Bear in mind this is all on the salary of a recent grad who dearly loves her car and takes good care of it but is not equipped to work on it herself and wishes it would please just stop breaking.) Thanks again for all insight and advice! Olivia '93 325ic <-- suburban Peninsula car (not particularly hilly) for the last four years ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 19:30:13 -0600 From: "Burtsky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Radio question I have a '98 E36 with the upgraded HK Radio and a CD changer in the trunk. Lately I have, unfortunately, started to listen to classical music in the car and the failings of the system are quite apparent. For example the violin section sounds like they are scratching their fingernails on chalkboard rather than bowing a musical instrument. I would rather not replace the radio head (I'd like to leave the dash appearance looking stock). So my question is this: How can I improve the sound of the audio system? Will putting in a more powerful amplifier help or is the CD changer at fault? If an amplifier will help, how should it be wired, where should it be located, and what brand and power should I consider. (I'm not looking to rattle the windows of other cars. I just want an acceptable sound quality.) Burt '98 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 21:10:50 -0500 From: "KMS - Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Radio question - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Burtsky" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >For example the > violin section sounds like they are scratching their fingernails on > chalkboard rather than bowing a musical instrument. You mean they're not *supposed* to sound like that? ;-) If they are CDs that you're listening too, then the head unit is not at fault, so you can keep it with good concience. Amps in BMWs are ok, not great, but the speakers are generally fairly poor. Most E36s used Nokia speakers. Not a bad brand in general, but they, like most OEMs, have low end and high end stuff. Talk to a local audio store about replacing your speakers. Preferably with ones that don't require hacking up the car. If the speakers aren't a good enough fix, then go after the amp. - ----------------------------------------------------- BMW Special Tool Rentals Pay per incident tech support - ----------------------------------------------------- Brett Anderson KMS (440) 338 1650 www.koalamotorsport.com OSS committee member ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 21:15:23 -0500 From: "KMS - Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E36 M3 rear speaker nettings They're in a BMW, therefore, they're BMW parts. Well, unless they're aftermarket, but you know what I mean. No E36 had black speaker grilles in the rear, closest was Anthracite, which is a very dark grey. The speaker grilles are available separately, I'd list part numbers for you but there's 7 colour choices for each one. Go see your dealer parts department. The list price is about $15 each. Probably the cheapest part you'll ever buy for your BMW. - ----------------------------------------------------- BMW Special Tool Rentals Pay per incident tech support - ----------------------------------------------------- Brett Anderson KMS (440) 338 1650 www.koalamotorsport.com OSS committee member - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ben Chung" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Probably due to over-exposure of sun, the rear speaker cover/nets (right > below the rear windshield) had turned from a black color into this > brownish color. Where can I find a replacement for that? I don't think > those are bwm parts so if anyone knows where to get the parts i'd really > appreciate it. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 12 Mar 2003 21:25:19 -0500 From: "KMS - Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: [E30] 325ic Clutch Replacement Pricing? - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Olivia Simantob" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > - Do such high-priced shops (or Phaedrus in particular, if anyone is > familiar with them) do a better job, or am I only paying more for the > good location and very polished shop? You can always find a cheaper shop. Whether or not it's really "cheaper" is another question. Phaedrus is a highly recommended shop. John Kirkpatrick is an amazingly talented BMW professional. What are the other shops in the area charging? If John is charging $105, then it's a combination of costs and experience and quality. I know many CA dealers/shops charge $120 or more. I'm sure you can also find shops that charge $55, but this is definately a case of getting what you pay for. Here in Cleveland, OH, the dealers are averaging $90 per hour. My labour rate is $85 per hour, right up there with them. Why? Because I can supply as good, and more often better, a service than them. > - Do they generally work faster or more efficiently than less expensive > places (so total labor rates are similar to places that charge less per > hour)? To answer your question about efficiency, most shops work on flat rate times. These are published times for a particular job. So the $45 an hour place and the $105 an hour place *should* charge the same amount of hours for the same job. BUT you'll often find the cheaper shop, that has no true knoweledge of the vehicle, will charge more hours to compensate for their lack of experience and their need to work out how to fix the car, instead of instinctively knowing how to fix it. > - Even if the more expensive shop is better, is clutch replacement and > related work something that will actually benefit from the greater > skill and be worth paying more to have done by a shop I know and like? A cheaper shop can probably replace the clutch for less money. The question is, will they know what to check for, while they're in there? Will they be aware of the various idiosyncrasis of the BMW and catch problems before they begin? > (Bear in mind this is all on the salary of a recent grad who dearly > loves her car and takes good care of it but is not equipped to work on > it herself and wishes it would please just stop breaking.) If you're happy with the service, and the required repairs are performed well, and in reasonable time, then pay the rate and go on. Fact is that the car will not require weekly, or even monthly visits to the shop, so it's not like you'll be drained of money by the labour rate. - ----------------------------------------------------- BMW Special Tool Rentals Pay per incident tech support - ----------------------------------------------------- Brett Anderson KMS (440) 338 1650 www.koalamotorsport.com OSS committee member ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6211 *************************** | | 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 . 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