[uucdigest] Friday, March 28 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6255
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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: [uuc] Re: K&N rant pointer? [uuc] NU-FINISH [uuc] [Fwd: [M3] "Total BMW" magazine - technical articles on-line.] [uuc] Strange accessory Re: [uuc] <E30> Good spark plug socket for M42? Re: [uuc] RE: Motorcycle Question Re: [uuc] NU-FINISH RE: [uuc] Strange accessory [uuc] <FS> Floating in da Bay [uuc] E36M3 Instrument cluster ?? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:29:51 -0500 From: Neil Maller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: K&N rant pointer? on 3/27/03 5:23 PM, "mike" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > IFG, supposed super K&N replacement, inlet pipe is dusty/dirty with fine > particles Not mine. Been running it 2 years, inlet pipe always passes the white glove test. Been doing too much off-roading at the track Mike? <g> Neil 96 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:26:02 -0500 From: Norman Lieberman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] NU-FINISH Been using the stuff since CR tested it. Must be at least 8-10 yrs. I use paste 1x a year. Keep my car garaged. Wash as needed it keeps beading until next year. 2 hr. wax on -off. Another hr. for wheels and door jams. Good till next year. Works for me. Norman Lieberman '97 528/5 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 22:36:15 -0500 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] [Fwd: [M3] "Total BMW" magazine - technical articles on-line.] Forwarded from another list Ed - -------- Original Message -------- Subject: [M3] "Total BMW" magazine - technical articles on-line. Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 02:14:28 +0000 From: George Nikas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] The British magazine "Total BMW" has recently developed its web site and has put a number of BMW related technical articles on-line. Some of them are applicable to the E30 M3. All contain pictures and step-by-step guides to fix various problems. You'll find common problems mentioned there and solutions suggested. In summary, quite informative. The address is http://www.totalbmwmag.com/Pages/Tech.html George Nikas London, England http://www.bmwmregistry.com/detail.php?id=810 ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 21:08:53 -0800 From: Steve Albrecht <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Strange accessory I was looking through a UK publication today named BMW Car, and within its covers is a two page spread of accessories from Euro Car Parts. www.eurocarparts.com. One of their featured aftermarket accessories are 'Lexus look rear lights' for only �164.99. My question to our friends across the pond is...does anyone over there actually spend money to make their Bimmer look like a Lexus? I'm at a complete loss here. They also offer mesh grill replacements for E36, E46, and E39, in either chrome or black for only �65. I would like to see the grill inserts in person, they may be a nice touch. Steve Albrecht ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 00:27:52 -0600 From: Neil <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <E30> Good spark plug socket for M42? Alex wrote: >Steve, >You don't need a torque wrench. You don't have the room to use it on the >6th cylinder anyway. Use you hand. I don't know about the rest, but my M42 only has 4 cylinders. BTW, to actually answer the question, I use the OEM tool kit wrench, and have never had a problem with cross-treading or plugs coming loose in the 9 years that I've had the car (it's outlasted 2 other BMWs). I do have 2 'spark plug wrench' sockets, but rarely use them. I have to use the OEM tool on my M535i, as the other won't fit in two of the spark plug wells. Neil '91 318is '86 M535i ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 02:22:28 -0500 From: Don Eilenberger <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] RE: Motorcycle Question Dennis comments on the bike thead: >I would suggest a "Cruiser" style bike. The more laid back riding position >is a lot easier on "old riders" with less flex than they once had. You sit >on your fanny with no weight on your arms and wrists, your feet are out >front and not tucked under. You normally get a less performance than >on a sport bike and less cornering clearance - but that may make it that >much better for you to ride :-) Actually - since I'm about 12 years older than the Fox man.. and might be considered an 'old rider'.. I found just the opposite. I rode upright style (BMW-RT bikes) for about 7 years.. and find I'm more comfortable on a BMW-S bike (K75S) - because my weight IS distributed between my butt and my arms/hands. Once you are at speed - the weight is lifted off your hands by the force of the air.. when stopped, us old guys just rest our gut on the tankbag :-) I've never found cruisers much fun to ride. Sorta like driving a Buick.. slow and vague. >BMW makes a nice motorcycle, but they have a horrible dealer network. Not >necessarily the quality of the dealers - in the quantity. There are 3 >dealers in the state of TN, one in NE - for example. If there is one not >close by then you are out of luck. If you do your own work - you can get parts delivered from any number of on-line places and 800# places overnight. And a nice ride to get the bike in for service (most dealers - at least a lot near me - offer loaners for overnight service needs..) isn't always a bad thing. Also - BMW has been expanding the service/dealer network. 5 years ago we had 3 dealerships in NJ - two were tiny little shops.. now we have 5 - all of which are bigger and new, and they're opening yet another one about 10 miles from me. What was true some years ago isn't anymore - BMW is actively trying to expand the network of dealers.. admittedly - if you live where no one else does, you'll have to go a ways to find a dealer. >Also, if you plan on doing long distance riding >(the forte of the BMW line for the most part) you are SOL if you break down >because there are so few dealers. The BMW service schedule is a lot more >frequent that other bikes too - and the dealers usually charge more. The service schedule appears more frequent because you're using the bike, and racking up miles. Parts prices are actually usually cheaper (really!) than Japanese parts prices, and labor is about the same. If you read Motorcycle Consumer News - BMW service costs run right around middle range for all bikes. >So unless >you do the work yourself the bike costs more at purchase and to own. Depends on what you're buying. The days of the bargain Japanese bikes is gone, and certainly a HD is gonna cost more. Ownership cost is likely to be a wash since most insurance companies charge WAY more for sport bikes - and BMW's are usually considered 'touring' bikes - the cheapest category. Dunno where the cruiser falls in the insurance rates. And the resale value of a BMW is usually good if you take care of it. They aren't disposable bikes. Cruisers can be had cheaply used - and might be a good buy if it's the bike for you, but resale on them (why they go cheaply) is low 'cause lots of people who have owned cruisers seem to either quit riding, or find a different ride - making the used market soft. >A Honda (and some other Japanese bikes) should be just as long lived and >a lot cheaper to buy and maintain. Sorry - gotta differ. Bike to bike (equal features - which is hard 'cause very few Hondas and even fewer other Japanese brands have things like ABS, FI, heated seats, heated grips, advanced suspension).. but if you come close - the price is gonna come close to buy it. You'll pay some premium for the BMW - but not 100% or anywhere near it. And long lived? Some Goldwings are getting up there in age - but the average Japanese sport bike gets 1,000 miles a year on it if the owner is a real enthusiast, and lots seem to end up crashed. See'm all the time at a local independent shop I hang at - 4-5 year old bikes with 1,200 miles on them that have been left out to rust, or crashed. At that point they are disposed of. Plus - it's not all about cost - riding is a passion. Cars are about cost - they're just transportation. >I had a 750 boxer twin set up with a Luftmeister fairing, trunk, and hard >bags. It was a nice bike, but the twins are not known for much power. I had >to ride 90 miles or so one way to the closest dealer at the time - a real >pain. I was looking at a new LT (to replace one of my bikes - a Valk >Interstate) but the high price, lack of dealers, seat height, and lower >power VS a GL1800 has me thinking the GL1800 will be the next bike. And the GL1800 is prolly a fine bike (once they get the overheating problem fixed - and the usual goldie alternator problem..) with lots of dealers. But it might not be the bike for everyone. And it isn't really cheaper than the K1200LT is it? That type of bike isn't me.. it is the bike for other people and that's fine, 'cause otherwise everyone would be riding what I ride and that would be boring. Since MF lives in the MD area I don't think he'd have any problem finding a dealer - there are at least 3 in the MD area that I know of - and two of them are considered the leading BMW dealers in the US. I've been the bigger bike route - now I'm quite happy with my K75S which is perfect for my favorite type of riding, which is backroad carving. If I wanted to do freeways - I own a better BMW for that - it just has 4 wheels. > >BIG suggestion - since you haven't ridden in 20 years - look around > >(not sure what state you're in) for a Motorcycle Safety Foundation > >course. You can take the beginners course and beat up their bikes, > >which in lots of states qualifies you for a motorcycle endorsement > >on your license.. and then when you have some miles on your bike, > >take the "Advanced Rider Course" (this is being replaced by a > >new course.. forget the name - but I think the new one sounds like > >an improvement). > >YES! Great idea, this should be your first stop. If you have let your >motorcycle license expire then you could even do the MSF beginner course >as well as the ERC course. In some states, passing the course + a written >test = motorcycle license. No need to do a road test at the DMV. You for >sure want to get some practice and instruction in a safe environment before >doing a lot of riding on the road. One mistake on the road could = death or >a lot of pain. Yup. Crashing isn't a good thing. I try to avoid it. >Dennis >330i silver/black/manual/sp/pp/xenon/cd Best and see'ya on the road, Don Eilenberger, Spring Lk Hts, NJ JMP#1 [EMAIL PROTECTED] NJ Shore BMW Riders web page: http://www.njsbmwr.org/ Moderator BMW E39 Enthusiast Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bmwe39 ==================================================================== "Argue with an idiot and he will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience" - Dilbert ==================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 27 Mar 2003 22:07:20 -1000 From: Jay G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] NU-FINISH wow...1 year...seems good to me, as i have not been waxing my car as often lately...i used to wax it every 1-2 months...this is the orange bottle right? the ones you find in department stores? which one is better: the paste or liquid? i'd prefer to use a liquid, as in my experience it's easier to work with, but if it'll last for a year, i can invest more elbow grease with the paste... =) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Norman Lieberman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Been using the stuff since CR tested it. Must be at least 8-10 yrs. I use > paste 1x a year. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 10:20:12 +0100 From: "JB" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Strange accessory I spend about only 50 to 60 days in UK, but do remember seeing those Lexus-looking BMWs. I remember seeing them in France and Germany (not as many, though) as well. I cringe every time I see one. John Shin > I was looking through a UK publication today named BMW Car, and within > its covers is a two page spread of accessories from Euro Car Parts. > www.eurocarparts.com. One of their featured aftermarket accessories are > 'Lexus look rear lights' for only �164.99. My question to our friends > across the pond is...does anyone over there actually spend money to make > their Bimmer look like a Lexus? I'm at a complete loss here. They also > offer mesh grill replacements for E36, E46, and E39, in either chrome or > black for only �65. I would like to see the grill inserts in person, > they may be a nice touch. > Steve Albrecht ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 07:37:19 -0500 From: "K.C. Boyce" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] <FS> Floating in da Bay I have a couple of obscure M20 engine parts for sale on eBay. Here's the link: http://cgi6.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&u serid=kboyce E-mail if you have any questions! KC Boyce '97 M3/4 E30 Eta Page: http://www.e30eta.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 28 Mar 2003 08:11:45 -0600 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E36M3 Instrument cluster ?? Hi all, I just purchased a new (refurbished) instrument cluster for my 95 M3 because I have been having problems with the tachometer and coolant temp gauges only working some of the time. I have tried cleaning all of the contacts, disassembling the cluster and cleaning the internal contacts etc, etc; all to no avail. Anyway, last night I installed the new cluster only to find that the new one is totally inoperative except that it displays the word "code" in the digital odometer readout area. The cluster passes all of the self tests, the needles all sweep as they should and all of the warning lights appear to work, but when the car is running all of the needles remain at rest. I remember reading somewhere about a "coding plug" that needs to be installed in the new cluster from the old one, but for the life of me I can't remember where I found that info. I have searched TIS which was less than helpful and Bentley is useless in this regard also. I disassembled my old cluster down to its major components and couldn't find anything that looked like what I think a coding plug should look like. Please let me know what I am doing wrong here, my local dealer wants $160 to install the new cluster which seems a little steep for a 1/2 hour of work. TIA Jamie Howton 2002 330i 5 Spd Steel Blue Metallic SP 1995 M3 5 Spd Arctic Silver 1979 Porsche 928 5 Speed Opalmetallic ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6255 *************************** | | 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 |__________________________________________
