[uucdigest] Tuesday, July 1 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6528
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... [uuc] Re: E36 325 LSD? RE: [uuc] Re: Finding an SUV/pocono house for sale [uuc] jack quality RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2003 15:37:35 -0400 From: "m3 drvr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... I would also have you entertain and Audi Wagon (like the AllRoad) very nice ride with the S4 engine and more spacious than an X5. Clyde >From: Tom Byrum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Re: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... >Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 07:06:52 -0700 (PDT) > >On Mon, 30 Jun 2003, Binder, Larry - Spine wrote: > > > transmission. I still want her to have a safe reliable SUV (we have a 5 > > month old baby). So here is what I am looking for: > > > > 99 and up German, Japanese, SUV. They seem to be the most reliable. >How is > > the LR Discovery II? > > High mileage is OK (she drives about 6k per year) > > Certified or extended warranty > > Would like to spend around 15k but would go up to 18k > >Do you really need the SUV, persay? The vaunted safety of having three tons >of >steel around you is, in my opinion (and in many others), overrated. > >I would recommend an early 2000's 323iT (touring/wagon). Good gas mileage, >plenty of room to haul stuff around in. Can tow in a pinch. Excellent >safety and >handling. I'm looking at a 2001 323iT on eBay (a good guide to prices, >though a >double dose of caveat emptor applies if buying) that is sitting in the 14 >grand >range with two days left. Definitely wouldn't expect it to go above your >18k >limit. > >You can pick up an aftermarket warrenty on anything that is out of it with >no >problem and still stay under budget. > >Happy to help, > > Tom Byrum > '93 325i > _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 12:40:51 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Re: E36 325 LSD? And sport seats. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 11:41:10 -0500 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: RE: [uuc] E36 325 LSD? > >> > -----Original Message----- >> > A friend of mine is considering a 325 (i or is) with a sport package >> > for some daily driving and autocrossing. Will probably start >> > autocrosssing it in DS, then maybe move to STS, STX or DSP. I'm an >> > E36M3 guy, so my knowledge of the various E36 325's isn't great. >> > He is looking at a late-93 to 95 325. A few questions: >> > 1. Sport package - what exactly did it consist of? Same in the i >> > and is? > >Vern, >For E36s, 'i' means a 4-door and 'is' is merely a 2-door. No correlation >with 'sports packages' as the case used to be with early E30s and E28s. >Sports Package included slightly stiffer springs, shocks and sway bars. >16" instead of 15" wheels and sportier vs. all-season tires. All of the >above will be replaced/upgraded once you start autoXing. <snip> ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2003 15:40:13 -0400 From: "m3 drvr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Re: Finding an SUV/pocono house for sale You can also check the Nissan/Infiniti SUV (Murano/FX35). They are extremely reliable and have good ground clearance. Clyde >From: "Binder, Larry - Spine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: [uuc] Re: Finding an SUV/pocono house for sale >Date: Mon, 30 Jun 2003 12:07:03 -0400 > >I have a house in the Pocono's (PA) (more to come). When winter comes >around and sometimes when trying to get onto some properties around there, >the ground clearance will come in handy. Also, the cargo space needs to be >big enough to carry stuff like doors, wood, etc... I am also considering >getting a $1500 pickup truck to carry the really messy stuff (tools, >chainsaws, gardening stuff). > >My Pocono house is actually for sale right now. It has 4 bedrooms, 2 >Bathrooms, laundry room, garage, fireplace, huge deck. Vaulted ceilings in >living room and kitchen. Brand new carpets and paint throughout. Finished >basement. 2 miles from Big Boulder Mountain. We are asking $124,900. >Located in Penn Forest, Carbon County, PA. > >-----Original Message----- >From: david kroth [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 11:30 AM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: [uuc] Re: Finding an SUV > > > >Larry, > > > I understand this but we do really need an SUV (4wd > > + lots of cargo space + > > ground clearance). > >So where are you going in the SUV that you won't >be going in the M3 (the ground clearance req.)? > >Many SUVs have little utility. If you really want >cargo capacity you can't bet a minivan. Yes, a >minivan. > > > I didn't mention it but we would also consider an >Audi > > wagon. > >I did the Audi wagon for a while. You'll get one >because you think it has more space than >a sedan. On paper that's true. But functionally >its not much more. Some, but not much. > >The rear legroom in my Audi A6 was acceptable. But >the E34 wagons I looked at were pretty tight. > > > >===== >David Kroth >[EMAIL PROTECTED] > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com _________________________________________________________________ Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 13:01:46 -0700 (PDT) From: Dave Nichols <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] jack quality - --0-2064236485-1057089706=:83386 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I don't know about the aluminum jacks other than Brunhozl, which is a true racing jack used by NASCAR teams and runs about $1,400.00. On the other hand, I have done the research for steel shop jacks and have come to the following conclusions. 1. Lincoln is by far the best jack commonly available. It's American engineered, designed and built but is also the most expensive and is often back-ordered. 2. Just underneath the Lincoln is a tier of very good jacks such as Norco, Omega, Sunex, and OTC. I just bought an Omega because of the rapid lift feature, extra long handle and very low (3 3/4") initial lift height. When you have lowered cars, it's a big advantage to not have to pull them up on blocks to lift. The Tool Warehouse out of NJ is offering a deal. The jack is on sale and they ship it for only $19.95, a bargain since this sucker weighs 99 lbs.! The jack is long and low and is not conducive to close quarters, but it works fine and makes a great addition to the shop. 3. There is a third tier of low priced, Chinese jacks from Sears, Wal-Mart, Auto Zone, etc. These are junk, don't waste your money. Leaking is a matter of when, not if, and they are ugly, inefficient and generally a pain. Dave Nichols - --0-2064236485-1057089706=:83386 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <DIV>I don't know about the aluminum jacks other than Brunhozl, which is a true racing jack used by NASCAR teams and runs about $1,400.00.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>On the other hand, I have done the research for steel shop jacks and have come to the following conclusions.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1. Lincoln is by far the best jack commonly available. It's American engineered, designed and built but is also the most expensive and is often back-ordered.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. Just underneath the Lincoln is a tier of very good jacks such as Norco, Omega, Sunex, and OTC. I just bought an Omega because of the rapid lift feature, extra long handle and very low (3 3/4") initial lift height. When you have lowered cars, it's a big advantage to not have to pull them up on blocks to lift. The Tool Warehouse out of NJ is offering a deal. The jack is on sale and they ship it for only $19.95, a bargain since this sucker weighs 99 lbs.!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The jack is long and low and is not conducive to close quarters, but it works fine and makes a great addition to the shop.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3. There is a third tier of low priced, Chinese jacks from Sears, Wal-Mart, Auto Zone, etc. These are junk, don't waste your money. Leaking is a matter of when, not if, and they are ugly, inefficient and generally a pain.</DIV><BR><BR>Dave Nichols - --0-2064236485-1057089706=:83386-- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 01 Jul 2003 16:02:16 -0400 From: "m3 drvr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... My wife currently drives a 2000 A6 Avant and LOVES it! It has all the options she likes, space to carry a fair amount of stuff (i.e. 2 car seats and a adult in the back and tons of cargo room left). It drives just like a car and gets good gas mileage, even when loaded down. As someone else mentioned, see if the Audi Allroad is available where you are...it has 3 levels of height adjustment for better clearance. Clyde >From: "Binder, Larry - Spine" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >To: "'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, >"'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... >Date: Tue, 1 Jul 2003 10:38:49 -0400 > >My wife has narrowed down her choice between a 2000 and up ML320/430 or >RX300. We may go and test drive a 2000 A6 Avant. We are also willing to >spend in the low 20's. Which vehicle would you choose? > >Larry > >-----Original Message----- >From: ben keyes [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 2:09 PM >To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subject: Re: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... > > >Lee wrote: > > > SUVs are (or used to be anyway) classified as trucks > >are still. including "trucks" like the Subaru Forester & Chrysler Pacifica >& PT Cruiser, which are trucks in gov't definition only. Minivans are also >"trucks" for CAFE & safety purposes. > > > meaning that they aren't subjected to the same government safety > > standards as cars. > >the crash rules are different, but I don't think they're so lax on trucks >as >to be the root of the problem in poor crash performance in some tests. > > > I remember reading a couple of years back that it costs Ford more to > > make a Taurus (due to the engineering & testing to achieve their great > > 5-star safety rating) than either an Explorer or Expedition. > >there's less overall engineered content (or at least used to be) in an SUV >(especially one which shares a huge portion of it's engineering with an >F-series or which is an updated older design) as compared to a Taurus, but >the safety side of things isn't that huge a factor in the development cost. >it's almost impossible to make apples-to-apples comparisons for the >development cost of _any_ vehicle as compared to another, even within the >same company withint the same timeframe due to the massive number of >variables involved. > >if you start with an SUV & coupe & wagon & hatch & sedan based on the same >platform - your Civic example for instance - there may be feature/content >based differences which swing the development costs somewhat but the safety >standards are not a significant contributor to the differences. > > > The worst part is the physics involved in an accident. SUVs are > > usually built on the chassis of a company's existing vehicle. This > > results in SUVs being made out of chassis that were never designed to > > carry or manage such weight in a collision. FWIW, I think this is > > probably more constrained to the mini-SUVs which are 4000 lb cars > > built on a chassis originally designed for a 2600lb Focus or Civic. > > SUVs based on light pickups are also suspect. > >I think you're a bit offbase here. there are no longer any SUV's on the >market which are just pick-ups with bodies on them, that's an early-90's >situation. > >in the past decade, lots more money & resources have been put towards >development of unique SUV platforms by all of the big 3, with the smaller >(lower margin, lower volume) pickups lagging their SUV brothers to market >by >years. so we have completely purpose-built platforms for Explorers, >Trailblazers & the like. the "real" Japanese SUV's - >4Runner/Pathfinder/Rodeo - are body-on-frame truck-based (originally) >designs. > >I don't think you can argue that the car-based mini-SUV's are as much >overweight as you think either. a quick search shows that the Escape >(based >on the old Contour/Mystique/Mondeo platform, not the Focus) is ~3,350, the >CR-V (tall >Civic) also ~3,350, the RAV4 (Corolla-based) a lightweight at ~2,900 but >with the SUV-only Liberty a porky 4,100. it does look like you could push >over a CR-V with a strong wind, but that's just because they look so >spindly >rather than any actual likelihood to tip over. > > > In your position I would think you can consider some alternatives.... > > E class wagon, I think you can even get the 4matic AWD. Does it get > > much safer than a Benz? > >if you don't understand the dynamics of the vehicle (not many people do) >and >don't drive as if your SUV grants you an exemption from the laws of physics >(which many people do), I would argue that a large SUV - >Sequoia/Expedition/Navigator/Yukon/Tundra/Land Cruiser - is going to be far >safer in an accident than a low to the ground (and thus likely to get >smashed by a high-riding SUV) wagon which loses out in many arguments >merely >by being 1000 or more lbs lighter. not a nice reality, but probably not >far >from the truth. > > > Now, if you WANT an SUV, that's a whole different story...... > >this is the crux of the situation. buy what _you_ (or your wife) want and >do it for the criteria which are important to you. if these are perceived >or actual fact-based criteria is up to you to decide, just make the most >informed decision based on the available information. there's lots of it, >just try not to get too caught up in the spin that everyone wants to place >on it. > >if you fear the world & the people in it (with good or bad reasons) then >you >want the biggest thing you can get & you want to operate it in the most >conservative way you can. if you're a bit more trusting (some would say >naive) about the world you might be driving around in a sub-3,000 lb >vehicle >with no airbags & RWD :-) > >just because I find an X5/ML to be a waste of money, space & resources as >compared to the equivalent (and just as roomy in many measures & much >better >performing) 5'er/E-class wagon doesn't mean I'm going to begrude others >they're choice to drive them. > > > >Ben _________________________________________________________________ STOP MORE SPAM with the new MSN 8 and get 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6528 *************************** | | 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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