[uucdigest] Wednesday, July 2 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6532
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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] Does anyone have any info on the 2004 M3 yet? [uuc] Random thoughts on floor jacks Re: [uuc] Does anyone have any info on the 2004 M3 yet? RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... [uuc] CD changer for '97 Z3 Re: [uuc] Large SUV comment ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2003 09:46:12 -0400 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Does anyone have any info on the 2004 M3 yet? Larry wrote: > This month a roundel article mentioned that the e90 would replace the e46 in > 2005. Is this true? That seems like a very short run for the e46. since the E46 first came out in '98, replacing it 7 years later in '05 isn't an overly short period of time. note that the E36 ran from ~'90 to '98 and E39 from ~'96 to '03, so a 7 year cycle seems normal for BMW of late. there is zero chance that there will be a new M3 in the first or likely even the 2nd year of production (there wasn't for the E46 M3 nor for the E39 M5) so I would expect that like the E39 M5, production of the E46 M3 would cease when the new 3 series comes out. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 06:47:00 -0700 (PDT) From: Dave Nichols <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Random thoughts on floor jacks - --0-1577818805-1057153620=:88709 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I can't offer any scientific evidence, but here are some conclusions reached after researching the subject. 1. Granted (Steve) the AC or other brand jacks from Denmark are top notch, but for most of us with average size garages, they are too long and too expensive. A fine piece of equipment for the pro, but overkill for most of us. 2. The jacks from companies such as Norco, Omega, OTC, Zinko and Astro have a better release mechanism and lower the vehicle in a much more controlled manner. I chose the Omega because of the lower initial lift height, universal joint release mechanism, and controlled lowering. When you release the pressure the vehicle is lowered in a predictible manner and doesn't "drop" like some of the cheaper jacks. I assume there is some valving in these jacks that drops the pressure slower. 3. Even for the track, a steel jack is completely adequate. I only have to take it out of the trailer once and load it once, so weight is a secondary consideration. The wider wheels, extra long handle and lower initial lift height are the priorities. 4. Good jack stands are mandatory, not optional. Due to the various ground conditions at the track, my jack stands have pieces of 3/4" plywood attached with brackets, so we don't have to look for something to put under them in soft ground. 5. As far as jacking the trailer, there are ramps make for this purpose that lift either front or rear wheel without having a big jack handle sticking out (particularly on the left side, toward traffic). All you do is position them in front or behind the GOOD tire and pull (or back) the trailer only the ramp, thus raising the bad tire off the ground. No jack stand it necessary, it's already supported by the ramp. 6. At the track you need several wheel chocks, blocks of wood, and pieces of plywood. Don't try to jack or support on soft dirt, it just isn't safe. I had to buy a new jack because some mouth-breathing, butthead broke into my trailer and stole mine. As a matter of fact if you consider what they stole (jack, jack stands, air tank, comprssor, fuel jugs, tire guage) it's probably a racer. Oh well, it gave me the excuse to upgrade all the stuff anyway (that's the story I'm telling my wife, and I'm sticking to it)., All the best. Dave Nichols - --0-1577818805-1057153620=:88709 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <DIV>I can't offer any scientific evidence, but here are some conclusions reached after researching the subject.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>1. Granted (Steve) the AC or other brand jacks from Denmark are top notch, but for most of us with average size garages, they are too long and too expensive. A fine piece of equipment for the pro, but overkill for most of us.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>2. The jacks from companies such as Norco, Omega, OTC, Zinko and Astro have a better release mechanism and lower the vehicle in a much more controlled manner. I chose the Omega because of the lower initial lift height, universal joint release mechanism, and controlled lowering. When you release the pressure the vehicle is lowered in a predictible manner and doesn't "drop" like some of the cheaper jacks. I assume there is some valving in these jacks that drops the pressure slower.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>3. Even for the track, a steel jack is completely adequate. I only have to take it out of the trailer once and load it once, so weight is a secondary consideration. The wider wheels, extra long handle and lower initial lift height are the priorities.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>4. Good jack stands are mandatory, not optional. Due to the various ground conditions at the track, my jack stands have pieces of 3/4" plywood attached with brackets, so we don't have to look for something to put under them in soft ground.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>5. As far as jacking the trailer, there are ramps make for this purpose that lift either front or rear wheel without having a big jack handle sticking out (particularly on the left side, toward traffic). All you do is position them in front or behind the GOOD tire and pull (or back) the trailer only the ramp, thus raising the bad tire off the ground. No jack stand it necessary, it's already supported by the ramp.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>6. At the track you need several wheel chocks, blocks of wood, and pieces of plywood. Don't try to jack or support on soft dirt, it just isn't safe.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I had to buy a new jack because some mouth-breathing, butthead broke into my trailer and stole mine. As a matter of fact if you consider what they stole (jack, jack stands, air tank, comprssor, fuel jugs, tire guage) it's probably a racer. Oh well, it gave me the excuse to upgrade all the stuff anyway (that's the story I'm telling my wife, and I'm sticking to it).,</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>All the best.</DIV><BR><BR>Dave Nichols - --0-1577818805-1057153620=:88709-- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 09:49:10 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Does anyone have any info on the 2004 M3 yet? It seems since the next M5 will be a V-10, that leaves room in the lineup for the next M3 to have a V-8. Just speculating. Gary Derian > there is zero chance that there will be a new M3 in the first or likely even the > 2nd year of production (there wasn't for the E46 M3 nor for the E39 M5) so I > would expect that like the E39 M5, production of the E46 M3 would cease when the > new 3 series comes out. > > > > Ben > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2003 09:53:23 -0400 From: "GA Carnut" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... I respectfully disagree! SUV's are different, you just have to learn the differences! They don't corner like a BMW, but they aren't supposed to! Well, most of them don't! Look seriously at the Land Rover Discovery. It has: Rollover factor - Rover drops it's drivetrain below the floor, so the center of gravity is low. It looks tall, and leans like crazy in turns, but once you're used to it, you can go flat out through turns w/o a problem. BTDT. Classified as trucks - this is good, especially in states where Luxury taxes are applied. GVWR is so high, it is classified as a commercial vehicle (>6000 lbs), so the Ad Valorem (auto tax here in GA) was lower than my 8 year old Toyota! Safety standards - thick boxed welded frame, not c-shaped, so it's very stiff. 4wheel disks all around, full time 4wd for stability, it's a heavy, safe vehicle. Land Rovers have a habit of knocking over vehicles they encounter. Rover makes vehicles for ROW, not just here in America. Hence, their vehicles are overbuilt, for Africa, Australia, etc. - expedition type stuff. Granted, their vehicles are modified for expedition, but the base from which they start are WORLDS above the Expedition, Suburban, and other vehicles who's primary market are countries w/ smooth paved roads. The only LR vehicle not based on a frame is the Freelander, which is a modern unibody chassis. I don't like it. I classify it up w/ the CRV, MDX, etc. Car-chassis SUV's. Another used vehicle to look at is the Toyota Land Cruiser. The US market one is a nice, luxury vehicle. They market a totally different one for their expedition buyers. Chip, wishing they offered the Tdi engine in the Disco's here in the US... Chip Mautz '88 BMW 528e '64 Austin Healey Sprite '02 Toyota 4Runner >From: "Robinson, Lee" <[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 13:15:02 -0400 > >Larry, > >I would much rather consider an Audi wagon. Without blasting SUV's, I >would >think that your wife & child are MUCH safer in a well-engineered wagon than >an SUV. > >The problem with SUVs in my opinion is that they compromise safety--in more >than one way. There is the obvious, the rollover factor. Then there are >some less obvious. SUVs are (or used to be anyway) classified as trucks, >meaning that they aren't subjected to the same government safety standards >as cars. 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. > >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. > >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? > >I assume you need 4/AWD for inclement weather, but consider these. Saab >9-5 >wagon & Volvo wagons. If they can drive these things in Sweden, you should >be fine here. The Saab forums seem to be indicating that dealers are >seriously flooded to over-capacity with lease return 9-5s....might swing a >gem of a deal for a really good car. > >Now, if you WANT an SUV, that's a whole different story...... > >Lee > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Binder, Larry - Spine [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 10:19 AM > > To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' > > Subject: RE: [uuc] Change of plans...Maybe a new M3... > > > > > > I understand this but we do really need an SUV (4wd + lots of > > cargo space + > > ground clearance). So as far as SUV's go, it must be > > reliable and safe. I > > didn't mention it but we would also consider an Audi wagon. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Larry _________________________________________________________________ Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection with MSN 8. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Jul 2003 23:26:57 +0930 From: "Alan & Catherine Logue" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] CD changer for '97 Z3 Hi all. I'm new to the list, and my wife is new to a Z3! We are looking for an orininalk equipment CD unit to put in the boot. I'm assuming at this stage that the loom and wiring are already in place, but I have not confirmed it yet.The radio is the factory unit with the CD button to press. My question is where is the best place to find one of these units, or are they a hard to find item. I've checked ebay, with no luck so far, and would welcome any advice from members. I'm located in Adelaide, South Australia, but I do not mind doing business overseas. Thanks in advance Alan in Adelaide ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 02 Jul 2003 10:07:41 -0400 From: "GA Carnut" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Large SUV comment >I tried to stay out of this...to the statement below I will just say that I >would rather have the smaller >vehicle and avoid the incident in the first >place with better handling or stand a much better chance of >recovering >after initial contact. Obviously this can be pushed to extremes, no I >would not pick a Yugo Oh yeah, I forgot - don't listen to me on vehicle advice. In a few months I'll own: 1964 Austin Healey Sprite 1988 BMW 528e 199X Jeep Wrangler Sahara 2003 Chevy Suburban so, that's just about every vehicle size available, simultaneously! Well, the Sprite is the backup vehicle in case the Suburban breaks down - it fits in the rear cargo area... ;-) Chip Chip Mautz '88 BMW 528e '64 Austin Healey Sprite '02 Toyota 4Runner _________________________________________________________________ The new MSN 8: advanced junk mail protection and 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/junkmail ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6532 *************************** | | 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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