[uucdigest] Wednesday, August 27 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6703
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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] <WOT> Z06 vette advice RE: [uuc] <WOT> Z06 vette advice [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 Re: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 Re: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 [uuc] RE: Miura [uuc] RE: Someone hit my BMW! Advice sought: (part 1) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 16:37:43 -0400 From: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] <WOT> Z06 vette advice Why would you want to add weight????? Tim M.'s Z06 with a full tank of gas was 3085lbs. An E36 M3 without spare & half tank was 3216lbs. Lee 88 M3->full tank + spare 2812lbs..... > -----Original Message----- > From: Gary Derian [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 3:39 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [uuc] <WOT> Z06 vette advice > > > What you really want is an M3 with the LS6 Corvette engine. > Gary Derian > > > > > Hi Jay > > > > Here's the email that I wrote the to the E36M3 list > comparing my E36M3 to > > my then new Z06. I wrote this a couple of months ago, but > my impressions > > are still the same. Although, I am beginning to see the Z06 as a > > replacement to the M3, rather just complimenting it. > Nonetheless, the > both > > are amazing cars, but you certainly will not be > disappointed with the Z06. > > Let me know if you have any questions. > > > > Thanks, > > Colin > > > > > > > > Subject: [E36M3] M3 vs Z06 Impressions > > > > > > Hi group, > > > > About 3 months ago I asked about people's impression of the > Corvette Z06 > in > > comparison to an E36 M3, as I was contemplating buying a > Z06. I got some > > great responses. Fast forward a few months and I now wanted > to share my > > impressions after driving my Z06 for a couple of months. > > > > In terms of biases, I love my M3. I consider it to be the > best car that I > > have ever owned. I also have a muscle car bug though, > having grown up > > modifying an old Trans Am with a turbocharged V-8. > > > > My comparison is to a '98 M3/2 with the following mods: JC software > > +intake, Dinan suspension, Euro rotors + R4s pads, X-brace, > S03s etc, > which > > I have owned for 3.5 years. I've autoxed the car since day > 1, and rub it > > with a diaper the other days. > > > > Handling: The Z06 feels heavier in turn-in, even though it > weighs the > same, > > due to the massive tires (265, 295). The ride is amazingly > compliant, far > > more than my Dinan suspended M3. I haven't got to test the ultimate > > handling at the autox/track yet, but it appears to be > considerably higher > > than the M3. Power oversteer is only a touch of the gas > away. The active > > handling control is amazing....barely intrusive and gently > comes in to > > regain control when there's a large slip angle. The M3, > probably to due > my > > comfort level with it, wins in the "feel" department, the > Z06 in ultimate > G > > forces. > > > > Brakes: A little sensitive, especially for heel and toeing > on the street. > > The gas pedal is a bit low to facilitate easy heel and toeing on the > > street. The deceleration is quite impressive though with > those huge tires > > and autox/track level stock brake pads. They dust far more > than stock M3 > > pads though! The M3 wins in ability to heel and toe > easily, and the Z06 > > wins in ultimate Gs. > > > > Acceleration: I consider my M3 to be pretty quick, > consistently putting > > down 5.4s 0-60 times according to the GTech. The Z06 is > ridiculous. I > can > > literally get rubber (295/35ZR18s) in 2nd gear at 45 mph by > just punching > > the gas, with the traction control on! Of course, even it > needs a few > more > > HP, so the mods have begun! The big V-8 revs very quickly > and has amazing > > throttle response, and pulls strong towards redline (6600 > rpm), although I > > haven't made it there yet due to break-in. The exhaust > sounds amazing at > > high RPM. Similar in fact, to a friend's older (~93) 911 > Turbo S after > > 4000 rpm. The Z06 easily wins this category. I now need cams or a > > supercharger for the M3 :) > > > > Quality: Paint finish is not up to par on the Z06. The paint is > > ridiculously delicate and the paint has a couple of minor > flaws. Interior > > is a bit cheesy, but fit and finish are OK. The Z06 has > nicely fitted > > seats, but they're a bit flimsy. Advantage: M3. > > > > Overall, I find the Z06 to be a perfect complement to the M3, not a > > replacement. The Z06 exceeds all of my expectations and is truly a > > supercar at a relatively affordable price. > > > > Thanks for the BW, > > Colin > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 16:54:05 -0400 From: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] <WOT> Z06 vette advice Jay, My boss & friend Tim uses a Z06 for this exact purpose. Since he has 4 cars, using the car when it's sunny out only isn't a problem. Just my opinion, you won't find a car anywhere that drives or handles like this for $50k. I've driven this car a lot on the street & in autocrosses. The steering is great, good feel & very precise. The car is generally easy to drive & handles exceptionally well. Brkaes, simply freakin amazing. I don't suppose I have to remind you what 405hp & under 3100lbs is capable of???? If you're tracking the car & don't want to pony up for the oil & tranny cooler, you can survive for track days--but use the best synthetics you can, and check/change them often. Tim's done 35 track days this year, some including up to 7 hours of track time, without any issues. And he's going fast! 1:43 at Road Atlanta, 2:16-7 on street tires at VIR!!!!! Rotors will crack. He's been through several sets of pads & rotors. The fronts seem to warp & the rears crack. The only reason we could find for that is that the rear brake ducts seem of blow cool air onto the rotor face instead of the hats. He's been using the lifetime autozone pads. Even after long sessions at Sebring, he didn't note anything about brake fade. Tires are another thing altogether. I think he's on his 5th or 6th set of track tires. Initially, he was using the Goodyear DOTs ($1100/set) & while he thought they were great, they seem to wear out & cord quickly. He's recently "upgraded" to 17" wheels all around. 9" in the front & 11" in the back--ultralight wheels from a ZR-1, I think. This allows him to use the cheaper Victo's. We'll see how it goes. Got to corvetteforum.com & sniff around....that's where he peruses. If I had the means, I'd prolly go with one of these, especially over the E46M3, which is now just a bloated grand tourer. He's talking about using this for the 1 Lap next year.....guess who's first on the list & salivating at the chance of being co-driver....... Hope this helps, Lee > -----Original Message----- > From: Jay G [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, August 25, 2003 5:22 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [uuc] <WOT> Z06 vette advice > > > hey gruppe...in my never ending quest for a replacement for > the E36 M3, today i test drove a corvette Z06...awesome > power and awesome handling...i know a few list members must > also have this car, so any input/opinions/advice greatly > appreciated...any "quirks" with the car??? i'm planning to > use it as a (semi) daily driver/autocross/track > car...anything to watch for? > > also any "good" z06 specific message boards??? private > replies welcome, if you dont wish to clutter the > digest...thanx in advance! > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 14:51:04 -0700 (PDT) From: Mike G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 After 13 months of being Bimmerless for the first time in 12 years, I picked up a 2003 540i/6 over the weekend to balance my need for performance with the need to transport a 7 month old. Artic Silver over Gray, NAV, Premium Sound, and sunshades. Could not resist the incentives and discounts, awesome deals are to be had! I'm sure I will have a million questions but I will start with only one. Anyone installed the new Bluetooth kit yet? Michael Greto BMW CCA '03 540i/6 '01 Boxster S '01 Frontier Crew '99 4Runner __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:13:16 -0500 From: "Randy Reeves" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 I just installed the BT kit and it was worth the wait. The integration with the steering wheel buttons and Nav is good and the install is easy enough. I had a minor problem with my Sony Ericsson T68i BT phone but that is now resolved. I ordered the parts from Crevier BMW-reasonable price for me. Randy 2003 540i/6 with a bunch of goodies............... - ----Original Message Follows---- From: Mike G <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 14:51:04 -0700 (PDT) After 13 months of being Bimmerless for the first time in 12 years, I picked up a 2003 540i/6 over the weekend to balance my need for performance with the need to transport a 7 month old. Artic Silver over Gray, NAV, Premium Sound, and sunshades. Could not resist the incentives and discounts, awesome deals are to be had! I'm sure I will have a million questions but I will start with only one. Anyone installed the new Bluetooth kit yet? Michael Greto BMW CCA '03 540i/6 '01 Boxster S '01 Frontier Crew '99 4Runner __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8: Get 6 months for $9.95/month. http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/dialup ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 17:18:50 -0500 From: Dennis Wynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] I'm BAAACK 540i/6 Congrats on the new ride! Just curious about the incentives and rebates. Neither Edmunds or KBB show any on the 540 in that section of their web pagea - BUT if you load up a 540i/6 on Edmunds "price with options" it shows the "TMV" as being less than invoice (with every option MSRP $62,230, invoice $56,850, TMV $55,472). Also, loading one up on CarsDirect also shows a few hundred under invoice. Thanks! Dennis 330i silver/black/manual/sp/pp/xenon/cd (for now) At 02:51 PM 08/27/2003 -0700, you wrote: >After 13 months of being Bimmerless for the first time in 12 years, I >picked up a 2003 540i/6 over the weekend to balance my need for >performance with the need to transport a 7 month old. Artic Silver >over Gray, NAV, Premium Sound, and sunshades. Could not resist the >incentives and discounts, awesome deals are to be had! > >I'm sure I will have a million questions but I will start with only >one. Anyone installed the new Bluetooth kit yet? > >Michael Greto BMW CCA >'03 540i/6 >'01 Boxster S >'01 Frontier Crew >'99 4Runner > > > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software >http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 16:50:33 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] RE: Miura Don Eilenberger, Don, this month's European Car magazine has an article about the Miura. Is Don even reading the digest anymore? - -Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 27 Aug 2003 20:08:06 -0500 From: Mark and Heather Williams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] RE: Someone hit my BMW! Advice sought: (part 1) I am pretty amazed at some of the completely inaccurate portrayals of insurance claims that have been posted here.. for example, the following.. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote.. >Ever hear this one before?: "Insurance companies are in the business of >COLLECTING money, and not in paying it out!" > BZZZZZZZT... Insurance companies ARE in the business of paying out money... that what it's all about! I can't readily think of another industry (other than gambling) in which so much money is paid OUT to customers.. (be it claimants or insureds) instead of for products... Now of course, as with ****ANY**** business, the goal is to bring in more than is paid out. 'Nuff said.. <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote... >Bringing your car to an on-site insurance adjusting office is >like walking into the closing room at a car dealer. Never do it. These >all too frequent slimeballs parading in the name of reputable insurance >adjustors [sic] all play the same game > ummm. "JK" .... can you make a point without slandering, sterotyping or name calling? I have to give you bonus points for slamming TWO professions (auto insurance and auto car dealers) but c'mon... you forgot to slam cops and attorneys while you were at it..! . :-P And...finally " Never do it " ??? Sheesh.... Weren't you ever told to "never" say "never" ? :-D While I will agree that being given only one option to have a vehicle estimated *appears* Draconian, someone else touched on the fact that the reason this likely ocurred is because John demanded a cash payment based on his estimates... Again.. there may have been other options, but since we were not there I'll refrain from assuming... John.. my company (State Farm) offers a couple of options for repairs... I am sure that many other companies offer similar options.. 1) inspection at the repair shop of your choice when the vehicle is left there for repairs 2) repair of the vehicle at a shop with a direct repair relationship in which the shop writes the estimate and there is a repair guarantee (anywhere from one year to lifetime) given to the vehicle owner 3) inspection at a drive-in office 4) in rural areas, submission of a number of bids for repair 5) inspection of a non drivable vehicle at it's location In four of these situations, payment is made *directly* to the customer if that is desired. I am going to imagine that John declined several of the options listed above, as he explained he may not effect repairs to the vehicle... <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote.... > I don't blame them for making you come in and getting a low-ball >offer before getting a CASH PAYOUT. You just admitted that you were not >going to spend the $1255 to get your car fixed. You were going to let it >go or fix it for $200 or so. In that light, their offer of $683 is more >than fair. ok... this is completely off base.... The person that damaged John's car is responsible for the damages.. Therefore, Farmers Insurance needs to pay out (ohmigosh! :-) to John the amount of money it would take to repair his vehicle to the condition it was in prior to the loss. John can then do whatever he wants to do with the money... he can do partial repairs, complete repairs, or no repairs and go to Vegas and blow the money on slots if he wants to.. WHY you ask? Because it's his vehicle! If he wants to blow the money and drive a damaged car, then that's entirely his right to do so! ok.. so let's go back and look at why John had to drive 30 miles to get his vehicle inspected... Many insurance companies insist on seeing a damaged vehicle (whether it be an insured or a claimant ) in order to reduce fraud, and also reduce the likeihood that a customer is taken advantage of by another entity... the body shop.... Let's face it... Repair estimates are just that.... e-s-t-i-m-a-t-e-s ... ( get it? otherwise they'd be called "exacts") In many situations, it is impossible to write an estimate to the exact amount as there could be hidden damage or parts prices may change, etc... At any rate.. *any* estimator, whether an employee for a body shop or insurance company can write an estimate in any of the following manners: 1) on the low side.... possibly to garner business from a customer... this has the obvious pitfall of a customer being upset when the bill is *higher* for the final repairs 2) on the high side.. this is a repair written as a "worst case" scenario ... this way, if the repair does not entail all the items on the estimate, the estimator comes out as the customers "best friend" as the repairs cost *less* than the customer expected..... 3) for the items that are KNOWN to be damaged, as the vehicle sits in front of you... again.. like # 1, there is the potential for a supplement, which may upset the customer later.. As a customer, unless you are told, you'll likely never know which way your estimate is written....!! <[EMAIL PROTECTED] advised... >It has been my experience that one should never deal directly with the >other guy's insurance company, never! Always make the claim with your >own insurance carrier and let them deal with the other company. > While it may be easier to deal with your own insurance company, this method has it's own pitfalls... 1) you have to pay out of pocket the deductible amount... 2) you may have to pay some out of pocket expenses for a replacement rental car 3) the out of pocket expenses you have may not come back to you for several months, while your company pursues the other company, 4) the out of pocket expenses you have may not come back to you EVER if the other company has not accepted responsibility and is either: a) not a member of intercompany arbitration b) successful in their defense of arbitration when pursued by your insurer.... At least if you go against the other company first, you will know where you stand with regards to their liability decision, and what the likelihood is that you will recover your out of pocket expenses. John, since you've done this your options are the following: 1) accept the repair estimate and payment offered by Farmers Insurance 2) contact your insurance company and have them write an estimate and see what their estimate entails.. odds are, you'll get a different amount than Farmers and your repair shops gave you... !?!?! ok... So now that we have hopefully dispelled some of myths about auto insurance claims... I'll follow up in part 2 and explain why there is such a large difference between John's quote and that of the estimator for Farmers Insurance. Mark Williams Dallas, TX claim rep by day.. 91 ///M3 2.5L ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6703 *************************** | | 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! | |==================================================== | Turner Motorsport Inc . 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