[uucdigest] Friday, September 12 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6741
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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] CCA Discounts for Businesses? < LARGELY OT RANT> RE: [uuc] [E36 M3] Labor for replacing a cylinder head Re: [uuc] M3 CSL [uuc] E30 strut help! Re: [uuc] M3 CSL Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? [uuc] E46 Lower Control Arms - Junk? [uuc] OBC bias adjustment [uuc] GT40 (OT) Re: [uuc] E30 strut help! Re: [uuc] E46 Lower Control Arms - Junk? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:03:07 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? < LARGELY OT RANT> > These supposedly intelligent accountants have fooled > themselves into believing they are getting valuable price > reductions, when in reality they are paying premiums. > > But everything's going to China now, so it won't make any > difference in a few years. <rant mode on> I am also in manufacturing and these "squeeze the supplier" tactics are also pervasive in other (non-auto) industries. I had a major customer come to me last year and say that he wanted a 70% price reduction on all of the parts that we make for them. This is in addition to the 5% price reduction that they demand every year. Their rationale is that they can buy the parts for 70% less from Chinese or Malaysian manufacturers and if we want to keep the business we need to match the prices. My customers, are smart enough to not allow for inflated prices on new projects, so most of the time we must bid new projects at low margins, then reduce the prices every year thereafter in order to keep the work. The reason for all of this of course is the American Consumer. We want to buy $20 dimmer switches at home depot even if the manufacturing costs exceed that amount. Think about it the next time you are shopping at Wal-Mart, Kmart, Costco, Home Depot -- you are happily facilitating the demise of US manufacturing and are damn proud that you got a bargain. It's true, you did, but at whose expense. Unfortunately, not all of the BMW parts suppliers take the same tack that Rob and Brett seem to take of charging fair prices from the get-go. I have become used to being charged MSRP by local dealers for parts so I can keep my cars running and so have become used to asking for the CCA discount. I am one of the people that Rob used his 10% increase "line" on when I was inquiring about a short shifter last year. I understand the logic behind his argument and didn't take offense, I bought the short shifter and am still very happy with it. Would it have been worth it to me to buy a Chinese made short shifter for my BMW? Maybe, if such a thing existed in a very short-sighted and selfish way. Would it be reasonable for me to demand a discount from UUC because I belong to the BBWCCA? What would happen is that Rob would then turn to his suppliers and say "Hey Joe, my customers are demanding a dicount, I can't pay you the price you have quoted me, I need a lower price or you will lose the business" Most likely the supplier would bend and reduce his prices in order to keep the work, but then wouldn't be able to pay his employees as much or would not be able to keep that recent hire and would have to lay him/her off again. It is a vicious cycle, is it worth it to you to save the $30 on the $300 short shifter when the real cost might be someone elses job? I don't know what my real point is here except to say that it may not be _you_ but _someone_ always pays the price. <rant mode off> Back to making metal parts here in Chicago ;-) Regards Jamie Howton 2002 330i (with Rob's SSK) 1995 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 10:08:43 -0500 From: "Jamie Howton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] [E36 M3] Labor for replacing a cylinder head Motorwerks in Barrington IL just quoted me $950 to replace a head gasket and install cams (provided by me) on my 95 M3. This included the price of having the head machined and a new head gasket. For reference, Motorwerks are a very large BMW/Mercedes/Porsche/Infiniti/Honda dealership. Their usual labor rate is $95/ hour. Regards Jamie Howton 2002 330i 1995 M3 > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Andrew E. Skopp > Sent: Friday, September 12, 2003 8:27 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: [uuc] [E36 M3] Labor for replacing a cylinder head > > > Dealer is quoting me $1780 in labor to remove and reinstall > the cylinder head for my 98 M3. (Parts by the way are the > head, the headbolts, a gasket kit, and spark plugs, totalling > $3009.) > > I'm not sure of the dealer's hourly rate, but I believe it's > under $90. Even assuming it's $90, that's 20 hours of labor. > Is this possible? Thanks for your thoughts. > > Andrew E. Skopp > > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:12:02 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] M3 CSL - ---- Original Message ---- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]> > tho there's also >something to be said for a factory-approved suite of upgrades >backed by a manufacturer's warranty as well. of course that's one >argument for the Dinan stuff in the first place... What does one thing have to do with another? Hint: nothing. Dinan's excellent products are in no way covered by a BMW warranty. Public mythperception. - - Rob ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 08:13:57 -0700 (PDT) From: Drew Sheppard <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E30 strut help! - --0-140831398-1063379637=:92159 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Group, I had a great plan. Upgrade the E30 suspension to Bilstein sport shocks, H and R race springs, then take the car to the track and report to the group. Don't want to be a lurker... I am stuck! Struts are off. Spring compressor is on. How do I hold the shock absorber shaft and turn the self locking nut when they are both inside the top spring retainer? I do not have BMW special tool 313115 which Bentley highly recommends..... If you have any insights please call my cell at 650-814-5912. I will be heading to a shop shortly. I need to get this done this morning. Thanks Drew - --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software - --0-140831398-1063379637=:92159 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii <DIV>Group,</DIV> <DIV>I had a great plan. Upgrade the E30 suspension to Bilstein sport shocks, H and R race springs, then take the car to the track and report to the group. Don't want to be a lurker...</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I am stuck! Struts are off. Spring compressor is on. How do I hold the shock absorber shaft and turn the self locking nut when they are both inside the top spring retainer? I do not have BMW special tool 313115 which Bentley highly recommends.....<BR></DIV> <DIV>If you have any insights please call my cell at 650-814-5912. I will be heading to a shop shortly. I need to get this done this morning.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Thanks</DIV> <DIV>Drew</DIV><p><hr SIZE=1> Do you Yahoo!?<br> <a href="http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=10469/*http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com";>Yahoo! SiteBuilder</a> - Free, easy-to-use web site design software - --0-140831398-1063379637=:92159-- ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:25:34 -0400 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] M3 CSL Rob Levinson wrote: > > tho there's also > >something to be said for a factory-approved suite of upgrades > >backed by a manufacturer's warranty as well. of course that's one > >argument for the Dinan stuff in the first place... > > What does one thing have to do with another? > Hint: nothing. > > Dinan's excellent products are in no way covered by a BMW warranty. > Public mythperception. yep. I know this and have brought it up several times in Dinan-related threads before. Dinan has their own warranty which covers the stuff that they change which the BMW factory warranty won't. if Dinan ever got themselves classified as a manufacturer (which Alpina, Ruf, Brabus & others have, tho not here in the US AFAIK) then they would be liable for the whole car, which I don't think they'd want to be. Dinan have done a masterful job of making it appear as tho they are somehow factory sanctioned, tho this is certainly not true. Alpina stuff on the other hand (assuming they ever decide to fully launch the brand here) will be full factory, since BMW controls Alpina now, having bought it out from the guy who founded the company. IIRC they're building some Alpina models on the normal production line now... Ben ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:35:20 -0400 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? I'd like to add my few cents worth in here. I buy from a particular BMW dealer in Baltimore and a particular aftermarket seller and a particular WorldPac supplier/dealer/seller. In each of these cases, the choice was price driven. Both the dealer and the aftermarket seller give me a discount they style as a "car club discount". They are not playing a game with me, but rather have faced the reality that I will take my business where the price (or perceived value) is best. My business school education runs contrary to what Rob Levinson has suggested in that, although the seller needs X% to remain viable, it doesn't matter to seller where that money comes from. It doesn't matter to me, either, so long as it's not coming from me. I am perfectly happy to get the best regional price on dealer parts and to have every other buyer pay full retail to offset my discount. I do not go with a seller of parts for advice or technical support. I wouldn't trust the answer, for the seller has a distinct advantage in pushing his wares. Ed ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 08:37:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Timothy Fries <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] E46 Lower Control Arms - Junk? I'm at 65K miles on my 200 323Ci and just had to have my Right Lower Control Arm replaced, of course this is after I had to have the Left one replace 10K miles ago. Am I expecting too much not to have to have these be replaced? It seems like this is a somewhat important suspension piece to go at these mileages. Has anybody experienced these type of problems on the E46 arms? It seems like something that should be recalled if there is a problem or am I just unlucky enough to be out of warranty when mine went? __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 11:45:11 -0400 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] OBC bias adjustment After unlocking an e-34 obc (91) to adjust the fuel flow bias, I am only able use a range of 750 - 1250 (from the factory it was 1000). I need something along the line of 1400. Is it possible to go deeper intot he OBC bias adjustment? ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:13:35 -0400 From: "carl sewell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] GT40 (OT) With all the recent commentary re the new Ford GT (or is it GT40?), there have been few observations re size. A few years ago I bought a 1:18 GT40 MKIV from Exoto, yellow, number 1. A fine model it is. When Ford began to hype the new car, I bought their model, 1:18, in US livery, made by The Beanstalk Group in China, also a dandy model.. I was quite surprised to see the difference in size. Most of us will never have the chance to see the original and new side by side so the models are surrogates. But I wonder if both are really the same scale: the new is quite larger than the original (in model form). Any comments? Carl Sewell Charlottesville VA E46 330iPP CCA 151298 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:37:13 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E30 strut help! Strap wrench or even pipe wrench if the old struts will be tossed. It helps to losen the nut with an impact wrench before removing the struts from the car. Gary Derian > Group, > I had a great plan. Upgrade the E30 suspension to Bilstein sport shocks, H and R race springs, then take the car to the track and report to the group. Don't want to be a lurker... > > I am stuck! Struts are off. Spring compressor is on. How do I hold the shock absorber shaft and turn the self locking nut when they are both inside the top spring retainer? I do not have BMW special tool 313115 which Bentley highly recommends..... > > If you have any insights please call my cell at 650-814-5912. I will be heading to a shop shortly. I need to get this done this morning. > > Thanks > Drew > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 12:36:11 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] E46 Lower Control Arms - Junk? I believe this is a known problem. 65K miles isn't too bad. A recall is for a safety problem. If the arms fail in a way that causes a crash, then they must be recalled. If they fail in a way that wears out the tires, then no need for a recall. Gary Derian > I'm at 65K miles on my 200 323Ci and just had to have > my Right Lower Control Arm replaced, of course this is > after I had to have the Left one replace 10K miles > ago. Am I expecting too much not to have to have > these be replaced? It seems like this is a somewhat > important suspension piece to go at these mileages. > Has anybody experienced these type of problems on the > E46 arms? It seems like something that should be > recalled if there is a problem or am I just unlucky > enough to be out of warranty when mine went? > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software > http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com > ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6741 *************************** | | 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 . The Ultra-High Performance BMW Specialist | 207 Elm Street, Amesbury, MA 01950 | 978-388-7769 / fax 978-388-4202 | http://www.turnermotorsport.com | |==================================================== | | UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning | and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! | 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com |__________________________________________________________
