[uucdigest] Monday, September 15 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6752
_________________________________________________________________ | | 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? <communist rants> [uuc] old tool restoration? [uuc] Tire Patch Shape Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> [uuc] Re: unions & industry Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? RE: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> Re: [uuc] anybody got a good sub-$9K 5-series or 7-series in or close to NJ? [uuc] Re: tire patch shape ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:33:06 -0400 From: "Chris Baker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> Yeah, but there's been talk of the big 3 promising to favor/push for unionized suppliers as part of this year's inevitable concessions. However, to contradict myself, I don't see how that's gonna work. First of all, I think there are some legal issues there. Second, they're gonna go where it's cheapest. Generally not a union shop, or an American one these days for that matter. How would such an agreement be policed? Anybody got any specifics of the agreements from yesterday? Chris B. Repping a union shop, wondering when the moderators are gonna shut this thread down - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of ben keyes Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 11:18 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> Lee wrote: > I find it amusing that in a country where unions are so prevalent they aren't as big as you think. most of the automotive supply base is _not_ unionized (Visteon & Delphi excepted) and it's my understanding that ther there are almost no unions in most of the South, which is where much of the industrial development has happened in the last couple of decades, esp as it relates to transplant auto production. certain industries - Steel for instance, which you work with a lot - are still quite unionized, but I think that unions have largely seen a decline in membership as companies learn that if they treat their employees well they don't feel the need to unionize in the first place... Ben ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:38:51 -0400 From: "Dorffer, Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] old tool restoration? > Put them in a bead blasting machine and clean them up. > A fine layer of gun oil or PB B'laster will keep them > from corroding again. It really depends on the type of tools they are, age, intended use. Some may be better off left unrestored and are more collectible in their current state. Regards, Rich ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:42:46 -0400 From: "Dorffer, Rich" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Tire Patch Shape <a whole lot of good stuff snipped that I read twice in order to retain a portion of...> > In general, cars with more weight to the rear, and more power benefit by > larger rear tires. Which is exactly why I have staggered set-ups on both my M3 and my 325is... :-) Alright, alright, so they don't have that much power and their weight is closer to 50/50 static....I still like the way it looks... Regards, Rich 95 M3 - 235/40/17 front & 255/40/17 rear 90 325is - 205/50/16 front & 225/45/16 rear ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 10:51:35 -0500 From: "Ben White" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> Ben, I recently read that unions represent 13% of the U S workforce. Don't know if that includes teacher's unions as they fight being categorized in that manner. Union political clout lies in the fact that many of their members tend to vote as the union(s) suggest. Did I put that mildly enough? :-) Best, Ben White/Ocean Springs, MS - ----- Original Message ----- From: "ben keyes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Lee wrote: > > > I find it amusing that in a country where unions are so prevalent > <you (Ben) wrote, at least I think you did!> they aren't as big as you think. > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:58:20 -0400 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: unions & industry Chris Baker wrote: > Yeah, but there's been talk of the big 3 promising to favor/push for > unionized suppliers as part of this year's inevitable concessions. believe it when I see it. > Anybody got any specifics of the agreements from yesterday? none given yet, tho there are the inevitable sources & their comments. free press & det news sites should have the latest. > wondering when the moderators are gonna shut this > thread down to inject a bit of OBMWC, I'd suggest that the fact that there is mandatory membership on the Board of Directors of German companies would tend to make the union leadership a bit more enlightened about the workings of the company at that level and their presence forces the mgmt to recognize that the union is there as a partner in fact, not just name. of course the pecularities of the big German companies - VW basically a state-controlled business, BMW run by a single family, DCX a strange German-American combination, Porsche a very private enterprise - might contribute more to the way things are as well. unionization is much more ingrained (unsurprisingly) in their more socialist society as well. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:58:25 -0400 From: "Eurowerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? Stan, I have to disagree with you on the CCA members being "better" clients. I think that if you were to ask around the local independent shops in your area, you would find that the business owners would rather not do business with club members. Not individually, but as a whole, the club seems to attract a lot of DIY's who do not want to pay to have anything done, and when they do have to pay, they whine and cry about how much that will cost and how they "could have" done it themselves for xxx dollars less. I have had this conversation with about 14 of my local (100 mile radius) peers (shop owners) , and the general consensus was that it is more of a hassle than it is worth to try and please the CCA members. Now keep in mind that I am a club member, and I remember how I used to be. I used to hang out at the local repair shop and try to soak up as much knowledge as possible. I was constantly asking questions and advice. I think that after a while, actually I am sure they stopped liking me. Most of what I see in the club is members that want something for less than fair market value. As a professional repair facility, I want my customers to be as educated as possible about their cars, but I do not want them telling me how to do a job. I don't even mind when someone wants to stay and watch the repair, just do not try and fix the car when you brought it to me for that reason. As to the statement of club members giving referrals, I can only attest that I get three times as many referrals from non-members as I do members. I am sure that this has something to do with my parts pricing. Most club members want to bring in their own parts (usually the cheap CHINA made versions that they bought online!), and then want to complain the most when something fails. I do not warranty parts that are brought in by the client, regardless of their origin. After "only" being in business without advertising for ten years, I am not sure that I see the potential benefits that you are referring to. BTW, I do give everyone that asks for a discount a discount. If you do not ask, you do not receive. (Ask and ye shall receive, it is written!) Kirk A. Gilchrist EURO-WERKS / Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Volvo Service and Repair 8 South Highland St. / Winchester, KY 40391 / 859-745-0125 [EMAIL PROTECTED] / 888-522-0271 toll free > I have no problem if you or another vender chooses not to offer a CCA > discount or a quantity discount. However, you are missing the benefit of > such a discount. By giving a discount to CCA members, you are bringing in > and retaining better customers. These "better" customers are more likely to > understand products and services and their benefit. This means they are > less likely to return it, won't be calling you repeatedly for installation > help, and won't be returning products under warranty that were abused > (sometimes you can be sure of the abuse and refuse replacement, other times > you cannot and must honor your warranty or guarantee). AND, these better > customers will take the time and effort to recommend your products or > services to other potential customers. What you are missing, is that the > CCA discount is a form of advertising, just like running the UUC Digest! > Whether the CCA discount is a form of advertising that is financially > beneficial to your business is for you to decide. Which is why I am fine > with you choosing not to offer the discount -- just be sure you understand > the potential benefits and have weighed the value against the cost. > > Stan ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:03:38 -0400 From: "Robinson, Lee" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> What? Please tell me you don't have a ton of card-carrying UAW guys up thar in Michigan.... :) I wonder if there's any correlation between the growth of southern industry & lack of unions in the south? Again smiley....Maybe it's just the weather and endless supply of southern belles. And in steel, where I do a lot of work, new plants are generally going up in areas where there's no union (i.e. in the south & on that left coast). I would say that there are still a tremendous amount of tradesmen (electricians, construction workers, etc) that are still unionized. When I was a co-op we dealt with unions ALL the time during construction periods, and Georgia is a right-to-work state. Coincidentally, you see a lot less abuse there. FWIW, a lot of the good treatment of employees is now mandated by the gov't. Minimum wages, OSHA & social programs have pretty much negated the need to unionize in any industry. Lee->wishes he knew you could've made $80k a year without an education before going to college......<jk> > -----Original Message----- > From: ben keyes [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 11:18 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: [uuc] CCA Discounts for Businesses? <communist rants> > > > Lee wrote: > > > I find it amusing that in a country where unions are so prevalent > > they aren't as big as you think. > > most of the automotive supply base is _not_ unionized (Visteon > & Delphi excepted) and it's my understanding that ther there > are almost > no unions in most of the South, which is where much of the industrial > development has happened in the last couple of decades, esp as it > relates to transplant auto production. > > certain industries - Steel for instance, which you work with a lot - > are still quite unionized, but I think that unions have largely seen a > decline in membership as companies learn that if they treat their > employees well they don't feel the need to unionize in the > first place... > > > > Ben > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 12:39:01 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] anybody got a good sub-$9K 5-series or 7-series in or close to NJ? It's actually she (not that you could have known), and she does custom interior and kitchen design. I think the sad truth is that a lot of people don't know the difference between an E32, E34, or E39 as long as it looks clean - if it looks clean, it looks new, and it looks BMW. The public is not tuned in to the variations and updates like we are. The whole idea seems to be to mid-level impress, and to show up in something a little nice than the family minivan. - - Rob - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] anybody got a good sub-$9K 5-series or 7-series in or close to NJ? > No $9,000 car will impress clients, unless they are idiots. If they are, he > shouldn't want them as clients. Hmm... > > Buy a Hyundai and put Roundels in it. > > <grin> > > Gary Derian ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2003 11:47:09 -0500 From: "Scott Staewen" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: tire patch shape Interesting topic. Thank you, Gary. It's great to learn some of the principles behind what for me was only intuitive. And while we're on this, why is it that a long narrow footprint provides better traction in snow and rain? rss > >Visualize the footprint moving forward. When rolling straight, a tread >element touches the front edge of the footprint and moves to the rear. >When >cornering there is a slip angle. That tread element touches as before, but >now is deflected as it moves to the rear. As it deflects, it generates a >cornering force. As the slip angle increases, at some point, the tread >element begins sliding. In the front part of the footprint, the tread >elements are building cornering, in the middle part, they are at peak, in >the rear part, they are sliding beyond peak. > >A long and narrow footprint can be bent into a crescent by these forces. A >short and wide footprint maintains its shape and gets all the tread >elements >to work together. > _________________________________________________________________ Use custom emotions -- try MSN Messenger 6.0! http://www.msnmessenger-download.com/tracking/reach_emoticon ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6752 *************************** | | 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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