[uucdigest] Sunday, October 5 2003 Volume 03 : Number 6795
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Send 'em to [EMAIL PROTECTED] |__________________________________________________________________ In this BMW UUC Digest: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change [uuc] Re: X5 vs Touareg [uuc] New BMW NA website Re: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change Re: [uuc] Re: X5 vs Touareg re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36 Re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36 Re: [uuc] <SAV> X5 vs Touareg [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs Re: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs RE: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs [uuc] LEATHER CLEANING (OFF THE SHELF) RECOMMENDATIONS? Re: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 12:08:47 -0700 From: Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change So I used to change the oil on the 528e all the time - every 3 months. Then I got the e39 and use a "Topsider" to change the oil and unscrew the filter cannister lid to swap out the filter element. So, how much of a problem could it be to change the oil on the new to us e30 325ic? Oil came out the dipstick tube with the Topsider just fine. Then I went and took a look at the oil filter, no big deal same filter, same block, etc as the old 528 - WOW - that was a surprise! What a pain in the ass!!!!!! I approached the filter from the firewall going forward from over the right front fender - AFTER the exhaust manifold cooled - and used a "cap" type wrench on the end of a 6" extension bar with a 3/8" ratchet. ANYBODY got a better way other than coming up from underneath (which defeats the purpose of the Topsider). ? By the way, am giving Chervron Delvac 15W-40 synthetic a try here in the SF Bay area. Harvey spoiled from the filter arrangement on the e39! not to mention a few other aspects of the car ;-) ! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 14:45:29 -0700 (PDT) From: Jonathan Brush <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Re: X5 vs Touareg I will second the concerns regarding the reliability/service issues with VW. A 99.5 (new body style) Golf we got for our daughter has been really expensive to maintain with lots of things going wrong, like the door lock acuators (would not unlock correctly, alarm would immobilize the car), brakes, window mechanism (ok, these were taken care of as a recall), etc. And we didn't have the problems with coils going out with the basic non turbo 4. I have to say that the design and materials especially the interior are nice. We did find a decent dealer finally, lucky that we live in metro Boston with 4 dealers within 10 miles. Buying a first year model of the Touareg would be a risky move IMO. Jon __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 16:39:49 -0700 (PDT) From: david kroth <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] New BMW NA website BMW NA has revised their website. Content looks mostly the same in a slightly easier to naviagate format. Evolution, not revolution... ===== David Kroth [EMAIL PROTECTED] __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 16:01:56 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change Leaning over the fender, I put my left hand between the manifolds and my right hand in front of the front manifold. With two hands I can unscrew the filter. Don't tighten it too much. Gary Derian > ANYBODY got a better way other than coming up from underneath (which > defeats the purpose of the Topsider). ? ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 18:10:50 -0700 From: Bora Akyol (BMW) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Re: X5 vs Touareg I think if you want to tow 7k+ lbs of trailer and not worry about anything including high winds, you need a full size truck. I bought a Chevy 2500HD Duramax crew-cab in 2002, and we love it as a tow vehicle, go to campground vehicle and just go to Home Depot vehicle. Gets 14-16 mpg in the city and over 20 mpg on the freeway. Towing I get between 12-16 mpg depending on what I am towing and how fast. Line-X in the bed, glasstite camper shell and no worries. If BMW ever makes a full size SUV especially with the awesome V8 diesels that one can get in Europe, I would consider replacing the duramax with it. The X5 SAV just does not cut it with its lack of cargo space. Bora ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 18:37:12 -0700 From: jkerouac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36 re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36: These pins seem to be the same as what are used in Molex connectors. Molex connectors are standard electronic component connectors such as used to connect PC power supply wires to disk drives and other peripherals. They come in various sizes. The ZKW kit I purchased came with a small strip of them. I had to cut the harness wires from the US headlight connectors and attach them to these wires before then inserting into the ZKW headlight connector. I suggest soldering the wires to the pins rather than just crimping. Any electronic supply place would stock Molex connector pins. If you're in the Bay Area, Fry's is a sure bet to carry them. Btw, I've found Kragen carries PIAA Super White H1 55 watt bulbs for only $25.00 a pair. These increased the brightness and spectrum of the ellipsoids to about half way between the standard H1 and an HID. I hope this helps, 'jk ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 19:09:54 -0700 From: Greg Cagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36 jkerouac wrote: > re: Subject: [uuc] Need help with ZKW euro headlight connector E36: > > These pins seem to be the same as what are used in Molex > connectors. Molex connectors are standard electronic component > connectors such as used to connect PC power supply wires to disk drives > and other peripherals. They come in various sizes. > The ZKW kit I purchased came with a small strip of them. I had to cut > the harness wires from the US headlight connectors and attach them to > these wires before then inserting into the ZKW headlight connector. I > suggest soldering the wires to the pins rather than just crimping. > Any electronic supply place would stock Molex connector pins. If > you're in the Bay Area, Fry's is a sure bet to carry them. > Btw, I've found Kragen carries PIAA Super White H1 55 watt bulbs for > only $25.00 a pair. These increased the brightness and spectrum of the > ellipsoids to about half way between the standard H1 and an HID. > I hope this helps, I'm in Portland, OR - went to Fry's here already but they don't have the right size. re: soldering, yes, I had already done that. Was trying to track down a glitch when one broke. re: bulbs, I've got Sylvania Silverstars in them now, but haven't had time to evaluate them. - -- Greg Cagle gregc at gregcagle dot com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 19:41:47 -0700 From: Roger Baker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] <SAV> X5 vs Touareg Just another data point to consider... back in Jan 2000 I bought a brand new VW Jetta for my commuter car so I wouldn't tear up my M3. The VW was such a great, reliable, POS, I had VW of America buy it back after spending over 45 days in their service department during the first 18 months of ownership. And, it still had to go in for more service to fix the new problems they created during the original repair! This was all over minor stuff falling off or experiencing intermittent operation. At that point it doesn't matter if the problems are minor or not. The engine could have fell out of the car, it would have been the same amount of frustration & repair time. I will say that VW was terrific in the way they handled buying back the car. Sad thing was, when I dropped off my car & they gave me a check, another customer of that same dealer (poor girl) was sitting on the stairs crying her eyes out over how many times her Jetta was in for service & how the service department never fixes it or breaks something else... I had two words for her "lemon law". - -- Roger Baker Jason Daniels <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Some trim piece fall off a probable pre-production model and it's a total POS? Come >on man. Give me a break....I can say the same thing about MANY new BMWs too. My Z3 >was a prime example. That was a POS. Yes it was an early production car. But it still >spent ohhh....4 of the first 7 months in the shop due to electrical issues that >couldn't't get solved until someone from Spartenburg came up and installed an entire >new wiring harness. Or our 92 325i that dropped 3 transmissions, a cam seal, 6 >ignition coils, a water pump, a real diff seal all in the first 26 months of >ownership. > >I've had 2 new VWs in the past 3 years and yes, some of the quality isn't to BMW >standards but they cost half the price. I have had ZERO issues with them and about >100K worth of driving. Some issue did crop up, but it was due to ME modifying the >cars WAY beyond what they were at the factory. > >That said it isn't a total POS it has some minor "issues". > >Jason > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 19:58:34 -0700 From: Bora Akyol (BMW) <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs I am thinking about using these in my Cooper S but I can not get them locally, anyone know where I can buy a set. Does anyone already use these and have good results. I am not after the HID look, just a bit better range. Thanks Bora ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 04 Oct 2003 20:30:41 -0700 From: marco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs http://www.sylvania.com/auto/silverstar.htm I don't see an H7 listed. I use them in the truck. Great upgrade for the price. Huge improvement over the stock bulbs, not as good as the xenon on the 540 but amazingly close. I bought mine at Kragen. Marco Bora Akyol (BMW) wrote: > I am thinking about using these in my Cooper S but I can not get them > locally, > anyone know where I can buy a set. > > Does anyone already use these and have good results. I am not after the > HID look, > just a bit better range. > > Thanks > > Bora > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 20:47:16 -0700 From: "Clan Hood-Douda" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: RE: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs http://suvlights.tripod.com/suvlightscom/html/halogen-h7.htm or http://tinyurl.com/pr7y has OSRAM Silverstars in H7 and explain the difference between Sylvania and OSRAM. Looks like Sylvania's online shop has them for $45/pair: http://tinyurl.com/pr81 Happy driving, Mike - -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Bora Akyol (BMW) Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2003 7:59 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [uuc] Sylvania Silverstar H7 light bulbs I am thinking about using these in my Cooper S but I can not get them locally, anyone know where I can buy a set. Does anyone already use these and have good results. I am not after the HID look, just a bit better range. Thanks Bora ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 21:21:57 -0700 From: "Chris Marino" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] LEATHER CLEANING (OFF THE SHELF) RECOMMENDATIONS? Group, I have a set of light gray leather seats and am curious as to what everyone would recommend as far as off-the-shelf products to refurb the seats. I've already cleaned and scrubbed them (simple green/water) and they are 100% cleaner than they were. Now, I need something to treat the leater AND fill in the cracks in the leather. Suggestions? Chris 89 M3 01 X5 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 4 Oct 2003 21:44:23 -0700 (PDT) From: willie yeo <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [uuc] 1st E30 Oil change Like you, I was spoilt by the easy to change oil filter of the E36 until I got my E30. The way I remove the filter is to use a oil filter wrench and stick it between the manifold and unscrew it with my hand between the manifold. Finally removing it with the left hand reaching in from the firewall side. Will - --- Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > So I used to change the oil on the 528e all the time > - every 3 months. > > Then I got the e39 and use a "Topsider" to change > the oil and unscrew > the filter cannister lid to swap out the filter > element. > > So, how much of a problem could it be to change the > oil on the new to us > e30 325ic? Oil came out the dipstick tube with the > Topsider just fine. > > Then I went and took a look at the oil filter, no > big deal same filter, > same block, etc as the old 528 - WOW - that was a > surprise! What a pain > in the ass!!!!!! > > I approached the filter from the firewall going > forward from over the > right front fender - AFTER the exhaust manifold > cooled - and used a > "cap" type wrench on the end of a 6" extension bar > with a 3/8" ratchet. > ANYBODY got a better way other than coming up from > underneath (which > defeats the purpose of the Topsider). ? > > By the way, am giving Chervron Delvac 15W-40 > synthetic a try here in the > SF Bay area. > > Harvey > spoiled from the filter arrangement on the e39! > not to mention a few other aspects of the car ;-) ! > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com ------------------------------ End of [uucdigest] V3 #6795 *************************** | | 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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