The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 55 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: New Member BMW CCA Re: New Member BMW CCA I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Re: Stuck Transmission filling plug (e36) Parts for Sale (Multiple Posting! Sorry!) Re: Team Dynamics wheels Re: <E36> brake light switch Re: 303 protectant Re: 303 protectant Alutec or ASA wheels Re: <E36> brake light switch Re: <E38> Trans Fluid Change Question
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 13:44:54 -0600 From: "Celisa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: New Member BMW CCA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Well today I just joined the BMW CCA. I also called a shop about getting brakes, and I simply can't believe they want to charge as much as the dealer. I also asked if they gave discounts to BMW CCA members, and his answer was, I'll see what I can do. To let you know, I have joined: Your New Membership transaction # 54816 confirmation from BMW CCA. I also called Sam & Joes Foreign Car Repair and that was the answer I recieved from them, so I told them I would bring my car in on Friday for a free checking. It sure is tuff being a women, people don't get over on men, as they do women. But i'm fighting it. Celisa '99 328is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 11:52:28 -0800 (PST) From: Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: New Member BMW CCA Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Women have advantages and disadvantages compared to men. Finding a good shop is hard for anyone. Your best weapon is knowledge. Gary Derian. > > Well today I just joined the BMW CCA. I also called > a shop about getting > brakes, and I simply can't believe they want to > charge as much as the > dealer. I also asked if they gave discounts to BMW > CCA members, and his > answer was, I'll see what I can do. To let you know, > I have joined: Your New > Membership transaction # 54816 confirmation from BMW > CCA. I also called Sam > & Joes Foreign Car Repair and that was the answer I > recieved from them, so I > told them I would bring my car in on Friday for a > free checking. It sure is > tuff being a women, people don't get over on men, as > they do women. But i'm > fighting it. > > > Celisa > '99 328is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 16:06:10 -0500 From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ferrari List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "BMW List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "911" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >From the NY Times: For Exercise in New York Futility, Push Button By MICHAEL LUO Published: February 27, 2004 For years, at thousands of New York City intersections, well-worn push buttons have offered harried walkers a rare promise of control over their pedestrian lives. The signs mounted above explained their purpose: To Cross Street Push Button Wait for Walk Signal Dept. of Transportation Millions of dutiful city residents and tourists have pushed them over the years, thinking it would help speed them in their journeys. Many trusting souls might have believed they actually worked. Others, more cynical, might have suspected they were broken but pushed anyway, out of habit, or in the off chance they might bring a walk sign more quickly. As it turns out, the cynics were right. The city deactivated most of the pedestrian buttons long ago with the emergence of computer-controlled traffic signals, even as an unwitting public continued to push on, according to city Department of Transportation officials. More than 2,500 of the 3,250 walk buttons that still exist function essentially as mechanical placebos, city figures show. Any benefit from them is only imagined. "I always push," said R�na, an employee at Long Island College Hospital in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, who was too embarrassed to give her last name after she pushed a button on Atlantic Avenue and was told the truth. "The sign says push, so I push. I think it works." Most of the buttons scattered through the city, mainly outside of Manhattan, are relics of the 1970's, before computers began tightly choreographing traffic signal patterns on major arteries. They were installed at a time when traffic was much lighter, said Michael Primeggia, deputy commissioner of traffic operations for the city's Transportation Department. The first "semi-actuated signal," as they are called by traffic engineers, is believed to have appeared in the city in 1964, a brainstorm of the legendary traffic commissioner, Henry Barnes, the inventor of the "Barnes Dance," the traffic system that stops all vehicles in the intersection and allows pedestrians to cross in every direction at the same time. Barnes was also instrumental in completing the one-way conversion of major avenues in New York. Typically, they were positioned at intersections of a major thoroughfare and a minor street. The major road would have a green light until someone pressed the button or a sensor in the roadway detected a car on the minor street. Then, after 90 seconds or so, the light would change. The goal, Mr. Primeggia said, was to make traffic flow on the major artery more efficient. The buttons made sense when traffic was generally minimal on the minor street. But as traffic grew steadily, their existence became imperiled. In 1975, about 750,000 cars entered Manhattan daily; this past holiday season, there were more than 1.1 million. The other boroughs have gone through similar growth, Mr. Primeggia said. As even minor streets became congested, the need for the semi-actuated signal largely disappeared, because they were constantly being tripped anyway by cars rolling up to the intersection. Many walk buttons also interfered with the computer-programmed coordination of lights that is now the rule in the city to facilitate traffic flow. By the late 1980's, most of the buttons had been deactivated, their steel exteriors masking the lie within. But city officials say they do not remember ever publishing an obituary, and the white and black signs stayed up, many of them looking as new and official as ever. "I don't always push, but I do it in the off-chance that I might save two seconds," said Joanne Downes, 63, a retired nursing professor, after pushing a broken button to cross the West Side Highway from Chelsea Piers on West 23rd Street yesterday morning. "I have guessed that they don't work, but why are they there?" There are 750 locations where the buttons actually do work, Mr. Primeggia said. Some of them have been installed more recently, while others are holdovers from two decades ago. The working buttons are only at intersections where the walk signal will never come unless the button is pushed or a car trips the sensor, Mr. Primeggia said. He cited two examples, one at Hicks and Summitt Streets in Brooklyn and the other on Flatbush Avenue just south of the Belt Parkway exit ramp. But other working push buttons are hard to find. A random survey of more than 30 intersections in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan found one, at Marathon Parkway and 51st Avenue in Little Neck, Queens, that worked. At $300 or $400 per intersection, it would cost about $1 million to remove the disconnected mechanisms, Mr. Primeggia said. About 500 have been removed during the course of major reconstruction projects. But city officials over the years decided it was not worth the cost for the rest, given other needs like rebuilding roads or installing new traffic signals. "We think of this from time to time," Mr. Primeggia said. "But there's always a better need for the money." And in the bigger scheme of things, he said, it doesn't really matter if people push a working button. "The public is going to get the walk signal regardless," he said. "I guess that's the point. There's no harm in having it at the locations." Many veteran New Yorkers have long learned to ignore them. They have never made sense, said Maryam Ceesay, 24, standing at a downtown Brooklyn push-button intersection. If pedestrians could simply push them and always get a walk signal, "cars would never cross," she said. "Traffic would stop." But Ms. Ceesay was at that moment baby-sitting 4-year-old Benjamin Miles. Despite his baby-sitter's explanations that the buttons "never work," Benjamin still pushed away at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Henry Street. Why? His explanation may be the best reason for the continued existence of the buttons. "Because," he said, "it's fun." ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 13:45:25 -0800 (PST) From: Vic Maslanka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On a related note, sometimes people complain that it takes too long to get the walk signal. The complaints usually end when a useless push-button is installed. It gives you something to do while you're waiting. And if you don't like the temperature in your office, the facilties department will install a dummy thermostat in your office for you to adjust until you're happy. Vic Maslanka __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Get better spam protection with Yahoo! Mail. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 14:01:16 -0800 From: donna seeley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ditto the elevator's "close door" button. On 3/1/04 1:45 PM, "Vic Maslanka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > On a related note, sometimes people complain that it takes too long to > get the walk signal. The complaints usually end when a useless > push-button is installed. It gives you something to do while you're > waiting. > > And if you don't like the temperature in your office, the facilties > department will install a dummy thermostat in your office for you to > adjust until you're happy. > > Vic Maslanka ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 16:42:37 -0600 From: Dennis Wynne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: I KNEW IT! Those rat b*st*rds... (NFC, NPC, NBC) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Actually, I think that ones takes a picture using a hidden camera in the elevator. Then the elevator repair people get together and laugh at the pictures. Dennis At 02:01 PM 03/01/2004 -0800, you wrote: >Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >Ditto the elevator's "close door" button. > >On 3/1/04 1:45 PM, "Vic Maslanka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > On a related note, sometimes people complain that it takes too long to > > get the walk signal. The complaints usually end when a useless > > push-button is installed. It gives you something to do while you're > > waiting. > > > > And if you don't like the temperature in your office, the facilties > > department will install a dummy thermostat in your office for you to > > adjust until you're happy. > > > > Vic Maslanka > >__________________________________________________________________________ >In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > >UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate >Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! >908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 13:19:04 -0800 (PST) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Stuck Transmission filling plug (e36) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Manuel, Try an 18" breaker bar if you have enough ground clearance or a regular ratchet handle with a length of pipe on it (as long a pipe as you can still swing clear of the ground) for additional leverage. You can also give the ratchet handle a couple whacks with a dead-blow (or similar) hammer, kind of a poor-man's impact wrench. If that doesn't break it loose trying a little heat with a propane torch might do it, although that might not be wise now that it's soaked in WD-40. If you decide to try the propane have a fire extinguisher within arm's reach. Another option is PB Blaster, another penetrating oil that I've found to be more effective than WD-40. It's available at Wal-Mart in the automotive chemicals section. Brian '94 325ic -----Original Message----- From: Mr <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Mar 1, 2004 11:26 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [UUC] Stuck Transmission filling plug (e36) Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] Grettings all, I was trying to change the transmission fluid on my manual 95 325i this weekend and could not for the life of me remove the filling plug. I was using hand tools Wrench)and jack stands to lift the car. I don't remember it being this tough the last time I changed it and I know I didn't over tighten the plug since I can still see some threads portruding out. Drenched the plug in WD 40 and still nothing. Any tips or secrets on how to remove this thing?? I don't have air tools so I have to rely on hand tools wits. Any help would be greatly appreciated. TIA!! Manuel Paredes ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 16:21:29 -0500 From: "Nancy Fluharty" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW M-Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "BMW Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Parts for Sale (Multiple Posting! Sorry!) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My E30-S50 project is near completion, and I've got a bunch of parts left over. These prices are pretty firm; they're a little less than I think I can get on eBay, which is where anything unsold will go in a couple of weeks. I've added a section to my website www.skewed-perspective.com with pictures and more information. I've also added a section about the engine swap project, for anyone interested. E36 5-sp trans (ZF, for M3 or 328) $300 E36 Oilpan $115 E36 Starter $75 E36(95 M3) Dinan Chip $75 E30 "is" springs $60 E30 "is" swaybars $60 E30 "is" oil cooler $25 E30 Strut Brace $50 E30 Brake Pads (DeLuxe, front, unused) $25 E30 Brake Booster $20 E30 Coolant Overflow $10 E30 Oxy Sensor $15 E30 Assorted Spares $25 Buyer pays shipping from Cincinnati (45220). Email me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] if you're interested. Bob Fluharty ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 13:55:21 -0800 (PST) From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Team Dynamics wheels Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Sun, 29 Feb 2004, M Kittock wrote: > > Bimmerworld sells the Team Dynamics wheels - anyone have any experience > with these? I don't need the light weight for racing, they will only be > used for driver schools with R tires. But I do need a inexpensive, strong > wheel - and the fact they are available in black saves me refinishing > another wheel to black (my preferred wheel color). Just want to make sure > they would hold up to street use also. I bought a set because they were cheap. 2 of them were also slightly egg-shaped. Of course, once they hit the ground the warranty was up. When I came back to the tire shop with a complaint of imbalance, they could not fix it. A shop with a better balancer pointed out the out-of-round condition. The original tire shop would not stand behind them. The fact that they were slightly out of round without any trace of lip damage did not matter to them. IMHO they are crap. I did get a few bucks for them at the metal recycling place. That's the best I can say about them. -- "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster." -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 17:26:46 -0500 From: Ed MacVaugh <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: <E36> brake light switch Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you have a check control panel (the device giving you the message), you need a four pole switch. Ed Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous) wrote: >Looks like my brake light switch is failing. A quick peruse of alloembmwparts >shows two switches for these cars: two pole, four pole. Is there any way of >knowing which one I need (short of crawling under there). > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 01 Mar 2004 23:03:54 +0000 From: "bob thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: 303 protectant Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I couldn't say it better than Eric Giles did. I've been using it a couple of years. It's an excelent product. _________________________________________________________________ Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee when you click here. http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 15:13:37 -0800 From: "JSN" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: 303 protectant Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I like the Griot's product but it's spendy. How's the price of the 303? ----- Original Message ----- From: "bob thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 01, 2004 3:03 PM Subject: Re: [UUC] 303 protectant > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > I couldn't say it better than Eric Giles did. I've been using it a couple of > years. It's an excelent product. > > _________________________________________________________________ > Get a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee when you click here. > http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 > > __________________________________________________________________________ > In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. > > UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate > Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! > 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 17:31:58 -0600 (GMT-06:00) From: M Kittock <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Alutec or ASA wheels Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> OK, sounds like the TD wheels are you get what you pay for. The next question is, does the same apply to Alutec and ASA? Alutec are "made in Germany, TUV approved" FWIW, and ASA are "made in S Korea, Licensed by BBS" and BBS in cast into the wheel FWIW. I'm guessing the ASA wheel may be better if for no reason other than BBS wouldn't risk their reputation on cheap c**p. The ASA is $50. more each, but still reasonable $$ for a 16" wheel. On the other hand, I prefer the 5 spoke style of the Alutec model I'm considering. Also easier to clean and check brake pads. And they are $50 per wheel cheaper. Hmmmmm. I know the variables and risks (with 'inexpensve' wheels); does anyone have experience with these two to shed some additional light (as shared with the TD wheels). Frankly, if this was to be the car I tracked for years to come I'd get a set of BBS RK in 17" and be done with it. But I'm getting another car in a couple years for DE events, and then this new 16" set of wheels will be put into service as winter wheels. Thanks!! Mark '96 328i sport pkg, many mods, itching for some track tires... > > Bimmerworld sells the Team Dynamics wheels - anyone have any experience > with these? I don't need the light weight for racing, they will only be > used for driver schools with R tires. But I do need a inexpensive, strong > wheel - and the fact they are available in black saves me refinishing > another wheel to black (my preferred wheel color). Just want to make sure > they would hold up to street use also. I bought a set because they were cheap. 2 of them were also slightly egg-shaped. Of course, once they hit the ground the warranty was up. When I came back to the tire shop with a complaint of imbalance, they could not fix it. A shop with a better balancer pointed out the out-of-round condition. The original tire shop would not stand behind them. The fact that they were slightly out of round without any trace of lip damage did not matter to them. IMHO they are crap. I did get a few bucks for them at the metal recycling place. That's the best I can say about them. -- "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster." -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro __________________________________________________________________________ In memory of Michel Potheau - friend, enthusiast, founder of the BMW CCA. UUC Motorwerks - BMW Performance Fine-tuning and home of the Ultimate Short Shifter - accept no substitutes! 908-874-9092 . http://www.uucmotorwerks.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 18:33:58 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: <E36> brake light switch Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> If you have check control, you have 4 pole. Brett Anderson KMS > -----Original Message----- > Looks like my brake light switch is failing. A quick peruse of > alloembmwparts > shows two switches for these cars: two pole, four pole. Is > there any way of > knowing which one I need (short of crawling under there). > > - Kevin Jay > '96 328is, red/tan, usual H&R/Bilstein setup, "brake circuit failure" > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2004 18:41:52 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: <E38> Trans Fluid Change Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Fluid change should cost between $500 and $750 with filter. Find a good independent for him to take his car to, he shouldn't be going to the dealer with that mileage. Brett Anderson KMS > -----Original Message----- > > I'm pretty sure that this has been covered before, but I really > didn't pay attention because I don't have an E38. However, my > boss now has one and I'm the *car guy* so he comes to me with questions. > > He asked the dealer to change his trans fluid as he has 100k > miles on the 740i now. The dealer told him it was lifetime fluid > (yep, I knew that) and that he should just replace the > transmission when it goes bad. However, because they want to > respond to customer requests, they quoted him $1800 (yes, that's > right, $1800) to change out the fluid and filter. Now, I seem to > remember that the fluid is expensive, but dang, that's steep! > > What is the recommended course of action short of finding a new boss? > > Cheers, > > Kirk Lachman ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
