The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 88 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: [uuc] re: <E36> Which Optima Battery? Re: E34 buying advice Changing brake hose E36 <WTB> 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot Sport Re: E46 Understeer 2002 CR 5 speed transmission for sale Manual steering for E36? Re: Manual steering for E36? Re: Cheap and Dirty Bumper Repair Advice Needed... San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Lime Rock - snow'ed out? Advice sought
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 09:31:44 -0600 From: "Bredle, Donald L." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [uuc] re: <E36> Which Optima Battery? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Christian, I had that question a couple months ago. I bought the Exide version of the spiral cell, which I like a lot. They don't make very many sizes, so this one was too short and too tall compared to stock. I used an 'extension' of the metal clamp that catches the lower middle portion of the battery, and then put a nylon web strap longitudinally over the top of the battery. It is held in very tight. Didn't solve the height problem exactly...the plastic tray is wedged in place on top of the battery, but admittedly not as tight as stock. Don Bredle Eau Claire, WI On Sun, 14 Mar 2004 13:35:51 -0600 "Christian Els" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: The battery in my '94 325i has finally stopped holding a charge more than 3-4 days so I'm looking for an Optima (or competitor) spiral-cell, gel-type battery to replace the traditional one that's dying. I'm finding that Optima doesn't list a direct replacement for a Group 92 battery. Which Optima have you found will fit in an E36 battery box, by size/capacity/model number? This car sees very irregular use so I'm also debating red- vs. yellow- top, anyone have an informed opinion? Also, did you have to perform any mods to the hold down hardware to secure it? Looks like I'll be running the E36 for the first autoX event this year since I just don't have time to get the E30 off the jackstands by then. Or else I'm bumming a ride... Cheers, Christian Els Columbia, MO ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 08:24:07 -0800 (PST) From: Jonathan Brush <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E34 buying advice Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ron sez: SNIP a second owner 89 535i. Looks to be very clean and straight. Good history and paperwork. Original owner bought a new (reman) tranny from BMW about 3 years ago. SNIP Specifically: ** What are some things to look hard at during buyers check? ** Electrical--Better than 7 series of same vintage? ** As many resources available for the DIYer as E30 cars? Bentley? E34 web sites? Used parts? etc ** Any "special" issues with the 89 model (first year of the E34)? ================================================= Hi Ron, I have a '92 535i/5sp and it's a great car. at 104K miles I've had to replace the cylinder head (bad camshaft) and manyof the rubber bushings in the suspension, exhaust, shocks at 50K (due again) along with normal maintenance like brakes. The body is really solid and the paint is all original, looks great. At these miles and years, so much depends on what has already been done to the car, and how it's been cared for in general. If the owner(s) have taken good care of it the car could be good for another 100K; if not it could be a money pit. During those years, I think that BMW put little stickers on all the body panels with the VIN, so you can see if they are original. I'd be looking for a lot of documentation about repairs and maintenance (valve adjustments, oil changes) and would give the car a good hard test drive. Then, if it looked and felt good, I'd find a good BMW independent specialist and pay for a complete pre purchase inspection. Without documentation, I'd expect the price to come down a bit, even if the inspection comes up clean. Do go to the previously recommended website for more specifics about the trouble spots. Good luck, Jon __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - More reliable, more storage, less spam http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 09:32:21 -0800 (PST) From: Paul T <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Changing brake hose E36 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have to change my brake hose on my 95 E36 (driver front.) Is there a difference between OEM brake hose vs generic brake hose from Napa? (except price?) I've bled my brakes before, so I'm kind of familiar with the system down there, and I understand the brake hose job is pretty simple, but I still would like to read a write up on it to make sure I have the proper steps, can anyone provide a link? I've googled and searched the archives, and came up with nothing relevant. Thanks. Paul __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - More reliable, more storage, less spam http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 12:32:15 -0600 From: "Paul Craven" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: <WTB> 245/40/17 Michelin Pilot Sport Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject says it all. I just need one. Anyone happen to have one before I break down and pay retail? Regards, Paul Craven 97 M3/4 ///Money Disposal Unit ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 11:27:36 -0800 From: Roger Baker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: E46 Understeer Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> It's definitely less aggressive than e36! So much for the e46 330's being the same as the old M3. I'm wondering, how does your 330i PP compare to the regular Sport Pack 330 in the balance department? I've heard really good things about the new PP... just wish the dealer fessed up to me the PP option was coming down the pike when I bought my Sport Pack 330. Surprised you said the wheels on your PP are so heavy though. Out of curiosity, what alignment settings did you have from the factory? Mine feels like it has a ton of toe in at the rear. I've been playing with pressures but don't think the tires are up to my driving style without serious complaint. Sounds like you did the basic stuff I'm playing with, but I'm starting to wonder if that'll be enough as I haven't found the perfect settings yet. I would like this thing to be more neutral & light on it's feet like my e36 track car (even if not as high limits), but I'm starting to think will require some real mods to get there! -- Roger Baker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>So is it me, or has anybody found that the e46's qualify as "plowing >>pigs" in the handling department? >> >> > >The factory set-up is much less aggressive than on the E36. I have driven some fairly >well modified E46s and have been duly >impressed. The same stuff that applies to the E36 applies here. That said, you asked >for cheap changes to balance the car out. >Here's what I did on our E46 330iPP: > >- Change toe settings - I used the same general settings as I do on my M3, which are >0 front toe and just a hair of toe in in >the rear. I doin't remember the stock settings, but they weren't close. I didn't >change camber (even though you can) only >because it never sees anythign but highways so i didn't want to adversely affect tire >wear. >- Change tire pressures - I found on the E36 that the Pilot Sports like a lower >pressure, so I set front/rear in the same range >on the E46 and set up a 2-degree difference (lower) in the rear, Seems to help >rotation. > >It still plows, only now you can get the rear to rotate to compensate. The change >that has the biggest effect is tire. For giggles, >I ran the 330i on the street one day with the 255/35-18 R-compounds off of the >racecar. Didn't understeer under aggressive >street driving. ;-) Unless you want to start looking at suspension, your best thing >to do is upgrade the wheels and tires. you >should be able to comfortably fit 255's all the way around without a problem. Should >make it more than adequate for highway >use. > >-peter*g > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 20:29:19 +0000 From: "Gregory Bradbury" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: 2002 CR 5 speed transmission for sale Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> No one I know, sponsor, endorse, receive commission from, etc. Go to ebay auction 2467105670 The fellow mentions he's not driven using the box himself, so it's your call. Hope this helps someone... Gregory in Geneva _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 helps eliminate e-mail viruses. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 12:51:09 -0800 From: jkerouac <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: bmw digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "[uucdigest]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Manual steering for E36? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Manual Steering For E36? Did any E36 models come with manual steering? Reason I ask in that the ps hose blew off the left front fitting from the steering rack, and I got to do some driving with no ps. Not much different from a manual steering convert I did on a old E30 autocrosser that was 700 pounds lighter. Old Bavaria's weigh more than an E36 and they has manual steering also. All US E36 had ps but did some non-US market base model get a manual rack, or are optional manual racks available? (maybe Asian market cars that came with 3.73 rears?) Could an E30 rack be converted to fit an E36? ( is it maybe the same except for a part number difference?) tia, Barry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 16:07:48 -0500 From: ben keyes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: Manual steering for E36? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Barry wrote: > Did any E36 models come with manual steering? yep. appears you could get an M40 316i with manual steering. the rack is part number 32 11 1 138 198, but I can't seem to get my ETK to tell me what else it might have been used on. > Could an E30 rack be converted to fit an E36? > ( is it maybe the same except for a part number > difference?) given that you can put an E36 rack into an E30 w/the E36 tire rod ends, I don't see why you couldn't go the other direction. however since the E30 racks are all slower (more turns) than the E36 M3 racks (esp the early ones which are quicker still) it would seem to make more sense to convert an existing E36 rack to manual operation. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 16:17:33 -0500 From: "Bailey Taylor" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "bmwuucdigest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Cheap and Dirty Bumper Repair Advice Needed... Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks to everyone who offered help and advice. I checked with my body shop and they believe that it will be cheaper to buy a new front bumper(@$350) rather than repair and refinish the old one. We are also going to attempt to reduce the incidence of rock chips by mixing flex agent and stone guard compound into the paint shot below the rub strip. I'll report the results later. Bailey Taylor 1995 318ti Club Sport 1997 528iA 1999 Wrangler Sahara Light Campaign Assault Vehicle ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 17:25:48 -0800 From: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW BMW BMW BMW" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Can anyone recommend a good independent BMW mechanic in San Francisco or the Peninsula not far south of San Francisco. I've got a friend who is looking for a mechanic closer to home than Bill Arnold in Marin. Kevin Kelly BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 19:42:30 -0800 From: "Bora Akyol (BMW)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Phaedrus (sp?) in San Francisco is supposed to be good. On 3/16/04 17:25, "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Can anyone recommend a good independent BMW mechanic in San Francisco or the > Peninsula not far south of San Francisco. I've got a friend who is looking > for a mechanic closer to home than Bill Arnold in Marin. > > Kevin Kelly > BMW CCA 50039 > > Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > 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: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 22:52:32 -0500 From: "Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ummm, why would someone want to look for another mechanic, when Bill Arnold is willing to work on your car? I can't think of a better BMW shop to go to. Ummm, other than mine, of course..... ;-) Ok, ok. I don't know Geographic's around SF, but here's my two recommendations (after Bill Arnold) Phaedrus Maintenance and Development John Kirkpatrick 1641 Jackson St San Francisco CA 94109 415 567-8000 And Vanguard Motors Gary Grande 350 Tenth Street San Francisco CA 94103 between Folsom & Harrison Sts. (415)255-8450 Brett Anderson KMS > -----Original Message----- > Can anyone recommend a good independent BMW mechanic in San > Francisco or the > Peninsula not far south of San Francisco. I've got a friend who > is looking > for a mechanic closer to home than Bill Arnold in Marin. > > Kevin Kelly ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 20:22:49 -0800 From: Jim Bassett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 07:52 PM 3/16/04, Brett Anderson talked about: >Ummm, why would someone want to look for another mechanic, when Bill Arnold >is willing to work on your car? Exactly! I gladly drive an easy 35 miles to Bill's shop (towing the disabled race - not so gladly :-)). Bill's pretty much the only one who works on my 2 cars. Jim Bassett ---- Hardware Engineer for hire http://www.jimbassett.com/Resume1.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 20:59:52 -0800 From: Marco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: San Francisco - Peninsula BMW Mechanic Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I used to drive/tow from Burlingame (SFO) to San Rafael to have Bill work on my car. If I hadn't found a place in Mountain View with a great mechanic that is 2 minutes from my office I'd still be driving the 35 miles to Bill's shop. Hell, I used to take a day off just to hang out there! Marco BMW CCA CR IP #196 sponsored by www.rennwerks.com "head' work done by Bill Arnold. Jim Bassett wrote: > At 07:52 PM 3/16/04, Brett Anderson talked about: > >> Ummm, why would someone want to look for another mechanic, when Bill >> Arnold >> is willing to work on your car? > > > Exactly! > > I gladly drive an easy 35 miles to Bill's shop (towing the disabled > race - not so gladly :-)). Bill's pretty much the only one who works > on my 2 cars. > > > Jim Bassett > ---- > Hardware Engineer for hire > http://www.jimbassett.com/Resume1.htm > > Search the > ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > __________________________________________________________________________ > > 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: Wed, 17 Mar 2004 01:30:07 -0500 From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "911" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "BMW List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Lime Rock - snow'ed out? Advice sought Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ok, it's friggin' snowing hard here in the Northeast. Doh. First track event of the year for me is scheduled for Mon/Tue with SCDA (www.scda1.com) at Lime Rock Park. Assuming that LRP gets, say, 6-10" in this storm, and maybe another 1-2" later this week, but warmish (40s) and sunny on the weekend, what are the chances that we'll be able to run next week? Doesn't the snow need to be cleared not only from the pavement, but also from the grass? Otherwise, if a car goes off, doesn't the snow increase the chance of rollover risk? Grrrr.... and I just mounted a set of slicks yesterday.... Thanks, --Dennis ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
