The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 471 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: Snow tires/chains? Re: Snow tires/chains? Re: Snow Chains/Cables???? <E34> M50 No Start - Gooped up spark plug insulators ?!? Re: <E34> M50 No Start - Gooped up spark plug insulators ?!? Re: snow tires and chains BMWs in Tahoe Re: BMWs in Tahoe Re: <E30> w/snow tires twisting
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:29:51 -0800 (PST) From: Jonathan Brush <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Snow tires/chains? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Harvey, If this is truly a one time trip, how about renting an SUV or other car with the "ski" package (snows, rack)? Saves you the time (=$) spent sourcing the chains, and the hassle of putting them on when you get to the mtns. and then taking them off, as well as the $ for the chains you'll never use again. And, you keep the Bimmer out of the nasty stuff. Just a thought. Jon<--in Mass, always uses 4 dedicated snows, Bimmer gets nice 'n crusty __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 09:49:36 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Snow tires/chains? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> In CA you will still need to carry chains in a 4x4. If you don't use them you can return them. But otherwise a good idea. BTDT. Marco http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/chcontrl.htm -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Jonathan Brush Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 9:30 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] Snow tires/chains? Harvey, If this is truly a one time trip, how about renting an SUV or other car with the "ski" package (snows, rack)? Saves you the time (=$) spent sourcing the chains, and the hassle of putting them on when you get to the mtns. and then taking them off, as well as the $ for the chains you'll never use again. And, you keep the Bimmer out of the nasty stuff. Just a thought. Jon<--in Mass, always uses 4 dedicated snows, Bimmer gets nice 'n crusty __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 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, 28 Dec 2004 09:42:21 -0800 From: "Scott & Charlotte Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Snow Chains/Cables???? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Harvey, carrying chains is not just a "rule of thumb", in California it is a "rule of da law". You must carry chains when driving in the mountains where it might snow, even if there is not currently a need for the chains. You can be cited for not having them. I have a set of cable chains in the correct size that I'll loan you for your trip. They've never been used, but I've carried them on mountain trips a couple of times. You have to pick them up in San Ramon. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 12:06:49 -0800 >From: Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected], > "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: Snow Chains/Cables???? >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > >Hope you all had a Merry Christmas! > >I have a 2000 528i w/stock 225/60 15" all season radials. > >We are planning a "one time" trip up to the Sierras in Feb. The rule >of thumb is NEVER head up there in the winter w/o chains, even if it >looks clear. Having lived in the Bay area since '75, hearing other's >experiences every winter, that's a reasonable/rational concept. For a >one time trip, buying snow tires is not a financially rational option >(living in the SF Bay area and not a frequenter of the Sierras in the >winter). > >So - assuming I can rent chains or cables - what specifically do I >need? The owner's manual talks about using "only BMW narrow chains" or >words to that effect. > >Any of you folks in the MidWest or NorthEast have some reasonable >suggestions? >Thanks! > >Harvey ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 16:38:36 -0500 From: "Karl Zemlin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: <E34> M50 No Start - Gooped up spark plug insulators ?!? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A new fuel filter did not bring life to my '94 525i touring. I pulled the plugs to see what things look like there (Bosch Platinum +4) and the insulators on a few of the plugs (#5 is the worst) are majorly gooped up with dark brown stuff that looks like heavy oil. I can imagine that a little oil could get past the gasket at the top of the plug wells, but I would not expect it to completely cover the insulator up to the electrical connection - not with the boot that's down there. Is this stuff coming out of the coils? Pictures: http://www.cheap-tracks.com/misc/plug1.jpg http://www.cheap-tracks.com/misc/plug5.jpg Electrodes look a bit sooted and some are wet. A little history which might be significant. When I replaced the plugs not long after buying the car I found one of the plugs (I think it was #5) was loose. Also, that one plug had a very unusual electrode - a solid three-legged plate - no opening in the end - only on the sides. That loose plug probably caused the discoloration on the stem of the #5 coil. I did a few image searches on the web but could not find a picture of anything similar to the odd plug I removed. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 13:55:31 -0800 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E34> M50 No Start - Gooped up spark plug insulators ?!? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The valve cover gaskets can leak enough to completely fill the spark plug wells. I doubt it will cause no start problems unless the coils have gone bad and possible screwed up your DME. Marco -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Karl Zemlin Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:39 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [UUC] <E34> M50 No Start - Gooped up spark plug insulators ?!? A new fuel filter did not bring life to my '94 525i touring. I pulled the plugs to see what things look like there (Bosch Platinum +4) and the insulators on a few of the plugs (#5 is the worst) are majorly gooped up with dark brown stuff that looks like heavy oil. I can imagine that a little oil could get past the gasket at the top of the plug wells, but I would not expect it to completely cover the insulator up to the electrical connection - not with the boot that's down there. Is this stuff coming out of the coils? Pictures: http://www.cheap-tracks.com/misc/plug1.jpg http://www.cheap-tracks.com/misc/plug5.jpg Electrodes look a bit sooted and some are wet. A little history which might be significant. When I replaced the plugs not long after buying the car I found one of the plugs (I think it was #5) was loose. Also, that one plug had a very unusual electrode - a solid three-legged plate - no opening in the end - only on the sides. That loose plug probably caused the discoloration on the stem of the #5 coil. I did a few image searches on the web but could not find a picture of anything similar to the odd plug I removed. 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, 28 Dec 2004 18:41:06 -0800 From: "Polands" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: snow tires and chains Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have experience with both the Zchains (cable type) and the small chain type (as well as the old fashioned 3/16" chain with welded lugs (grunt grunt) and run Nokian Haaka 1 studded tires when needed. On an E28 535is have done many ski trips and a weekend in Seattle's 18" snow dump of 1996 with TRX tires shod with Z-chains, which are the zig-zag pattern cable chains wound with protective coiled wire. In snow and ice the z-chains are great. No problem getting around at all even with too much torque and no limited slip diff. However once the streets start clearing off, it is difficult to start up when the intersections are bare, I think because the coil wraps tend to spin on the cable. Then I bought a set of 4 Nokian Haakapellita 1 directional studded snow tires. They are taller profile so not the perfect cornering tire, but never have experienced the skewing described. I could imagine that if the Q model tire is also directional, and you had them going different directions on the back that you could easily get that effect. Suggest verify both are oriented the same direction. In my experience, unless there is over 8" of fresh unbroken snow, or unless the snow is getting soggy and frozen when uncompacted, you won't need chains on these. I have gotten the small euro chain style to fit the snow tires. They also work great, but don't have the slip-n-spin problem starting up on patches of bare pavement that the cable chains have. Steve Poland ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 11:19:15 -0800 From: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW BMW BMW BMW" <[email protected]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: BMWs in Tahoe Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Harvey wrote: > I have a 2000 528i w/stock 225/60 15" all season radials. > We are planning a "one time" trip up to the Sierras in Feb. > The rule of thumb is NEVER head up there in the winter w/o > chains, even if it looks clear. Having lived in the Bay area since > '75, hearing other's experiences every winter, that's a reasonable/ > rational concept. Since I try to get up to Tahoe at least 10 times a year I've always had a 4x4 for trips to the snow. Since many friends that live in the city don't have a place to park a 4x4 they will just rent a four wheel drive SUV at San Francisco International Airport for trips to Tahoe. If you factor in the wear and tear on the BMW (500 miles at $0.40 is $200), the cost of chains, and the cost/time to detail the car after you get home it may be cheaper in the end to rent a SUV for a few days. And don't forget "the fun factor of spinning donuts in a snow covered parking lot in a rental SUV... priceless" Kevin Kelly BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 22:39:38 -0800 From: donna seeley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMWs in Tahoe Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Q: What's the difference between a Land Rover and a rental car? A: A rental car can go _anywhere_. Donna On 12/28/04 11:19 AM, "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > <snip> And don't forget > "the fun factor of spinning donuts in a snow covered parking lot in a rental > SUV... priceless" > > Kevin Kelly > BMW CCA 50039 > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 29 Dec 2004 16:18:49 +0000 From: "Evan A" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E30> w/snow tires twisting Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Try putting the summer tires on on a clear day -- best way to find out if the snow tiress are the problem or not. HTH, Evan _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(9 messages) **********
