The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 490 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Snow tires in California Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson Re: <E30> Stock wheel tire choices Re: WSJ article Re: WSJ article Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson E46 Pre-purchase questions Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions WSJ <FS> Owner's Manuals
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2005 22:45:56 -0800 From: "Marvin Martin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Snow tires in California Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> An additiona comment to the earlier discussion of snow tires and chains: The California Vehicle Code defines snow tires as being marked M&S or M+S on the side and having 6/32nds inch or more tread. So, snow tires that meet the usual street requirement of 2/32nds or more may not be legal snow tires when they are more than half worn. Marvin ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 14:43:09 -0800 (GMT-08:00) From: Kim Melby <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I still have the magazine in which this car was featured. I wonder how the model on the cover is doing...It was quite impressive. This car was for sale here in Southern California a few months ago. Looks interesting. Kim ----- Original Message ----- From: "Alex Cagann" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW List" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2005 5:08 PM Subject: [UUC] Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson > Hello guys. I am going to Barrett Jackson later this month and saw one > particular interesting car there...and wondered if anyone knew anything > about it. I'd also like opinions on what you guys think this sucker is > worth. It is a one-off 320 with over $75,000 in custom crap. Here is a > link. > If the link doesn't work, make sure and cut and paste the second line. > > http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp > ?id=179750 > > Alex Cagann ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:07:14 -0800 (PST) From: wy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E30> Stock wheel tire choices Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I just bought a set of Falken Ziex ZE-512 from Discount Tires about 3 months ago for about $50 a piece. They have held up pretty well for about 6-8k miles now. It recently passed the SoCal torrential rains this pass weekend with much problems. Performs relatively well in little snow/slush accumulations when I was at Grand Canyon 2 weeks ago. Will > -----Original Message----- > On 1/11/05 10:51 AM, "Paul Craven" > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Hi all, > > I know this has been covered in depth before, but > since there are fewer > > and fewer tires out there for 14" wheels, I wanted > to see if anyone had > > found anything special in the 205/60/14 "plus one" > size. I have found > > (in order of cost) Dunlop A2 Sports, BFG TA's, > Yoko ES 100s and Michelin > > XGTH4's. On a previous E30 I put on a set of the > Firestone SH30's and > > liked them a lot as a decent all-season general > use tire. The ES100's > > were erecently discussed as being noisy and they > are not an all season, > > so they are not high on my list (I have a truck > for full on snow use, > > but I drive the E30 otherwise). Anyone have any > recent experience good > > or bad with the above? Maybe some other tire? Of > course any of them > > would be an upgrade from the Road Hugger Radials I > now have (really, > > that's what they say on them). > > > > Regards, > > Paul Craven > > 93-325ic - now with a hardtop! > > > > 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 > ===== Get Firefox! __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The all-new My Yahoo! - What will yours do? http://my.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 16:06:42 -0800 From: Roger Baker <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: WSJ article Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Eric hit it on the head here. The G35 is just a little bit shy of the BMW in driving feel & fun, but you get more features/power for your money which sways the decision for most people. I drove both cars 2.5-3 years ago and bought a 330i Sport as it still "felt better" to toss around, and the Infiniti had some funky ergonomics I didn't like. It was funny on the test drive that the salesman almost crashed the G35 into a parked car taking a turn trying to impress me on it's handling (showed up in my e36 M3)! I needed a 4dr, but the 4dr Infiniti just didn't look that good or have quite the feel (the 2dr is sweet, but has no back seat room). However, spending the $5k extra on the 330 wasn't a big enough concern to change my decision. Recently I just traded my 330 for a C55 AMG as it has even more power & luxury with a back seat. Something the M3 can't offer in it's present 2dr only configuration (and I got tired of waiting for a 4dr V8 M3, not to mention Bangle's styling just flat sucks). I drove the last of the old M5's, but it felt way too heavy & had even worse steering than my AMG. The S4 wasn't even in the picture, and after driving one I'm not sure why the magazine guys love it so. -- Roger Eric Valentine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >I'm a proud G35 Coupe 6MT owner for this exact reason; more car for >the $$$. I was ready to pull the trigger on a 330i ZHP, then I drove >the G35. The Infiniti doesn't have the BMW "feel" to it, but the G35 >is still fun to drive. (and it looks and sounds great as well) I just >couldn't justify the extra $5K for a comparably equipped 330i. > >Eric Valentine >04 G35 >91 318is > > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:17:10 -0500 From: "Steve Stoner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: WSJ article Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks for posting the link to the article. I've been following the back and forth on BMW styling and product direction here and other places over the last several years. Perhaps predjudiced by the press, I initially thought the 7 series was ugly. Until I started seeing them in parking lots and on the road. The 7 appeals to me outright, but also I appreciate that it has unique styling. Has anyone noticed that the e34 shape somehow represents the quintessential automotive sedan form? That almost everything in a sedan over the last fifteen years has in some ways mimiced or morphed the e34 shape? . I didn't care for the e39 when it came out, and it still doesn't wow me, but I would own one. The new 5 on the other hand on first look in a dealer showroom I thought was hideous. As I now see them on the road, I've come to appreciate the design more and even like it. Again, what is going on here is BMW has introduced new shapes and concepts to automotive styling. The WSJ article is really making the point that as a thought/design leader, and to maintain unique product positioning, BMW had to step out of the mold and produce product that may seem radical and out of place to many among us. Time will surely tell. None of us know the ultimate outcome of these design/styling shifts and history will tell us if BMW is merely ahead of their time (other designers will mimic the wierd lines and surfaces on the Z4, 5 and 7), or simply misreading the market and heading toward oblivion. I'd take the Z4 over the Z3 anytime. Z3 loyalists aside, there was nothing striking my sou! l in the Z3 other than a James Bond film launch. I do know that BMW has consistently delivered vehicles, features and techology that gets copied and incorporated by other manufacturers down the road. Every upstart Korean maker has a Hoffmiester kink. Witness the new Mustang convertible that lowers and raises the door glass ala e36 coupe, a feature that really bugged me the first time I test drove an e36. I remember driving 15 year 2002s that still had better engineering than the current offerings from many US and Japanese manufacturers. BMW is betting that their styling will distinguish and differentiate their product from the masses. Nissan/Infinity has probably been disecting BMW cars for 10 years now, (or is that 25 or 30, wasn't the 510 a New Classe knockoff?) so no one should be surprised they are getting close and closing the gap. Great discussion. Thanks Steve Stoner 97M3 - slightly pampered 03 Ford Explorer - Mom and two young boys 92 F150 4x4 - driven more than the M3 [Attachment of type application/ms-tnef removed.] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 19:10:47 -0500 From: Phil Marx <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Custom E21 at Barrett Jackson Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The ad says it was in Roundel Magazine in July, 2004 (it was actually August), and it was at Oktoberfest in Pasadena that year. I saw it. Interesting, for an E21. Not worth anything to me. The guy who owned it sure loved it though. -Phil Alex Cagann wrote: >Hello guys. I am going to Barrett Jackson later this month and saw one >particular interesting car there...and wondered if anyone knew anything >about it. I'd also like opinions on what you guys think this sucker is >worth. It is a one-off 320 with over $75,000 in custom crap. Here is a link. >If the link doesn't work, make sure and cut and paste the second line. > >http://www.barrett-jackson.com/events/scottsdale/vehicles/cardetail_list.asp?id=179750 > ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:08:58 -0800 (PST) From: Tammer Farid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: E46 Pre-purchase questions Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hello Digesters, Good friend is looking at an '02 325xi. It's a CPO, black/sand, 5-spd, and from photos she's sent it appears to be in excellent cosmetic shape. Mileage is low. As an E28 owner, I haven't been following the updates on E46 issues as much, so I have a few questions: 1) Did the E46 control arm issue get resolved? Is this a point of weakness on the '02 cars? 2) Does this car have a "lifetime fill" transmission? If so, are there other compatible fluids? 3) Is the '02 compatible with the iPod linking system? 4) Do the new motor families suffer from the same cooling issues the M5x E36 did (radiator necks breaking, etc.)? Thanks a lot for any advice, the car looks sharp and she likes the driving experience. And yes, she's stuck on AWD .... -tammer '87 535is, 240k and going strong __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - Find what you need with new enhanced search. http://info.mail.yahoo.com/mail_250 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:22:48 -0500 From: Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Jan 11, 2005, at 8:08 PM, Tammer Farid wrote: > Hello Digesters, > > Good friend is looking at an '02 325xi. It's a CPO, > black/sand, 5-spd, and from photos she's sent it appears to > be in excellent cosmetic shape. Mileage is low. As an E28 > owner, I haven't been following the updates on E46 issues > as much, so I have a few questions: > > 1) Did the E46 control arm issue get resolved? Is this a > point of weakness on the '02 cars? No resolution, still a weakness. It's a frequent maintenance item, think of it like E28 lower control arms. > 2) Does this car have a "lifetime fill" transmission? If > so, are there other compatible fluids? Only the ocean has a "lifetime fill". E46s are basically the same as E36s with updates, same maintenance applies. The transmission responds very well to Redline D4 Synthetic ATF. As it is ATF, it is "warranty compliant". > > 3) Is the '02 compatible with the iPod linking system? Not the BMW version. You can get basically the same thing from Dension (www.densionusa.com), the link plugs in where the CD changer would go. Same controls, and now they have complete song display in the instrument cluster. > 4) Do the new motor families suffer from the same cooling > issues the M5x E36 did (radiator necks breaking, etc.)? Not so much, the radiator seems to be improved somewhat. There are other issues such as the M54/56 engines are showing the same likelihood of dropping the oil pump nut (same result - engine failure) and HVAC controllers go haywire or work erratically. Otherwise, nice car. Somewhat of a paucity of aftermarket support, though... suspension, exhaust, etc. are all unique to the Xi and there is almost nothing available. - Rob ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:46:20 -0800 (PST) From: Tammer Farid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Thanks, Rob. The buyer won't be making any performance-enhancing options, so the lack of aftermarket support in that area is okay. I'll let her know the rest, none of that seems like a deal-breaker. The oil pump nut isn't good news, though. Is it considered worthwhile to have the pan dropped and that nut tightened or loctite'd preemptively? And Rich--I thought ALL BMW radiators lasted forever?! ;-) -tammer --- Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > No resolution, still a weakness. It's a frequent > maintenance item, > think of it like E28 lower control arms. > > Only the ocean has a "lifetime fill". E46s are basically > the same as > E36s with updates, same maintenance applies. The > transmission responds > very well to Redline D4 Synthetic ATF. As it is ATF, it > is "warranty > compliant". > > Not the BMW version. You can get basically the same > thing from Dension > (www.densionusa.com), the link plugs in where the CD > changer would go. > Same controls, and now they have complete song display in > the > instrument cluster. > > Not so much, the radiator seems to be improved somewhat. > There are > other issues such as the M54/56 engines are showing the > same likelihood > of dropping the oil pump nut (same result - engine > failure) and HVAC > controllers go haywire or work erratically. > > Otherwise, nice car. Somewhat of a paucity of > aftermarket support, > though... suspension, exhaust, etc. are all unique to the > Xi and there > is almost nothing available. > > - Rob __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:51:40 -0500 From: "Rich Dorffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Tammer Farid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > And Rich--I thought ALL BMW radiators lasted forever?! > ;-) No, that is a myth perpetuated by the malicious and ill informed. I will not sleep until I extinguish that myth and probably should create a website akin to Snopes to document this fallacy... ;-) Later, Rich ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 20:25:13 -0500 From: "Rich Dorffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: "Tammer Farid" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: E46 Pre-purchase questions Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > 4) Do the new motor families suffer from the same cooling > issues the M5x E36 did (radiator necks breaking, etc.)? I will go ahead and say that all modern BMWs suffer from radiator and plastic neck breakage. My local BMW dealer stocks BMW radiators for current models which tells me all I need to know. BMW radiators don't last "foooorrrreeevvvveeeerrrrr..." :-) Later, Rich ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:06:48 -0800 (PST) From: kjk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: WSJ Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I drove a G35 on the track. It was okay but I couldn't stand looking at the steering wheel and it was no BMW in terms of handling at the limit. However, it is more of a midsize car and for a daily driver it sure is a good deal versus a 330i (although, they only seem to come in that one brownish/gold color). I just believe the E46 is a pretty great chassis. Our 323iT CPO has been a quite dependable car. Kevin Kelly '91 M5 '00 323iT (88k miles) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 11 Jan 2005 17:50:45 -0800 From: "Kirk Lachman" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Cc: "BMW Instructors" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: <FS> Owner's Manuals Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My server said this didn't go through the first time. Hopefully not a repeat... > Gruppe, > > With all the rainy weather in Vegas and my race car shocks off being rebuilt > I've have time to clean up a few things and put them up on ebay. > > I have a couple of owner's manuals up on ebay if anyone is interested. > > 1992 E34 5-Series Owner's Manual -- Good condition -- Covers 525, 535, and > M5 > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7946867003&rd= > 1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT > > 2003 E46 3-Series Owner's Manual with Leatherette folder and BMW Audiophile > CD -- Mint condition in original shrink wrap -- never opened, never used, > never touched by the unwashed masses, etc... <g> > > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7946870781&rd= > 1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT > > Cheers, > > Kirk Lachman > Sin City (currently channelling Seattle...) Chapter > '95 M3 #21 I-stock > ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(13 messages) **********
