The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 755 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: E38 740iL mileage poll - e34 540i Alternative coolant? Re: Alternative coolant? Alternative coolant? <e36> ABS problem fixed BMW Synthetic Oil Re: BMW Synthetic Oil Re: BMW Synthetic Oil Re: BMW Synthetic Oil
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 15:54:11 -0700 (PDT) From: dinty44 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: E38 740iL mileage poll - e34 540i Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On a recent trip from Austin, TX to Lubbock, TX (360 miles), My wife and I got 28mpg on our 1995 540i (206,000 miles). Driven lightly, it gets 22mpg around town. David Moore 1995 540i ____________________________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - make it your home page http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 20:13:33 -0700 From: "Brewster Fong" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Alternative coolant? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> All, I have a 90 E34 535i, 5 spd, 101K miles. I always use BMW coolant. However, at least around here in the SF bay area, BMW coolant has gotten very expensive, ranging from $22-30 per gallon. Since BMW coolant in the US is Vavoline Zerex G-48, could another manufacturer who uses G-48 be substituted? I ask because Saab coolant is supposedly Zerex G-48, and one dealer around here sells the Saab "blue" stuff for a little over $12 per gallon. Is it compatible? What do you think? For info on Valvoline G-48 coolant, see here: https://www.valvoline-technology.com/data/valv/prodinfo.nsf/0/85256AE300727D2BC1256BBF006E46AD/$file/Zerex+G+48.pdf?OpenElement Thanks, Brewster ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 02:00:34 -0400 From: "Rich Dorffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Brewster Fong" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Alternative coolant? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Geez, I would find a different BMW dealer to buy parts, the last coolant I bought last year was significantly cheaper at around $6/gallon as they were clearing it out there current inventory so I bought 8 gallons. That is extremely cheap, but I thought it was no more than $12/gallon or so. I also searched on the WWW and found a few sources that did say that Saab's coolant was G-48 as well and I would see no reason not to use it. I know MB's coolant is very, very similar and is G-05 and I know it can be safely substituted. I found a number of references on the WWW where Valvoline/Zerex supposedly had officially said the G-05 is a substitute for G-48. Also, there are some coolants available over the counter that I believe are acceptable, Gary D will probably chime in on this, I don't use them since I have a sufficient supply of the BMW stuff and don't bother to consider it. A few other sources of info: http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikalien/spezial/glysantin/productrange/?i d=V00-OTENN7ASrbsf4PW http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikalien/spezial/glysantin/specification/? id=V00-ojrUJ7ASqbsf2LW Regards, Rich > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brewster Fong > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 11:14 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [UUC] Alternative coolant? > > > All, > I have a 90 E34 535i, 5 spd, 101K miles. I always use BMW > coolant. However, > at least around here in the SF bay area, BMW coolant has gotten very > expensive, ranging from $22-30 per gallon. > > Since BMW coolant in the US is Vavoline Zerex G-48, could another > manufacturer who uses G-48 be substituted? > > I ask because Saab coolant is supposedly Zerex G-48, and one > dealer around > here sells the Saab "blue" stuff for a little over $12 per gallon. Is it > compatible? What do you think? > > For info on Valvoline G-48 coolant, see here: > > https://www.valvoline-technology.com/data/valv/prodinfo.nsf/0/8525 > 6AE300727D2BC1256BBF006E46AD/$file/Zerex+G+48.pdf?OpenElement ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 03:01:12 -0400 From: Whit Lowell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Brewster Fong <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Alternative coolant? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Brewster, Rich: According to Brett, BMW dropped an across the board price increase earlier this year (as in March 05) on all parts and shop material sales due to exchange rate discrepancies. I purchased Cool Blue @ something like $17/gallon at Davis in mid January 05. The same goes for around $25 these days. The most interesting facet of all of this (and, again, I'm quoting Brett, verbatim) is that Cool Blue is domestically produced. So, we're simply forking over more money for BMW to pocket. Go figure. I've seen G-05 and the mercedes coolant used in E34 535s with (apparently) no problem. Some mention the latest version of Prestone as useable. I demur -- for my M30, I'll stick with the cool blue, even at the inflated price. The cost difference is worth it considering the two year service life. To state it differently: we're probably all willing to spend more money, even dollars more per quart, on premium brand lubricants; why skimp on something as <relatively> inexpensive as coolant, especially given the two years that can be had out of it? Best, whit On 7/30/05, Rich Dorffer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Geez, I would find a different BMW dealer to buy parts, the last coolant I > bought last year was significantly cheaper at around $6/gallon as they were > clearing it out there current inventory so I bought 8 gallons. That is > extremely cheap, but I thought it was no more than $12/gallon or so. > > I also searched on the WWW and found a few sources that did say that Saab's > coolant was G-48 as well and I would see no reason not to use it. I know > MB's coolant is very, very similar and is G-05 and I know it can be safely > substituted. I found a number of references on the WWW where > Valvoline/Zerex supposedly had officially said the G-05 is a substitute for > G-48. > > Also, there are some coolants available over the counter that I believe are > acceptable, Gary D will probably chime in on this, I don't use them since I > have a sufficient supply of the BMW stuff and don't bother to consider it. > > A few other sources of info: > http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikalien/spezial/glysantin/productrange/?i > d=V00-OTENN7ASrbsf4PW > > http://www.basf.de/en/produkte/chemikalien/spezial/glysantin/specification/? > id=V00-ojrUJ7ASqbsf2LW > > Regards, > > Rich > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brewster Fong > > Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 11:14 PM > > To: [email protected] > > Subject: [UUC] Alternative coolant? > > > > > > All, > > I have a 90 E34 535i, 5 spd, 101K miles. I always use BMW > > coolant. However, > > at least around here in the SF bay area, BMW coolant has gotten very > > expensive, ranging from $22-30 per gallon. > > > > Since BMW coolant in the US is Vavoline Zerex G-48, could another > > manufacturer who uses G-48 be substituted? > > > > I ask because Saab coolant is supposedly Zerex G-48, and one > > dealer around > > here sells the Saab "blue" stuff for a little over $12 per gallon. Is it > > compatible? What do you think? > > > > For info on Valvoline G-48 coolant, see here: > > > > https://www.valvoline-technology.com/data/valv/prodinfo.nsf/0/8525 > > 6AE300727D2BC1256BBF006E46AD/$file/Zerex+G+48.pdf?OpenElement > > 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: Fri, 29 Jul 2005 18:36:23 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <e36> ABS problem fixed Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To follow up on the ABS problem on the '96 328i the problem turned out to be the brake pedal travel sensor. To recollect the symptoms, the ABS sensor would come on after about a minute or two of running the car. Cleaned up all but one of the speed sensors but this didn't alleviate the problem. To anyone in the Bay Area looking for excellent service I highly recommend Ramone at Bavarian Motorsport. -Kevin ---------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail communication is confidential and is intended only for the individual(s) or entity named above and others who have been specifically authorized to receive it. If you are not the intended recipient, please do not read, copy, use or disclose the contents of this communication to others. Please notify the sender that you have received this e-mail in error by replying to the e-mail. Please then delete the e-mail and any copies of it. Thank you. ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 11:42:38 -0700 From: Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Bimmerheads <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: BMW Synthetic Oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> OK - So I have been buying oil for my 2000, E39 from the dealer ((BMW of Mtn View, CA, formerly Allison BMW) since the car's first oil change, and I had been paying from a low of $2.88 to $3.43 a quart via the discount I have. What is interesting is that the price has varied over that range, and while the lowest price was the first time, the last time's price was cheaper than the time before! But, at that price range I have no quibble over a few cents either way. Until today. Today I plan to change my oil, and went to buy a case as usual. The counter man informed me that they no longer discount oil, not BMW CCA, nor the personal discount in their computer under my account/ name. The counter man also indicated that their price of $4.95/qt was lower than the other local dealer, Steven's Creek (although I have not checked yet). Oil is probably not worth buying by mail/internet due to it's weight and shipping costs, and I guess I will probably check both local dealers next time I need to buy some, but does any one have any suggestions or alternatives? It isn't the raw cost that is gonna "break the bank" but the % price increase is quite significant and I do change oil and filter every six months due to the severe service (mostly short trips without a through warming of the oil (temp gauge just gets to "normal" but that's about it) and I figure the best way to get the contaminants out is by changing the oil a bit more conservatively than the "recommended" interval. I tend also to keep and drive my cars "forever". Thanks Harvey ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 13:28:29 -0700 From: Rex Tener <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Cc: Bimmerheads <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected], Rex Tener <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: BMW Synthetic Oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 11:42 AM 7/30/2005 -0700, Harvey Chao wrote: >Until today. In the last six months both Stevens Creek and Mountain View BMW (formerly Allison's) have had at least one, and maybe two, major price increases. The Castrol 10W60 for my 2001 M Coupe was $8.95 a liter six months ago, it is now $15.66 a liter. >Oil is probably not worth buying by mail/internet due to it's weight >and shipping costs, I use to think the same way, but now that I can save almost $100 on a case of 12, I am getting it from Crevier BMW's internet parts department. Ground shipping from LA to the SF Bay Area is relatively cheap (I just did a ground shipment on a 70 pound monitor to LA for $30). Here is a rant I sent to some local BMW friends last week: >Stevens Creek BMW has raised their parts prices again. However, what is >different this time, is they have multiplied all their small parts prices >by twenty fold. So, lots of little plastic rivets, holders, or screws >have gone from being double BMW list to being 40 times BMW list. $6 for a >plastic rivet that is BMW retail 15 cents. One of my local Mazda dealers has done the same thing. I guess this is the new world in dealer parts departments. They all must have attended the same seminar ...\ -- Rex Tener [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 15:50:44 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Synthetic Oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Today I plan to change my oil, and went to buy a case as usual. The >counter man informed me that they no longer discount oil, not BMW >CCA, nor the personal discount in their computer under my account/ >name. The counter man also indicated that their price of $4.95/qt >was lower than the other local dealer, Steven's Creek (although I >have not checked yet). I've noticed, and have also heard that BMWNA is now "cracking down" on parts discounting in much the same way that they have on Free Maintenance and warranty work the past couple of years. I'm still not paying list from Crevier (local to me) but the discount has been cut nearly in half as of late. But even prior to this, I've noticed that "list" prices can vary wildly from dealer to dealer, making arbitrary "20% off list" statements nearly useless. > >Oil is probably not worth buying by mail/internet due to it's weight >and shipping costs, and I guess I will probably check both local >dealers next time I need to buy some, but does any one have any >suggestions or alternatives? It isn't the raw cost that is gonna >"break the bank" but the % price increase is quite significant and I >do change oil and filter every six months due to the severe service >(mostly short trips without a through warming of the oil (temp gauge >just gets to "normal" but that's about it) and I figure the best way >to get the contaminants out is by changing the oil a bit more >conservatively than the "recommended" interval. I tend also to keep >and drive my cars "forever". If such thing matter to you, the official approved oil for a 00 E39 M52TU is BMW LL-98 which many readily available synthetics meet, including Mobil1 5w-30, Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 and others that I see for $3.99/qt pretty regularly. >Thanks > >Harvey Kazuto Okayasu [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2005 18:08:35 -0500 From: Jamie Howton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Synthetic Oil Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Some Random thoughts on oil: I have used Mobil 1 in my M3 since the day I bought it, have periodically had the oil tested and never had any parameters out of the normal range. I did 5,000 mile oil changes when it was a street car, now it leads a somewhat more abused life on the track I change it about every 1,000 track miles. I had an oil pump nut back off while on track in my 330i with Mobil 1 in it. The car ran for 2-3 minutes with no oil pressure. I put the nut back on and had the oil tested, it showed normal. I did 2,000 mile oil tests for the next 10K miles and everything was normal every time. I use the TWS 10W60 in my M5, but the rate that I add it to the top of the engine means that I probably will never have to do changes (kidding). The car drinks oil at between 500 and 1600 miles per Litre which is still within specs according to BMW. I will use the 10W60 through the end of the CPO warranty, but after that I might try some Mobil 1 cautiously. The last time I bought a case of the 10W60, it was $8.15 per Litre, I am due for another case I'll report back on the price. -- Jamie Howton 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(9 messages) **********
