The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 770 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: Feedback: E36 Trans Removal Re: BMW Certified Question Re: BMW Certified Question Re: questions about 525i and problems it might have down the road. Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula Re: Costco towels
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 11:56:33 -0700 From: "Marco Romani" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Obviously I would recommend RennWerks in Mtn View. As I'm a Burlingame resident tell your friends I'll drop off and deliver for them to RennWerks ;-) Marco sponsored by RennWerks -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Kevin Kelly Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 9:18 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [UUC] BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula On a related note my friend with the BMW Certified issues is asking about a good Independent BMW repair shop on the San Francisco Peninsula. Years ago a lot of people likes M Performance in Burlingame. Any idea if they are still around and doign good work? 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: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 12:05:14 -0700 From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Oops - I forgot to mention Bavarian Motorsport in Milpitas (408-956-1662). Ramon is owner/mechanic and is extremely knowledgeable on routine maintenance/repair, as well as on the racing side of things as well if you're interested in some performance work. You'll get a higher level of personal attention there than you'll get anywhere else. Joe ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 11:05 AM Subject: Re: [UUC] BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula > Don't have experience with M Performance. However, if further south is > more convenient, A&E Performance in Campbell is a reliable shop. > Joe > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 9:17 AM > Subject: [UUC] BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula > > >> >> On a related note my friend with the BMW Certified issues is asking about >> a good Independent BMW repair shop on the San Francisco Peninsula. >> >> Years ago a lot of people likes M Performance in Burlingame. Any idea if >> they are still around and doign good work? >> >> 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 > > 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, 10 Aug 2005 13:19:11 -0700 (PDT) From: kjk <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kevin: That car is likely still under the free maintenance program. Even my wife's 2000 323iT had free maintenance until 38k if I recall correctly and 48k on newer cars. This includes brakes and belts. If your friend's car is a 325i it has to be 2001 or newer. Oh, just remembered, it is 4 years or 48k. Need to check on his purchase date. CPO will cover electronics and stuff that fails. Has easily paid for itself on my wife's 323iT even before they had to replace a cracked head. However, it only had 6k miles on it when we got it. The CPO check did miss a bad wheel bearing and after a long letter and some tough talk that was fixed. His brake job price is criminal but $150 less than my dealer qouted me per axle. Have an independent do it or get some help from a local BMWCCA member. I can get rotors from the dealer for less than $50 each for that car and pads are about the same. Real easy brake job. I am in San Carlos and would be happy to help. Kevin Kelly (the other one) '91 M5 '00 323iT __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 16:58:36 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -----Original Message----- From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <snipped> What I HAVE noticed is that BMW dealers as of late have become extremely stingy in covering services on their dime, but when it comes to the customer forking over the cost, they will insist that everything is broken. </snipped> That doesn't actually surprise you, does it? Dealerships make a significant percentage (possibly even a majority)of their revenue on service. Warranty work occupies service techs that could be working on customer-paid work at much higher rates. I think BMW dealerships (as well as other premium marques) are particularly prone to unnecessary service recommendations and inflated parts and labor pricing because most of their service customers will just whip out their platinum card and pay the bill without question. People who are concerned with saving on maintenance costs don't take their cars to the dealer for work after it's out of warranty. It's not just BMW dealers either. I just saved my mother almost $1000 on a brake job and new struts on her Toyota by buying the parts and doing the work myself. That's her net savings after I took fair compensation for my time, and also includes a number of parts the dealer would not have replaced at the estimated price I'm basing her savings on. Brian '94 325ic ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 15:10:59 -0700 From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 01:58 PM 8/10/2005, Brian Daley wrote: I just think the chasm between "we pay; everything is fine" and "you pay; everything is broken" is particularly large, especially with the attitude they put on top of that message in the last two years, particularly after they've discovered that their Free Maintenance program isn't working (MB got smart and dropped theirs). I know this is a bit different, but I took my E46 in to two dealers a week apart for front suspension diagnosis. The first time, I had aftermarket swaybars in, supposedly voiding my warranty, and was diagnosed with totaled control arm bushings and a $700 repair estimate. The second time, at a neighboring dealer, with the stock swaybars in, it was diagnosed with perfectly fine control arm bushings. No warranty work necessary. Fishy? Like a cheap seafood restaurant on a Monday. I'm glad I have an indie shop I can trust. I'm considering looking at a R56 MINI Traveler for my next new car, given such a beast is made. But BMW's attitude about this is really going to have a huge impact in my decision. >-----Original Message----- >From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > ><snipped> >What I HAVE noticed is that BMW dealers as of late have become >extremely stingy in covering services on their dime, but when it >comes to the customer forking over the cost, they will insist that >everything is broken. ></snipped> > >That doesn't actually surprise you, does it? Dealerships make a >significant percentage (possibly even a majority)of their revenue on >service. Warranty work occupies service techs that could be working >on customer-paid work at much higher rates. I think BMW dealerships >(as well as other premium marques) are particularly prone to >unnecessary service recommendations and inflated parts and labor >pricing because most of their service customers will just whip out >their platinum card and pay the bill without question. People who >are concerned with saving on maintenance costs don't take their cars >to the dealer for work after it's out of warranty. > >It's not just BMW dealers either. I just saved my mother almost >$1000 on a brake job and new struts on her Toyota by buying the >parts and doing the work myself. That's her net savings after I >took fair compensation for my time, and also includes a number of >parts the dealer would not have replaced at the estimated price I'm >basing her savings on. > >Brian >'94 325ic > > > >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 Kazuto Okayasu Manager, Desktop Support Services Administrative Computing Services, University of California, Irvine [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:04:29 -0400 From: "Rich Dorffer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Brian Daley > > <snipped> > It's not just BMW dealers either. I just saved my mother almost > $1000 on a brake job and new struts on her Toyota by buying the > parts and doing the work myself. That's her net savings after I > took fair compensation for my time, and also includes a number of > parts the dealer would not have replaced at the estimated price > I'm basing her savings on. Wow, you charge your mom for work down on her car? Did she charge you for giving birth to you?!? :-) I need to start charging for more of my work... I have a bunch of stuff planned for my wife's Accord...hey honey...break out your checkbook... Later, Rich ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:48:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Tammer Farid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Doh! (Read ahead, Tammer.) -tammer --- Rich Dorffer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > -----Original Message----- > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of > Brian Daley > > > > <snipped> > > It's not just BMW dealers either. I just saved my > mother almost > > $1000 on a brake job and new struts on her Toyota by > buying the > > parts and doing the work myself. That's her net > savings after I > > took fair compensation for my time, and also includes a > number of > > parts the dealer would not have replaced at the > estimated price > > I'm basing her savings on. > > Wow, you charge your mom for work down on her car? Did > she charge you for > giving birth to you?!? > > :-) > > I need to start charging for more of my work... I have a > bunch of stuff > planned for my wife's Accord...hey honey...break out your > checkbook... > > Later, > > Rich > > 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 > __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:46:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Tammer Farid <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dude, you charged your mother for labor? -tammer <--would take it if my mom insisted, but .... (mostly kidding) --- Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > That's > her net savings after I took fair compensation for my > time, and also includes a number of parts the dealer > would not have replaced at the estimated price I'm basing > her savings on. > > Brian > '94 325ic __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 17:37:28 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: Brian Daley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Feedback: E36 Trans Removal Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >-----Original Message----- >From: Steve & Barb Conner <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [UUC] Feedback: E36 Trans Removal > >Marco, Jim, Jon and List, > >Thanks for the feedback. I finally got the thing off last night. The >Pelican link is awesome! That is the best writeup on the net for that >procedure. Yeah, Pelican has some good tech info. When I first came across the site they were advertising the E36 clutch replacement article "coming soon!" 6 months later I replaced my clutch (bought the complete clutch kit from Pelican) and it still wasn't up. Then they posted the article a few weeks later. Oh well. >Believe it or not, I had all the bolts out. There were only >10, including the little 6 mm (10 mm head) holding the cover in place. >Yesterday, while contemplating what I could have missed, I studied ETK >and got some reassurance that I had found all the bolts. I guess it >might have been a bit hung up on the starter or locator pins somewhere. >And to answer one of your questions, no, I don't have a lift! Rats. I had the same issue with mine - the starter dowel was frozen solid on mine. I think it was in the archives of this list that I found out this tends to be a common problem. That gave me enough confidence that I hadn't missed a hidden fastener to really wail away on it with a BFPrybar (a cousin of the supremely useful BFH). Fortunately I had access to a lift - I don't envy you doing it on jack stands, but you're past the worst of it. The next issue will be getting the input shaft lined up to put it back in. > >Any quick feedback on what to replace while I am in there. The big >question in my mind is the flywheel on the engine. It appears standard >to replace the clutch, the pressure plate, all the seals, bearings, etc. >Can the flywheel be resurfaced? Opinions vary on this, but the consensus seems to be that you should not attempt to resurface a dual-mass flywheel, and they're very expensive to replace. If it looks good, then I'd leave it alone. If the clutch hasn't been slipping (and thus overheating it) it's probably OK. Mine looked nearly new at ~110K miles. The clutch disk looked like it would have been good for at least another 50K too. If the throwout bearing hadn't exploded I'd still be on the original clutch. I may regret it down the road but I decided not to take the flywheel off to replace the rear main seal. There were no signs of leaks so I thought it was better to leave it alone. While you're in there replace the pilot bearing - I rented a puller and it took maybe 2 minutes. IMO worth getting the proper tool. You should also do all the small parts - the fork pivot pin, etc. The Pelican kit included all of these, although since you already have the transmission out I assume you already have your parts. Due to the throwout bearing failure I also needed to replace the tube the throwout bearing rides on (not included in the kit) and the clutch slave cylinder. Depending on why you're replacing the clutch you may or may not need to do this. >Should I rebuild the shifter with OEM >parts? This is my wife's car, so I can't imagine spending big money on >a short shift kit. I would appreciate any comments you guys might have. I'd at least replace all the bushings. It's a piece of cake while the transmission is out, major PITA with it in the car. I put in the UUC shifter with the ball bearings and feel it was well worth it. Most of the slop is in the shifter carrier bushings though, which I didn't replace. I think UUC has an upgrade for these now which they didn't at the time or I would have done them as well. Good Luck! Brian '94 325ic >Thanks. > >Steve ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 18:51:46 -0400 From: "KMS- Brett Anderson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 1.1 The brakes should have had more than 5K life left on them in order to pass CPO. Take it up with the CPO dealer. 1.2 He doesn't mention his brake lining light being on. Why not? Probably because the car does not need brakes. 2.1 How badly cracked are the belts? Accepted industry standard is 10 minor cracks per inch on a serpentine belt. Anything less than that is premature. At 25K miles, it might have on crack per 6 inches. 2.2 Hoses? Recommended change interval (at most independent shops I've polled), is 7 years. BMW has no recommended change interval. 3.1 Tell the dealer to invest in equipment. BMW sells a wheel lock code kit for about $100. It contains a key to every BMW wheel lock. 3.2. The vehicle obviously has BMW wheel locks, and the selling dealer obviously has the key (all said in a sarcastic tone of course) because they had to remove the wheels to do a CPO inspection. Welcome to the world of the dealer. It's very different to the one that you and I live in. Brett Anderson KMS - Koala Motorsport > -----Original Message----- > A friend of mine that lives in Burlingame bought a "BMW > Certified" BMW with > 25,000 miles a few months ago. He took it in for a 5,000 mile > check up and > got some bad news and sent me the e-mail below. I don't know > much about the > BMW Certified program, can I find any info on the web? > Kevin Kelly, BMW CCA 50039 > > Kevin, I have some questions regarding Michele's new (used) "BMW > Certified > 325i" with 20k miles at purchase time. now 25k miles. We took it in for > service and they said it needs new brakes (including rotors I'm assuming > because the cost is $450), new belts and hoses, and the wheel bolt locks > need to be broken off since we were never given the key when the other > dealership sold us the car. How would I find the specs that the car must > meet to be "certified"? Would the brakes have to have at least > say 50% life > remaining? Would the belts and hoses be good for more than 5k > miles? Would > they not be required to give us the key to the wheels? I know > they had the > key since they replaced all four tires right before we brought it > home. I am > really annoyed.... ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 17:04:21 -0700 From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: BMW Certified Question Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 03:51 PM 8/10/2005, KMS- Brett Anderson wrote: >3.2. The vehicle obviously has BMW wheel locks, and the selling dealer >obviously has the key (all said in a sarcastic tone of course) because they >had to remove the wheels to do a CPO inspection. Bwahahaha!!! In today's vernacular, that would be called, PWNED!! :D Kazuto Okayasu Manager, Desktop Support Services Administrative Computing Services, University of California, Irvine [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:35:14 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Ben Dixon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: questions about 525i and problems it might have down the road. Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Its the same transmission, a GM 4L30E shared with Cadillacs and Isuzus. Change the oil frequently. Gary Derian > > http://sandiego.craigslist.org/car/89903376.html > > > > > Hey I saw this listing yesterday about a 1992 525i for sale and would like > to hear from some people just how good a car this is. I know that the > auto > trans used in the E-36 325i is not the greatest and wanted to know if this > car has the same trans. Does this car use the same GM trans? How many > miles can someone expect to get out of this trans? Anything thing past or > present owners can tell me about owning a '92ish 525i would be great. I > told a friend a friend about the car and I just want to make sure I can > instruct her wisely. Did this car suffer from the same plastic impeller > problem that the 325i had? Isn't it the same motor as was in my '95 325i? > thanks, ben > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > 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, 10 Aug 2005 17:44:53 -0700 From: Harvey Chao <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: BMW Independent Repair on the SF Peninsula Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have used "Ray's Ultimate" in Santa Clara for some years - for E28s and my E39. My son uses him for the 528e that he bought from me, and my neighbor takes his 540 there . Ray's initial shop (that I knew of ~ '90) he sold and I understand left the area. He has come back and opened his new shop, also in Santa Clara off of Montague Expressway and Lafayette Street. I am well satisfied with the quality and throughness of his work, knowledge, and workmanship of his shop. Harvey ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:27:42 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Costco towels Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just a reminder that Costco has those microfiber 16x16 towels ... I just picked up a batch. -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. 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