The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 829 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: <E36> RSMs Re: <E36> RSMs Re: <E36> RSMs <E30> Convertible Bump Mystery Re: <E30> Convertible Bump Mystery Re: <E36> RSMs Re: <E36> RSMs E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? <E36 M3> Switched Power in the Trunk? Re: <E36 M3> Switched Power in the Trunk? Anyone familiar with Royal Purple Synchromax??? Re: <e39> AC drains still not draining
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 10:27:24 -0700 From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> RSMs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 08:27 AM 10/7/2005, Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous) wrote: Yes, if you must use dealer parts, it's the E46 conv/M3 all/Z4 all part 33 52 6 754 096. Mine lasted 3 years after the factory ones were only good for a year, and I now have RE units. >Gruupe: > >Replacing a blown Bilstein in the back of my E36 coupe as I write this. >Finding (to my surprise) my JT Designs RSMs to be totally shot (at least the >bushings are). Needing to get this back together today means I need to >replace these with dealer parts. The dealer RSM of choice is an E46 soft-top >bush? Is that right? Any wisdom would really be appreciated (and reply to me >directly please). > >- Kevin Jay > '96 328is, red/tan, 95K, usual H&R/Bilstein setup, a few M3 parts too > '02 X5 3.0, white/tan, 35K, bone stock > > >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: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 14:04:39 -0500 (CDT) From: "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> RSMs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> First, many thanks to the many of you who responded to my previous post. This list *rocks*. Local dealer doesn't have any RSMs in stock. Nothing. Needing to get the car back together today, I used the track bushings for these POSes on top (leaving the worn but still servicable street bush on the bottom). I'll have to re-do this, but for now I can at least drive the dumb thing. Funny how things change. Several years ago, these JTD RSMs were thought to be the shiznit. Wrong-o. You should see how the top bushing (both sides) has totally disintegrated. Wow, not something I was expecting (this was supposed to be a quick change-out, ppfffffth). Some who responded this AM felt the GC part is the real deal. Is this something I can use on the street (usual H&R/Bilstein setup, poly RTABS that might be leaving soon)? Any other options? - Kevin Jay '96 328is, red/tan, 95K, usual H&R/Bilstein setup, a few M3 parts too '02 X5 3.0, white/tan, 35K, bone stock, I'll take $31K for it today ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 18:23:09 -0700 (PDT) From: Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Kevin Jay \(Mr.Fabulous\)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> RSMs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Funny how things change. Several years ago, these JTD RSMs were > thought to be > the shiznit. Wrong-o. I've never liked them since day one. Jack, Neil and I all got a set in the initial discounted group purchase done thru the E36 M3 list. Jack took his out right away (his iX), mine I drove for about 5-7K miles (E30 M3) until I found they did not seal properly and the little shaft that holds the bushings had rusted itself to the shock. Neil moved to Atlanta and reported no problems. Well I bought that car from him a couple of years later (E30 325is) and there was much clunking in the back. The shaft had rusted itself to the rear shock and the bushings had failed at which point you ride on that little shaft. Now I have a 98 M3 in which the previous owner installed them, the bushings again were shot and guess what? On one side the shaft rusted itself to the shock. Hmm... > You should see how the top bushing (both > sides) has > totally disintegrated. Wow, not something I was expecting (this was > supposed to be a quick change-out, ppfffffth). Yes if you get some giant 12 point socket (which I never did) supposedly you can change them from the top. Back when they came out the "street" bushing (blue) turned out to be crap so it was recommended to use the track ones all the time (the black ones). The GC ones can be used on the street, you just have to flip the bushing so there's more compliance in it than the track orientation. Carlos. 98 M3 E30 325is all stripped out ready for the cage dude __________________________________ Yahoo! Music Unlimited Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 12:38:38 -0500 From: "Paul Craven" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: <E30> Convertible Bump Mystery Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi all, I am getting ready to repair some rust on the rockers of my 93 325ic. There are four areas of surface rust each located on a bump that sticks down from the rocker panel. Each side has two of these bumps, one behind the front wheel and one in front of the rear wheel. I know this area of a convertible is different from a sedan or coupe, but does anyone know what these bumps are for? Drains? I hope not as mine seem to be plugged. Some sort of forming "feature"? Sockets for hooks to hang the car from the ceiling? This is the only area on the entire car with rust, so I am trying to figure out why before the grind it out a POR-15 the metal. Many thanks as always. Regards, Paul Craven 325ic with cysts? 528iT with plastic rockers ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 17:38:59 -0700 From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E30> Convertible Bump Mystery Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Fri, Oct 07, 2005 at 12:38:38PM -0500, Paul Craven wrote: > Hi all, I am getting ready to repair some rust on the rockers of my 93 > 325ic. There are four areas of surface rust each located on a bump > that sticks down from the rocker panel. Each side has two of these > bumps, one behind the front wheel and one in front of the rear wheel. > I know this area of a convertible is different from a sedan or coupe, > but does anyone know what these bumps are for? Drains? I hope not as > mine seem to be plugged. Some sort of forming "feature"? Sockets for > hooks to hang the car from the ceiling? This is the only area on the > entire car with rust, so I am trying to figure out why before the > grind it out a POR-15 the metal. Many thanks as always. Huh. I have same ragtop, same bumps. Mine has zero rust of any sort, and those holes underneath have bottoms. They aren't drains of any sort. One might think they are jacking points, but the real jacking points are nearby. Or these are alternate jacking points for special pointed lift pads? Thanks a lot, I have managed to go almost 10 years with this car without giving them a second thought. Now I probably won't be able to sleep. dork. :) -- "It is an honor to be Cookie Monster." -Sesame Street spokeswoman Audrey Shapiro ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 10:54:05 -0700 From: Kazuto Okayasu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> RSMs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> At 09:46 AM 10/7/2005, Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks wrote: There are two things I've yet to figure out on the Meyle part. 1. Every time I've seen it, it's only been spec'd for E36. Why wouldn't it be spec'd for E46 as well? Still not durable enough? 2. Why does the metal insert only flare at the bottom, and not also at the top? Is the mode of failure only in one direction, or a production limitation? I've done some looking into why the factory ones are designed the way they are (and have been for 20 years), and not the (more obvious?) way the aftermarket stuff is, and I've concluded that the aftermarket way isn't the greatest either; OTOH they seem to fail less. >The best I've found so far are a combination of good re-design and >affordable OEM production... > >http://catimages2.sophio.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/imc/images/full/33521092362MY.jpg > >www.bmaparts.com > >Go to "catalog" and use the search box, type in part number BMW074570 > >- Rob > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Kevin Jay (Mr.Fabulous)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subject: [UUC] <E36> RSMs > > > > Finding (to my surprise) my JT Designs RSMs to be totally shot (at least >the > > bushings are). Needing to get this back together today means I need to > > replace these with dealer parts. The dealer RSM of choice is an E46 >soft-top > > bush? Is that right? Any wisdom would really be appreciated (and reply >to me > > directly please). > > > > - Kevin Jay > >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: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 14:32:59 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> RSMs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kazuto Okayasu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: [UUC] <E36> RSMs > There are two things I've yet to figure out on the Meyle part. > > 1. Every time I've seen it, it's only been spec'd for E36. Why > wouldn't it be spec'd for E46 as well? Still not durable enough? That's an odd conclusion! The two chassis are very similar in weight and suspension layout - the bushing suitable for one is suitable for the other. This is a "heavy duty" part, supposedly much stronger than the current part, which is interchangeable up and down the E36/E46/Z3 line. "Not durable enough" is an inappropriate conclusion along the lines that a Michelin Pilot Sport tire is "not durable enough" for an E46 because it was never fitted that way by BMW. > 2. Why does the metal insert only flare at the bottom, and not also > at the top? Is the mode of failure only in one direction, or a > production limitation? The mode of failure is primarily pushing up, that's the way the weight of the car is supported. > I've done some looking into why the factory ones are designed the way > they are (and have been for 20 years), and not the (more obvious?) > way the aftermarket stuff is, and I've concluded that the aftermarket > way isn't the greatest either; OTOH they seem to fail less. We've been seeing some of the aftermarket ones fail with the same regularity as the OE design... and while transmitting more cabin noise. Meyle seems to have done a proper re-design this time. - Rob ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 10:49:25 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> A cow-orker has an E46 323iA. He's debating whether to continue his aftermarket extended warranty. If I'm not mistaken, the E46s are pretty reliable, with the possible exception of the automatic transmissions. Other than getting the "lifetime" lubricant changed, what is the common wisdom on these boxes? If you were in his shoes, would you keep the extended warranty? TIA, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 14:22:21 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Depends what the warranty covers, what it costs, how long he plans on keeping the car, and whether it is transferrable when he eventually does sell it. E46s are known for consuming front lower control arm bushings, window regulators, HVAC controls, and are even suffering from the same loose oil pump retaining nut problem as inherited from the E36. See if the warranty applies to these known trouble spots. As for the "lifetime" fluid, I'd still follow Brett's advice... if the car has high mileage, leave the old fluid in place. New fluid loosens deposits which can clog valve bodies and destroy the transmission. - Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [UUC] E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? > A cow-orker has an E46 323iA. He's debating whether to continue his > aftermarket extended warranty. If I'm not mistaken, the E46s are pretty > reliable, with the possible exception of the automatic transmissions. > Other than getting the "lifetime" lubricant changed, what is the common > wisdom on these boxes? If you were in his shoes, would you keep the > extended warranty? > > TIA, > > Scott Miller > GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 11:43:37 -0700 From: donna seeley <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Smiller, Most extended warranties (including BMW's) do not cover bushings (wear items) or dash buttons (considered a cosmetic item). After dealing with many issuers at the dealership, I would only get a highest-level exclusionary policy. It doesn't cost much more than a restrictive inclusionary policy, for a lot more coverage. I went through two auto trannies on my '95 M3. The first died 4 days before the end of the factory warranty (whew!) and the second a few months before the end of the Warranty Gold policy. WG would not replace the tranny; they would only cover a rebuild at AAMCO (!). Uh, no thanks! I got a BMW-rebuilt. WG did cover the head gasket, radiator neck, and brake light housing, paying for itself in 18 months. It depends on your friend's comfort with risk. Also, in case something happens to the engine (e.g., oil pump nut), it is essential to have complete maintenance records. Many of them specify 6-month oil change intervals, and they can reject a claim if their schedule is not kept. Donna On 10/7/05 11:22 AM, "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Depends what the warranty covers, what it costs, how long he plans on > keeping the car, and whether it is transferrable when he eventually does > sell it. > > E46s are known for consuming front lower control arm bushings, window > regulators, HVAC controls, and are even suffering from the same loose oil > pump retaining nut problem as inherited from the E36. See if the warranty > applies to these known trouble spots. > > As for the "lifetime" fluid, I'd still follow Brett's advice... if the car > has high mileage, leave the old fluid in place. New fluid loosens deposits > which can clog valve bodies and destroy the transmission. > > - Rob > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [UUC] E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? > > >> A cow-orker has an E46 323iA. He's debating whether to continue his >> aftermarket extended warranty. If I'm not mistaken, the E46s are pretty >> reliable, with the possible exception of the automatic transmissions. >> Other than getting the "lifetime" lubricant changed, what is the common >> wisdom on these boxes? If you were in his shoes, would you keep the >> extended warranty? >> >> TIA, >> >> Scott Miller >> GGC BMW CCA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 7 Oct 2005 13:20:44 -0500 From: Peter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: BMW List <[email protected]> Subject: Re: E46 Automatic Transmissions - Any Good? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The 323 transmission often has the "coffee can" explode. I have seen a couple customer cars through here (about 1 or two a year) with this problem, and have personally tried to deliver a sales car that this happened to, where the transmission just "stops" On Oct 7, 2005, at 12:49 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: A cow-orker has an E46 323iA. He's debating whether to continue his aftermarket extended warranty. If I'm not mistaken, the E46s are pretty reliable, with the possible exception of the automatic transmissions. Other than getting the "lifetime" lubricant changed, what is the common wisdom on these boxes? If you were in his shoes, would you keep the extended warranty? TIA, Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA 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, 7 Oct 2005 22:36:04 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: "C. Craig Eller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: <E36 M3> Switched Power in the Trunk? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Guys, I'm looking to install a Soundgate adapter that will allow me to have an auxillary audio input into the stereo system via a connection to the CD player in the trunk. The wiring harness needs a 12 volt switched power input and a ground. The ground is easy, but does anyone know of a 12 volt switched power wire in the trunk that I can tap into? Trying to avoid going all the way up to dash to make a connection. Thanks. Craig Eller BMW CCA Everglades Chapter 97 M3 Sedan ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 07 Oct 2005 21:24:33 -0700 From: Greg Cagle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36 M3> Switched Power in the Trunk? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There's all kinds of switched power in the amp wiring harness. I've got a wiring diagram if you need it. - Greg C. Craig Eller wrote: > Hi Guys, > > I'm looking to install a Soundgate adapter that will allow me to have > an auxillary audio input into the stereo system via a connection to > the CD player in the trunk. The wiring harness needs a 12 volt > switched power input and a ground. The ground is easy, but does > anyone know of a 12 volt switched power wire in the trunk that I can > tap into? Trying to avoid going all the way up to dash to make a > connection. Thanks. > > Craig Eller BMW CCA Everglades Chapter 97 M3 Sedan 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 > > > -- Greg Cagle Portland, Oregon gregc at gregcagle dot com ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 09:16:10 -0400 (GMT-04:00) From: Maverick <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Anyone familiar with Royal Purple Synchromax??? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I am considering giving it a try in my 96 ti gearbox. I have tried Mobil 1 ATF, REdline ATF and MTF. They all are similar. The two ATF's were very similar and seemed to be slightly less apt to have sluggish 2nd gear synchro issues when cold, but MTL felt better in the warm. I have a grunch into second sometimes when the box is cold, so I am hoping to limit that. I am considering Royal Purple Synchromax, but I also have access to LubroMoly ATF and Synthetic gear lube. I was told by someone that the LubroMoly gear lube was the ticket in their BMW and that a lot of P-Car folks love it to. Thanks, David in Richmond, VA Archives: http://staff.connect.com.au/lheather/318ti/index.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bmw318ti/ Webring: http://people.smartchat.net.au/~ianhoyle/318ti/webring/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bmw318ti/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 8 Oct 2005 08:46:48 -0700 From: "Scott & Charlotte Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <e39> AC drains still not draining Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hey John, it isn't like you HAD to move to, um, Michigan? (I was gonna guess Wisconsin, given your "cheesed off" comment.) That AC was working just fine in California, wasn't it? And Ahnuld won't be our governor forever. Come on back, we'll forgive you for thinking it would be better somewhere else. :^) BTW, we had folks at the last GGC autocross from as far away as Indiana and Iowa. We expect you to join us for at least a couple of GGC autocrosses next year. What? Not coming? Good thing we learned how to work the timer after you left. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA P.S. I like the part about the little toilet bowls. >Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 12:43:21 -0700 >From: John Bolhuis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: [email protected] >Subject: <e39> AC drains still not draining >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > I tore a little further into the car today to find the problem with AC >condensate not draining properly. > >to recap: > 1) snaked flexi-wire up drain tubes from below, no change > 2) blew low pressure air up drain tubes, no change > 3) sucked on drain tubes with shop vac, a few drops appeared, but no >change in behavior. > 4) blew high pressure air up drain tubes, in hopes of exploding the >car, no change. > 5) talked to BMW service dept, they said they would open AC unit from >inside the car and blow drains out from inside. I removed the carpeted >trim panel from the center console (1 screw per side, easy) and found >what amounts to a tiny toilet bowl on each side of the unit. <snip> I'm kinda cheesed off about the whole thing <snip> > On the upside, today is the very last day of summer in Michigan, and >the whole damn thing will be a block of ice for the next 8 months and I >can forget about it. > Thanks for reading. ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
