The BMW UUC Digest Volume 2 : Issue 863 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo <e36> Other end of car <E36> Strut nuts Re: <E36> Strut nuts Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Springs Chrome Dipped Wheels Re: Chrome Dipped Wheels Re: I'm Baaaaaack! I'm Baaaaaack! Follow up (Re: loud car 3 lights & hard curve then misfires) E90 Snows E30 Problems narrowed down
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 12:03:56 -0800 (PST) From: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hey all, There is something else I should have mentioned. At rest with the OE Sport springs (current springs), there are a few coils touching each other at the top of the spring. The Bilstein sport shocks on the car seem to be fine. Perhaps there are NO bumpstops? I really am puzzled why this is occurring, despite the OE Sport springs being "softer" than the Sport springs which I had on my old 325 with the Sport shocks. When I hit a sudden bump in my car, there is an extremely unnerving pounding that the frame takes; even my mechanic feels that it is uncommon on other M3s he's driven. Where would these bumpstops be on the front struts? I certainly don't see anything visible on the outside shaft. Maybe the shocks themselves are worn out? I haven't noticed any leakage, though. Still confused, Brian --- Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > H&R springs can be too harsh for the street for some > people, but more often > your description is tied into an odd thing with the > Bilstein Sports... for > years, and without any desire to change, Bilstein > includes bump stops that > are too long which may bottom out even with OE > springs. > > The standard procedure with any Bilsteins is to cut > the bumps stops to no > more than 1/2 the length. You might find your car > is immediately more > enjoyable to drive. > > - Rob > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Brian Ruiz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 12:58 AM > Subject: [UUC] <E36> M3 spring comparo > > > > Hey all, > > > > I currently have a set of HR _OE_ Sport springs on > my > > 95 M3, and they are unbelievably harsh. The Sport > > springs I had on my old E36 325 weren't this bad, > I > > don't know what is up with these currently on my > > car...I guess they're a poor match for the > Bilstein > > sport shocks. In any event, I was wondering what > > opinions were on the HR Sport springs versus the > > Eibach Pro-Kits. My experience with the HR Sport > > springs leads me in that direction, but I do think > > that perhaps with the more agressive nature of the > M3, > > the Sport springs might be a bit harsher than they > > were on my old 325 on broken/pothole ridden > streets. > > The car is only street driven, but I will probably > do > > one or two driving schools in the near future. > > > > Thanks, > > Brian > > > > > > > > __________________________________ > > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in > one click. > > http://farechase.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 > > 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 > __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 15:40:14 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Brian Ruiz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The Bilstein bump stops are inside the assembly at the bottom. You can get to them by disassembling the strut. You do not have to get into the pressurized hydraulic part Stiff springs tend to make a car jiggly rather than harsh. This is especially true if it is underdamped. Harshness comes from reduced longitudinal compliance and of course bottoming suspension. I've run coil-overs in my E34 for 3 years. The spring rates are about double the stock rate. The harshness from a pot hole or other impact is no worse than stock, but the ride is jiggly, especially on washboard surfaces. Lowering a suspension has no road benefit, and only a slight track benefit. Every aftermarket spring setup I've tried (except Dinan) is way too stiff on the front. I don't understand the logic behind variable rate front springs on any road going BMW. Gary Derian > Hey all, > > There is something else I should have mentioned. At > rest with the OE Sport springs (current springs), > there are a few coils touching each other at the top > of the spring. The Bilstein sport shocks on the car > seem to be fine. Perhaps there are NO bumpstops? I > really am puzzled why this is occurring, despite the > OE Sport springs being "softer" than the Sport springs > which I had on my old 325 with the Sport shocks. When > I hit a sudden bump in my car, there is an extremely > unnerving pounding that the frame takes; even my > mechanic feels that it is uncommon on other M3s he's > driven. Where would these bumpstops be on the front > struts? I certainly don't see anything visible on the > outside shaft. > > Maybe the shocks themselves are worn out? I haven't > noticed any leakage, though. > > Still confused, > Brian > > > > --- Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > >> H&R springs can be too harsh for the street for some >> people, but more often >> your description is tied into an odd thing with the >> Bilstein Sports... for >> years, and without any desire to change, Bilstein >> includes bump stops that >> are too long which may bottom out even with OE >> springs. >> >> The standard procedure with any Bilsteins is to cut >> the bumps stops to no >> more than 1/2 the length. You might find your car >> is immediately more >> enjoyable to drive. >> >> - Rob >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Brian Ruiz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> >> Sent: Monday, November 14, 2005 12:58 AM >> Subject: [UUC] <E36> M3 spring comparo >> >> >> > Hey all, >> > >> > I currently have a set of HR _OE_ Sport springs on >> my >> > 95 M3, and they are unbelievably harsh. The Sport >> > springs I had on my old E36 325 weren't this bad, >> I >> > don't know what is up with these currently on my >> > car...I guess they're a poor match for the >> Bilstein >> > sport shocks. In any event, I was wondering what >> > opinions were on the HR Sport springs versus the >> > Eibach Pro-Kits. My experience with the HR Sport >> > springs leads me in that direction, but I do think >> > that perhaps with the more agressive nature of the >> M3, >> > the Sport springs might be a bit harsher than they >> > were on my old 325 on broken/pothole ridden >> streets. >> > The car is only street driven, but I will probably >> do >> > one or two driving schools in the near future. >> > >> > Thanks, >> > Brian >> > >> > >> > >> > __________________________________ >> > Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in >> one click. >> > http://farechase.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 >> >> 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 >> > > > > > > > __________________________________ > Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 > 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: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 15:13:36 -0800 (PST) From: Andre Yew <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Mon, 14 Nov 2005, Brian Ruiz wrote: > At rest with the OE Sport springs (current springs), there are a few > coils touching each other at the top of the spring. If these are the H&R springs, then this is normal. H&R calls them "tender" coils that are meant to be bound like that under normal use, and only expand when the wheel unloads (like when you raise the car or go over a big pothole). The idea is that they expand to keep the shortened spring from jumping out of the perch. Gary, What spring rates do you run on your M5, and how did you determine what they should be? I remember a while ago you wrote about what the relationship of the front/rear spring rates should be to discourage sympathetic resonances, which meant the fronts should be much softer than the rears (2x?). I think the Bilstein PSS9 coilovers may have relatively soft springs as well --- I remember some people complaining about that. --Andre ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 11:05:31 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <e36> Other end of car Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I forgot to ask this. On the rear's I have seen procedures detailed online where for the E36 the half shafts, sway bars and exhaust had to be dropped to replace the springs and shocks on the rear. Is it necessary to remove the half shafts to replace the springs (stock being replaced with H&R's). -Thanks, 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: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 10:56:08 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <E36> Strut nuts Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Two questions: Anyone know what the stock strut nut size is on the E36, 328i (1996) and in turn what the Koni strut nut size is? The universal strut nut kit socket is 22mm. I have that universal strut nut removal kit and it has this hexagon shaped chromed piece within it. It's like a thinwalled nut but without a center. Anyone know what this piece is for and how it's used? Thanks, 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: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 15:42:19 -0500 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> Strut nuts Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> The thingy inside holds the strut rod while the outer socket turns the nut. Gary Derian > > Two questions: > Anyone know what the stock strut nut size is on the E36, 328i (1996) and > in > turn what the Koni strut nut size is? The universal strut nut kit socket > is > 22mm. > > I have that universal strut nut removal kit and it has this hexagon shaped > chromed piece within it. It's like a thinwalled nut but without a center. > Anyone know what this piece is for and how it's used? > > Thanks, 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. > ---------------------------------------------------------------- > > > > > 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: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 12:11:49 -0800 (PST) From: Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> M3 spring comparo Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --- Gary Derian <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Perhaps you are bottoming. Bilstein sport shocks are too soft for > stiffer than stock springs. I'm fairly satisfied with Bilstein sports and Eibach Prokits on my '98 M3. The car also has UUC sway bars. It's kind of harsh on crappy roads (Detroit) sitting in a race seat. Switching to a stock seat helps take away a bit of the harshness, I still try to avoid broken up roads like the plague. It's nice on smooth roads, PA, VA, NC and whatever other state we crossed going to VIR. It's too soft for the track and sticky tires, I wished I had about double the spring rate at the VIR CR school. Carlos. 98 M3 __________________________________ Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click. http://farechase.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:19:36 -0500 From: "Richard Sperry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Springs Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'll agree with the rest, it ain't the springs. IMO, Bilstein shocks are not a good match for an M3. Along with the aformentioned bumpstop probel (I heard they fixed it), they have too much compression damping and feel harsh. Koni's are a much better choice. I have OE sports with Koni inserts, and the ride is firm and controled, by no means harsh. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:21:03 -0600 From: "Celisa" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Chrome Dipped Wheels Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I'm asking this question one last time, I didn't get a response previously. I have alloy wheels, Is there any place in the DFW area that these wheels can be chrome dipped, or is that even possible? If possible, does it last? Thank you so much for a response, it would be so greatly appreciated. I would like to do this, because I would like to keep my BMW symbol on the wheels of course. Sincerely, Celisa '99 328is ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 19:56:29 -0600 From: "Malcolm Reitz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Chrome Dipped Wheels Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> There are a number of places around DFW that do wheel refinishing. I don't have any personal experience with any, but here are a few. I'm sure there are more in the Yellow Pages as well. http://www.flashto.com/precisionwheels/ http://www.wheeltechnologies.com/Default.htm http://fixrim.com/wheel.htm Malcolm ________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Celisa Sent: Mon 11/14/2005 5:21 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [UUC] Chrome Dipped Wheels I'm asking this question one last time, I didn't get a response previously. I have alloy wheels, Is there any place in the DFW area that these wheels can be chrome dipped, or is that even possible? If possible, does it last? Thank you so much for a response, it would be so greatly appreciated. I would like to do this, because I would like to keep my BMW symbol on the wheels of course. Sincerely, Celisa '99 328is 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 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- This e-mail, including any attached files, may contain confidential and privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution, or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive information for the intended recipient), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of this message. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:40:31 -0500 From: Neil Maller <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[email protected]" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: I'm Baaaaaack! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 11/14/05 3:20 PM, "Scott & Charlotte Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I'm temporarily limited to eating foods with no tougher consistency than mush > (and fish, go figure) while the esophagus heals. Charlotte gave me a > refresher course on the use of our blender. :^) The obvious all in one solution: Bass-o-Matic! Neil 96 M3 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:01:06 -0800 From: Tom Kosmalski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: I'm Baaaaaack! Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Bass-O-Matic. Perfect! Brings back memories of Dan Ackroyd when he was funny, and John Belushi. Sigh. Tom K. Hood River, OR Mostly the Minivan This Time of Year (and I believe the make, model and year to be of no interest whatsoever to anybody!) ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:18:59 -0500 From: Chad M Stewart <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Follow up (Re: loud car 3 lights & hard curve then misfires) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Follow up Loud noise -- most definitely my tires. I noticed the other day that the rear tires were worn on the inside, nearly bald. At first glance it looked like the rest of the tire was fine but after looking at the tire closely I noticed it is worn across the tread. Granted more so on the inside but that would the negative camber which holds the rear to the pavement nicely. ;-) My records indicate that I got 18,000+ miles on the Kumhos on the rear, the front had Pirellis and have a little more life left. Though I'll probably just replace all 4 of them in the spring. I put my snows on today and took it for a test drive. Wow! I'd forgotten how quiet my car really is. Perhaps I was being over sensitive but it was nice to be able to do 60 and hear the wind noise of other cars on the road. I remember the first time I put on these snow tires that they were louder than the summer treads, so spring time my car should get really quiet. :) Lights -- I had the car stall out on me when I put it in neutral and let it idle when doing about 45 mph. I won't be doing that anymore. :) Curve -- perhaps someday I'll figure this one out, but for now it remains a mystery, though not one I'm concerned about. Thank you to everyone who responded! -Chad ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 21:29:12 -0500 From: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: E90 Snows Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I have a friend getting ready to buy an E90 and wondering about snow tire packages. do these cars have similar wheel clearances to the E36M3s (ie occasional 16 fit over the calipers?) The tire rack snow tire selector indicates only two choices Bridgestone Blizzak and Dunlops. Anyone looked into it yet? Techs with info? Thanks Marc Plante 1997 E36 M3/4 67k (Still working through Dunlop snows that came with used Rims) 2005 Child (Getting fussy @ 4 wks...The 'C' Word?!) Vienna, VA ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Nov 2005 18:50:44 -0800 (PST) From: "Ryan Simmons" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: E30 Problems narrowed down Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ok so I have been working on tbis for a couple of weeks and I have still not solved the problem. Here is what I have checked and verified as good: 1. O2 sensor 2. coolant temp switch 3. coolant temp sensor 4. Throttle switch 5 Vacume reading is at 20 hg good and normal 6. Wiring to alternator and starter. The vacume reading is good, but it floats. I would think that when it floats it means that there is too much fuel or a small vacume leak, but if the vacume leak was small, then how could that cause a violent surge when accelerating? I mentioned that the problem occured first, six months ago, when I would decelerate down a long hill. When I would get to the bottom of the hill and accelerate, this is when the car would surge after each shift and at the beginning of each new gear during acceleration. I checked the air flow meter by following the instructions that were posted a week or so ago. The carbon track is noticeable, but adjusting the air flow meter only made the car run better when the problem is not occuring...the problem still exists. I also replaced the airflow meter with one from the junkyard, the problem is exactly the same. So here is what I am left with. It seems that the problem is either exhaust related i.e. plugged cat. or it is the fuel pressure regulator. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge so I might have to have a shop check it. The plugged cat. is possible, but my vacume reading is good and the problem has never effected idle where the car would stall. So I think it is unlikely that it is the cat. So what do you guys think? the problem is intermittent, doesn't seem to occur when it is cold although it has happened once or twice when cold. Also the problem hasn't occured when accelerating during highway speeds. It is now just the same as it was the past six moths. I would think that because it doesn't really occur when the motor is cold, the injectors are probably ok...i don't know that is what the Bentley says atleast. So here I am left with fuel pressure regulator. Does this problem seem fuel related? Any suggestions? Thanks for reading, Ryan- ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
