The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 45 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: BusinessWeek article on Z8 issue 97 M3 Maintenance Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Re: <WOT> iPod Re: <WOT> iPod <E36> Stewart Water Pump Re: <E36> Stewart Water Pump Re: <WOT> iPod Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(13 messages)
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:27:37 -0500 From: "Dennis Liu" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "BMW List" <[email protected]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: BusinessWeek article on Z8 issue Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> JANUARY 18, 2006 Autos By Lee Walczak BMW's Z8: Structurally Shaky? Speculation that the $160,000 sports car's aluminum undercarriage may be liable to distortion has the company investigating -- and some owners up in arms When BMW, the Munich-based maker of performance cars, launched its zippy Z8 roadster in 1999 with a starring product-placement role in a James Bond movie, aficionados the world over were quick to whip out their checkbooks. Hailed as a descendant of the legendary BMW 507 sports racer, the Z8 featured sharp retro styling, a 394-hp V-8, and a chassis of lightweight aluminum. Not surprisingly, the Z8 became an instant hit. Many fans paid upwards of $160,000 and waited months for delivery. By the time the roadster went out of production at the end of 2003, some 5,700 were sold -- a number to collectors who believed they were acquiring a classic. BMW seemed convinced, too. In an unusual step, it assured owners that a 50-year parts supply would be available for the limited-production model. But all is not well inside the small cult of Z8 worshippers. For several months, some Z8 drivers have been alarmed by reports that sections of the car's aluminum undercarriage -- specifically, the towers that house the shock absorbers -- were prone to distortion, a condition that could cause upper body panels to go out of alignment. "INCREDIBLY ANGRY." The supposed structural defect was spotted by members of the Z8 Club in Munich, and it wasn't long before several owners belonging to the organization's U.S. affiliate began checking their cars for signs of damage. Several of the U.S. group, posting on the club's online forum, say they suspect their Z8s are plagued by aluminum that's losing its original shape -- and possibly its tensile strength. Convinced that BMW has waited for several months to acknowledge owners' concerns, Andrew Macpherson, a Los Angeles-based commercial photographer and president of the U.S. club, says he has checked his Z8 (one of three he has owned) and found no distended parts. But Macpherson refuses to drive his car nonetheless for fear that hitting a bump or pothole could result in a problem. "I was incredibly angry when I found out about this, and I'm urging other drivers to stop using the car until we know if it's safe," he says. After Macpherson alerted U.S. Z8 owners to the possible problem in a January Web bulletin complete with photographs purporting to show damage, several Z8 owners made posts to the club forum that claimed something was amiss with their autos. One was Bernard Dennis, 57, a retired Oracle vice-president who lives in Victor, N.Y., just outside of Rochester. "I had the gap on the hood, just like the pictures [on the Web site] showed," he says, "though the shock towers look alright. I love the Z8, it's a great car. But I'm awaiting a serious response from BMW. Obviously, I would be concerned if something I paid $160,000 for winds up as a $20,000 car." NET CONNECTIONS. BMW officials contacted by BusinessWeek acknowledge that the company has launched an inquiry into the matter. BMW e-mailed this news to Z8 Club Germany members on Jan. 17, the day after BusinessWeek made its first inquiries to the auto maker. Says BMW spokesman Andreas Klugescheid: "There are no known cases with adverse effects on safety." While it may take weeks to determine whether something is amiss with the Z8, the affair underscores an important phenomenon affecting all car companies in the Information Age -- the power of the Internet to put aggrieved owners in touch with each other, and in so doing, to pressure manufacturers to address product-quality concerns. German Z8 Club President Olaf Hetze, 46, is in an unusual position because in addition to his role with the club, he also works for BMW. Hetze is an engineer for BMW M, the company's high-performance arm. He says his group is surveying owners and will need several weeks to determine how many have structural problems. In the meantime, he sounds confident that a fix, if warranted, can be found. "It's not the time to hurl reproaches," Hetze counsels. "We want to avoid false claims?. The question is whether we're talking about damage arising from a borderline accident or from [normal] conditions -- which shouldn't happen." EXOTIC METAL. Jürgen Wunderlich, a technical board member of the Z8 club, also is downplaying U.S. enthusiasts' fears that aluminum distortions could weaken or crack the Z8 frame. The Americans seem "much more fearful" about that prospect, he says. "For the structure of the aluminum frame to be compromised, you would need a huge impact," such as a high-speed encounter with a massive pothole. Speculation that rough driving is behind the damage is off-base, Macpherson insists. "Look, most of us bought these cars as investments, not to go to the race track. Beyond that, we have to deal with several related issues -- a possible collapse in investment values if the car can't be easily fixed, safety questions, and what people are supposed to do with damaged cars. Will BMW buy unrepairable ones back?" Probably not. But that's not to minimize the potential hassles the Z8 affair could cause the company. For starters, the aluminum-frame components are so exotic that only specialized welding centers could undertake repairs -- possibly including cutting out distorted panels and replacing them with new sections. Germany has only three such centers, and a similar number are in the U.S., which means owners could be without their cars for some time as fixes are attempted. And due to the special unified construction of the aluminum frame, only parts of it can be cut out and replaced without weakening the chassis. LEGAL MANEUVERS. The cost of repairs to BMW also could spiral if the engineering solution to the bent shock towers requires something more complicated than a "strut brace," a transverse bar that can make the towers more rigid. Re-forming misaligned upper body panels, a condition some owners are reporting, could run into many thousands of dollars in fabrication expense. In addition, the Z8's aluminum frame rails are baked at high temperature in a special process, and the frame cannot be "rebaked" as part of a repair, Hetze says. To illustrate how pricey swapping aluminum components can be, he notes that just replacing the engine subframe assembly can cost between $24,000 and $36,000 per car. It's unclear whether the Z8 affair is a serious quality setback for a prestige German auto maker or a tempest in an aluminum teapot. Indeed, while some Z8 owners are heartened by what they call BMW's belated response to two months of customer complaints, some U.S.-based Z8 owners are weighing typically American protective measures, just in case. Macpherson says several Z8 owners have contacted Proskauer Rose, a big Manhattan law firm, and two of the firm's attorneys have agreed to represent Z8 drivers in a combined lawsuit, should it come to that. Wunderlich notes that BMW has been "incredibly open" with the Z8 Club officials, and Hetze described BMW's approach and cooperation as "fair and constructive." Nonetheless, U.S. owners feel they've been left hanging too long. "This is a serious issue to me, and I'm glad that I forced it," says Macpherson of his gadfly role. "I have met a lot of Z8 owners through my Web board, and I really feel a sense of responsibility to them. I hope BMW comes up with some answers." He'll soon find out. ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 08:54:30 -0800 (PST) From: Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> My father just bought a 1997 M3 automatic with 110k miles. He does not have the service records and wants to make sure all of the maintenance is up do date. What needs to be done? Regular preventive maintenance, etc. Thanks in advance, Nick Ortwein '01 S4 MTM Stage II '88 325is ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:28:02 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Since its an automatic, change the fluid in it. It may never have been done if the car was serviced to 'factory recommendations". Barry Nick Ortwein wrote: >My father just bought a 1997 M3 automatic with 110k >miles. He does not have the service records and wants >to make sure all of the maintenance is up do date. >What needs to be done? Regular preventive >maintenance, etc. > >Thanks in advance, > >Nick Ortwein >'01 S4 MTM Stage II >'88 325is > > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:31:20 -0800 (PST) From: Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Water pump and radiator? Carlos 98 M3 w/new water pump and radiator :-) --- Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > My father just bought a 1997 M3 automatic with 110k > miles. He does not have the service records and wants > to make sure all of the maintenance is up do date. > What needs to be done? Regular preventive > maintenance, etc. > > Thanks in advance, > > Nick Ortwein > '01 S4 MTM Stage II > '88 325is > 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, 25 Jan 2006 10:28:42 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Second that on the radiator. Its a ticking time bomb. The plastic neck at the upper hose breaks and you're stuck on the road wherever it happens. 110k miles is the longest I've heard of one lasting, mine went at 100k. The fates were with me when it snapped, as it was two blocks from home. Pressure testing the cooling system is no guarantee since when the neck snaps, its a sudden failure. While removing the radiator, it makes sense to replace the water pump, hoses, belts at the same time. Also replace the plastic water pump cover with a metal one. Barry '97 //M3, 119k Carlos Lopez wrote: >Water pump and radiator? > >Carlos >98 M3 w/new water pump and radiator :-) >--- Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > >>My father just bought a 1997 M3 automatic with 110k >>miles. He does not have the service records and wants >>to make sure all of the maintenance is up do date. >>What needs to be done? Regular preventive >>maintenance, etc. >>Thanks in advance, >>Nick Ortwein >>'01 S4 MTM Stage II >>'88 325is >> >> ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:57:38 -0800 From: Mark Gold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Nick Ortwein <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Probably a good idea to have an Inspection II performed. Sincerely, Mark Gold Sacramento Valley Chapter BMWCCA [EMAIL PROTECTED] On 25-Jan-06, at 8:54 AM, Nick Ortwein wrote: > My father just bought a 1997 M3 automatic with 110k > miles. He does not have the service records and wants > to make sure all of the maintenance is up do date. > What needs to be done? Regular preventive > maintenance, etc. > > Thanks in advance, > > Nick Ortwein > '01 S4 MTM Stage II > '88 325is > 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, 25 Jan 2006 15:05:58 -0500 From: "Marc Plante" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: 97 M3 Maintenance Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> the Inspection II should be a solid, though expensive way to get a good sense of the car. Another cheaper diagnostic of major work areas might be a pre-purchase inspection. Likely areas of wear are: Radiator-water-pump-thermostat-and-cover-coolant-sensor-hoses. Think of it as one of those magical, German, compound words that was coined in Munich 8^ D. Best bet is every 60k if you track the car or go on long trips. You can push maybe to 90k otherwise. Check the tensioner pulleys when you have everything off. The bearings can seize and make a mess of things. Brake pads and rotors. Quick way to save $600+ is to do them yourself if told they need replacing. suspension - Trailing arm bushings, rear shock mounts, front ball joints. Prolly tired shocks if they're original Wheel bearings can growl if they're going. They'll sound a little worse when cornering then going straight. battery. If original make sure it's been serviced (i,e, topped off with water). BTW it's in the trunk. Just do all major fluids (oil, tranny, diff). Don't forget the AC microfilter behind the console just above the tranny tunnel. it can get NASTY in there cause people skimp on doing it often. you get leaves in there and end up COMPOSTING. Check for rattles at the front/top of the engine that indicate need for new chain tensioner or vanos repair. Power Window regulators can go often, Did three in my 325i. Use factory bulbs in tail lights. Buy Ellipsoid headlights if you have a spare $400. Yes, the AM radio sucks, (though it makes a decent audio tachometer at times) but we don't use AM radios much, do we? Can you tell I'm stuck doing admin work I don't want to deal with? Marc Plante E36 M3/4 69k E36 325i (sold @230k) 2005 Child (Ok with cars now, but Teething [?!]) Vienna, VA > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mark Gold" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Nick Ortwein" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [UUC] 97 M3 Maintenance > Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 09:57:38 -0800 > > > Probably a good idea to have an Inspection II performed. > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 10:14:23 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Re: <WOT> iPod Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Trying to get it back to OBMWC, would a good coating of Meguiar's swirl remover or <name your preference here> that you would apply to your BMW take care of the hiding scratches? When's the Ipod cover with the Roundel going to be developed at UUC labs? -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: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:19:27 -0500 From: "Michael Lawrence" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <WOT> iPod Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kevin, On various forums/internet groups, people have used polishes etc to decent results. Brasso was mentioned for both the metal and plastics?, I have not seen the results nor would I try it on my own ipod. The metal back of course can be polished without trouble, not sure about a plastic polish that works. Mike > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:bmwuucdigest- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 1:14 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [UUC] <WOT> iPod > > > Trying to get it back to OBMWC, would a good coating of Meguiar's swirl > remover or <name your preference here> that you would apply to your BMW > take care of the hiding scratches? When's the Ipod cover with the Roundel > going to be developed at UUC labs? > > -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 > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.22/239 - Release Date: 1/24/2006 > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.22/239 - Release Date: 1/24/2006 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 11:02:38 -0800 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <E36> Stewart Water Pump Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anyone on the Digest have any experience with the Stewart Components water pump? Perhaps as a test volunteer since production doesn't start until next month. I just spoke with them and they claim it's been tested for quite some time now with good results. -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: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:33:31 -0500 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <E36> Stewart Water Pump Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> UUC is now carrying these, shipments to start mid-February. Details and flow efficiency diagrams: http://www.uucmotorwerks.com/EMP_WP/ We've seen the pre-production units in person, and the quality of the machine work and casting is quite impressive. - Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 2:02 PM Subject: [UUC] <E36> Stewart Water Pump > > Anyone on the Digest have any experience with the Stewart Components water > pump? Perhaps as a test volunteer since production doesn't start until next > month. I just spoke with them and they claim it's been tested for quite > some time now with good results. > > -Kevin ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2006 14:41:06 -0600 From: Jamie Howton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Brian Ruiz <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: UUC Digest <[email protected]> Subject: Re: <WOT> iPod Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Mine is white and it's scratched to hell. It looks like [EMAIL PROTECTED] but it still sounds good through the Dension IceLink+ in my M5. Don't know how I ever got along without it, CDs suck for portability. Regards -- Jamie Howton 2000 M5 1995 M3 Hampshire, IL ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 25 Jan 2006 15:50:34 -0500 From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: [bmwuucdigest] digest(13 messages) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2001 325i accelerator "pod" problem Hello, All -- While driving to work yesterday am, (early, dark, cold) I pressed down on my accelerator to have it "release" with a smart "click thunk" kind of sound, and go directly to the floor without providing any oomph to the engine (i.e. no rev). The engine remained at idle, the accelerator pedal remained fast to the floor, and I remained in quite the same spot -- highly stranded out in the deep hills of Northern CT on a narrow back road with a car that would not go ZOOM-ZOOM (and I, at the moment regretably, am perhaps the last living American to NOT have a cell phone). Although it runs against every fiber of my being, I will attempt to be brief here. So-- next scene-- picture me With my derriere (sp?) sticking out of the driver's side with the door open (rear up, head down -- ostrich like)--on the narrow, dark, curving country road with cars coming along at a much too frequent clip (I know, brain dead). Well, after much examination I was able to determine that there is a ball and cup linkage that connects the pedal to the accelerator linkage inside the mysterious black trapezoidal shaped accelerator pod. While obviously not having a clue as to what I was supposed to be doing I somehow managed to re-engage the socket onto the ball and -voila- "the car once again revved". However, it now seems to me that there is a larger "opening" for the linkage to disappear into where it enters the housing. AND -- since then, the socket has slipped off of the ball three more times, requiring like interventions on my part, and leading me to consider t! he purchase of permanently illuminated neon colored "driving pants", so as to signal my "whereabouts" to others attempting to pass my car while I am ostrich-like fixing the linkage each time. I can find NO description or diagram of the housing in my Bentley, and I am wondering what I must do to make the linkage connection a bit more dependable (or less random). I am wondering if there is a rubber washer or fitting that is intended to go down over (around) the linkage (once connected) and into the top of the housing so to prevent the linkage from having so much lateral play that it can slip back off the ball. Could that "retainer" if present, have slipped into the assembly? Any chance of getting it back?? Any chance I have a clue as to any part of what is going on here? I must add that there is a certain ironic justice that the accelerator pedal failed -- very shortly after driving a marathon roundtrip to and from NE Ohio for a sudden family emergency. Trooper "Bob Speed Ohio Smokey" had only just asked me if I could explain how he had clocked me with laser as going 96mph at 2:30am on Interstate 80. (speed limit 65 mph) -- I had the good judgement to NOT reply, "Because I hadn't shifted into fifth gear yet?" (I was also successful at dissuading my "Better Half" from commenting, as she is known to do on occasion, "You think THAT's bad -- you should have clocked him 10 minutes ago!" -- But -- I digress. All assistance (and especially any useless but witty smart aleck observations or "pile-ons" -not pylons --) will be both appreciated and treasured. Thank you. Michael (now contrite and ever law abiding) North Granby CT [EMAIL PROTECTED] ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(13 messages) **********
