The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 423 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Re: <E36> M coupe Gas Smell? OT - NY Times - "Run-Flat Tires: Are They Solving a Problem or Creating Several?" Re: Machine Shop in D.C. Who's BMA, was <E36> M coupe Gas Smell? <E36> Window gremlins Re: <E36> Window gremlins Neat E34 touring upgrades Re: Neat E34 touring upgrades dyno numbers Re: dyno numbers Re: Aston Martin sold (OT) Re: Aston Martin sold (OT)
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 09:18:50 -0700 From: Peter Loron <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Chet Dawes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: Neil Deshpande <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> M coupe Gas Smell? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://bmaparts.com/ I've had excellent customer service there from Patrick. -Pete Chet Dawes wrote: > From: Neil Deshpande > > "...$36 at BMA instead of $55 and $66 at 2/3 local dealers...." > > BMA??? > Is this some sort of local parts supplier in Atlanta, or mail order? Can you > really get the 'dealer-only-type' parts from this source? > > Cheers, > Chet Dawes > 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, 12 Mar 2007 12:43:54 -0400 From: Dennis Liu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "911" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "Ferrari List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "BMW List" <[email protected]> Subject: OT - NY Times - "Run-Flat Tires: Are They Solving a Problem or Creating Several?" Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> March 11, 2007 Motoring Run-Flat Tires: Are They Solving a Problem or Creating Several? By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN RUN-FLAT tires, which have been offered on some new cars for the last few years, are a soothing security blanket. They can be driven for miles after losing their air, allowing drivers to delay fixing a flat until there is a safe place to stop and avoiding a harrowing tire change along a busy highway. But consumers have begun to report problems with the tires. Jennifer Stockburger, a senior tire-test engineer for Consumer Reports magazine, said the tires offered a safety advantage, but the tire forum on its Web site (consumer.org) had many complaints from run-flat owners about higher-than-expected replacement costs, difficulty getting repairs and what some considered excessive wear. Some owners have been unhappy enough to make a federal case of it, resulting in two class-action suits. The latest was filed on Monday in United States District Court in Los Angeles against Honda and Michelin. Tire company officials say that run-flats, which typically have stronger sidewalls to support the tire when it loses air, should wear just as well as conventional tires and that problems often result from poor maintenance, including improper inflation. Run-flat tires are offered on fewer than 3 percent of the vehicles in North America, said Tom L. Chubb, the vice president for original equipment marketing for Michelin North America, which makes several types of run-flat tires. He sees that growing to 4 percent by 2011. Run-flat tires are most often found on luxury vehicles. BMW has been the most enthusiastic proponent among the leading automakers, and seems likely to make the tires standard on most models eventually. Run-flats are also showing up on less expensive cars like the Mini Cooper S. Run-flats have also reached upscale family vehicles including minivans like the all-wheel-drive Toyota Sienna and the Touring edition of the Honda Odyssey. Tire makers said that in the case of a blowout, a vehicle with run-flats was easier to control. Automakers like the tires because no spare is necessary. That means the space gained can be used to carry more cargo or make mechanical changes. For example, eliminating the spare tire in the 2004 Toyota Sienna allowed the company to turn a front-wheel-drive minivan into all-wheel drive by making room for a driveshaft. The suit filed on Monday is over the Michelin Energy LX4 PAX run-flat used on the 2005-7 Honda Odyssey Touring and as an option on the 2006-7 Acura RL. The suit doesn't dispute that the tires offer a safety advantage, but says buyers were deceived about replacement costs and repairs. The PAX, instead of having stronger sidewalls, has a supportive ring inside made of polyurethane. Michelin said the ring allowed a more comfortable ride and better fuel economy because the sidewalls did not need to be so stiff, yet the vehicle was still safe and easy to drive when a tire went flat. But it is that design that makes the PAX more difficult to repair. Michelin stores or car dealers must have special tire-changing equipment that can cost $3,000 to $15,000 depending on what the dealer already has, Chris Naughton, a Honda spokesman, said in an interview before the suit was filed. He said some dealers did not have the equipment yet, but that about 90 percent of Honda's roughly 1,000 dealers would have it by the end of this month. Mark F. Anderson of San Francisco, one of the lawyers who filed the suit, said it was "ridiculous" that repairing a PAX tire should be so complicated. Mr. Anderson also filed a class-action suit in 2005 against Toyota, Bridgestone and Dunlop over run-flats used on the 2004-6 Sienna with all-wheel drive. Lynn Mann, a Michelin spokeswoman, said the suit had "many misstatements and errors." Mr. Naughton of Honda said the company had not seen the suit, but that the tire was a "great product that provides convenience, added safety and peace of mind for our customers." Although not a plaintiff in the suit, Maria V. Ocampo, an Odyssey owner from La Mirada, Calif., has had what she describes as a love and "there is room for improvement" relationship with PAX tires. She has had two flat tires and loved being able to still get her children to school and reach work on time. "I didn't have to panic," Ms. Ocampo said. But she says she has had several disappointments. She had to call Michelin to find a Honda dealer that could repair the tire. Also, she says her tires wore out after 20,000 miles; a Honda dealer recently told her that a new set would cost $1,600, including installation. "That is a lot of money for us," she said. Acura is not requiring its 250 dealers to buy the special repair equipment because few RL's are sold with the PAX, Mr. Naughton said. He said about 15 percent of Acura dealers had the equipment. For travelers who can't find a shop to fix the tire, Michelin said it could get a PAX tire and wheel delivered to customers in less than 12 hours. The support system doesn't work, said Jean Carper of Key West, Fla., an RL owner and one of the plaintiffs. She said she was stranded on a Saturday in upstate New York with two flat tires last year. She said she could not find a shop to fix the run-flats, was told by a Michelin dealer that it would take five days to receive replacements and had to wait until Monday to order them through an Acura dealer. She had them on her car by Tuesday. "It was a nightmare," she said. "They did not have any facilities anywhere I was." As for the cost, Honda dealers are typically charging about $180 for a PAX tire plus another $60 for labor, Mr. Naughton said. Michelin said a PAX's tread should last about 35,000 miles. One reason some consumers may have thought their tires needed to be replaced is that the design of the shoulder of the PAX can make it look as if that part of the tire is badly worn, Mr. Chubb said. Assertions of poor tire wear were the core of the suit against Toyota. In November, an out-of-court settlement was approved in United States District Court for the Northern District of California in San Francisco. Toyota said there were no problems with the tires, but in the settlement it agreed to expand a tire-replacement program it was already offering. Bridgestone and Dunlop, which made the run-flats for the Sienna, also said there were no problems with their tires. However, engineers for the tire companies said in statements filed with the court that they changed the tires' design in 2005, a few months before the suit was filed, to improve wear. They said they made the changes after learning of complaints, which they attributed to improper inflation. Still, there is apparently a big range in what Sienna owners can expect for tire wear. A pamphlet that comes with the 2007 Sienna says that the run-flats may get as little as 15,000 miles to 20,000 miles or as much as 40,000, depending on conditions and maintenance. Clarence M. Ditlow, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said the court statements from Dunlop and Bridgestone engineers showed "the first-generation run-flat tires for the Sienna were poorly designed and wore out prematurely." "Whether it is tires or cars, consumers are well advised to avoid new models because they are prone to bugs," he said. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 13:52:02 -0400 From: Thomas Philip <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Cc: John Grills <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Machine Shop in D.C. Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Mar 12, 2007, at 6:45 AM, John Grills wrote: > I'm looking for a machine shop in D.C/MD/NoVA I've used Kenson Automotive with good results. They're off Pickett Road in Fairfax. (703) 323-0040 tom ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 11:01:02 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: Who's BMA, was <E36> M coupe Gas Smell? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Chet, They're a parts supplier in So. Cal. good guys I use 'em a lot. Ask for Yves or Pat. http://www.bmaparts.com/ -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, 12 Mar 2007 11:23:18 -0700 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Subject: <E36> Window gremlins Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Over the weekend, I got the passenger side window working again on the M3, but now the "drop" down function doesn't work when you pull the latch or scoot up when you close the door. Is this connected to a microswitch in the handle? How easy/difficult is that to test or replace? Also, I tried to adjust the catch in the B pillar thinking that this might be the problem with the window. Is the screw plate behind the sheet metal supposed to hang free? Is that to allow adjustment of the catch? Luckily the wire of the switch kept it from dropping into the sheet metal. Also, what is the correct position of the magnet on the motor shaft (which controls the finger crush function)? Is it supposed to be in toward the hinge or back toward the gear drive (again on the passenger side door)? -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, 12 Mar 2007 14:59:34 -0500 From: "Jason Kay" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: <E36> Window gremlins Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Over the weekend, I got the passenger side window working again on the M3, > but now the "drop" down function doesn't work when you pull the latch or > scoot up when you close the door. Is this connected to a microswitch in the > handle? How easy/difficult is that to test or replace? *snip* Kevin, Read the owner's manual... you probably just have to 're-initialize' the window... -Jason '86 951 "Sparky" '70 240Z "Dusty" '03 325xi "Daisy" '06 Mini CooperS ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 20:57:50 -0500 From: "Gregory Bradbury" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Neat E34 touring upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Just finished another in a long list of E34 touring upgrades to make my '95 525iT more the way I want it. I've been sending info to the bmwe34.net fellow, so you should see some. * Headlight vertical aim control -- I just have to make the wiring harness, it's built into the car on a Euro version but not a US / Canadian car. More to come. Woudl someone know a place to get the exact wire with the color codes BMW uses? looking for gray with a black stripe and gray with red stripe. * Euro lights. Easy, and I have all the part numbers to change the connectors. * Rear seat headrests. $10 for the hardware and a set of headrests and in an hour you are OK. I have a spare set of headrests (three on an E34) for sale for a reasonable price, let me know off digest. Installation to be on bmwe34.net, but can send in advance. * PDC (Park distance control). All installed, I just need to complete the electric splices in the car harness (under the rear seat). Will be nice to have, and it's rather rare on US / Canadian cars. * M5 steering box. Found a good used one in Germany, for the hydro steering (not servotronic). Just need to spend the time this spring to swap boxes, fill with RedLine ATF and redo the alignment. Ah the joys of BMW upgrades, make a car you like -- more the way you want it. Again, a wire source for striped wire would be appreciated. Any headrest buyers in the Atlanta will have free installation if you wish, you just bring a six pack ! Gregory in Georgia ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 21:28:30 -0700 From: Bob Sutterfield <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Neat E34 touring upgrades Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On 3/12/07, Gregory Bradbury <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Just finished another in a long list of E34 touring upgrades to make > my '95 525iT more the way I want it. 5-spd? S50B30US transplant? ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 18:12:15 -0800 From: bbarry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>, bmw digest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: dyno numbers Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Today 'Jack got to spin his wheels on DynoSpot's Dynojet drums. The changes since the previous best of 235hp/ 232 tq two years ago are + M50 manifold + 3 1/2" diameter rubber MAF tube vs the previous 3 1/4" polyethylene tube. + replaced the accordion boot and ASC throttle body with a 3 1/2" diameter silicone rubber 90 degree boot. + Installed the Ireland Engineering adjustable fuel pressure regulator because it has a finer adjustment and a built in gauge than Bosch part number 001 + repositioned the air temp sensor from the intake manifold to the intake boot just before the throttle body for quicker response + engine is ~25k miles older. With ambient air temperature in the low 80's, fuel pressure at 4.5 bar resulting in air/fuel of ~13.6, 'Jack turned250.6hp and 232.9 tq in 4th gear. In 3rd gear the numbers are 247.2 hp/ 228.6 tq, all SAE. Net results are no increase in torque, 15+ more hp, and the peaks both occur a few hundred RPM higher. Conclusions? The euro MAF is not needed. Common stage 1 software for otherwise stock engines has enough flexibility to meter the stock sensor in much higher output situations. If you do no other mod to an E36 OBDII //M3, convert to the M50 intake manifold. If you do no other second mod, replace the accordion boot and ASC throttle body with a 3 1/2" diameter silicone rubber 90 degree boot. Before mods 1 and 2, replace the intake airbox with a UUC Viper intake. Definitely do get an adjustable FPR and dial in the fuel pressure for best air/fuel. Barry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 09:53:48 -0700 From: "JS Nord" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "bbarry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>, "bmw digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: dyno numbers Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hi Barry, Couple Q's. - what do you see as the benefit of changing the accordion boot? Curious what this mod provides... - re the FP adjustment; are you running the car open loop all the time or only measuring at WOT (when I assume the car is open loop)? Also, where are you getting the silicon hose? I could use a good supplier for these products... Cheers! Jeff 90 535i ----- Original Message ----- From: "bbarry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "[uucdigest]" <[email protected]>; "bmw digest" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, March 12, 2007 7:12 PM Subject: [UUC] dyno numbers > Today 'Jack got to spin his wheels on DynoSpot's Dynojet drums. > The changes since the previous best of 235hp/ 232 tq two years ago are > + M50 manifold > + 3 1/2" diameter rubber MAF tube vs the previous 3 1/4" polyethylene > tube. > + replaced the accordion boot and ASC throttle body with a 3 1/2" diameter > silicone rubber 90 degree boot. > + Installed the Ireland Engineering adjustable fuel pressure regulator > because it has a finer adjustment and a built in gauge than Bosch part > number 001 > + repositioned the air temp sensor from the intake manifold to the intake > boot just before the throttle body for quicker response > + engine is ~25k miles older. > With ambient air temperature in the low 80's, fuel pressure at 4.5 bar > resulting in air/fuel of ~13.6, > 'Jack turned250.6hp and 232.9 tq in 4th gear. In 3rd gear the numbers are > 247.2 hp/ 228.6 tq, all SAE. > Net results are no increase in torque, 15+ more hp, and the peaks both > occur a few hundred RPM higher. > Conclusions? > The euro MAF is not needed. > Common stage 1 software for otherwise stock engines has enough flexibility > to meter the stock sensor in much higher output situations. > If you do no other mod to an E36 OBDII //M3, convert to the M50 intake > manifold. > If you do no other second mod, replace the accordion boot and ASC throttle > body with a 3 1/2" diameter silicone rubber 90 degree boot. > Before mods 1 and 2, replace the intake airbox with a UUC Viper intake. > Definitely do get an adjustable FPR and dial in the fuel pressure for best > air/fuel. > > Barry > 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, 12 Mar 2007 23:37:48 -0400 From: "Ben Keyes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: "BMW List" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Aston Martin sold (OT) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Dennis Liu wrote: > The good news is that at least Ford did not sell it to LVMH, as was rumored > months ago - can you imagine the French owning Aston? And Dave Richards > being in charge - well, at least there is a "car guy" at the top. Dave Richards is not in charge, Ulrich Bez stays in charge of the company, Richards is the leader of the investment group who bought it. I seriously doubt he's the big money behind it as no matter how big Prodrive is, I don't think he's got the say $300M of personal wealth (esp to put it all on the line, tho AM is likely to be profitable based on the way they're set up now & the products & technology they have) which would make him a ~equal partner in the thing. the previous connection DR has with AM from racing & being a very well respected figure in the automotive world would probably swing things towards his group's bid. > Interesting to see how much "Ford" will be built into AM products into the > future (i.e., how much Aston products will look like Jaguars, and shared > platforms, drivetrains, and fiddly bits and switches). well since current Astons don't share any platforms or drivetrains with any Ford/Jag/etc products now, I don't see that changing in the future. IIRC they've done a very good job of hiding most of the Ford parts bit pieces in the recent past. AM will keep buying engines from the special niche production line in Cologne at Ford Werke. Ben ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Mar 2007 00:27:12 -0400 From: "Ben Keyes" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: "BMW List" <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Aston Martin sold (OT) Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> it's based on two Duratecs put together (the original prototypes were just that) but it's been developed quite a bit over the years & unless one is a pretty serious snob I think it works just fine. perhaps not as tres exotique as stuff from other people, but it will do. the V8 is "based" on the Jag motor, but probably only wrt bore spacing & overall architecture, more here a bit down the page : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_V8_Vantage_%282005%29 the origins of the engines don't seem to be hurting their sales or overall performance, so ultimately it doesn't really matter. Ben Dennis wrote: > Ben wrote: > > >well since current Astons don't share any platforms or drivetrains with any > Ford/Jag/etc products now, I don't see that changing in the future. > IIRC they've > done a very good job of hiding most of the Ford parts bit pieces in the > recent past. AM will keep buying engines from the special niche production > line in Cologne at Ford Werke. ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(12 messages) **********
