The BMW UUC Digest Volume 3 : Issue 542 : "text" Format Messages in this Issue: Corrupt parts Re: What's an '86 318i worth? Issues? Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Re: Low Cost E30 Car VIN History Check Looking for info on M3's looking for info on an M3 Re: looking for info on an M3 Re: looking for info on an M3 Re: looking for info on an M3
---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:58:49 -0500 From: "Bill Proud" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Uucdigest" <[email protected]> Subject: Corrupt parts Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Question for the masses .....(OK , so you're a mass !! Didnt your mother tell you just yesterday ?) Would this digest be a worthy place to start a listing of known crappy (fraudulent -as in bogus ) spare parts ?? The thought occurs as I listen to recalls of lead-painted toys for your babies crib , following on 500,000 tires recalled last week and known issues with tons of (lets not just pick on Fleabay , but it is a prime source ) other BMW model specific things that let's say werent made in the Vaterland by trained gnomes ?? DONT get me wrong !! There are some excellent aftermarket parts and suppliers out there .....I've used outstanding replacement radiators made in Israel or South Africa for example ........but there's a bunch of stuff ranging from baaad to bloody outright dangerous .....Guibos made from erasers , front suspension stuff from nylon stockings and panty-hose, all of which crap out 2 days after their 30 day warranty (but only if returned unopened in the original packaging and YOU pay shipping and insurance and have a return authorisation from your dad ) . Does that seem like a worthy cause -or is it too full of litigation potential and hearsay ?? . Bill Proud, messing with BMWs 37 yrs ...and about to stop! ...maybe . ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:15:25 -0700 From: "Scott & Charlotte Miller" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "UUC Digest" <[email protected]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: What's an '86 318i worth? Issues? Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kirk, your nephew is looking at a year/model combination that was not sold in the U.S. It was sold all kinds of other interesting places. And Canada. :^) Anyway, if he buys it, have him check to be sure it was legally imported and registered in the U.S. first. The U.S. E30 318i with M10 was sold here in '84 and '85 only. That said, it might have the more trim chrome Euro bumpers, which would be very cool. I would expect 30 MPG highway, 19- to 20-ish city. The M10 engine is the 4 cylinder equivalent to the M30 engine, which was very durable. Other than the usual issue with valve guide seals (eventually, pretty much all BMW engines have this problem), it should run fine well past 300K miles, assuming good regular maintenance. Have your nephew get a compression and leakdown test on the engine, just to be sure. Or for $700, just buy it and replace the engine with a used one if necessary. All of the usualy E30 maintenance issues (except for the M20 timing belt replacement schedule, the M10 uses a chain) apply here - ball joints, tie rod ends, bushings, bearings, flex disc, trans output and selector shaft seal, etc. Let me know if you want a file with a list of those items. Scott Miller GGC BMW CCA >Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 07:49:47 -0700 (GMT-07:00) >From: Kirk Lachman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: BMW UUC Digest <[email protected]> >Subject: What's an '86 318i worth? Issues? >Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED] et> > >My nephew is considering getting one as a commuter car instead of driving his big pickup truck >every day. > >Car is an '86 318i 5-speed (still checking on mileage), in ok shape w/new alternator, dist cap, >plugs, etc. > >Any issues on these other than the usual rust issues? $700 is asking price. > >Do these things get decent gas mileage? I don't know anything about the older 1.8 liter motors >(I was hoping it was a '91 iS, but no such luck). > My nephew can do all the mechanical stuff so I'm not worried about maintenance, or even clutch >replacement if necessary. > >Cheers, > >Kirk Lachman >Sin City Chapter ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 15:35:20 -0700 (GMT-07:00) From: Kevin Kelly <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Kirk Lachman wrote: > My nephew is considering getting one as a commuter > car instead of driving his big pickup truck every day. > Car is an '86 318i 5-speed (still checking on mileage), > in ok shape w/new alternator, dist cap, plugs, etc. > Any issues on these other than the usual rust issues? > $700 is asking price. A few years back after I sold the M5 I was commuting in the (14 mpg) Range Rover and a friend's parents offered to "give" me their old (25 mpg) one owner 1978 E21 320i for "free" (that would not pass smog). When I ran the numbers based on my estimate of a $200 investment to get it to pass smog I was not going to save any money since it would cost more to keep it on the road than I would save in gas. It was going to cost me over $500 a year to insure the thing (just liability) and average at least $75 a month to keep it on the road (tires brakes, oil etc.). Even without considering the PITA factor of dealing with a second car (that is worth it if the second car makes you happy) you will need a long commute (or a truck with a V10 and single digit mpg) before an old BMW saves you any money (don't forget to consider the interest you will get by investing the original cost of the car + the cost of insurance + $75-$100 a month). Kevin Kelly BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:58:04 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Who knew you were such a buzzkill? Additional cars are fun to have around, for the same reason that you wouldn't wear the same pair of shoes every single day. Sometimes you want the old Pumas with the blown out heel and scuffs. - Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kevin Kelly" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: [UUC] Low Cost E30 > It was going to cost me over $500 a year to insure the thing (just liability) and average at least $75 a month to keep it on the road (tires brakes, oil etc.). Even without considering the PITA factor of dealing with a second car (that is worth it if the second car makes you happy) you will need a long commute (or a truck with a V10 and single digit mpg) before an old BMW saves you any money (don't forget to consider the interest you will get by investing the original cost of the car + the cost of insurance + $75-$100 a month). > > Kevin Kelly > BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:16:09 -0700 From: David Thomas <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> On Tuesday 14 August 2007 3:58:04 pm Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks wrote: > Additional cars are fun to have around, for the same reason that you > wouldn't wear the same pair of shoes every single day. Sometimes you want > the old Pumas with the blown out heel and scuffs. > > - Rob Yep...nothing like driving our LR Discovery (3" lift..big tires..lots of heavy things bolted on..) to make the BMW's feel like you just added 200HP to them ;-) The M3 is just ridiculous to drive after spending a few days in the Discovery. Dave ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:35:05 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Concur, which is why my daily driver is deliberately my slowest car. Really makes me appreciate the quick ones when I switch back, I don't get used to "fast" being "normal" and then getting in trouble. - Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Yep...nothing like driving our LR Discovery (3" lift..big tires..lots of heavy > things bolted on..) to make the BMW's feel like you just added 200HP to > them ;-) The M3 is just ridiculous to drive after spending a few days in the > Discovery. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:37:29 -0400 From: "bill matthews" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> variety is the spice of life...... Bill Matthews 73 Volvo 1800ES 94 Volvo 855T 00 E39 M5 03 CLK320 > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rob > Levinson * UUC Motorwerks > Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:35 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [UUC] Low Cost E30 > > Concur, which is why my daily driver is deliberately my > slowest car. Really makes me appreciate the quick ones when > I switch back, I don't get used to "fast" being "normal" and > then getting in trouble. > > - Rob > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "David Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > Yep...nothing like driving our LR Discovery (3" lift..big > tires..lots > > of > heavy > > things bolted on..) to make the BMW's feel like you just > added 200HP > > to them ;-) The M3 is just ridiculous to drive after spending a few > > days in > the > > Discovery. > > 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: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:43:39 -0400 From: "Matt Bader" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: "'Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I switch off between three vehicles, a 1995 Mazda Protégé, a 96 Chevy Blazer (girlfriend's "car"), and my M3 with a Stage II s/c. Lots of differences between the three obviously. The protégé is easy to drive, less demanding than the M3 in some ways, very light and shifts very easily. For city driving I prefer it over the BMW for sure. Cruising in the Blazer is nice when I don't fell like using a clutch. I got stuck in a ten mile traffic jam the other day driving a 15' budget rental truck. I was glad I wasn't driving my M3 that day. Rob is right about getting used to the power. When other people first ride in my M3 their first comment is usually something to the effect "Wow, this car is fast!" I don't feel like it's all that fast anymore :-( Matt Bader 98 M3/4 Delaware -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 7:35 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] Low Cost E30 Concur, which is why my daily driver is deliberately my slowest car. Really makes me appreciate the quick ones when I switch back, I don't get used to "fast" being "normal" and then getting in trouble. - Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Thomas" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Yep...nothing like driving our LR Discovery (3" lift..big tires..lots of heavy > things bolted on..) to make the BMW's feel like you just added 200HP to > them ;-) The M3 is just ridiculous to drive after spending a few days in the > Discovery. 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: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:09:24 -0400 From: "Gary Derian" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Low Cost E30 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Every time I've analyzed the costs, two cars came out more expensive than one. That is why my M5 is ready to turn over 200,000 miles. Last week I drove it 1800 miles. On the other hand, having an extra car is quite necessary for me in order to have something to drive while repairing the main car. In my case its a lightly wrecked E30. Gary Derian > A few years back after I sold the M5 I was commuting in the (14 mpg) Range > Rover and a friend's parents offered to "give" me their old (25 mpg) one > owner 1978 E21 320i for "free" (that would not pass smog). When I ran the > numbers based on my estimate of a $200 investment to get it to pass smog I > was not going to save any money since it would cost more to keep it on the > road than I would save in gas. > > It was going to cost me over $500 a year to insure the thing (just > liability) and average at least $75 a month to keep it on the road (tires > brakes, oil etc.). Even without considering the PITA factor of dealing > with a second car (that is worth it if the second car makes you happy) you > will need a long commute (or a truck with a V10 and single digit mpg) > before an old BMW saves you any money (don't forget to consider the > interest you will get by investing the original cost of the car + the cost > of insurance + $75-$100 a month). > > Kevin Kelly > BMW CCA 50039 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:39:16 -0400 From: "Stan Jackson Jr." <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Car VIN History Check Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Anybody currently able to run free VIN history checks? Please contact me privately if so. Thanks, Stan ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:35:32 -0600 From: "Jarrett Perry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected] Subject: Looking for info on M3's Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hey everyone today is my first day that i have done this so...ya I just wanted to get some tips and info on a 1995 BMW M3. Whether or not its a nice vehicle or if they are that biggest piece of junk. And i want to Know if they have a 6 speed or not to? and where can I find the european version M3 around here not germany with the 321hp engine instead of the 260hp. Thanks, Jarrett _________________________________________________________________ Now you can see trouble before he arrives http://newlivehotmail.com/?ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_viral_protection_0507 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:09:00 -0600 From: "Jarrett Perry" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [email protected], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED], [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: looking for info on an M3 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Hey everyone today is my first day that i have done this so...ya I just wanted to get some tips and info on a 1995 BMW M3. Whether or not its a nice vehicle or if they are that biggest piece of junk. And i want to Know if they have a 6 speed or not to? and where can I find the european version M3 around here not germany with the 321hp engine instead of the 260hp. Thanks, Jarrett _________________________________________________________________ A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:47:02 -0700 (PDT) From: Carlos Lopez <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Jarrett Perry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, [email protected] Subject: Re: looking for info on an M3 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> -- Jarrett Perry <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >Hey everyone today is my first day that i have done this so...ya I >just wanted to get some tips and info on a 1995 BMW M3. Whether or >not its a nice vehicle or if they are that biggest piece of junk. They're excellent vehicles (a few typical E36 problems aside) and are one of the best values out there for a track car. Euro engines and 6-speeds really add to the price of admission and are totally unnecessary. There are of course more than a few US M3s running around with euro engines already installed. Search the forums for these cars as they do come up every once in a while. Carlos 98 M3 ____________________________________________________________________________________ Looking for a deal? Find great prices on flights and hotels with Yahoo! FareChase. http://farechase.yahoo.com/ ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2007 02:26:25 +0000 (UTC) From: "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Subject: Re: looking for info on an M3 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> E36m3...hmmm, best handling car for under $100k per car and driver. What are you looking for in a car? butt crunching acceleration? or overall balance? The M3 is a well balanced car that may give up in a straight line to many V8s, but will run with a LOT of cars on a twisty road course (read race track, I've rarely been able to use more than about 50% of my car on the street. It eats radiators, water pumps, thermostats as 60k expendables, but the engine and transmission are pretty solid for 150k AFAIK (my E36 325 ran for 230k with about 10k on tracks and had a fairly solid motor when I sold it). 6 speed? why? I guess if you're going to drop in a shorter racing differential that requires the shifting...otherwise the 5 speed is fine. Euro engines are available, but care and feeding is going to be much more expensive. If you really want lots of power, consider the E46 M3 which has your 330 hp, though it's heavier, but at least you'll have reliable access to parts. If you really are interested in straight line umph, I'd personally consider a vette (Wow...I coulda had a V8). Marc Plante E36 M3/4, 79k ----Original Message---- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Aug 14, 2007 17:09 To: <[email protected]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subj: [UUC] looking for info on an M3 Hey everyone today is my first day that i have done this so...ya I just wanted to get some tips and info on a 1995 BMW M3. Whether or not its a nice vehicle or if they are that biggest piece of junk. And i want to Know if they have a 6 speed or not to? and where can I find the european version M3 around here not germany with the 321hp engine instead of the 260hp. Thanks, Jarrett _________________________________________________________________ A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] com __________________________________________________________________________ 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: Tue, 14 Aug 2007 23:10:56 -0400 From: "Matt Bader" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subject: Re: looking for info on an M3 Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jarrett: I like the five speed gearing on my 98 E36 M3. It turns 3500 rpm at 80 which isn't the most economical gearing around, but 4th and 5th are very flexible. I have forced induction but even the stock motor has good torque. So, with 4th I can use it from about 40-45 mph on up, and 5th is good from about 50-55 mph up to red line. I seldom feel the need to downshift when passing on the highway. If I had a 6 speed, I think I'd save money on gas, but end up downshifting more than I care to. The M3 is also a great car to upgrade if you are into that sort of thing. Matt Bader Delaware -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [UUC] looking for info on an M3 E36m3...hmmm, best handling car for under $100k per car and driver. What are you looking for in a car? butt crunching acceleration? or overall balance? The M3 is a well balanced car that may give up in a straight line to many V8s, but will run with a LOT of cars on a twisty road course (read race track, I've rarely been able to use more than about 50% of my car on the street. It eats radiators, water pumps, thermostats as 60k expendables, but the engine and transmission are pretty solid for 150k AFAIK (my E36 325 ran for 230k with about 10k on tracks and had a fairly solid motor when I sold it). 6 speed? why? I guess if you're going to drop in a shorter racing differential that requires the shifting...otherwise the 5 speed is fine. Euro engines are available, but care and feeding is going to be much more expensive. If you really want lots of power, consider the E46 M3 which has your 330 hp, though it's heavier, but at least you'll have reliable access to parts. If you really are interested in straight line umph, I'd personally consider a vette (Wow...I coulda had a V8). Marc Plante E36 M3/4, 79k ----Original Message---- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Aug 14, 2007 17:09 To: <[email protected]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subj: [UUC] looking for info on an M3 Hey everyone today is my first day that i have done this so...ya I just wanted to get some tips and info on a 1995 BMW M3. Whether or not its a nice vehicle or if they are that biggest piece of junk. And i want to Know if they have a 6 speed or not to? and where can I find the european version M3 around here not germany with the 321hp engine instead of the 260hp. Thanks, Jarrett _________________________________________________________________ A new home for Mom, no cleanup required. All starts here. http://www.reallivemoms.com?ocid=TXT_TAGHM&loc=us Search the ARCHIVES:http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] com __________________________________________________________________________ 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 ------------------------------ End of [bmwuucdigest] digest(15 messages) **********
