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#1. LTW Springs - from lleff@imisys.com
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:39:32 -0400 From: lleff@imisys.com Subject: LTW Springs I've just installed the M3 LTW springs on my '95 along with the Bilstein Sports. I should be picking the car up tonight & I'll post some impressions ASAP. Larry Leff Boston, MA
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#2. RE: [E36M3] Basic AUTOCROSS Info... - from Chen, Philip
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 10:55:50 -0700 From: "Chen, Philip" <Philip_Chen@transcom.sony.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Basic AUTOCROSS Info... Can't really comment on how different an autocross is different from a driver school. Because I've never been to a driver school (doh!). Not yet anyway. But anyway, Jim P. has written an informative autocross primer that's worth checking out. It's on the SD BMW CCA site at http://www.sdbmwcca.com/Firstautox.html Phil ---------- From: Martyme104@aol.com [SMTP:Martyme104@aol.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 10:29 AM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Basic AUTOCROSS Info... Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:27:01 EDT From: Martyme104@aol.com Subject: Basic AUTOCROSS Info... Running in my first autocross in two weeks and want to enjoy the total experience. Did a BMW sponsored Driver School 5 years ago in NH with '86 325, and found it in ways overwhelming (mostly in a good way!) Have '99 M3 loaded and need to know: 1) How to prep the vehicle (and the driver) 2) Best way to maximize the Driver/Instructor resource 3) Links to other autocross info Thanks and keep it on the road! Marty/Boston
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#3. HID lights - from Joe Huie
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 11:04:16 -0700 From: "Joe Huie" <jhuie@inreach.com> Subject: HID lights There is a group buy on the Phoenix Microlights HID system for retrofitting into your U.S. spec headlight system. Go to www.groupbuycenter.com, search keyword HID, and you'll see the details of the deal. I can't vouch for the quality or results of installing the HID lights into the standard headlights, but they do claim to have a custom system to fit the 9006 housing. According to Bob at Phoenix Microlights, the system is plug and play (you plug the stock 9006 bulb harness directly into the HID ballest). YMMV. Joe 95 M3
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#4. Re: [E36M3] HID lights - from Rob Hatrak
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Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 11:18:42 -0700 From: "Rob Hatrak" <hatrak@ix.netcom.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] HID lights Unless you are going to use the euro headlamps, you are wasting your time and money. The stock US headlamps are "performance limited" by their design, not the bulb inside of it. Rob ----- Original Message ----- From: "Joe Huie" <jhuie@inreach.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmwmpower.com> Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2000 11:08 AM Subject: [E36M3] HID lights > Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 11:04:16 -0700 > From: "Joe Huie" <jhuie@inreach.com> > Subject: HID lights > > There is a group buy on the Phoenix Microlights HID system for retrofitting > into your U.S. spec headlight system. Go to www.groupbuycenter.com, search > keyword HID, and you'll see the details of the deal. I can't vouch for the > quality or results of installing the HID lights into the standard > headlights, but they do claim to have a custom system to fit the 9006 > housing. According to Bob at Phoenix Microlights, the system is plug and > play (you plug the stock 9006 bulb harness directly into the HID ballest). > YMMV. > > Joe > 95 M3 > > > > > > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > ************************************************************* > >
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#5. Re: [E36M3] How "adjustable" are camber plates? - from Sean Hester
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 11:55:35 PDT From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] How "adjustable" are camber plates? >Are camber plates able to just run "stock" and one setting or are the fully >adjustable up to their maximum neg. camber? I'm looking to simply even out >the wear on the front tires. The outer tread blocks are practically gone >now with my stock set up and I've heard/read the switched hats will cause >even more wear on the inside... Also, are there any negatives about the >camber plates? there's all kinds. some are just one setting. (-1.5 degrees, -3 degrees, -4 degrees ect.) some are fully adjustable in both camber and caster. some are adjustable in camber only. i'm sure there are some (though i haven't seen it) that can only go in certain steps. ------------- it sems to me that you want fully adjustable. that's what i have. mine are kmac brand. the only "negative" is if you adjust them wrong. which is very easy to do. it's all in the hands of your alignment shop. if they give you too much negative camber you'll wear the inside. if they give you too much positive you'll wear the outside. and GOD HELP YOU if they adjust the CASTER different wheel to wheel. the stock M3 has no camber or caster to adjust. all they do is set toe (and still charge you hunderds of dollars) if you tell them they have to adjust camber and caster too, they panic, and take 4 hours, try to charge you more, and still get it horribly wrong. moral: find a good alignment place FIRST. and there's no way to "tell" what you need to get even tire wear. you set it, see how it goes, re-set it, see how it goes, etc. and it's not a perfect thing either. after 3 trys i had my tires wearing perfectly. but then i needed to get a re-alignment. (broken suspension piece) the new alignment is NOT like the old one, so i'm back to uneven wear again. apparently (though it seems simple to me) alignments are hard, and you can't repeat them. (i ask for -2 degrees and sometimes i get -1.8 and sometimes -2.2) i think it's lazyness, but all the alignment shops tell me it's hard to get closer then that. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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#6. Re: Secrets of the E36M3 F1 effect revealed for the first time anywhere! - from Sean Hester
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 12:00:46 PDT From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: Secrets of the E36M3 F1 effect revealed for the first time anywhere! >PS This thread has been going on for some time. As I recall, it was >originally regarding whether or not one should put the clutch in every time >you touch the brakes (no). How on earth did it morph into a discussion of >me blowing up my engine two years ago at PIR? i thought one of the goals of this list was to turn every question into something michael lord does (or did) wrong? am i the only one who read that "welcome to the list" letter suzy sends out? or maybe i got a "special" letter noone else got? hmmmm... ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Short Shifter ?'s - from Sean Hester
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 12:09:23 PDT From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Short Shifter ?'s > >Any input on a short shifter kit increasing the odds of missed shifts? > >Yup! Please see previous post titled "Secrets of the E36M3 F1 effect >revealed for the first time anywhere." > >Michael Lord > >----------- > >No, it does not. Be sure to check out "Shifting Techniques" in the >Tech >Tips >section at UUC Motorwerks. Only you can prevent misshifts (nod to >Smokey >the >Bear :-)). > >Cheers, >Jim Bassett UH OH! dissention! both with a bibliography. hmmm... who do i pick up sides with? ---------- it seems to me that a short shifter would have to be more likely to cause misshifts. for 2 reasons. 1. you're not used to it. i've driven my M3 for 5 years with a long shifter. i'm used to it. if i change to a short shifter i'm OBVIOUSLY more likely to shift into the wrong gear. it's different. eventually that "problem" would dissappear and i'd be left with #2. 2. there's less movement, so the "wrong" gear is closer to the "right" gear. this makes it more likely to select the wrong gear. -------- now... obviously if you learn how to shift a short shifter you can do it properly. but even if you're the worlds best shifter (with a short shifter) and your chance of missing a shift is 0.000000034% if you had a longer shifter (with more movement, so more obvious differences between the gears) you'd lower your chance. ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
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#8. Re: Basic AUTOCROSS Info... (pardon the length) - from Michael A. Chiang
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 16:14:09 -0400 From: "Michael A. Chiang" <Mike@archondev.com> Subject: Re: Basic AUTOCROSS Info... (pardon the length) Hi Marty 1) Go through the car and remove all loose objects. Even stuff like garage door openers on the sun visor and mounted V1s should go (your helmeted head will whack them). Give the car a good once over mechanically. Make sure you're not down to your last sliver of brake pad. Check the fluids and stuff the night before-- fill as needed. You know, the kinda of checking you'd do before a road trip. Don't forget to pack plenty to drink if you live in the warmer parts of the country. A handy umbrella and some sun-screen is a must if you work a corner that day. If you party the night before and wake up feeling the effects, you will drive terribly. So I'd advise against that. (don't ask me how I know!!) When you get to the course, borrow an air pump and add 4-5 psi of extra air into your tires (i'm assuming you're running street tires). This will give you a pretty good place to start. Take some shoe polish and ask someone there how to mark your tires to check for rollover. Someone should be happy to show you. Adjust your seats! If you're like me, you prolly have 2 positions.. a relaxed one for cruising around town, and a bolt-upright super-pursuit mode for serious wheel work. Dial in the second one. Remember to adjust your seats with a helmet on! Some M3 drivers take their spare tire out. I do. Some others like the weight in the back for traction. Try it and decide what's best for you. Keep an extra quart of oil around. If you push your M3 hard enough, it may develop the infamous lifter-tick noise (you'll know it when you hear it). If this happens, add the oil and drive the car (not on the course!) at low/moderate speeds at low rpm and give the pump some time to work. Prepare yourself mentally before you run. Things will happen VERY fast out there and the first few times you'll probably wonder what the heck just happened. (It's okay to shake uncontrollably, blurt out a random explanative or cry by the way. We all do it at the beginning. --Well maybe not the crying part <g>) If you're like most people, your first runs will be slow. You'll get beaten by Neons and Civics. It's nasty. But don't get discouraged. Seat time will improve your runs. Trust me. IMPORTANT - Be sure to have a whole lot of fun. 2) Try to pair up with an instructor that drives the same or a similar car. He/she will probably have many car specific tips for you. When you walk the course, walk it with the instructor --not beside him/her, but behind! This way you can watch the line that they choose. Encourage your instructor to talk about how they like to handle the course. Try to notice braking points and turn-in points. On long courses, note the shift points. Most instructors are there to run too, so don't press them too much, they're trying to remember the course! Work a corner with your instructor (or an experienced driver if you can). They'll critique the cars that pass, and you'll learn a lot from this. Sometime during the day, ride with your instructor. They'll blow you away, and redefine your conception of the word 'fast'. 3) Check out these books; Secrets of Solo Racing by Henry Watts Going Faster by Danny Sullivan Anyway, here's a few tips that have help me in the past. This was lengthy, but I hope it helps! Mike Chiang #190 ESP Team Proton Racing BMW M3 ----------------- ORIGINAL MESSAGE -------------------- Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:27:01 EDT From: Martyme104@aol.com Subject: Basic AUTOCROSS Info... Running in my first autocross in two weeks and want to enjoy the total experience. Did a BMW sponsored Driver School 5 years ago in NH with '86 325, and found it in ways overwhelming (mostly in a good way!) Have '99 M3 loaded and need to know: 1) How to prep the vehicle (and the driver) 2) Best way to maximize the Driver/Instructor resource 3) Links to other autocross info Thanks and keep it on the road! Marty/Boston
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#9. RE: [E36M3] Short Shifter ?'s - from Bassett, Jim
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:14:32 -0700 From: "Bassett, Jim" <jbassett@coastcom.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Short Shifter ?'s > UH OH! dissention! both with a bibliography. hmmm... who > do i pick up > sides with? Me, of course. What does Michael know? :-) > it seems to me that a short shifter would have to be more > likely to cause > misshifts. for 2 reasons. Hmmmm, further dissention ahead - Beware! :-) I feel that a short shifter is LESS likely to allow the user to misshift, primarily because of the slight increase in effort & notchiness (however slight) causes the user to have a better feel as to where the shifter is going and pay more attention to where they place it. (This is all IME, IMO, YMMV, etc :-)). BTW, I've owned 2 E36s (328is & M3) each with SS kits, put over 100,000 miles combined on them, and NEVER (yes, never) grabbed a wrong gear <knock on wood :-)>, street or track. I've found that the stock long shifter is vague and provides hardly any feedback as to where you're going, whereas I like the increased feedback from the short shifter. I can tell where it is and where I'm going with it. > it's different. Agreed, it's different. But I disagree that "different=misshift". I guess we'll just "agree to disagree" Sean. I don't want to start a whole "who's fault is a misshift" thread, because as far as I'm concerned, there's only one place to place the blame - the driver. Period. So there, :-p~ Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4
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#10.on commands - from Carlos Lopez
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:15:10 -0700 (PDT) From: Carlos Lopez <clopez95m3@yahoo.com> Subject: <admin question> on commands Sorry about the wob but maybe someone else can use this. Question for Suzy, I can't remember the correct syntax for the "no mail" command for "majordomo". And actually while I'm at it, are we on a list that takes "majordomo" commands? The uucdigest's help message didn't contain instructions on stopping mail, I tried already. Sorry folks, back to brake pads. -Carlos. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send online invitations with Yahoo! Invites. http://invites.yahoo.com
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#11. Re: [E36M3] HID lights - from Joe Huie
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Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 13:17:47 -0700 From: "Joe Huie" <jhuie@inreach.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] HID lights Rob, Can you explain "performance limited"? Are you referring to the reflector design of the U.S. headlamps? Personally, I find the U.S. lamps just okay, just not bright enough. I wondering if HID lamps would make a difference. Joe > Unless you are going to use the euro headlamps, you are wasting your time > The stock US headlamps are "performance limited" by their > design, not the bulb inside of it.