-------------------- 1 --------------------
#1. Re: [E36M3] Subject: Re: End of an Era.... - from Adam Fila
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 13:30:41 -0400 From: "Adam Fila" <ylf@mindless.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Subject: Re: End of an Era.... BMW - reputation of making the best engines in the business. Daimler-Chrysler - reputation of making the best minivans in the business. Also known for the K-car. (should that be now reffered to as the K-klasse ? :) Which one do you want ? I'll take the engines, thank you. :) -Adam Fila '95 M3 (why shouldn't the kids have some fun on the way to soccer practice ?) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brent Williams" <baw2@ra.msstate.edu> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmwmpower.com> Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 9:55 AM Subject: [E36M3] Subject: Re: End of an Era.... > Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2000 22:54:16 -0500 > From: "Brent Williams" <baw2@ra.msstate.edu> > Subject: Subject: Re: End of an Era.... > > >Point being MB has _more_ of a reputation of being an "engine" > company, than BMW does. > > I tend to disagree on this part. BMW has a reputation for its engine > building doesn' t it? I mean they put BMW engines in the McLaren F1, and > they ran like a scalded dog. And I do believe that the Rolls Royce uses BMW > engines in many of thier cars. And don't forget BMW started making engines > for airplanes, thus the blue and white propeller on everyones' cars. So if > anything, I would say that BMW is more of an Engine company than Merc Benzo. > > > I have been wrong before, and will be wrong again. So this is only my > opinion. > > Brent > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > ************************************************************* > > >
-------------------- 2 --------------------
#2. Check Coolant Level - from DiVincenti, A.J.
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 12:38:57 -0500 From: "DiVincenti, A.J." <ADiVin@lsusd.lsumc.edu> Subject: Check Coolant Level The CHECK COOLANT LEVEL message has been coming on now during start up on my 95 M3, but the coolant level is at the proper level each time I've checked. Have any of you guys experienced this before? Should I be concerned, and how could I remedy this? AJ DiVincenti
-------------------- 3 --------------------
#3. Re: WOB BMW vs MB Engines - from Hunter Johnson
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 19:53:11 +0100 From: "Hunter Johnson" <HJOHNSON@dbmail.debis.de> Subject: Re: WOB BMW vs MB Engines Adam writes: >I think his point was, that McLaren put a BMW V12 in the F1 (road car) which >was arguably the ultimate supercar ever built...(BTW McLaren was running >Peugeot engines in their Formula 1 cars until 1994 - the decision to go with >a BMW engine in the F1 road car was made before the partnership with Mercedes) The story behind this is that McLaren had strict ideas of how much power they needed for performance targets of the F1, and they allocated only so much weight and length for the motor. Gordon Murray wanted 100 normally aspirated bhp per liter, and knew that only two engine manufacturers were capable of this: BMW and Honda. Honda were approached first but didn't express enough interest in the project -- likely the first choice due to the McLaren Honda juggernaut of the late 1980s. As many of you know, this "partnership" between McLaren and Mercedes-Benz is now "ownership" -- you probably noticed that Ron Dennis no longer accepts the Manufacturer's Trophy when McLaren crosses the line first -- the gentleman's name is Jürgen Hubbert, and he is DaimlerChrysler's board member responsible for Mercedes-Benz Passenger Vehicles. In case you were wondering... Hunter 1998 M3/4
-------------------- 4 --------------------
#4. What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Jim Powell
Top
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 11:13:59 -0700 From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@home.com> Subject: What Makes a Good Vendor - an update Last week I vented about my inability to get what I considered normal treatment in my quest for a custom built rollbar. One of the targets of my wrath was ProParts. I received emails from ProParts as you might expect since I singled them out. So I wanted to give an update. All of the people at ProParts responded correctly in my personal and professional opinion. This has relevance since I run a Customer Support organization, so I have a benchmark set by my own career and the industry organizations I belong too. So I repeat, ProParts responded in an exemplary manner. So what has happened? I have an appointment to drop my car off in Canoga Park on July 5th. None of my requests for non-standard custom work flustered them and they came up with some more pertinant suggestions to make my design even better. Exactly what I expect from a market leader. Now I guess in one instance I don't mind getting what I want after throwing a tantrum. But I'm hoping for them and for all of you, potential customers, that what this really is, is a refocus on their part, to paying attention to the service side of their business. That's what they are telling me and if they follow through, it will be a good thing for them and for us. I'll post updates on the process as I go along. I'll probably do one of my write-ups also; with pictures of the facilities, people and maybe work in progress, if I can get up there during the job. I will post pictures of the completed work regardless. This rollbar will be of interest to others in my quandry. I have a 4-door. I also do NOT have fold down rear seats. This means I have to get at least a couple of my tires in the backseat area to go to the track. Typical bars have fixed diagonal braces from the main hoop to the rear shock towers. This would block the rear doors and keep me from loading up for the track. ProParts will be building me an SCCA legal touring car type rollbar that will leave the door openings clear. If you are in the same boat, this install may interest you. Stand by for news. Jim
-------------------- 5 --------------------
#5. RE: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Chen, Philip
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 11:30:03 -0700 From: "Chen, Philip" <Philip_Chen@transcom.sony.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update Eh, so the moral of the story is, when unable to get preferential treatment: 1. Complain loudly about vendor 2. Turn on the TV, have beer, while wait for vendor to come-a-crawlin' & beg for forgiveness :-) (Random thoughts: Hmmmmmm, if I start bad mouthing UUC & Jim now, would I get my injector any sooner?) Phil Just kidding Jim! I'll see ya soon for my upgrade... -----Original Message----- From: Jim Powell [mailto:jsp98m3@home.com] Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 11:15 AM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update Last week I vented about my inability to get what I considered normal treatment in my quest for a custom built rollbar. One of the targets of my wrath was ProParts. I received emails from ProParts as you might expect since I singled them out. So I wanted to give an update. All of the people at ProParts responded correctly in my personal and professional opinion. This has relevance since I run a Customer Support organization, so I have a benchmark set by my own career and the industry organizations I belong too. So I repeat, ProParts responded in an exemplary manner. So what has happened? I have an appointment to drop my car off in Canoga Park on July 5th. None of my requests for non-standard custom work flustered them and they came up with some more pertinant suggestions to make my design even better. Exactly what I expect from a market leader. Now I guess in one instance I don't mind getting what I want after throwing a tantrum. But I'm hoping for them and for all of you, potential customers, that what this really is, is a refocus on their part, to paying attention to the service side of their business. That's what they are telling me and if they follow through, it will be a good thing for them and for us. I'll post updates on the process as I go along. I'll probably do one of my write-ups also; with pictures of the facilities, people and maybe work in progress, if I can get up there during the job. I will post pictures of the completed work regardless. This rollbar will be of interest to others in my quandry. I have a 4-door. I also do NOT have fold down rear seats. This means I have to get at least a couple of my tires in the backseat area to go to the track. Typical bars have fixed diagonal braces from the main hoop to the rear shock towers. This would block the rear doors and keep me from loading up for the track. ProParts will be building me an SCCA legal touring car type rollbar that will leave the door openings clear. If you are in the same boat, this install may interest you. Stand by for news. Jim
-------------------- 6 --------------------
#6. RE: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Chen, Philip
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 11:35:10 -0700 From: "Chen, Philip" <Philip_Chen@transcom.sony.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update I just realized something, that's Jim P(owell) I was referring to... Phil -----Original Message----- From: Chen, Philip Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 11:30 AM To: 'Jim Powell'; E36M3 Subject: RE: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update .... Just kidding Jim! I'll see ya soon for my upgrade... ....
-------------------- 7 --------------------
#7. Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Jim Powell
Top
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 11:32:08 -0700 From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update I didn't expect or ever wanted preferential treatment. I just wanted return calls and dates I can trust, whenever they may be. I have no idea if I am getting special treatment. That does quite often happen in cases like this. But it certainly isn't what I expect or demand. If the result of my venting had been: "We can't do what you want" or "We can do it but we're booked until 2002" that would have been acceptable to me. That they can fit me in before the Fall season starts is just gravy. Jim "Chen, Philip" wrote: > Eh, so the moral of the story is, when unable to get preferential treatment: > > 1. Complain loudly about vendor > 2. Turn on the TV, have beer, while wait for vendor to come-a-crawlin' & beg > for forgiveness > > :-) > > (Random thoughts: Hmmmmmm, if I start bad mouthing UUC & Jim now, would I > get my injector any sooner?) > > Phil > Just kidding Jim! I'll see ya soon for my upgrade... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Jim Powell [mailto:jsp98m3@home.com] > Sent: Wednesday, June 07, 2000 11:15 AM > To: E36M3 > Subject: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update > > Last week I vented about my inability to get what I considered normal > treatment in my quest for a custom built rollbar. One of the targets of > my wrath was ProParts. I received emails from ProParts as you might > expect since I singled them out. So I wanted to give an update. > > All of the people at ProParts responded correctly in my personal and > professional opinion. This has relevance since I run a Customer Support > organization, so I have a benchmark set by my own career and the > industry organizations I belong too. So I repeat, ProParts responded in > an exemplary manner. > > So what has happened? I have an appointment to drop my car off in > Canoga Park on July 5th. None of my requests for non-standard custom > work flustered them and they came up with some more pertinant > suggestions to make my design even better. > > Exactly what I expect from a market leader. > > Now I guess in one instance I don't mind getting what I want after > throwing a tantrum. But I'm hoping for them and for all of you, > potential customers, that what this really is, is a refocus on their > part, to paying attention to the service side of their business. That's > what they are telling me and if they follow through, it will be a good > thing for them and for us. > > I'll post updates on the process as I go along. I'll probably do one of > my write-ups also; with pictures of the facilities, people and maybe > work in progress, if I can get up there during the job. I will post > pictures of the completed work regardless. > > This rollbar will be of interest to others in my quandry. I have a > 4-door. I also do NOT have fold down rear seats. This means I have to > get at least a couple of my tires in the backseat area to go to the > track. Typical bars have fixed diagonal braces from the main hoop to > the rear shock towers. This would block the rear doors and keep me from > loading up for the track. ProParts will be building me an SCCA legal > touring car type rollbar that will leave the door openings clear. If > you are in the same boat, this install may interest you. > > Stand by for news. > > Jim
-------------------- 8 --------------------
#8. Re: BMW Oil - from John Firestone
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 19:48:03 -0400 (EDT) From: John Firestone <john.firestone@nord-com.net> Subject: Re: BMW Oil On Mon, 5 Jun 2000, Ron Buchalski wrote: > > John Firestone <john.firestone@nord-com.net> wrote > > >In Europe, people buy the more expensive lightweight oils because > >they pay for themselves through reduced fuel consumption. With gas > >prices in some places running about half the levels seen in Europe, I > >wonder if some in the U.S. could be saving money running lightweight > >oil. > > How much of a savings is there? I will see if I can find some rough figures. At the current prices in Europe, OW or 5W full-synthetic oil pays for itself in saved fuel. > > >What do people pay for a quart of 5W-30 Castrol or a comparable full > >synthetic? > > The dealer charges $3.54/qt list, and gives a discount to BMWCCA members. > Retail stores sell full synthetic for $4-5 per quart, with occasional sales > dropping the price around $1 or so. > > What do you pay in Germany? The last time I checked, I could get 5W-30 full synthetic for about 15 DM per liter. Even at prices greater than that, the stuff pays for itself in saved fuel, provided you follow the SI lights and don't need to add much oil in between. Gas in Germany runs about 2 DM per litter, so the cost ratio of oil to fuel is about 7.5 to 1. At $3.50 a quart for oil and $2 a gallon for gas, the cost ratio in the U.S. is 7 to 1, better than in Europe. I think you folks in the U.S. can do something about your high gas prices, and in the process, save some money, and wear and tear on your engines. Change to "more expensive", 5W- oil, that is, if you can change it following the SI lights. -John '96 318is -- john.firestone@nord-com.net
-------------------- 9 --------------------
#9. Re: Euro Lights (long) - from John Firestone
Top
Date: Wed, 7 Jun 2000 19:21:12 -0400 (EDT) From: John Firestone <john.firestone@nord-com.net> Subject: Re: Euro Lights (long) On Tue, 6 Jun 2000, Hunter Johnson wrote: > The fact is, BMW specifies the headlamp beam pattern (at the suggestion of > the initial supplier), and from there on the subsequent suppliers have to > meet this criteria. One exception, however, may be that if ZKW wasn't an > OEM supplier, their lamps might be inferior (i.e. insurance replacement > but never specified on new vehicles). Both ZKW and Bosch headlights have been on the E36 parts fiche for as long as I have been checking, and I tend to the notion they were also a BMW OEM. I have been told: 1) the two give equivalent performance or 2) the Bosch lights tested better - but I haven't seen or read anything from which I can form an opinion. > Personally I believe that while there is still a difference > between the BMW ECE and DOT headlamp, with the next E46 this > difference may be non-existent . . . . The ECE and DOT have been > working over the past 5 years to achieve a homogenized headlamp pattern > for use world wide, and while they're not there yet, the ECE pattern now > allows more light above the horizontal than they used to, and the DOT lamp > has a blend between a simple "hot spot" and a horizontal cut off.... I just checked a tolerably diverse mixture of German and U.S. made BMW's, headed to customers in Germany, the U.S., Japan and South Africa. I think the world headlight is already here. The Z3's and the E39 5er's had headlights with both European (circle-E4) and DOT/SAE approval. I couldn't see the approval codes on the E46 3ers, however, all the U.S.-bound cars had cutouts in the high beam housings for European parking lights. I would be interested if an owner of U.S. E46 3ers could check his or her (stock) headlights. Look for a circled, capital E and number on the housing, the European approval mark. Try pointing the headlights at a wall and see if the low beams throw a pattern that rises at a 15 degree angle off to the right. I'll bet Broetchen to bagels, that some, happy, American 3er owners already have European-approved headlights and don't even know it. > That said, please keep in mind that a properly aimed ECE lamp (1% drop) > has a range of 60 meters, so at 60 mph you are out driving the range of a > European headlamp (60 mph = 45 m/s, so 60 m = 1.3 seconds). The DOT lamp > which throws light above the horizontal will therefore have a much greater > range. In a recent case, a German court decided that 50 km/h (ca. 30 mph) was about the maximum safe speed on traditional, European low beam headlights, and that 80 km/h (ca. 50 mph) was clearly going too fast. I'd give details of the case, except some might think that a bit of old Bismarck's blood-and-iron is still being dispensed on Germany's drivers. Heck. At least people here aren't in fear of the police. :) > If that doesn't do it for you, then try the ECE lamps, but I would go the > extra mile and install the Euro spec headlamp adjuster. This has four > settings: 0, 1, 2, and 3, and I believe that they correspond to the % > drop, so "1" is the normal setting. I am not sure about other makes, but the BMW headlight adjustment has three settings: 0, 1, and 2. All are intended to give a 1% drop. '0' is the normal setting and gives a 1% drop when there are 1 or 2 passengers in the car, '1' lowers the beams when you add more passengers or luggage, while '2' returns the low beams to earth when the tail is really dragging, for example, because of a trailer. > By adjusting your new Euro lamps correctly you can dramatically increase > the range of the lamp by moving to "0" on the fly, and dropping back to > "1" when you encounter traffic on the highway. The "2" and "3" are used if > you have lots of stuff in the trunk, which causes your headlamps to shine > upwards. This is a cool idea. Calibrating '0' to give a half percent drop could be just the ticket for a well-divided Interstate, while the readjusted "2" setting should do you unless you add a trailer. Hmmm. Someone I know just added the headlight level adjustment system while homologating his U.S. E36 3er. He even took notes. You reckon there would be any in this crowd with an interest in such things? Oh, no. His project list runneth over. -John '96 318is -- john.firestone@nord-com.net
-------------------- 10 --------------------
#10. Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Suzy Kraft
Top
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 13:46:40 -0500 From: Suzy Kraft <suekraft@mindspring.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update Dinan sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, if they would put one of their superchargers on my car for me, then maybe I will say nice things about them and even put some pictures of the SC install on my web site :-) Suzy Jim Powell wrote: > > Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 11:13:59 -0700 > From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@home.com> > Subject: What Makes a Good Vendor - an update > > Last week I vented about my inability to get what I considered normal > treatment in my quest for a custom built rollbar. One of the targets of > my wrath was ProParts. I received emails from ProParts as you might > expect since I singled them out. So I wanted to give an update. > > All of the people at ProParts responded correctly in my personal and > professional opinion. This has relevance since I run a Customer Support > organization, so I have a benchmark set by my own career and the > industry organizations I belong too. So I repeat, ProParts responded in > an exemplary manner. > > So what has happened? I have an appointment to drop my car off in > Canoga Park on July 5th. None of my requests for non-standard custom > work flustered them and they came up with some more pertinant > suggestions to make my design even better. > > Exactly what I expect from a market leader. > > Now I guess in one instance I don't mind getting what I want after > throwing a tantrum. But I'm hoping for them and for all of you, > potential customers, that what this really is, is a refocus on their > part, to paying attention to the service side of their business. That's > what they are telling me and if they follow through, it will be a good > thing for them and for us. > > I'll post updates on the process as I go along. I'll probably do one of > my write-ups also; with pictures of the facilities, people and maybe > work in progress, if I can get up there during the job. I will post > pictures of the completed work regardless. > > This rollbar will be of interest to others in my quandry. I have a > 4-door. I also do NOT have fold down rear seats. This means I have to > get at least a couple of my tires in the backseat area to go to the > track. Typical bars have fixed diagonal braces from the main hoop to > the rear shock towers. This would block the rear doors and keep me from > loading up for the track. ProParts will be building me an SCCA legal > touring car type rollbar that will leave the door openings clear. If > you are in the same boat, this install may interest you. > > Stand by for news. > > Jim > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > *************************************************************
-------------------- 11 --------------------
#11. Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update - from Jim Powell
Top
Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 11:50:19 -0700 From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] What Makes a Good Vendor - an update I failed to mention that I did not complain or bargain on price at any time. I may in fact be paying a "Whiner surcharge". I am not getting any deal on price or timing that I know of. In fact the end price roughly quoted to me is the same as the last one they gave me when their communication was spotty at best. So I am assuming I'm getting nothing in that way. Jim Suzy Kraft wrote: > Dinan sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! Of course, if they would put one of their > superchargers on my car for me, then maybe I will say nice things about > them and even put some pictures of the SC install on my web site :-) > > Suzy > > Jim Powell wrote: > > > > Date: Wed, 07 Jun 2000 11:13:59 -0700 > > From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@home.com> > > Subject: What Makes a Good Vendor - an update > > > > Last week I vented about my inability to get what I considered normal > > treatment in my quest for a custom built rollbar. One of the targets of > > my wrath was ProParts. I received emails from ProParts as you might > > expect since I singled them out. So I wanted to give an update. > > > > All of the people at ProParts responded correctly in my personal and > > professional opinion. This has relevance since I run a Customer Support > > organization, so I have a benchmark set by my own career and the > > industry organizations I belong too. So I repeat, ProParts responded in > > an exemplary manner. > > > > So what has happened? I have an appointment to drop my car off in > > Canoga Park on July 5th. None of my requests for non-standard custom > > work flustered them and they came up with some more pertinant > > suggestions to make my design even better. > > > > Exactly what I expect from a market leader. > > > > Now I guess in one instance I don't mind getting what I want after > > throwing a tantrum. But I'm hoping for them and for all of you, > > potential customers, that what this really is, is a refocus on their > > part, to paying attention to the service side of their business. That's > > what they are telling me and if they follow through, it will be a good > > thing for them and for us. > > > > I'll post updates on the process as I go along. I'll probably do one of > > my write-ups also; with pictures of the facilities, people and maybe > > work in progress, if I can get up there during the job. I will post > > pictures of the completed work regardless. > > > > This rollbar will be of interest to others in my quandry. I have a > > 4-door. I also do NOT have fold down rear seats. This means I have to > > get at least a couple of my tires in the backseat area to go to the > > track. Typical bars have fixed diagonal braces from the main hoop to > > the rear shock towers. This would block the rear doors and keep me from > > loading up for the track. ProParts will be building me an SCCA legal > > touring car type rollbar that will leave the door openings clear. If > > you are in the same boat, this install may interest you. > > > > Stand by for news. > > > > Jim > > > > ************************************************************* > > List Commands > > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > > *************************************************************