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#1. Re: 17x7.5 Rims - from mill
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 14:01:25 +0200 From: mill <mill99@gmx.net> Subject: Re: 17x7.5 Rims >Would it be a bad idea to put 17x7.5 rims all the way around on my 97 >M3?? The Axis rims that I want only come in 17x7.5. I really do not like >the idea of going up to 18s. > >Vishal >'97 Dinan S/Cd M3 For a 96+ M3 mounting 7.5x17 wheels together with 225/45 tires, would be a low cost alternative and have some benefits: -225/45 tires are cheaper than 235/40, and there are also more tire models/brands to choose from -225/45 don't have the uneven wear problem that some 235 tires have on 7.5" rims (my 235/45 Pirelli Assym. winter tires on the double spoke 7.5 rims had a bad uneven wear habit) -I like the steering feel of the 225/45 front -tires can be rotated (font<-->rear) for longer tire life. -lighter wheels (unsprung weight), which is good for acceleration & fuel economy 225/45 all around are good, if you use your car as your daily driver (which my car is, with occasional spirited mountain road driving) and don't need maximum grip/performance. I have 225/45 all around and I am satisfied with it (got my wheels+tires from a E36 328 conv.). Mine is euro 3.0 with 286 hp and my rears seem to handle the power very good, as there is not much tire slip when accelerating. But maybe your s/c 3.2 liter engine produces some more low end torque than my car. In that case, I would recommend to have 245/40 or 255/40 on the rears and that is not compatible with 7.5" rims. My recommendation: If you want performance go for 8.5"wheels If you like a low cost alternative go for 7.5" wheels with 225/45 or 235/40 tires. To 235/40 on 7.5": I tend to believe, that if the 235 tires wear out in the middle, a 225/45 (of the same tire) would perform better than that 235 tire. There may be some 235/40 tires that fit perfect for a 7.5" rim and wear even. mill
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#2. Re: [E36M3] E36M3 #262 - from stu
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 07:31:16 -0700 (PDT) From: stu <burness@unm.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] E36M3 #262 Sean and all: BEWARE of BDI bike racks!!! It's a license plate mount touted for no paint contact, but poor design and poor fabrication cused mine to fail on my 98 M3/4 (which grew up to be a 98 540i/6 <g> => no flames please) causing about $500 in damage to the trunk lid. BDI would not respond to any of my inquiries or calls. Went through BBB in FLA and NC with no luck. On the positive side evrything I hear about Yakima is that they are tops -- if you put them on top. IMHO trunk mounted systems are a bad idea for 3 E36's. I found the best pricing (by far) at http://www.bikeusa.com/ Caveat emptor!! Stu ABQ, NM
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#3. oops! RE: bike racks ('scuse the double post) - from stu
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 07:35:25 -0700 (PDT)
From: stu <burness@unm.edu>
Subject: oops! RE: bike racks ('scuse the double post)
Sean and all:
BEWARE of BDI bike racks!!! It's a license plate mount touted for no
paint contact, but poor design and poor fabrication cused mine to fail on
my 98 M3/4 (which grew up to be a 98 540i/6 <g> => no flames please)
causing about $500 in damage to the trunk lid. BDI would not
respond to any of my inquiries or calls. Went through BBB in FLA and NC
with no luck.
On the positive side evrything I hear about Yakima is that they are tops
-- if you put them on top. IMHO trunk mounted systems are a bad idea for
3 E36's. I found the best pricing (by far) at
http://www.bikeusa.com/
Caveat emptor!! And thanks for the opportunity to get the word out on
these crooks!
Stu
ABQ, NM
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#4. Re: [E36M3] 225 vs. 245 Front tires - from Andrej Dolenc
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:54:14 -0500 From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] 225 vs. 245 Front tires > I'm wondering what will be the difference (driving-wise) if I choose to > use 245/40-17 for my front tires instead of the 225 stock ones? I had the same experience as Jim Bassett when I went to 245/40/17 tires all the way around - decrease in understeer, slightly heavier steering (a bit harder to turn). Not a lot harder to turn, just enough for you to notice the difference. I got used to it within a few days, it's not a big deal at all. Another big advantage of going to 245/40/17 tires on all 4 corners is the ability to rotate tires front to back. With more and more high performance tires going to a directional tread pattern, the only way to rotate the tires side to side is by taking your car to a tire shop and having them dismount & remount the tires. With same size tires all the way around, you can at least rotate the tires front to back, thereby prolonging the life of your tires (rear tires wear far quicker). > Why does BMW choose 225 for the front tires in the first place? Big Brother is trying to save us from ourselves. Gee, thanks! Andrej '97 M3
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#5. One more post re bike racks - from George R Carr Jr
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:18:44 -0600 From: George R Carr Jr <georgecarrjr@rmi.net> Subject: One more post re bike racks This morning while removing my roof mount Thule I was reminded that you should plan to regularly remove, clean, rewax, and reinstall your bike rack. Do not simply leave it up there all the time. The rack does move around a bit. Dirt/grime in water does get under the rack feet. ========================== georgecarrjr@rmi.net
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#6. Re: [E36M3] stop scratches - from George R Carr Jr
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:24:00 -0600 From: George R Carr Jr <georgecarrjr@rmi.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] stop scratches >Date: Wed, 21 Jun 2000 13:03:01 PDT >From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> >Subject: Re: [E36M3] stop scratches > >>I just thought that the flexible magnet pads stuck to my refrigerator >>door would go under the bike rack pads and solve this one easily. Ken >>Robb > >that sounds promising. i have a (relatively) hard mount from the >magnet to the metal, and the pad would rub back and forth on the >backside of the magnet. > >sould like a plan! ;-) > > I bet you will find that the refrigerator magnets are not made for the kind of pressure that is generated under the bike rack feet. They will destruct. ========================== georgecarrjr@rmi.net
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Re: 17x7.5 Rims - from Vishal Shah
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 08:49:15 -0700 From: "Vishal Shah" <VShah@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: 17x7.5 Rims I too like the feeling of a 225 front, however, the shop where I got my tires mounted have placed the 245 on the rear 7.5" rim with no problem. I basically changed the stock tires to the new rims from my 97 and there seems to be no issue. Would i still get the same performance from a 7.5" rim rather than the 8.5" stock with the same tire? VS '97 Dinan S/C M3 ----- Original Message ----- From: "mill" <mill99@gmx.net> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmwmpower.com> Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2000 4:59 AM Subject: [E36M3] Re: 17x7.5 Rims > Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 14:01:25 +0200 > From: mill <mill99@gmx.net> > Subject: Re: 17x7.5 Rims > > >Would it be a bad idea to put 17x7.5 rims all the way around on my 97 > >M3?? The Axis rims that I want only come in 17x7.5. I really do not like > >the idea of going up to 18s. > > > >Vishal > >'97 Dinan S/Cd M3 > > For a 96+ M3 mounting 7.5x17 wheels together with 225/45 tires, would > be a low cost alternative and have some benefits: > > -225/45 tires are cheaper than 235/40, and there are also more tire models/brands to choose from > -225/45 don't have the uneven wear problem that some 235 tires have on 7.5" rims > (my 235/45 Pirelli Assym. winter tires on the double spoke 7.5 rims had a bad uneven wear habit) > -I like the steering feel of the 225/45 front > -tires can be rotated (font<-->rear) for longer tire life. > -lighter wheels (unsprung weight), which is good for acceleration & fuel > economy > > 225/45 all around are good, if you use your car as your daily driver (which my car is, with > occasional spirited mountain road driving) and don't need maximum grip/performance. > > I have 225/45 all around and I am satisfied with it (got my wheels+tires from a E36 328 conv.). > Mine is euro 3.0 with 286 hp and my rears seem to handle the power very good, as there is not much tire > slip when accelerating. > But maybe your s/c 3.2 liter engine produces some more > low end torque than my car. In that case, I would recommend to have 245/40 or 255/40 > on the rears and that is not compatible with 7.5" rims. > > My recommendation: > If you want performance go for 8.5"wheels > If you like a low cost alternative go for 7.5" wheels with 225/45 or 235/40 tires. > > To 235/40 on 7.5": I tend to believe, that if the 235 tires wear out in the middle, a 225/45 > (of the same tire) would perform better than that 235 tire. > There may be some 235/40 tires that fit perfect for a 7.5" rim and wear even. > > > mill > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > ************************************************************* > >
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#8. Schroth harness question - from Ed Tang
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:16:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Ed Tang <etangf1@yahoo.com> Subject: Schroth harness question Hi all, I just received the Ralleye 4 harness for my 95 M3. The Schroth instruction booklet is for a universal application. I took the back seat out and couldn't find the fourth point to attach the harness to. It was already late so I didn't really look around. I checked my Bentley manual and it isn't very descriptive. If anyone can lead me into the right direction it would be deeply appreciated. Also, for those who have installed them, what is the estimated time per seat? TIA Ed Tang 95 Cosmos M3 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/
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#9. RE: [E36M3] Schroth harness question - from Andy Korczynski
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 11:30:08 -0500 From: Andy Korczynski <Andy@casskor.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Schroth harness question I beleive Jim Basset Powel (one of them) has a write up on their site somewhere...I installed it on my 99 M3/2 and used the two backseat seat belt locations for mounting points. To get to the outboard seat belt mounting point you'll have to remove the side panel as well (People mentioned you don't have to, but on my car there is no way to get to the bolt without doing so). If you have more particular questions feel free to email me, I just installed it about 3 weeks ago so its still fresh.... Andy K. -----Original Message----- From: Ed Tang To: E36M3 Sent: 6/22/00 11:19 AM Subject: [E36M3] Schroth harness question Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 09:16:36 -0700 (PDT) From: Ed Tang <etangf1@yahoo.com> Subject: Schroth harness question Hi all, I just received the Ralleye 4 harness for my 95 M3. The Schroth instruction booklet is for a universal application. I took the back seat out and couldn't find the fourth point to attach the harness to. It was already late so I didn't really look around. I checked my Bentley manual and it isn't very descriptive. If anyone can lead me into the right direction it would be deeply appreciated. Also, for those who have installed them, what is the estimated time per seat? TIA Ed Tang 95 Cosmos M3 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/ ************************************************************* List Commands UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. *************************************************************
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Schroth harness question - from Andrej Dolenc
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Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2000 12:43:43 -0500 From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Schroth harness question > I just received the Ralleye 4 harness for my 95 M3. > The Schroth instruction booklet is for a universal > application. I took the back seat out and couldn't > find the fourth point to attach the harness to. It was > already late so I didn't really look around. I checked > my Bentley manual and it isn't very descriptive. If > anyone can lead me into the right direction it would > be deeply appreciated. Also, for those who have > installed them, what is the estimated time per seat? Some web resources that describe the install in a bit more detail are at: http://grove.ufl.edu/~stickney/schroth.html http://members.home.net/jimbassett/harness.htm I did the standard install described on Peter Stickney's page. If you are careful, and have _very_ dexterous fingers, you can install the outboard tail strap without pulling the side panel. We pulled it out, made installing that tail strap a piece of cake. Reinstalling the side panel was a bit of a PITA. As a side bonus, you can pull the rear middle seat seatbelts. Honestly how often are you going to have 3 people in the back of an M3? I pulled it out so it wouldn't flap around when I autocross. Andrej '97 M3