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#1. Re: [E36M3] X-Brace - from Skip Bogard
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:34:09 -0400 From: Skip Bogard <skip.bogard@alumni.duke.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] X-Brace I have only heard of one bad experience with the X-brace. It was while visiting Korman's shop, and Jack Crance, his former General Shop Manager <and a brilliant guy...big loss to Korman when he left> was showing me the results of the rogue X-brace experience to me on a lift. The M3 owner had "caught' a piece of a switching apparatus on a rail-road track cross over. Like...caught a short exposed rail. The mass of the car pulled so hard on the X-brace that it bent the frame of the car, and could possibly be totalled. I do not know the final outcome. Korman's shop of course does not do major frame straightening and had to send it out. I have never heard of another horror story. Mostly just stories of oil pans that were saved destruction (and maybe an engine in the process). I have a X-brace on my car. I hear it 'dolp' on massive speed bumps once in a while. This was on a car that was "slammed". So if you lower your car ~beware~ because it is already low to start with. Most any BMW Motorsport parts (except for the LTW splitter or say a Groupe N suspension) are "small simple mods". X-brace, strut brace (95 only), etc. I don't recommend any suspension mods unless you really know what you're doing <I suspect many on this list do not, given the number of cars with failed suspension mount points, subframe failures, and torn metal> Remember: if the suspension parts are stiffened more than stock, what do you think is going to bend under shock load? Hint: if the suspension doesn't work for you, then the body will. The body is more than happy to flex for you if the springs won't. - Skip ENF wrote: > > Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 18:05:51 -0400 > From: "ENF" <enf@iglou.com> > Subject: X-Brace > > (Newbie Alert!) I am considering the x-brace for my '97M3/4. As the car is > used for pleasure only at this time my sole intent is to do small simple > mods until I am to a point I can explore other options (i.e. driving > schools, etc.). As I have read many favorable things about x-brace I was > wonder if there was anything on the "down side" to consider? I would be glad > to hear any positive experiences as well. > > Thanks in advance, > > Ed Frank > enf@iglou.com > '97M3/4
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#2. X-brace and crumple zones - from Ed Tang
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 08:46:15 -0700 (PDT) From: Ed Tang <etangf1@yahoo.com> Subject: X-brace and crumple zones Jason wrote: >Wait, I seem to remember from a previous thread that >having a xbrace had a negative effect on the crumple >zones of the M3 during frontal impact. >IE: >the xbrace reinforces the area in front of the >footwell making it more >likely to have xbrace and assorted things end up in >the footwell area... I remember the topic. I think that was the case if you tried to reuse the one-piece bar aft of the x-brace. The x-brace alone was fine. The rear of the brace was tied at the same position with the original one piece bar. Trying to combine the original bar with the x-brace was a no-no. Besides, I don't think BMW would design the bar into the convertibles and not crash test it. Ed Tang 95 Cosmos M3 __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos - 35mm Quality Prints, Now Get 15 Free! http://photos.yahoo.com/
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#3. Re: [E36M3] How much $ for Alignment? - from Dorffer, Rich
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 11:52:55 -0400 From: "Dorffer, Rich" <RDORFFER@CleIndians.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] How much $ for Alignment? I paid $86 ($99.99 less $20 CCA discount plus tax) for a four wheel alignment at Ganley BMW in Cleveland. All four wheels were checked against factory spec and adjusted as needed (or able). This was performed on the latest and greatest Hunter TC4000 (or something close to this) alignment equipment by a BMW Master Tech (Brett Anderson) who utilized the proper ballasts in the various locations on the car (95 M3) such as trunk, rear seat, passenger seat and driver seat. Just one more data point and YMMV. Regards, Rich
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#4. RE: Am I the only one? - from Jason Sarich
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 08:53:57 -0700 From: "Jason Sarich" <sarich_m3@prontomail.com> Subject: RE: Am I the only one? I didn't get my tickets either... Now I am starting to worry... How am I supposed to claim what I will inevitably win? Jason Sarich ______________________________________________________________ Get Your Free E-mail at http://www.prontomail.com
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#5. Re: X-brace and lifting tires - from vernon@sprynet.com
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 11:56:46 -0400 From: vernon@sprynet.com Subject: Re: X-brace and lifting tires Trust me, you can easily lift the "inside" front tire on an E36 M3 with NO mods. With nothing but good sticky Hoosier auto-x tires, you can get the inside front wheel 4-6 inches off the ground. Auto-x spectators love that - ask me how I know :) On the other hand, getting the "outside" front tire off the ground is probably really easy but would usually involve airbags, rollbars, body work and insurance agents.... Vern Anderson 98 M3/2 "Trying to save my expensive Hoosiers by only keeping three of them on the ground around bends =:0 " > >.... My friends tell me that the >outside front tire will pick up with the x-brace and >strut tower bar installed at driving events...
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#6. Re: E36M3 diagram of instrument cluster - from GSM M3
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 15:59:41 GMT From: "GSM M3" <carpediemm3@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: E36M3 diagram of instrument cluster Group, A few Q's... 1-Does anyone have a fiche or CD, that has an illustration of the instrument cluster (a pull back or cut-a-way, that shows the layering assemblage)? 2-Is the “frame” to the instrument cluster, a separate piece (black, flat top layer that frames around the actual gauges – if you were to cut out the view window to the instruments cluster, it would be the first piece you would come to from the front)? In other words, when/if I was to take the cluster out, (as if to install different colored gauges - though I’m not), does this detach from the gauges? 3-Providing someone understands what I’m trying to describe, does anyone have a part number for this piece, for the 99 M3 coupe? 4-Do all E36’s come w/ the accessory panel (w/ the 5 18mm X 41mm pop-out blanks – where the alarm LED, HK boast switch, ASCT switch is located), next to the cigarette lighter, beneath the sunglass holder, or just the M3’s? should I assume the number on the back of the "blank," is the part number (51-16 1 963 987), if this is the wrong assumption, would someone kindly shoot me that part number as well. That’s all folks. Many thanks. Cheers, Greg 99M _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com.
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#7. RE: [E36M3] Re: X-Brace - from juan_rico
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 08:49:18 -0700 From: "juan_rico" <juan_rico@captionsinc.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Re: X-Brace This brings up a question... BMW engineers are not dumb, and the more we mod our cars and "upgrade" them, the more we realize how we should of left them the way they were in a lot of cases. So, what gives? Why did BMW engineers leave the X-brace out from the factory? There's obviously a reason. Just curious... Juan 95 M3 - Xbraced and strut tower braced. -----Original Message----- From: JUSTIN GERRY [mailto:JGERRY@butchers.com] Sent: Thursday, October 05, 2000 8:37 AM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Re: X-Brace Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 10:33:54 -0400 From: "JUSTIN GERRY" <JGERRY@butchers.com> Subject: Re: X-Brace As far as I know, x-brace will only affect crumple zones ONLY if you leave the standard factory support bar connected along WITH the new X-brace. X-brace is standard on all convertible E36's (without the standard factory support bar) -Justin -- '76 02 (Whimsical) '97 M3 (Orion) (Not X-braced... yet..) BMW CCA#77056 check out http://users.vei.net/jgerry > Wait, I seem to remember from a previous thread that having a xbrace had a >negative effect on the crumple zones of the M3 during frontal impact. IE: >the xbrace reinforces the area in front of the footwell making it more >likely to have xbrace and assorted things end up in the footwell area... >I could be wrong. >Jason >> Date: Wed, 04 Oct 2000 16:24:27 PDT >> From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> >> Subject: Re: [E36M3] X-Brace >> >> i can't think of a possible downside. it's probably the only M3 mod that >> can claim that. >> ************************************************************* List Commands UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. *************************************************************
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Am I the only one? (Raffle tickets) - from Jason Bishop
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 09:29:20 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason Bishop <jason@secondhat.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Am I the only one? (Raffle tickets) I think so. mine are postmarked sep 21 Jason On Thu, 5 Oct 2000, Suwipin Martono wrote: > Date: Wed, 4 Oct 2000 22:25:50 -0700 (PDT) > From: Suwipin Martono <martono@newton.me.berkeley.edu> > Subject: Am I the only one? (Raffle tickets) > > > Am I the only who haven't received the E46 M3 Raffle tickets yet? :( > > pin > > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > ************************************************************* > >
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#9. Re: Re[2]: [E36M3] X-Brace - from Jason Bishop
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 09:32:53 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason Bishop <jason@secondhat.com> Subject: Re: Re[2]: [E36M3] X-Brace Thanks everybody. I got it now :) So the xbrace remains with no disadvantages... wow, maybe I should put one on my car. is it easy with a 9/95 build? Do I have the stupid little nutsert things preinstalled? Jason On Thu, 5 Oct 2000, Andrej Dolenc wrote: > Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 10:14:04 -0500 > From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> > Subject: Re[2]: [E36M3] X-Brace > > That is not the case as I understand it. The X-brace replaces a straight bar > that ties the two frame rails. There are mounting holes that could be used to > install the straight bar after the x-brace has been installed (further back, > towards the transmission). That was what I heard was the big no-no. > Installing the existing stock bar in addition to the x-brace will result in > bad things (the engine) entering the footwell in a frontal crash. > > > Wait, I seem to remember from a previous thread that having a xbrace had a > > negative effect on the crumple zones of the M3 during frontal impact. IE: > > the xbrace reinforces the area in front of the footwell making it more > > likely to have xbrace and assorted things end up in the footwell area... > > > I could be wrong. > so could I, so correct my response if I'm wrong! > > Andrej > '97 M3 > > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > ************************************************************* > >
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#10. you rock - from Jason Bishop
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Date: Thu, 5 Oct 2000 09:41:46 -0700 (PDT) From: Jason Bishop <jason@secondhat.com> Subject: you rock Damn I love this list. Works beautifully for the same reason the open source software process. One lameass (me) says or writes something flat wrong. 10 people within a few hours (minutes?) jump in to correct it. 2 hours later everything is all fixed. So, really it doesn't really matter that the first person got it all wrong (as long as it was on-topic). Can't be beat. No company can reproduce that. Thanks Suzy, thanks everybody. Jason
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#11. CARB SMOG legality of the various intakes - from Bora Akyol
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 09:43:32 -0700 From: Bora Akyol <akyol@pluris.com> Subject: CARB SMOG legality of the various intakes <html><head></head><body>Hi all<br> <br> I am about to buy one of the cold air intake setups. However, since I live in CA (Silicon Valley to boot), I have to get one that is smog legal. I do realize that moving from one air filter to another should not affect the characteristics of the car, but better be safe than sorry. <br> <br> I know that DINAN CAI is smog legal, but I don't like the fact that the intake is located so close to the ground.<br> <br> Any other units out there that are smog-legal.<br> <br> Thanks<br> <br> Bora<br> <br> </body> </html>
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#12. DINAN CAI questions - from Bora Akyol
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Date: Thu, 05 Oct 2000 09:44:48 -0700 From: Bora Akyol <akyol@pluris.com> Subject: DINAN CAI questions <html><head></head><body>With the DINAN CAI:<br> <br> 1) How easy is it to put in? Do I need to put the car on a lift?<br> 2) Did anyone suck water up their intake in the winter. I see that the air filter is right next to the front of the bumper?<br> <br> </body> </html>