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#1. Re: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels - from Ben Liaw
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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 11:41:38 -0500 From: "Ben Liaw" <ben@shortshifter.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels tirerack has a few choices in the 235/35R18 (pricey, though). anything wider may be a fit issue. ben ------------------------------------------- ben liaw - ben@shortshifter.com http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 11:40:32 -0500 (EST) > From: dahermann@alum.mit.edu > Subject: tire sizes for 18x8 wheels > > i'm looking for recommendations for tires sizes > on for my 18x8 wheels. i've been running > 225/40/18 dunlops, but there doesn't appear to > be a whole lot of choices in that tire size. are > there any other sizes that would work? > > dan > 96 M3 (in need of new shoes)
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#2. Aftermarket Head Units and FM Reception - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 12:47:13 -0500 From: "Paul Elliott" <pelliott@rcn.com> Subject: Aftermarket Head Units and FM Reception Everybody knows that buying an aftermarket head unit is a compromise....You inevitably wind up compromising fm reception for better sound quality, and expandability. That you have to sacrifice fm reception when you buy that expensive, spiffy new receiver is a real shame. Various reasons have been put forth to explain. Many of them center on the notion that during installation, the installer may have forgotten to connect the usually blue head unit wire (blue, either from the head unit harness, or the crutchfield connector if you go that route) to the bmw white wire. If this is not done, then the antenna amp, officially called the Diversity Scanning Module made by Delphi Delco, will not be turned on. But, in diagnosing the problem, its important to note that if the scanning module is not turned on, its not just that youll get bad reception...Rather, you'll get no reception. So thats an easy one to diagnose. If you do get some 'decent' but not always 'clear' reception, then the cause is NOT that the installer did not hook up the remote turn-on wire. So, what if you do get reception, but, it's just not as good as the stock reception? People for a long time have said that the reason is that the stock head unit contained the diversity logic, and the aftermarket head unit did not....I used to think that meant the switching logic was in the head unit...but now, its clear that the logic resides in the diversity antenna module behind the c pillar...But, I dont think the reasoning was entirely off base. I believe that while the logic is in the diversity scanning module, there is also a circuit in the stock head unit which , makes use of this diversity signal....And I believe this is the crux of the degraded reception. On mine, it particularly becomes noticeable as I drive around...standing still, it can be clear as a bell. But start driving, and the static enters the signal. If you turn it up loud enough, you wont hear the static, but it definitely degrades the sound, and its definitely not as clear as stock for as far a distance over various terrain. A couple of days ago, I tried something, which for me, improved reception, almost to the level of the stock HU. If you take the trim cover off the c pillar, you'll see 2 tv-sized coax cables screwed into the diversity module. If you alternately unscrew both, you'll find the right hand one doesnt seem to make a difference, but the left hand one is crucial for reception. So, on the hypothesis that the diversity module was multiplexing these to coax inputs, and the head unit was not receiving these alternating signals properly, I left the right hand one off, and went for a test drive....To my surprise, things sounded better.....quite a bit better...Not quite as static free as stock. But, now, its at least listenable and fairly free of static interruptions. I dont know if this will help everybody, but in case it works for some of you, I wanted to post it. Good luck. _____________________________ Paul Elliott '99 Alpine White M3 <25000 mi Forged M dbl-spokes; Rotex pads; Dinan Stage II Supercharger; Stygar Short Shift kit and Clutch Stop; Skaggs Pedals; X-brace; Sound by Kenwood Excelon, Polk, JL Audio
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#3. RE: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels - from Jon D. Holder
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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 10:14:15 -0800 From: "Jon D. Holder" <jdholder@home.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels I run Sumitomo 235/40/18 on the front and 245/40/18 on the rear. These are on Haman (sp?) HM2. By the way, I have a 1998 M3 Convertible with H&R Sport on the Front and OE on the Rear (H&R doesn't currently make a Sport Spring specifically for the Rear of a Convertible). I have a little rubbing on the Fender liner in the rear, and NO rubbing in the front. Jon Holder 1998 M3c 1990 M3 JS Racecar 1999 528iT -----Original Message----- From: Ben Liaw [mailto:ben@shortshifter.com] Sent: Monday, December 18, 2000 8:53 AM To: E36M3 Subject: Re: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 11:41:38 -0500 From: "Ben Liaw" <ben@shortshifter.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] tire sizes for 18x8 wheels tirerack has a few choices in the 235/35R18 (pricey, though). anything wider may be a fit issue. ben ------------------------------------------- ben liaw - ben@shortshifter.com http://www.uucmotorwerks.com > Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 11:40:32 -0500 (EST) > From: dahermann@alum.mit.edu > Subject: tire sizes for 18x8 wheels > > i'm looking for recommendations for tires sizes > on for my 18x8 wheels. i've been running > 225/40/18 dunlops, but there doesn't appear to > be a whole lot of choices in that tire size. are > there any other sizes that would work? > > dan > 96 M3 (in need of new shoes) ************************************************************* List Commands UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. *************************************************************
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#4. STN rings - from Kit Wetzler
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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 10:37:10 -0800 From: Kit Wetzler <kitwetzler@mindspring.com> Subject: STN rings sorry about the late response, was at Laguna Seca all weekend. :) I slapped in the STN rings right before I left, and I love them! makes the whole shifter mechanism feel more solid when you're shifting and cornering all the time... sometimes, my car wouldn't go into 2nd or 3rd real smoothly when you were pulling lots of Gs, the STN rings fix it. I didn't notice any adverse effects, either... maybe a bit more vibration, but hardly any at all. -kit, who needs bigger brakes! 97M3/4 (1:48 - 1:49 at Laguna)
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#5. Re: re: update - blown wiring harness and DME (longish whinish) - from George M. Kofman
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Date: Mon, 18 Dec 2000 12:50:16 -0600 From: "George M. Kofman" <sdg2@execpc.com> Subject: Re: re: update - blown wiring harness and DME (longish whinish) Dbruce; > The wiring failure is a rarity (never seen a post on it > anywhere) so it can be chalked up to "sh*t happens." perhaps. another digester reported he has seen a similar failure on an E46 323. different car altogether. same brand. > I picked up an extended warranty and have not had occasion to > use it in the last 2 years and 20,000 miles. I have some minor issues > that come around with a car at 70,000 miles, these problems will not > reach anywhere near the cost of the warranty when I decide to repair > them. You are most fortunate. This single repair bill has paid for my extended warranty 3.7857 fold. No kidding. > > A used DME can be had for under 1,000, dunno about the > harness. I am sure the whole job could be done for significantly less > then $6,000 if you use somewhere other then the dealer or did the work > yourself. you are correct. except I am not good enough to rewire a front wiring harness on a E36 M3, nor do I have any inclination to do so. Yes, a used DME would have been less. Going to a 3rd party/independent shop would have been less as well. However, this was the FIRST time this dealer has seem such a failure. Imagine an independent who does not receive dealer training nor sees as many cars. 'nuff said. > > If you think this was a problem, check the S4 forum on > transmission failures, turbo failures and just about any electrical > problem you can imagine. These problems on a car that has only been > available for 2 years. S4 has been around for years. a new model is two years old. I assume you are referring to the new model. They are awesome cars, especially on a wet track. Regarding quality - since I do not belong to the S4 board, you may have a valid point. > Boxter S would be a choice I couldn't possibly find a problem with. same basic problems as other Euro cars. Fun ride though. Look great on the track. > > I believe your problem is in fact a defect specific to your car. > Unfortunately, problems happen on any car....be glad you were prepared > with an extended warranty. The only reason I purchased an extended warranty is my prior ownership experience with the BMW. I have had three of them prior to purchasing my '97 M3/4. All but the '72 2002 had electrical problems. ('94 325i and '94 325iC). Lost a waterpump on the 325i while going out to dinner with the family (36Kmi). Replaced two O2 sensors. Replaced the starter... etc... Both '94 E36 cars were sold prior to going out of warranty. '02 was simpler. It was a monthly direct-deposit to the mechanic who serviced it ;-) Here is a little history of my E36 M3/4 from THIS YEAR: 1) replaced dipstick tube since the stick was rubbing on "something" and neither the dealer nor the BMW rep could figure out where or why. 2) broke a left rear trailing arm while backing out of my garage. Still thanking God for not having it happen on the freeway 3) car pops out of 2nd gear while cornering under hard acceleration. happens 4-6 times per year. 4) replaced the catalytic converter 5) replaced both O2 sensors 6) replaced the rear brake caliper 7) replaced the DME and the wiring harness 8) water pump ? can't remember for sure. I am sure there are a few more, but I can't recall at this time. Oh yeah, and now the car has 53,005 miles. Items #5-7 were done over the last four weeks. My point is that not all BMWs are "rock solid." Not all of them run like SUN UNIX servers. Mine happens to be an NT Server. Runs great when it runs, but needs to be rebooted periodically. Regards, GMK '97 ///M3/4