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#1. Has anyone tried SMG? - from PJB
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Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 00:07:35 -0500 From: "PJB" <pbosco@hotmail.com> Subject: Has anyone tried SMG? The SMG trans setup sounds like a really fun option to have on an M3 - I haven't heard much about what it's like to drive with it...any experiences out there? Pete '95 M3
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#2. RE: [E36M3] trunk closer - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 23:06:02 -0800 (PST) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] trunk closer > On a similar note, it seems that some people with winged M3s use the wing > for a trunk closer. You might want to be even more careful with that > handle. While it won't dent as easily, constant flexing of the paint will > eventually cause it to crack. Not that I do that, but I kinda find that hard to believe. What type of force does the wing feel at, say, 90 mph? Also, who's closing your trunk? He-Man? I like the trunk closer of my dad's E38 since it's a piece of plastic where the fingers go...not just the trunk lining carpet. But you guys crack me up...I can't believe that some never knew about it...ROFLMAO!!!! Chester ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#3. Re: [E36M3] : hi-fi/high performance - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 23:08:04 -0800 (PST) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] : hi-fi/high performance --- Daniel <m3_driver@yahoo.com> wrote: > Ever wonder why we have to pay for HK Sound whe many > other manufacturers throw in the 'upgraded' (eg. Bose) > set-ups as standard equipment? > BMW just likes to nickel and dime its customers to > death...I am pretty sure that if it was not for the > Acura CL and the Lexus IS300...BMW would not be > adjusting their 3 series pricing down mind year 2001 > model year (effective 3/1/01 production) You think BMW nickle and dimes us? I remember just looking into a Porsche and went to their website--unsuspecting fool that I was. Oh, a 911 isn't too expensive. Oh wait...if I want lights for the foot wells when I open the door...how much? If I want....the list goes on and on. Chester ===== __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#4. Driving Schools; CCA vs PCA vs NASA - from WSelva@aol.com
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Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 06:44:46 EST From: WSelva@aol.com Subject: Driving Schools; CCA vs PCA vs NASA Hi, I've been following the thread regarding drivers schools, and although I normally don't contribute to the digest, preferring to listening and observing rather than expostulating (that's why God gave us two eyes, two ears, and only one mouth), I do have a few comments to add to NCC member Ron Katona's words. In a message dated 2/3/2001 5:36:09 PM Eastern Standard Time, Ron Katona writes: << Instructors are also sometimes given a free track day before the school.>> This is not true. Instructors normally pay $100 or so for open track use on a Friday preceding a weekend school. << When we rent Summit Point, we rent it for three days. Friday is an instructor only day. >> This is partially true. Although it is an instructor day, it is also an instructor-training day including skidpad training and classroom, devoted to those drivers via invitation who have reached a pre-determined collection of qualifications and expressed an interest in becoming instructors. << A NASA event will generally have as many cars on the track as is considered safe. Instructors come from various backgrounds with less rigorous qualification processes.>> From my experience, (and Donna Seeley's description, as well as others I have heard from firsthand), the organization you refer to in determining how many drivers attend the event does not "generally have as many cars on the track as is considered safe" as its criteria but rather how many drivers write checks. By lowering instructor standards (and also taking in as many drivers that write a check to the organization) car clubs can easily increase the number of dollars in the club's treasury (ka-ching!) I've never heard of anyone actually being turned down (or waitlisted) for one of their events. Obviously, what is "considered safe" and what actually happens are two different things. In my book, half a dozen cars that turn into carnage on a single day translates to a LOT of downtime, what with the tow trucks and ambulances keep having to make trips out to the wreckages. So one may want to factor that in when calculating expenses. << Don't know how PCA does it, but their costs should be almost exactly the same as BMW. If they are charging less, they have more students per mile, or are being subsidized more heavily by other PCA activities.>> They also charge their instructors. Also, as you've mentioned, their instructor qualifiation process is not as rigorous, so its' easier to become an instructor, so there's more to go around. << If it wasn't for things like autocross and membership fees, the NCC entry fees would be even higher. In return, the theory is that the instruction is better.>> Maybe I'm being nitpicky, but I do believe that it's a bit more than "theory" but rather fact. But then again, I may be accused of being biased. I'd say overall safety records (as well as the overall program) tell the real story. <<In some cases, NASA instructors are also our instructors, but you don't know where all the rest of the instructors come from so I think it's safe to say that our schools have more *consistent* instruction.>> Technical correction: in some cases BMW instructors are NASA instructors, not the other way around. We also have some BMW B-group drivers that are NASA instructors. Really. My two cents. Thank you for your time. --Walter Selva
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#5. Re: Korman Problems (Long) - from S Lafredo
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Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 06:07:38 -0800 (PST) From: S Lafredo <slafredo@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Korman Problems (Long) --- Bill Lackey <btlackey@hotmail.com> wrote: > The oil filter/distribution housing was not tapped for addition > senders as Alan had stated, and I had asked for as well. Very surprised they did not do this for you, especially since you asked. You may want to see if they will give you a small credit for it since it is not worth sending back to have it tapped. > I called Korman no less than four times requesting the directions be > sent to me via fax. I doubt there are any instructions on this unless they are in the BMW TIS or something similar. Basically, you are removing the old oil canister casting, bolting on the new one, creating bracket for the cooler and running the lines through the alternator housing duct :( If you stare at your engine enough you can see the 4(?) major bolts that hold it on. After looking at mine I knew I was out of my league and brought it to a mechanic. HTH some. S __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#6. trunk closer - from Kin Fong
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Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 11:31:47 -0500 From: Kin Fong <K-Fong@peapc.com> Subject: trunk closer Ben wrote: location is underneath, right hand side of the rearward panel of the trunk. just pull down fast and get your fingers out of the way. BINGO! I find out this myself last year at O'fest. So for those of you bought one of those handle from Saab. Don't feel bad. I bought one too from M-Benz two year ago. Now I mainly use the built-in one, and leave the handle there just incase someone else close the trunk. I bet most of the salesman don't even know about the built-in one. Kin Fong NJ Chapter 97///M3
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Pics Fikse FM5 on M3? - from John
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Date: Fri, 9 Feb 2001 09:05:26 -0800 (PST) From: John <m3john@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Pics Fikse FM5 on M3? --- Rob <motor@cadvision.com> wrote: > Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001 21:37:19 -0700 > From: "Rob" <motor@cadvision.com> > Subject: Pics Fikse FM5 on M3? > > Anyone have picture of Fike FM5's on an E36? If so > please post the url or > e-mail them privately. > > TIA, > Rob > > Rob, Try the TMS website at: http://www.turnermotorsport.com/catalog/catalog.htm -John __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Driving Schools; CCA vs PCA vs NASA - from Rich Gay
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Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 11:37:39 -0600 From: "Rich Gay" <rich_gay@linbeck.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Driving Schools; CCA vs PCA vs NASA on 2/9/01 5:53 AM, WSelva@aol.com at WSelva@aol.com wrote: > << Don't know how PCA does it, but their costs should be almost exactly the > same as BMW. If they are charging less, they have more students per > mile, or are being subsidized more heavily by other PCA activities.>> > > They also charge their instructors. Also, as you've mentioned, their > instructor qualifiation process is not as rigorous, so its' easier to become > an instructor, so there's more to go around. You've made two statements here which may be true in your region, but aren't true here in Texas. 1. PCA doesn't charge instructors for their track time. 2. the instructor qualification process is rigorous here, and we have an annual instructor clinic to work on skills, techniques, etc. for instructing. We also have advanced instructors provide continual attention to instructors throughout the year. - Rich
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#9. Oil Pressure/Temp senders (was Korman) - from Scott Chan
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Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 10:06:33 -0800 From: Scott Chan <scottch@juniper.net> Subject: Oil Pressure/Temp senders (was Korman) Can't help with your vendor service issues, but you don't need separate taps to run a temp or pressure sender. I use a drain-plug temp sender, M12x1.5 VDO. I don't know how well the temps in the pan correlate to the temps at the filter, but hey, it's easy to do. I don't know what the Euro filter setup is like, but on US filter canister you can replace the stock idiot pressure switch with either a electric sender, a combo sender/idiot switch, or tubing for a mechanical gauge. It is also M12x1.5 IIRC. The combo sender is quite large and may be a tight squeeze. BTW, what temps and pressures do folks see on the track with a (near) stock engine? I saw ~240F, maybe 25psi at idle, 50+psi under load running synthetic. -- Scott
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#10. RE: [E36M3] trunk closer - from Sean Hester
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Date: Fri, 09 Feb 2001 10:37:57 -0800 From: "Sean Hester" <seanh_race@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] trunk closer >It seems fairly obvious to me but its amazing how many BMW owners have >never >seen it much less used it. To my knowledge all BMWs have had them since >about '92 - my experience being with E36,E34, and E39s. > >If anyone wants to know why the Germans think they things are needed, it >only takes one look at my M3 trunk lid to understand how big of a ding an >excessively forceful finger (previous owner) can make in the middle of the >trunk! I'm sure the Dent Wizard folks would love for BMW to do away with >them. > >On a similar note, it seems that some people with winged M3s use the wing >for a trunk closer. You might want to be even more careful with that >handle. While it won't dent as easily, constant flexing of the paint will >eventually cause it to crack. i guess i'm the only one who thinks the licence plate is the perfect trunk cluser huh? oh well... _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com