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#1. RE: [E36M3] Model Comparisons - from DiVincenti, A.J.
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 10:53:13 -0500 From: "DiVincenti, A.J." <ADiVin@lsuhsc.edu> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Model Comparisons We'll have to agree to disagree. IMO your old school definition of a sports car doesn't work in today's world. By your definition, the only sports car being produced today is the Miata. The Honda S2000 isn't a sports car because its 2800 lbs. Ok, then what is it? I wouldn't call it a GT! The current Porsche 911T has a curb weight of 3,395 lbs, oops it's not a sports car either. By your definition a golf cart could be a sports car; it's light, small, has two seats, and is even a convertible. It could probably give an MG a run for its money ;-). Isn't it odd that there are no sports cars competing in today's "Sport Car Racing Series"? Either we agree that "sports cars" are a thing of the past, or we allow the term to evolve. Give it up Dave, that definition of sports car is as obsolete as single point ignition. A.J. DiVincenti -----Original Message----- From: david tow [mailto:david_tow@hotmail.com] Sent: Wednesday, April 04, 2001 12:57 AM To: ADiVin@lsuhsc.edu Cc: e36m3@bmw-m.net Subject: Re: [E36M3] Model Comparisons Don't mean to argue with you at all, AJ. A Corvette is not a sports car. It's too heavy to be a real sports car. It is, as most people will agree with me, a GT car. Traditionally speaking, a Miata is a sports car along with a number of light weight cars such as Lotus Elises, Porsche 550 Spyders, Alfa Spiders, MGBs, MR2s, etc.. The definition of a sports car these days, however, is getting blurry. Even a 2800 lb Honda S2000 is now considered to be light weight. Sign... David -------------------------------- Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 15:17:26 -0500 From: "DiVincenti, A.J." <ADiVin@lsuhsc.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Model Comparisons Oh, I guess a muscle car won the 24 Hours of Daytona then - cool. Providing you're not joking, why would you say that? AJ _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
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#2. Re: [E36] M3 Brake Pads - from Colin_S_Whelan@rrfc.raytheon.com
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 12:14:18 -0400 From: Colin_S_Whelan@rrfc.raytheon.com Subject: Re: [E36] M3 Brake Pads Gruppe, I just went through the same decision making process when I replaced my brake pads and rotors last week. I was looking for a 90% street pad and 10% an autocross pad. After looking into OEM, Pagids, MetalMasters, and R4-S, I went with the R4-S. They've only be in for ~400 miles, but this is my initial impression (on Euro M3 rotors): 1) slightly less cold bite than stock (although my pads are just seating, so this should improve with time) 2) Improved fade resistance than stock when hot (this may be the rotors too) 3) much less dust 4) slightly squeaky under very light braking pressure, sometimes After the Boston autocross in a few weeks, I'll have more input. Thanks, Colin '98 M3/2 Sharked, ITG, X-brace, Euro rotors, R4-S
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#3. brake pads for schools - from Robert Jackowitz
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 12:37:39 -0400 From: Robert Jackowitz <RJackowitz@HARVPART.COM> Subject: brake pads for schools Reed, I've had really good experiences with my Porterfield R4 pads which I have used as a dual-purpose pad for almost two years. I've used PF-90s and the R4S pads in the past on both street and track, neither of which I was happy with. The PF-90s are arguably the best track pad, but they are horrible when cold and very rattly - not what I wanted for street use. The R4S pads were disappointing both on the track and the street - major fade on the track, major squeal on the street. The R4 pads are fine when cold, great when hot, don't squeal and appear to be rotor friendly. Only downside is that they are dusty, but no more than stock. Although the R4 isn't quite a PF-90 on the track, it definitely surpasses it on the street. HTH, Rob '97 > -------------------- 6 -------------------- > Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 11:45:12 > From: "reed nicholson" <reedthis48@hotmail.com> > Subject: brake pads for schools > > Okay, I don't wanna start a big debate about brake pads again, but I need > some advice on the best pads for my needs. I just wanna do probably 4 or > 5 > track days this year, not racing, just driver schools and lapping days at > an > intermediate pace, and I will probably keep the pads on all season. The > car > is my daily driver/commuter. Would I be better off with something like > the > R4S, rather than the PF-90? I don't need ultimate braking force, just > something that will survive the track and not ruin my rotors, but work on > the street and not be incredibly noisy. > > TIA, > Reed/Seattle >
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#4. Handling - from ENF
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 13:00:28 -0400 From: "ENF" <enf@iglou.com> Subject: Handling I have had my 97 M3 for almost 9 months now and feel that I know the car and it's feel and handling adequately. Now before I go on I must say that a drivers school would open up a whole new paradigm on this subject, but given the general usage and occasional need to push myself and the car, for my standard I am comfortable. Well that was until today, I was driving home enjoying the nice weather and came upon my usual on ramp to take me home, today the only difference was....there was no one around anywhere. So I decided to have some fun. The Ramp is a gradual incline banking to the left around 90 degrees then straightening out, nothing major. My question is this, into the bank at a pretty good rate of speed (let's just say above 65) the car seemed to buffet on the tires (not sure how to describe this in type). There was no tire squall and the car stuck to the turn without problem. The front end didn't try to turn in and the back end didn't try to swing around. However it didn't feel like normal tire flex. What might this be? Car is stock other than X-Brace. Now with the winter just ending I haven't got to do this for some time and it may have always been like this, I just don't remember this sort of bouncing feeling in the corner that I did today. Thanks in advance for any responses and suggestions. Ed Frank 97 M3/4 X-Brace
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#5. Re: [E36M3] AC Schnitzer - from Altezza280TT@cs.com
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 13:14:38 EDT From: Altezza280TT@cs.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] AC Schnitzer Try Suprem Power Part they have the BEST price! (717)-632-1951
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#6. Re: E36M3] Received the camber adjustment bolts! Pics. - from Roger Baker
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Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 10:33:22 -0700 From: Roger Baker <rbaker@velodyne.com> Subject: Re: E36M3] Received the camber adjustment bolts! Pics. Nick, On my car, I used 1/16" thick hardened/hi-strength washers and increased front camber by -0.5 degree per side. Now I have -2.0 degrees negative camber and my caster is 6.2+. I run '95 M3 strut bearings with aluminum E30 control arms & offset bushings, along with Koni coil-overs. Hope this helps. Roger Baker "NickG" <nikog@mediaone.net> wrote: > Bob, > > Do you remember how thick the washers/shims were that created the .4 camber > change? That's exactly the amount of change that I need to even out both > sides (to -1.1 degrees each). > > Nick
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#7. OT: Jim Powell check this out.(wireless) - from Jeff Stowe
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Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 11:18:19 -0700 From: Jeff Stowe <jrstowe@pacbell.net> Subject: OT: Jim Powell check this out.(wireless) Jim, I have had the cisco (formerly aerotech) stuff running in my house for over a year now and it works extremely well. The PCI clients installed without any complications but the PCMCIA stuff took a little fidgeting (but that may have been laptop specific). I have been able to maintain my connection as far away as three houses down the street (approx 200 ft). Also of interest is my neighbor runs a lucent 802.11 solution and by sharing passwords etc. we have succesfully connected and logged into each others wireless environments with the competing client devices. You are really going to like this solution once you get it implemented. jeff now, what to do with all this CAT-5 laying around? Date: Tue, 03 Apr 2001 12:53:50 -0700 From: Jim Powell <jsp98m3@apexcone.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] OT: Jim Powell check this out.(wireless) User name and password verification should always be turned on also. I haven't implemented anything yet. I have a broker getting me some Hi-$$$ Cisco equipment from a bankrupt customer on the cheap. Jim Bora Akyol wrote:
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#8. Re: Conforti intake install advice needed - thanks everyone! - from Vern Anderson
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 15:29:30 -0400 From: Vern Anderson <VAnderson@IVW.com> Subject: Re: Conforti intake install advice needed - thanks everyone! Thanks to everyone for the advice on the intake, shark and exhaust install! The intake and Shark Injector arrived today and the exhaust has been sitting at the shop for a few weeks. I may try the intake tonight if I get time. I'll let the list know the results. Vern >-------------------- 3 -------------------- >Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 16:50:50 -0400 >From: Vern Anderson <VAnderson@IVW.com> >Subject: Conforti intake install advice needed > >I hope to install a JC cold-air intake, Shark Injector and a Flowmaster >exhaust on my 98 M3 this week or the next. Does anyone have any tips or >advice on the intake install? Any advice on the Shark Injector and exhaust >would also be welcome, but I've been told that the Shark Injector is a 5 >minute job and the exhaust thing has been covered before plus I already have >some very good instructions already on that. However, if anyone has any >good nuggets of information about the Conforti Cold-Air intake I would >appreciate it (estimated install time, things to watch for, tools to have >handy, etc). I'll be doing the work at a very well-equipped shop. Thanks >in advance! > >Vern Anderson >98 M3/2 - soon to be sharked, colder and louder....
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#9. SMGII - from Ed Tang
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Date: Wed, 4 Apr 2001 12:37:23 -0700 (PDT) From: Ed Tang <etangf1@yahoo.com> Subject: SMGII Chester wrote: "Also, about the SMG tranny....I dunno. It would sure be nice, but what about the pleasures of shifting a real stick?..." Let me ask you this, "How would I have the pleasure of shifting the way a Formula One driver does? Not some steptronic that has a seemingly eternal delay in shifts b/c of a torque converter. And have you tried one of those with the stupid buttons where your thumbs usually rest. Should we really be denied something that is equiped on cars in the pinnacle of the sport? Some say that in Brazil, Juan Pablo Montoya was tapped from behind because he was an American driver. I mean, I'll be damned if an American passed up Michael Schumacher and took a 27 sec lead in a car that isn't supposed to perform better in a Ferrari-McLaren dominated sport. The SMGI has been around since 1996. Was the American market denied (sans Ferrari) the pleasure of shifting the way an F1 car does b/c we're darned Americans and we don't appreciate that sort of thing? I embrace the technology. 80 millisecond shifts. A racing start. LED's for revs. Double clutch on the downshifts. And the opportunity of a lifetime to know what an F1 car shifts like. ....Also, slightly stupid question, but the SMG does use a computer controlled clutch, correct...like the Ferraris. " They use solenoids, just like them F1 cars. If you go to BMW AG's site, click on SMGII and you won't be disappointed with the technical explanations and interactive presentation. Go into the photos section and they have a pic of the console. Check out the use of aluminum. Not only can you use the paddles but, a la British touring Car Championship, you can use the shifter console for up and down shifts in the same 80 milliseconds. The 6 speed M3 was tested at 0-60 in 4.8 sec. With the racing start feature and 80 millisecond shifts, I'm thinking 3/10's will be knocked off, maybe 1/2 sec in the 1/4 mile with the SMG. I've been driving a manual tranny for over ten years now, since I was 16. I still believe it would be nice to have the experience of driving the manual just to know the intricacies of whats going on internally. I wouldn't say the challenge has been reduced by eliminating the control of the clutch. I think it would raise the bar to "perfect" your driving skill. With an SMG, it's the line you choose and how you execute them (smoothly or abruptly) that will separate the real drivers from the back markers. Ed Tang 95 Cosmos M3 Is there an SMG upgrade available? __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail. http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#10. Track pad setup question... - from Steve
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Date: Wed, 04 Apr 2001 12:48:09 -0700 From: Steve <sgrigory@pacbell.net> Subject: Track pad setup question... O.k, I just ordered PF90's for the front of my 95 M3 for an upcoming track event at Thunderhill. The rear pads are Porterfield R4's and they are not worn out yet, about 1/2 remaining or a bit more. The fronts were R4's and a few days at Laguna Seca finished them off. My question is: Is there any issue with running PF90's in the front and R4's in the rear? Granted, it's not perfect- but is it stupid? When I purchased the R4's awhile back I wanted PF90's but Porterfield was out so I went with the R4's. I want to try the PF90's now. Also, the front rotors (Euro) are still good and have been used exclusively with the R4's (track only, I swap them out). Are there any known issues or break-in tips when I get the PF90's on them? Thanks.