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#1. Birthday with tools - from Bora Akyol
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 17:35:59 -0700 From: Bora Akyol <akyol@akyol.org> Subject: Birthday with tools Today is my birthday, this year I asked for stuff from Griot's garage. So far so good. Got a set of ramps that work perfectly well for my M3, a telescoping mirror and a really cool toolbox (3drawers and an opening top) (this one from Sears). Time to tidy up the garage. The Griot's plastic ramps seem like they would work for an M3 that is about 1/2 inch or so lowered and they really are light. Bora
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#2. new brakes installed - review - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:30:54 -0400 From: "Paul Elliott" <pelliott@rcn.com> Subject: new brakes installed - review Nick, >>a) PBR Deluxe pads DO NOT belong on an M3. No way, no how!<< Couldnt agree more! I've had 'em on my previous Volvo 850 Turbo, and while I found them very clean, they also lack the 'bite' of the stock pads, or good aftermarket pads, and they do tend to squeel like hell, especially in the rear. >>c) the Brembo rotors were DEAD PERFECT as far as runout is concerned. My micrometer didn't even move .001" when I measured them.<< Again, complete agreement...I just had the brembo stock replacements put on mine up front, and they completely solved the shimmy problem I had developed with my stock rotors. Those are great rotors....What surprised me, though, was how heavy they were. I had to walk with the box of 2 fronts for several hundred feet, and I've got to tell you, it wsnt that easy...I'm guessing each had to weigh over 20 lbs. >>d) do not mix pad compounds front and rear unless you know what you're doing (I obviously didn't<< I'm not sure on this one...I've got Rotex semi metallic/kevlars up front, and stock Jurids in back, and I've never felt a car brake so well, smoothly, and immediately. >>I attribute it to using grippy front pads (the Jurids) and crappy rear pads (the Deluxe).<< Ah, yes, I'd have to agree with you there...I think its ok to mix 2 brands of similar friction coefficient or material, but putting the asbestos Deluxe on back and semis on front is asking for trouble. Reading your post more clearly, you Do say dont mix materials, not brands, and I'd go along with you there. Mixing brands is ok if youve got similar materials. And lastly, Id agree with you that people really should not be going to Deluxe pads on the M3...They just dont do it justice, and have too many shortcoming for this class of car. _____________________ Paul Elliott '99 Alpine White M3 <30000 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. E46 M3 autox test - from Robert
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:37:58 -0400 From: "Robert" <rpace3@hcsmail.com> Subject: E46 M3 autox test Well, it was my turn to get my hands on one of these smurf blue E46 M3s. The car at our dealer smacked of BMW-NA demo car. It already had 1.2k miles on the clock, which is sufficiently broken in for flogging IMHO. This car had probably already seen a much harder work out than I gave it. Anyway, I had a new and inexperienced sales person on board who was intrigued by my driving style. I told him that I raced and I asked if he would like to see what the car was capable of doing. He said sure so off I headed to the parking lot where our local SCCA holds our events. I scrounged a few cones from hither and yon that did not make it into the clean-up truck at the last event and set up a turn around and a three cone slalom. I just went by memory of a previous course for the rest. DSC is disengaged, first is engaged and launch at roughly 3000rpm. Out of the gate a hard right sweeper leading into the turnaround. Launch was well controlled with generous wheel spin if the throttle is not feathered. Short shift into second for the sweeper. The sweeper was well balanced and neutral. Into the turnaround. Hard on the brakes. Major push. Front tires chattering in protest. Saved the apex with a down shift to 1st. Careful on the throttle and on to the short straight to the slalom. Again some push that required throttle in-between the cones. Turn-in seemed quick, but the steering is incredibly light and the steering wheel overpadded, so communication is poor. On to a left hand decreasing radius sweeper. Good poise...this car likes gentle turns. Short straight...good acceleration in 2nd. Into sharp chicane. Quick stab on the brakes and flick the wheel. Front tires chatter in protest again, but it makes the maneuver however probably would have collected a cone on the way...it just does not like being threaded into tight turns. Longer straight to a 90deg left as a stop box into the imaginary lights. Hard on brakes...they do not feel happy. Tires are squealing as if ABS is not functioning properly. Hmmm. I can feel ABS vibration but still feels like inside rear is locking. Not good. Salesman says he'll have mechanics check it. Overall, given equal tires I do not think this purely stock E46 outperformed a well set up A-stock E36 M3. While the engine revs freely, the torque feels like it is much higher in the RPM band than my '95. The brakes did not shine, but then there may have been a problem with this car. Although, even when not on them hard enough to evoke the ABS, the brakes left me cold compared to my '95. But the killer for the autox driver is the understeer. As to the stuff that does not matter: I like the sound of the car...I ran with the windows down and sunroof open, and the engine noise was great in my opinion. The interior on this car already had some fit & finish problems...the glove box was sticky and a center dash storage tray door would not stay closed. The window lift switches felt like they were out of a Camry. I did not turn on the stereo so can't report on that. The car has a lot of power...that is obvious, but I think I'll wait for a V-8 with SMGII and hopefully some larger front tires. Plus, BMW should get quality under control after they have produced this car for a year or so. Robert Pace '95 ///M3 #3 AS '67 TR-4A #4 HS
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#4. Kumho autox pressures - from David Ngo
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:43:13 -0400 From: David Ngo <dngo@commvault.com> Subject: Kumho autox pressures Hi everybody, I apologize in advance - I know this subject has been covered before, but unfortunately I could only find information on track pressures in the archives. Can anyone help me out with some starting pressures for 225-45/17 Kumho V700 Victoracers for a stock-suspensioned car? I had pressures dialed in perfectly for my streets, but I'm just getting started on the Kumhos and I don't seem to even be in the ballpark. Thanks, Dave --- David Ngo dngo@commvault.com Developer (732) 870-4618 CommVault Systems, Inc.
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#5. Fw: [E36M3] Re: E46 M3 test drive (now motor swap) - from Michael Lawrence
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:44:43 -0400 From: "Michael Lawrence" <95m3ltw@home.com> Subject: Fw: [E36M3] Re: E46 M3 test drive (now motor swap) ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Lawrence" <95m3ltw@home.com> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 3:45 PM Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: E46 M3 test drive (now motor swap) > > > > The motor may be reasonable in used form (maybe $6k?), BUT there are lots > of > > drawbacks: > > - Not easily serviced in US (dealers may not have the service/parts CDs, > or > > just refuse). > > - No warranty > > - Harder to sell > > > Ok there are drawbacks, but harder to sell? I will gladly give someone > book value for an M3 with a euro motor anyday. Ok Seth, I will take your > car at book value, all those mods are worthless, :~))) > > The big problem with the euro motor swap, IS knowing that you in fact did > get all the parts you needed for the swap. Everyone I have talked to bought > complete kits to only spend 2-3 grand more on stuff they needed to make it > work. My thoughts would be go vacation in europe, buy a whole front clip > of the car it is coming out of, ship it back to the states and then swap it > out. > > As to is it worth it? if you only drive under 100mph, nope, not at all. a > good running US M3 will stay right next to, maybe a car length back, but > when you get over 100mph, the euro car is starting to check out. For > something to compare to, my ltw and seths euro LTW, I hit 125mph on the > back straight of road atlanta, he does 140mph. that is a big difference at > the end of that straight. Of course my LTW is putting out something in the > range of 275hp, we were very close at other parts of the track which are > under 100mph. Same diffs, same gearing, same weight cars. > > Now, euro vs a supercharged car, Seth can chime in, he had both. I > personally know several folks with supercharged cars, and they are always > tinkering with, fixing etc. It is more common to see them break at the > track than not. The euro motor is damn near bullit proof when it comes to > drivng hard. And then the sound. After being in a couple of E-46 M3s, I > would much rather put a 3.2 euro in my LTW and even live without A/C than > spend 55 bigones. In fact, I am positive that a euro motored E-36 with > the same diff as the E-46 would spank it. I am just waiting for the first > wrecked E-46 to come thru the salvage auction here in atlanta, that motor > will be nice in the LTW. > > Mike, dreaming of seeing an 8,000rpm redline in the ltw >
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#6. M3 Water Pump Procedure - from Bill Lackey
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 18:54:36 -0700 From: "Bill Lackey" <btlackey@hotmail.com> Subject: M3 Water Pump Procedure Does anybody have Uberjeph's water pump procedure saved. His website is down. Bill Lackey _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Kumho autox pressures - from Chris Teague
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 19:44:01 -0700 From: "Chris Teague" <cteague@home.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Kumho autox pressures Dave, For tire pressures, you will get a variety of answers. For the most part, the Kumho's are fairly forgiving of pressure. For me, in my 97 setup for SCCA AS autox, so stock springs and camber, I have tried 35-50psi, and everything in between. To minimize the understeer, and keep the outside tread from scallaping, I am running 47-50psi in front, hot. I run 8-10psi less in rear. Many people run less. If I could get more camber out of the front, I would guess I could reduce the front pressures some. Chris 97 M3/4 ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Ngo" <dngo@commvault.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 6:52 PM Subject: [E36M3] Kumho autox pressures > Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 21:43:13 -0400 > From: David Ngo <dngo@commvault.com> > Subject: Kumho autox pressures > > Hi everybody, > > I apologize in advance - I know this subject has been covered before, but > unfortunately I could only find information on track pressures in the > archives. > > Can anyone help me out with some starting pressures for 225-45/17 Kumho V700 > Victoracers for a stock-suspensioned car? I had pressures dialed in > perfectly for my streets, but I'm just getting started on the Kumhos and I > don't seem to even be in the ballpark. > > Thanks, > Dave > > --- > David Ngo dngo@commvault.com > Developer (732) 870-4618 > CommVault Systems, Inc. > > > > ************************************************************* > List Commands > UNSUBSCRIBE - (in subject line) unsubscribes you from the mailing list. > DIR - sends a listing of files available in the list's GET directory. > GET filename1.ext,filename2.ext - sends the requested file(s). > > To issue a command/request to the server: > Send a message with the command you wish executed as the > subject of the message. > ************************************************************* > > >
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#8. Re: [E36M3] Birthday with tools - from Jay
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 16:47:17 -1000 From: Jay <jguzman@hawaii.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Birthday with tools happy birthday dude...are the ramps you got the "rhino" ramps??? Bora Akyol wrote: > Today is my birthday, this year I asked for stuff from Griot's garage. So > far so good. > > Got a set of ramps that work perfectly well for my M3, a telescoping mirror > and a really cool toolbox (3drawers and an opening top) (this one from > Sears).
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#9. auto-X in Massachusetts - from S Flanagan
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 19:48:03 -0700 (PDT) From: S Flanagan <sf944@yahoo.com> Subject: auto-X in Massachusetts Alex, etc. -- For those of you avid cone-dodgers in Mass., you can check out OTIS AFB on Cape Cod. Most weekends over the summer an autocross is held there by one of two clubs: The Cape Cod Sports Car Club (CCSCC) or the Quequechan Sports Car Club (QSCC). At least one of them has a website. The course is fairly tight and small but challenging. Both clubs set up the same course week after week so you can compare your times or set up your car as the season progresses. The field is usually diverse, with everything from 911's to Miatas to Corvairs showing up. I think the entry fee is $20.00 which includes one practice and 4 timed runs. At the very least, it's a good excuse to take a road trip to Cape Cod in the summer. --Scott '97 M3 '91 MR2Turbo
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#10. E46 After One Week - from Robert Biggs
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Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 22:08:38 -0500 From: "Robert Biggs" <parm3@home.com> Subject: E46 After One Week I picked up my E46 M3 last Friday. I was number two on the waiting list at the Indianapolis dealer. My observations after 800 miles (none of them track miles) are as follows: - I agree with Ben Liaw on several points. - The car is quiet, but, in my opinion, not too quiet. - Yep, turn the DSC (directional stability control) off and sport button on. - When you are at full power, the engine is not quiet, it growls. - And pulls evenly and powerfully from 2500rpms to 8000rpms. - Have both hands on the wheel from 4000rpms to 8000rpms. - Ben is correct - this motor loves to rev. - I too am still working on proficiency with the six speed. - I agree the shift throw is too long. For me, it wants to hit fifth when I'm looking for third. - The car is surprisingly responsive and nimble. At 3400 lbs, I expected it to hesitate and wallow. It doesn't. - The ride is also surprisingly firm. It hugs the road and you feel the road. - Steering is effortless - almost too effortless. - I haven't experienced the understeer, but I'm sure it will be there on the track at 8/10ths and above. With 225's on the front and 255's on the back, understeer was built into this car at high g cornering speeds. - Brakes are awesome. - The thought of instructing in this car with an inexperienced wannabee is frightening. - I think the interior (mine is black on black) is Teutonically clean, simple and orderly. The plastic trim doesn't offend me, but I realize we are now in the area of personal taste. - Ben likes the wheel. I think its too fat. The pedals are perfectly aligned with each other. - The back seat is roomier than the E36. Still awkward to enter and exit, but once there, comfortable. - Although I have the supposedly wonderful electronically adjustable seats, I'm having a hard time finding the right seat settings. I am stiff and tight after an hour in the car. Maybe my short dumpy stature complicates the task. - All in all, I believe its a pretty good value for the price. But I still love and intend to keep my E36 HStocker. Bob Biggs Just Bob Racing