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#1. RE: [E36M3] More About Brakes (No, not pads) - from jim.bassett@alloptic.com
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 12:10:28 -0800 From: jim.bassett@alloptic.com Subject: RE: [E36M3] More About Brakes (No, not pads) > What is the Gruppe's collective wisdom about when to change > brake pads? In > the case of track pads, I have been told that half worn pads should go > because their heat absorption capacity has been substantially > degraded. I > have also been told, again for track pads, that if you are not on the > backing plate, the pads are still good. For my track pads (PF90/97), after they get about 3/4 worn I put on a new set. The pads still seem to work fine, but the pedal fell just isn't right. It feels softer somehow. It may be the pads themselves, or it may be a result of the caliper piston being quite extended. <shrug> Not really sure of the cause. Cheers, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 1993 325is #44 KP
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#2. stereo survey - from Seth Frader-Thompson
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 13:20:06 -0700 (MST) From: Seth Frader-Thompson <fraderth@colorado.edu> Subject: stereo survey With as much audio installation info as there is on the web for BMWs, I haven't found much in the way of subjective reviews of components or entire systems. I'd really like to hear what people have to say about how particular models of speakers, for example, sound in an M3 or other E36. Anyone care to share their opinions? Please be as honest as possible (i.e. if you can think of some shortcomings or weaknesses that'd be great) and as specific as you like. I'm most interested in speaker upgrades for my own personal research, but don't feel like you should leave anything out. Depending on the response I get, I'll likely compile all the responses and put them on the web somewhere (unless you ask me not to). An example response: Brand and model: Radio Shack 3.5" coaxial Installation details: mounted in the kick panel with a custom bracket Strengths: extremely strong highs and upper midrange Weaknesses: no bass, could stand to be a little more detailed, weren't worth the money. I could have gotten 90% of the sound quality for 50% of the price. Comparisons to other products are even better. Thanks in advance, Seth
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#3. 3m Headlight Film - from JUSTIN GERRY
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 16:04:11 -0500 From: "JUSTIN GERRY" <JGERRY@butchers.com> Subject: 3m Headlight Film Who sells the sheets of the 3m headlight protection film?? I have set of Euro lights that have not been installed yet I figure it would be easier to cut/shape it to the lights. I DONT want the precut stuff (all kits i have seen are for the US lights with the three holes in it). Thanks, Justin -- '76 02 (Whimsical) '97 M3 (Orion) BMW CCA#77056 check out http://users.vei.net/jgerry
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#4. RE: 1226 Fail Code and Intermittent Check Engine Light - from Davis, Jake A
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:33:11 -0600 From: "Davis, Jake A" <Jake.Davis@SW.Boeing.com> Subject: RE: 1226 Fail Code and Intermittent Check Engine Light Asking for experiences/advice with a 1226 fault code on a 95 M3. Code says its #2 knock sensor. This is the one that appears impossible to even physically reach without removing the intake manifold. Possibly related to this is a 'temporary' check engine light that has started occurring. Light only comes on during the middle portion of "warmup", i.e. it doesn't happen when the car first moves (cold) nor when at normal operating temperature. Light will appear for 1-3 seconds, generally appears under light/no throttle when shifting from 1st to 2nd, sometimes 2nd to 3rd, but does not seem to appear at 3rd/4th or 4th/5th. Am I correct in my belief that only the most recent fault code shows via the check engine light and that additional fault codes may be uncovered with diagnostic equipment plugged into the diagnostic port? In any case, has anyone experience with potential failure modes and replacement of the knock sensors? Thanks for any help. Jake Davis 95 M3/2 118K miles and still fun...
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#5. Re: [E36M3] RE: 1226 Fail Code and Intermittent Check Engine Light - from Matt Henson
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 14:01:00 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Henson <hensonator@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] RE: 1226 Fail Code and Intermittent Check Engine Light Hi Jake, This particular fault has plagued my car for over a year now. I've tried swapping and replacing the knock sensors and replacing the plugs to no avail. At least one other list member, Nick G., had the problem but it went away after he changed his plugs. Lucky basterd ;-). Good luck, Matt --- "Davis, Jake A" <Jake.Davis@SW.Boeing.com> wrote: > Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:33:11 -0600 > From: "Davis, Jake A" <Jake.Davis@SW.Boeing.com> > Subject: RE: 1226 Fail Code and Intermittent Check > Engine Light > > Asking for experiences/advice with a 1226 fault code > on a 95 M3. Code says > its #2 knock sensor. This is the one that appears > impossible to even > physically reach without removing the intake > manifold. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals http://personals.yahoo.com
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#6. [E36M3] Parking Brake Noise? - from twisty M3
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:04:46 -0800 From: "twisty M3" <twistym3@hotmail.com> Subject: [E36M3] Parking Brake Noise? Ack! My car seems like it's falling apart! ;) After a day worth of driving after my rotors and pads were changed, I was driving through a parking lot and heard a horrible noise. It sounded like construction going on nearby, but it stopped when I stopped. As I drove on, the noise continued... Hey, that's me making that noise!!! It was a horrible metal-dragging-on-metal sound (not a brake pad/rotor squeel). It sounded like something metallic moving against another thin piece of metal. It was coming from the drivers side rear. What side does the parking brake work on, and where exactly does it "clamp?" The noise went away after I had engaged/disengaged the parking brake, so I'm assuming that's what it is. The only way to explain it is that it sounded like something rubbing around against the thin "heat shield" that surrounds the rotors. Any suggestions on what to check? General braking performance doesn't seem affected, but I don't want to take any risks. Thanks, Jonathan _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
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#7. Dim OBC clock - from Andrej Dolenc
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 18:08:44 -0500 From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> Subject: Dim OBC clock Hi listers, I'm wondering if anybody can shed some light on this problem that just cropped up in my 97 M3. The clock on my OBC (not the full OBC, just the temp display) just went dim. Now the time is still there, if I shine a flashlight onto there the time is still displayed just fine. The rest of the OBC, the temperature display part works just fine, it's just the clock display LCD that's dim. None of the pixels are missing or anything like that (BTDT). Could it be possible this is just a burned out light bulb in there? I know these OBC displays are not the greatest as far as durability (had one replaced under warranty), but having a clock in the car is pretty durn useful. Thanks, Andrej '97 M3
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#8. RE: [E36M3] Dim OBC clock - from jim.bassett@alloptic.com
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:09:24 -0800 From: jim.bassett@alloptic.com Subject: RE: [E36M3] Dim OBC clock > Could it be possible > this is just a burned out light bulb in there? Yep, that's exactly it. You should be able to pop out the OBC, and remove the light bulb from the top of the OBC (BTDT). If you want the p/n for the bulb, you'll have to wait til I get home later this evening (after the planning meeting for the THill 12-hour Enduro :-)) Cheers, Jim Bassett
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#9. RE: [E36M3] Parking Brake Noise? - from jim.bassett@alloptic.com
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 15:15:35 -0800 From: jim.bassett@alloptic.com Subject: RE: [E36M3] Parking Brake Noise? > What side does the parking brake work on, and where exactly > does it "clamp?" Parking brake shoes are on both sides, and clamp in the center hub of the rear rotor. (You would know this if you did your own pad & rotor changes <bfg>) > The noise went away after I had engaged/disengaged the > parking brake, so > I'm assuming that's what it is. The only way to explain it > is that it > sounded like something rubbing around against the thin "heat > shield" that > surrounds the rotors. Hmm, possibly a small rock lodged in between the rotor & heat shield? Fairly common. > Any suggestions on what to check? General braking > performance doesn't seem > affected, but I don't want to take any risks. Depends. Is the sound still there? If so, remove the wheel & inspect the brake area for foreign matter (i.e. rocks). Maybe your parking brake needs adjustment? How many clicks on the handle to engage the parking brake? If the sound is now gone, it most likely was a rock, and you should be OK now. My 2 cents, Jim Bassett
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#10. Re: [E36M3] stereo survey (LONG) - from Mark Radelow
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Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2001 23:21:33 +0000 From: "Mark Radelow" <radelow@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] stereo survey (LONG) Before I continue, all you have to do is go to http://www.carreview.com and you'll get all your answers there (http://www.audioreview.com is great too also try http://www.epinions.com). But anyway, I'll stil give you my opinions/comments. I can give a big thumbs up to Focal Speakers. Although I haven't gotten any installed on my car yet (Yeah Yeah I know Vince) I have heard them in other BMW's. As a long time user of MB Quart I would like to say that except for their TOP TOP TOP Q Series of speakers MB Quart is overrated and not worth it. Their harshness is just uncomfortable. The Focal's were much more fluid and fresh sounding. Here is my review for you for the Focal's and MB Quarts Brand and model: Focal Polykevlar 136K's Installation details: mounted in the kick panel with the tweeter in the door. Strengths: excellent detail, definition and staging. Amazing midrange. Weaknesses: bass could have been better. price could be less. Brand and model: MB-Quart 218.02cx's Installation details: mounted in the kick panel along with tweeter in the same place. Strengths: good tight bass, decent midrange, detailed highs. Weaknesses: Quality of xovers. Harshness of tweeters (to the point of being annoying). Hope that helps... Mark _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp