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#1. Re: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? - from Matt Henson
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 08:56:55 -0800 (PST) From: Matt Henson <hensonator@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? Chris, The factory amp uses differential mode inputs. While this sounds fancy (and is superior to the single ended ones typically used) it doesn't prevent the amp from being a total piece of crap. IMO, the amp is the first thing to go. If you're going to do the head unit then then plan on doing a new amp at the same time. Of course then you'll want new speakers since the aftermarket amp doesn't have the crossover.. -Matt --- Chris Papademetrious <chrispitude@yahoo.com> wrote: > Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 11:13:49 -0500 > From: Chris Papademetrious <chrispitude@yahoo.com> > Subject: what line level drives the factory E36 > stereo? > > Everyone, > > I'm buying a new head unit that has a 4V line-level > output. Will this hook > right up to the line level wiring in the dash to > drive the factory amp? I > have a 95 M3 without the HK stereo package. I tried > driving the factory > line level inputs with the line outputs from my > Blaupunkt Toronto, but that > didn't work; I ended up having to use the speaker > outputs to get enough > juice to drive the factory amp. > > Has anyone been down this road before? > > All replies greatly appreciated, > > - Chris > > > bb __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com
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#2. Re: what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? - from Ron Buchalski
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 17:06:36 From: "Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? Chris, I have an Alpine CDA-7832 installed in my E34 525iT. http://rkst.com/alpinecd.htm I was going to install it in my M3, but put it in the E34 since it's my daily driver. The E34 had the same factory radio as my E36 M3 has. The Alpine unit has 4V pre-amp outputs, and I used them to drive an external (Alpine) amp in my previous car. However, when I installed it in the E34, I purchased a wiring adapter harness that is used to adapt the Alpine's wiring to the car's factory connector. It uses the Alpine's speaker outputs to drive the factory amp. It works very well. If you want a system that uses pre-amp outputs, you should consider an aftermarket amp. The BMW amps aren't designed to handle pre-amp inputs. -rb >Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 11:13:49 -0500 >From: Chris Papademetrious <chrispitude@yahoo.com> >Subject: what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? > >Everyone, > >I'm buying a new head unit that has a 4V line-level output. Will this hook >right up to the line level wiring in the dash to drive the factory amp? I >have a 95 M3 without the HK stereo package. I tried driving the factory >line level inputs with the line outputs from my Blaupunkt Toronto, but that >didn't work; I ended up having to use the speaker outputs to get enough >juice to drive the factory amp. > >Has anyone been down this road before? > >All replies greatly appreciated, > > - Chris _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
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#3. perspective - from Zack Steinkamp
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 09:50:22 -0800 (PST) From: Zack Steinkamp <edsarkiss@yahoo.com> Subject: perspective hi list just got my car back from the body shop where some minor rear-end damage caused by a sleepy truck driver was being repaired. nothing like three weeks in a rental car to put some perspective on what an amazing car the m3 is! if you haven't driven another car in a long time, i highly recommend it -- it will give you renewed feelings of respect for this beautiful machine..... -zs __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send FREE Valentine eCards with Yahoo! Greetings! http://greetings.yahoo.com
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#4. ABS Problem - 95 M3 - from Nick Bartelt
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 13:26:47 -0600 From: "Nick Bartelt" <nbartelt@home.com> Subject: ABS Problem - 95 M3 At a recent safety / driving school event, a 50 mph straight-line panic stop resulted in my car spinning counter-clockwise about 150 degrees. The behavior was repeatable. The local hypothesis was that the left side ABS was working and the right was not. =20 Looking for any troubleshooting-repair help or suggestions. =20 Thanks, Nick 95 M3
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#5. Re: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? - from Chris Papademetrious
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 15:05:38 -0500 From: Chris Papademetrious <chrispitude@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? Thanks Matt, Ron, for your quick replies. For the record, here is what I am hoping to install: http://www.sonicblue.com/audio/rio/riocar.asp Fellow BMW enthusiasts, if you wanted an MP3 player for your car, you should really jump on this! It's being discontinued, and quantities are limited. I ordered a 60gb model. It basically slides into a sleeve in a standard DIN opening, and can play 1,000 hours of MP3-recorded music from its internal hard drive. You can then pull it out and plug it in to your home PC via USB, and load it with songs, or even play music from it on your home PC. It is linux-based, and you can get custom kernels off the 'net to add new features and new display modes! I know standard home stereo systems use a 1-2V line-level signal. I was hoping the 4V output from this unit would be enough to drive the BMW factory amp. Although I am not unhappy with the sound from the stock amplifier, but it sounds like I won't be able to keep it regardless. Sound quality in the car is not that big of a deal to me, especially when playing MP3 in a moving car.. And besides, it's all disappointing after listening to my Magnepan 3.6/Sony TA-E9000ES/Sunfire Signature sub/Sunfire Cinema grand system at home. :) Thanks again, everyone. - Chris
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#6. Note about PowerFlex bushings - from Greg Cernosek
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 14:18:03 -0600 From: "Greg Cernosek" <gcernosek@inetx.com> Subject: Note about PowerFlex bushings Group, I just wanted to tell everyone who has the Powerflex bushings on their car to check them out. I have had the front control arm bushings and rear trailing arm bushings on my car for about 2 weeks now. Last night, I got under the car for a little inspection and saw that one of the front control arm bushings was torn already. I have only been to the track once with these bushings and have only driven the car on the street about 5 different times (other than the trip to MSR). I don't remember hitting any potholes or flying over any railroad tracks, but you never know. I called Phil at OPMD (who I bought the bushings from) and he apologized and is graciously sending me another set. I will give these new bushings a try and watch them, but you should check yours if you have them. Please don't take this as me saying that the Powerflex bushings are not a good upgrade as I have not (yet) come to that conclusion. I just know that there has been much discussion on this subject and want everyone who has them to take a few minutes to inspect theirs just in case. Greg 98 M3, Dallas, TX
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#7. RE: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? - from Jeremy Conners
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 15:32:05 -0500 From: "Jeremy Conners" <Jeremy.Conners@compdevsys.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] what line level drives the factory E36 stereo? <SNIP> For the record, here is what I am hoping to install: http://www.sonicblue.com/audio/rio/riocar.asp Fellow BMW enthusiasts, if you wanted an MP3 player for your car, you should really jump on this! It's being discontinued, and quantities are limited. ... <SNIP> I had wanted to install one of these babies when they were empegcar.com . It's an excellent device. I'm not sure what SonicBlue has in mind for the next generation, but I feel it won't be a customizable to those that desire. Oh, BTW, the press release on 2002.01.30 states that they are still selling accessories, but the units are sold out... :( JC
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#8. Front Control Arm Replacement - from Michael Schaublin
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 15:50:24 -0500 From: "Michael Schaublin" <mike_schaublin@hotmail.com> Subject: Front Control Arm Replacement <html><div style='background-color:'><DIV> <P>The final stage of the suspension overhaul will be the shiny new control arms this weekend. What's the easiest method for breaking the old ball joints loose? </P> <P>Thanks,<BR>Mike<BR></P></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: <a href='http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag3_etl_EN.asp'>Click Here</a><br></html>
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#9. Power Steering change? - from Robert Manger
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 16:28:53 -0500 From: "Robert Manger" <Robert_Manger@Mastercard.com> Subject: Power Steering change? Has anyone ever changed or flushed out the power steering fluid on our cars? Just wondering if this is something I should plan to do come spring when I change all the other fluids in the car. Thanks, Rob 95M3 in hibernation awaiting new toys
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Front Control Arm Replacement - from Jesse Caldwell
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Date: Tue, 12 Feb 2002 14:28:49 -0700 From: Jesse Caldwell <Jesse.Caldwell@Colorado.EDU> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Front Control Arm Replacement > > The final stage of the suspension overhaul will be the shiny new > control arms this weekend. What's the easiest method for breaking the > old ball joints loose? > > Thanks, > Mike > Hi Mike, hammer? :) i just did my RF control arm last thursday. the ball joint that attaches to the spindle popped out in my little off-road incident, but i didn't need a puller to get the ball out of the spindle. maybe the wreck loosened things up. the middle ball joint was a pain because the nut on top is hard to get to, but once i had it loose the arm just dropped right off the car. easiest control arm replacement i could imagine. my friend was fit to be tied when he did them on his '87 GTI. so, while i'm here, i replaced the RF control arm and the car is driveable again. amazing. ran a $40K sports coupe into a ditch, make an ugly mess, replace a $200 part and throw the spare on, and she runs great. i'm really lucky or the e36 m3 is a high performance tank. my strut is bent, so i'm suspension shopping. H&R coilovers sound most promising (light street/autocross only for this car). anyone with this kit with any impressions they'd love to share (that aren't already in the archive), please drop me a line. Jesse