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#1. New member intro / prospective owner - from jbg
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 14:10:27 -0500 (EST) From: jbg <jbg@deedee.idcs.jhu.edu> Subject: New member intro / prospective owner Greetings all, my name is Jim Galvin and I'm long term BMW M3 admirer. At once from a far, but after experiencing the joys of a buddies M3 ... I .... need one. :) I'm a turbo Dodge guy actually and have never had the intention of buying a BMW product aside from a 'ol 2002. But it only takes one ride in a M3 and it got me hook, line and sinker. Being it was Chris Papademetrious (list member) and his car, well, I had to join up and start talking with like-minded people. I was planning on buying a 1995 MY M3 in the next 6 months to a year. I hope to read about owners feelings on these cars, gain an owners prespective, learn about the reliability and durability of them and lastly keep me motivated to purchase one! Unfortunately I have to buy a *house* before, I tried to convince myself that I could live in a 2 door E36 M3 .... but no dice. Enthusiast yes, stupid maybe, crazy no. :) Thanks. -- Jim Galvin
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#2. Re: [E36M3] Euro Rotors and RSMs in Solo2? - from peter@guagenti.com
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 11:08:01 US/Pacific From: peter@guagenti.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Euro Rotors and RSMs in Solo2? > At the local level no one should protest it - ever. If an M3 wins BSP at > nationals and some clever Vette driver notices the non-stock rotors... I didn't think 'Vette drivers were that smart? Something about the abnormally high testosterone levels? ;-) > True, but give me a dozen little "pushing the envelope of the rules" > tricks and you will see a difference - it all adds up. True. > Oh sure, same here in DC, but for national events realize they are > illegal and you're running an illegal car. I think that was the original > question. Again, take the Euro rotors, then take E30 M3 aluminum control > arms, then take Group N cams, then take the crash bolts, then take... > you get the picture. I think you're painting a quite extreme picture here. The M3LTW is now in BSP, and it has the LTW rotors on it. I'm not saying exchange aluminum doors, but they're the same chassis in the same class. E30M3 control arms are from a completely different car and the Group N cams are race parts. Both are clear violations of the rules. > SCCA is very specific with the interpretation of Solo-II rules. If it > doesn't say it's legal, it's not legal. I see "two piece, aluminum hat" > rotors as being different from "cross drilled or slotted." There was no > "etc." in the ruling. True enough. I guess I was trying to stay true to the itent of the rule and not the letter of the law. ;-) > I would imagine though that a simple e-mail to > Howard Duncan might get it cleared up. The *intent* of the rule is > clearly to allow mildly modified rotors of the same size and basic > material composition (no carbon fiber or ceramics) as the original. Is it worth a few of us crafting a letter to him to allow for clarification? They haven't published the rule books yet. -peterg ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message was sent using HiSpeed Technologies Webmail. http://www.hispeed.com
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#3. Re: Race seats/SRS light - from Vern Anderson
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 14:13:07 -0500 From: "Vern Anderson" <vernon_anderson@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: Race seats/SRS light Tim, I installed my Recaro SRD's last year and I've had the light on ever since. A small piece of black electrical tape works nicely and seems to make it go away <g>. Seriously, I heard Jim Powell did a neat trick by taking the passenger-side seat sensor connector from an older car and wired in a resistive device that simulated the seat sensor. You can find the very nice write-up on his efforts at http://www.apexcone.com/Recaros/Recaros.html. I personally have not gotten around to doing this yet, although it is on my list as soon as I find an old connector. I was able to use the stock seat belt receptacles for the street on my Recaros. Vern Anderson 98 M3/2 -------------------- 9 -------------------- Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 18:03:58 +0000 From: bmwm3nut@att.net Subject: Race seats/SRS light This is for the owners with aftermarket seats and street M3s. I am going to be installing a pair of Momo Street Racer seats in my 95 M3. I am using Momo brackets and sliders. If I use the stock seat belt buckles and I connect the wire connector for the seat belt pre- tensioner. Will I have the SRS light on?? I am assuming that I can use the stock seat belt buckle. ANyone with Momo/Recaros/Sparcos..... want to give me some feedback. Thanks -- Tim Ng 95 YELA/BUZZN/M3 92 325ic M-Tech "ULTIMATE TANNING MACHINE" 91///M3 "SUNNY DAY CAR" 88///M3 "TRACK CAR" AWESOME 2.5 ENGINE
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#4. Rambling - from Mark Greene
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Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 14:21:15 -0500 From: Mark Greene <gsa@arpinintl.com> Subject: Rambling Mike Kanaly - I agree, cupholders are lacking and I still think the A/C - blower is too weak. Great drive though, welcome. Mark Greene
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#5. Failed smog...advice/info? - from Steve Grigory
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Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 11:23:37 -0800 From: Steve Grigory <sgrigory@pacbell.net> Subject: Failed smog...advice/info? My all stock 95 M3 with 67k miles just failed the Calif smog test, in the 'gross polluter' category... It failed the HC PPM test by a long shot! 314 PPM, the limit is 100 PPM and the average is 17 PPM. I have an appointment to have a good shop (Import Connection in Campbell, CA) look at it tomorrow and I'd like to go in there with a bit of pre-knowledge. I'm thinking it might be the O2 sensor is bad and it's running rich. Looking at the tail pipe- it is pretty damn black! I was told that the cat might also be dead. So, I'm just looking for info and advice. Thanks, steve
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#6. Re[2]: ramblings/dumb questions - from Andrej Dolenc
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 14:28:04 -0600 From: Andrej Dolenc <adolenc@erols.com> Subject: Re[2]: ramblings/dumb questions Jim Bassett writes: > (I must be having a bad week, if I'm discussing *cupholders* <bg>.) Ditto for me! LOL > Couple of ideas: > - I replaced the ash tray in the center console with the cassette holder. > Makes a good general purpose storage bin. What I did on my '97 M3 was remove the cupholders, ashtray and coinholder alltogether. Then you can go one step further by removing the plastic assembly that all these pieces snap into. Cut up an old mouse pad to fit into the hole and presto, you've got a handy storage bin. Guestimate without walking out to my car - 10" by 3". As for the cupholder? Well, you may laugh but ya know what? It works and it's dirt cheap. A roll of duct tape. Laid on its side behind the passenger seat. The edge of the roll of duct tape is slightly sticky and will adhere to the carpet. And a sports bottle is the EXACT size of the inside hole of the roll. Neither the duct tape nor the bottle with drink inside it move anywhere, no matter how hard I zip off an exit ramp. As an added benefit, your car always has duct tape for unplanned emergencies! Andrej '97 M3
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#7. Control arm ball joint change - from bmwm3nut@att.net
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Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 19:41:11 +0000 From: bmwm3nut@att.net Subject: Control arm ball joint change Shane, this is a well know topic with the E30 m3 owners. If the car is tracked frequently. New Alum. control arms shoudl be replaced every 3 years no matter what the conditrion of the ball joint is. The E36 m3 at least in 1995 uses the same control arm/ball joint/ and bushing so this should also hold true for a TRACK CAR. BUT now that your car don't see the track anymore (I won't say what you were driving @ CMP). The old arm should be okay for daily use. Now if you have a heavy right foot and can't stand being beat by the riceboys, then I would suggust you to have them replace. Its like the helmut thing, how much do you want to spend for safety? $300 or $1500. Maybe drive the L.R. more. -- Tim Ng 95 YELA/BUZZN/M3 92 325ic M-Tech "ULTIMATE TANNING MACHINE" 91///M3 "SUNNY DAY CAR" 88///M3 "TRACK CAR" AWESOME 2.5 ENGINE ------------------------------------------------ Get the award winning ISP, AT&T WorldNet Service http://download.att.net/webtag
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#8. anyone want to trade front trim for no LP part? - from James Clay
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 14:51:52 -0500 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: anyone want to trade front trim for no LP part? My roommate is putting a front plate on his car, but has the front bumper trim for no plate. Anyone want to trade? James ------------------------------------------------------------------ James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance Grand Am Cup / SCCA / BMWCCA Racecar Rental Genuine and OEM BMW Parts (540) 639-9648 ------------------------------------------------------------------
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Re[2]: ramblings/dumb questions - from Mark Radelow
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Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 19:42:45 +0000 From: "Mark Radelow" <radelow@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re[2]: ramblings/dumb questions ***As an added benefit, your car always has duct tape for unplanned emergencies! Such as: -Flat Tire -Blown Headgasket -Fender Bender that takes the bumper off -abducting your boss -removing the hair from your girlfriends legs (and other unsightly places) -various other "uses" God I love Duct Tape. Mark R. _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com
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#10. Re:: ramblings/dumb questions - from Jeff Stowe
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Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 12:06:54 -0800 From: Jeff Stowe <jrstowe@pacbell.net> Subject: Re:: ramblings/dumb questions > Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 08:39:17 -0800 > From: "Mike Kanaly" <mike@worklife.com> > Subject: ramblings/dumb questions > > Ok, after having my 1997 M3 for a little over a week, I have a few > ramblings/dumb questions for you guys. > > The cupholders are HORRIBLE. I have yet to find a mug/drink that will > fit properly in them. What are they supposed to hold? Has anyone > successfully found a larger plastic coffee mug/drink that will actually > fit properly? I was in starbucks the other night, and was thinking of > buying one of the larger coffee mugs, but was turned off after I > remembered the terrible cupholders in our cars. Check out the aftermarket cup holders from Bavarian Auto (www.bavauto.com i think). I have found them to work pretty well. jeff
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#11. RE: [E36M3] ramblings/dumb questions- Dumb answers... - from Juan Rico
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 12:01:38 -0800 From: Juan Rico <juan_rico@captionsinc.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] ramblings/dumb questions- Dumb answers... What are the cupholders supposed to hold? My experience: Starbucks: "Tall", "Grande" sizes fit perfectly. "Venti", "Vente" or whatever does not fit snugly enough-- too much play and will drip. Need to stick some paper in there ;) Coffee Bean Tea & Leaf: All sizes fit wonderfully. Specifically designed to fit your M3 cupholder. Fast food soft drinks: Avoid anything over medium size; will not fit. -----Original Message----- From: Mike Kanaly [mailto:mike@worklife.com] Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2002 8:45 AM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] ramblings/dumb questions Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 08:39:17 -0800 From: "Mike Kanaly" <mike@worklife.com> Subject: ramblings/dumb questions Ok, after having my 1997 M3 for a little over a week, I have a few ramblings/dumb questions for you guys. The cupholders are HORRIBLE. I have yet to find a mug/drink that will fit properly in them. What are they supposed to hold? Has anyone successfully found a larger plastic coffee mug/drink that will actually fit properly? I was in starbucks the other night, and was thinking of buying one of the larger coffee mugs, but was turned off after I remembered the terrible cupholders in our cars. Also, where does everyone keep their garage door remotes? I don't have the clip on it so that's not an option, and I'm used to having somewhere to put it. Lastly, does anyone have any pictures of any e36 m3's in Europe? I wanted to see the differences, specifically the lights, wheels, options, interior, etc. Is there any enthusiasts pages which document this? Or any links to euro m3 enthusiast pages, etc? So I can see these differences? Thanks! -mike ************************************************************* 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 to the email address e36m3@bmw-m.net. *************************************************************
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#12. New buyer looking at '95 and '96-'97's - from Scott McClung
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Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2002 12:00:54 -0800 From: Scott McClung <scott.mcclung@ubicom.com> Subject: New buyer looking at '95 and '96-'97's Any opinions would be appreciated. I'm in the market for an M3 coupe that will serve as my nice weather car, weekend warrior, 1/3 of my daily driver use and might see some track time on a road course or autox. Budget is around $24K, but I'd like to spend less if possible. The more I spend on the M3 the longer I'll have to wait to replace my primary sedan, which I need for business use since I'm in outside sales. I'm looking to move up to a '98-'99 540i there, most likely, though I will take a hard look at the new G35. So the options I'm looking at are: 1. '96-'97 for about $22-24K price range 2. '95 for $16-$20K Depending on the '95 I end up with and the price I pay for it, there could be room in the budget to add some engine mods (thinking Dinan chip and intake tract) to get up closer to 280hp or so. There also might be room for a new set of wheels for the street so the stock wheels can be saved for sticky tires (dangerous thinking there) and maybe some stereo upgrades. If I get a '96-'97 I'll likely spend the entire budget on the car, so it will need to remain stock (which isn't a bad thing). I'm thinking with the '95 3.0 with the engine mods it would have more HP and even more TQ than the later 3.2L motor in stock form. The only other change in '96 I really care much about is the dual climate control, but that's not a deal breaker. Any thoughts? Scott '94 Q45t - daily driver '01 'burb - tow rig, family truckster '91 Corvette - track and street fun car