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#1. Re: SMG and the M3 - from ERogers005@aol.com
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 00:59:59 EDT From: ERogers005@aol.com Subject: Re: SMG and the M3 Actually if the hood isn't fully closed the SMG indicator will flash, but=20 will not default to neutral (at least it doesn't in my car). I am one of=20 those purists who has driven a stick all my life and wouldn't think of ever=20 giving it up. However, the SMG intrigued me in all the possibilities I=20 thought it could offer. With no car available to test drive I was at the=20 mercy of all the information, disinformation, and misinformation regarding=20 this "automatic" that was out there and on the web. I later came across what= =20 IMHO I think is the definitive description of what the SMG is, is not and ca= n=20 be. Check out Andrew Colfelt's page at:=20 http://abwc.home.mindspring.com/smg/DriverImpressions.htm.=20 Having read this I took that leap of faith and ordered my M3 with SMG. I've=20 had it 14 weeks now and I've never looked back. It's an amazing car and the=20 SMG's performance is superb. I don't miss that clutch pedal. I use only 2=20 modes S5 and S6. I've yet to have it on the track, but that's coming up soon= =20 in November. Hope this helps in getting some facts out. Ed Rogers 02 M3 SMG 95 M3 01 X5 5 Spd. >>>>>>> In a message dated 10/2/02 5:04:54 AM, e36m3@bmw-m.net writes: > Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2002 21:58:46 EDT > From: Mdriver13@aol.com > Subject: Re: [E36M3] M3 SMG the only option? >=20 >=20 > Well, last thing I want to add to this thread is just maybe SMG (i.e., BMW= =20 > engineers) has too much techno stuff attached to it.=A0 Case in point, a=20 > couple=20 > of autox's ago, two SMG's were there.=A0 One guy was almost DNF in staging= =20 > because the SMG computer kept shifting the tranny to neutral!=A0 The other= =20 > guy=20 > (in the other SMG M3) yells, "pop the hood and slam it down (to trip a=20 > sensor)".=A0 See, if the hood is not down tight, the tranny automatically=20 > defaults to neutral.=A0 Maybe, they should have named this system 'HAL'= =A0=20 > instead. >=20 > But still, you know if I drive one and like it...forget what I said ;-))= =A0=20 >=20 > just my last two cents >=20 > Bob Gill > 97 ///M3 coupe > Philly Region SCCA > AS Champion 1997 & 2000 > BSP Champion 2001 >=20
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#2. Re: [E36M3] best way to mount and wire an infinity basslink in - from Jay W. Hudson
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Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2002 07:34:13 -0700 From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@cdsnet.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] best way to mount and wire an infinity basslink in an M3/4 At 03:41 PM 10/2/02 -0500, you wrote: >Date: Wed, 2 Oct 2002 16:38:54 -0400 >From: "Petro, John D (CORP)" <John.Petro@Corporate.GE.com> >Subject: best way to mount and wire an infinity basslink in an M3/4 > > > Friends: thanks to fellow lister Vince T., I have an infinity >basslink on its way. Can anyone advise on the best way to wire it into a >stock (non-HK) stereo--- splice it into + and - on one, two or four >speakers? I've heard and read in the archives that only one is necessary, >but are two or four better from an input level/match or output standpoint? >Also, does anyone have the code key for the colored wires in the harness? I >know to wire up a dedicated hot (off the battery) and ground for it rather >than tap into the factory harness, so I'm just looking for the colors of the >four sets of speaker leads. Finally, has anyone bolted the basslink to the >back of the rear seat (non-fold down) rather than the trunk floor? I'd >rather not drill into the floor if I can avoid it, and the usual mounting >spot (rearmost left corner) is no good for me. Any advice, experience, etc. >would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. John > I think they are plug-n-play. At least that's my impression of the ones from Bav Auto. You can get the wiring schematics in the Bentley or go to unofficialbmw.com for pin IDs. If it turns out that an adapter is not provided and you still need wiring assistance, get back to me. Jay
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#3. M3 SMG the only option? - from Dorffer, Rich
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 10:57:55 -0400 From: "Dorffer, Rich" <RDORFFER@CleIndians.com> Subject: M3 SMG the only option? Paul says > > I have a hard time believing that anybody's computer program is going to > emulate my shifting style better then my mechanically doing it myself.... You do understand that SMG doesn't shift for you (unless in auto mode), it only actuates the clutch (and throttle for rev matching) for you. In the manual mode, you choose the gears. I am sure you understand this though so I guess what you are saying is the you don't believe a computer program is going to emulate your clutch and/or heel/toe action. Correct me if I am wrong. Anyway, it may not emulate your technique since it is so prone to variability, but it does offer multiple choices in how it performs the shift. I think a large majority of people will find one of the modes fits their needs and it will duplicate this method over and over the same way where humans are more likely to have a greater variance in their method. > But, regardless, the point is, while Im sure the SMG is great, and that > there are people which are going to prefer it, it should still be all about > choice. If the smg is great, fine, offer it as an option. But, why make it > the only shift methodolgy? It just seems crazy to me, to take what has > been, admittedly, the single feature which identifies driving freedom, and > sportiness in cars most, and in one fell swoop, do away with it, among the > clientele most interested in driving freedom and sportiness in cars. Sheer > Lunacy, if you ask me. Carey already mentioned some of the economics of offering multiple engine and transmission combinations. There certainly is economics coming into play here. Even making the manual as an option for $200 is too simplistic. There are production schedules and all sorts of factors coming into play. When it comes to high performance cars, adding choices gets more difficult and expensive to produce. To further my point of BMW doing stuff based on economics, I was talking to Brett Anderson the other night. He told me the cost of the E46 M3 engine block went from ~$12,000 to $4,600 recently as BMW lowered the prices. I didn't understand why. He said they did it due to the number of motors blowing up under warranty. As BMW gives dealers 10% of the parts cost under warranty work, it is much cheaper for them to give the dealer 10% of $4,600 than 10% of $12,000. I found this to be pretty interesting. Just goes to show how much margin is on an E46 M3 motor from the parts bin if they can lower the price that much and it still be cost effective. You got to figure that not many E46 M3 motors are currently being purchased by Joe Public compared to the numbers heading out under warranty. I have talked at length with Kathy Lyle (races cars as a hobby) about her E46 M3 SMG convertible and her choice to go with SMG. Ultimately, she went with SMG as she feels there will be a higher residual when she sells the car as SMG is the closest to the best of both worlds (where manuals are not seen as the popular choice in our automotive society, even if someone is considering an E46). I have driven a SMG E46 M3. It is very trick. If there was only one choice to be offered, this is the way of the future. It offers all the benefits of a manual and an automatic in one and even eliminates some of the downfalls. My greater concern is the additional weight and complexity continually going into the newer cars. It will certainly eliminate shade-tree mechanics and eventually most small-time independents from working on the high-tech cars. Regards, Rich - Likes rowing the gears as much as anyone. At least the SMG future looks brighter than electric cars or mass transportation. Alas, can't afford SMG yet. 95 M3 - 5 Speed 90 325is - 5 Speed 89 325is - 5 Speed
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#4. Re: M3 SMG the only option? - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 11:59:16 -0400 From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> Subject: Re: M3 SMG the only option? Rich, >>You do understand that SMG doesn't shift for you (unless in auto mode), it only actuates the clutch (and throttle for rev matching) for you.... so I guess what you are saying is the you don't believe a computer program is going to emulate your clutch and/or heel/toe action. Correct me if I am wrong.<< Youre exactly right. Conceptually, it sounds like Id feel 'denuded' somehow by not being able to activate and control the clutch myself. Sometimes, you pop the clutch precipitously. Other times, you feather it in gently. And all degrees in between. That kind of control would be largely missing under SMG. True, depending on the program you select, you can influence it electronically. But, it just doesnt sound like it would be the same. I should probably drive one before going on much more about this. But, when you think about it, thats really beside the point. To me, as I said earlier, its a Choice issue. Its all about choice. If I want SMG, let me choose it. Fine. Even make it the standard fare... Fine. But at least give me the Choice of buying, if necessary, a stick shift as an option. That way, bMW can cover their cost of mfg 2 transmissions. >> Rich - Likes rowing the gears as much as anyone. At least the SMG future looks brighter than electric cars or mass transportation. Alas, can't afford SMG yet.<< Today, since all new M3 buyers do have a choice, does anybody have an idea what percentage of new M3s are sold with STick vs SMG? Id be most curious. I might be wrong, but Id be very surprised if the number of SMG buyers exceeded 20-30% of the total. Yet, most of the responses to my thread have been along the lines of bring on the SMG....most dont seem to have a problem with only 1 tranny being offered, an SMG. So, I guess I AM out in left field on this one. So, I'll shut the hell up already. However, Id be very surprised if the responses to my thread are indicative of the sentiments of most potential M3 buyers at large. Oh, well... Paul Elliott --------------------------------------------------------- '99 White M3; 45-50K miles; Dinan stage II SC kit with 6" RMS crank pulley: 11 psi; AA Aquamist Water/Methanol Injection; Fikse FM-10s; X-Brace; Dinan Koni Suspension; Stygar SS and Clutch Stop; Sound by Polk, Excelon, JLAudio ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dorffer, Rich" <RDORFFER@CleIndians.com> To: "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Cc: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 10:57 AM Subject: M3 SMG the only option? Paul says > > I have a hard time believing that anybody's computer program is going to > emulate my shifting style better then my mechanically doing it myself.... You do understand that SMG doesn't shift for you (unless in auto mode), it only actuates the clutch (and throttle for rev matching) for you. In the manual mode, you choose the gears. I am sure you understand this though so I guess what you are saying is the you don't believe a computer program is going to emulate your clutch and/or heel/toe action. Correct me if I am wrong. Anyway, it may not emulate your technique since it is so prone to variability, but it does offer multiple choices in how it performs the shift. I think a large majority of people will find one of the modes fits their needs and it will duplicate this method over and over the same way where humans are more likely to have a greater variance in their method. > But, regardless, the point is, while Im sure the SMG is great, and that > there are people which are going to prefer it, it should still be all about > choice. If the smg is great, fine, offer it as an option. But, why make it > the only shift methodolgy? It just seems crazy to me, to take what has > been, admittedly, the single feature which identifies driving freedom, and > sportiness in cars most, and in one fell swoop, do away with it, among the > clientele most interested in driving freedom and sportiness in cars. Sheer > Lunacy, if you ask me. Carey already mentioned some of the economics of offering multiple engine and transmission combinations. There certainly is economics coming into play here. Even making the manual as an option for $200 is too simplistic. There are production schedules and all sorts of factors coming into play. When it comes to high performance cars, adding choices gets more difficult and expensive to produce. To further my point of BMW doing stuff based on economics, I was talking to Brett Anderson the other night. He told me the cost of the E46 M3 engine block went from ~$12,000 to $4,600 recently as BMW lowered the prices. I didn't understand why. He said they did it due to the number of motors blowing up under warranty. As BMW gives dealers 10% of the parts cost under warranty work, it is much cheaper for them to give the dealer 10% of $4,600 than 10% of $12,000. I found this to be pretty interesting. Just goes to show how much margin is on an E46 M3 motor from the parts bin if they can lower the price that much and it still be cost effective. You got to figure that not many E46 M3 motors are currently being purchased by Joe Public compared to the numbers heading out under warranty. I have talked at length with Kathy Lyle (races cars as a hobby) about her E46 M3 SMG convertible and her choice to go with SMG. Ultimately, she went with SMG as she feels there will be a higher residual when she sells the car as SMG is the closest to the best of both worlds (where manuals are not seen as the popular choice in our automotive society, even if someone is considering an E46). I have driven a SMG E46 M3. It is very trick. If there was only one choice to be offered, this is the way of the future. It offers all the benefits of a manual and an automatic in one and even eliminates some of the downfalls. My greater concern is the additional weight and complexity continually going into the newer cars. It will certainly eliminate shade-tree mechanics and eventually most small-time independents from working on the high-tech cars. Regards, Rich - Likes rowing the gears as much as anyone. At least the SMG future looks brighter than electric cars or mass transportation. Alas, can't afford SMG yet. 95 M3 - 5 Speed 90 325is - 5 Speed 89 325is - 5 Speed
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#5. Ordering parts and stuff from Demon Tweeks in UK - from Michael Turgeon
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 09:01:54 -0700 (PDT) From: Michael Turgeon <turgeon1@yahoo.com> Subject: Ordering parts and stuff from Demon Tweeks in UK Gruppes: Has anyone ordered equipment from Demon Tweeks in the UK? If so, how was the stuff shipped and were there any customs charges? Further, did the exchange rate make up for the shipping costs? Reply in private unless the information is helpful for others. Thanks, Mike #??? ITS/KP __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? New DSL Internet Access from SBC & Yahoo! http://sbc.yahoo.com
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#6. Re: [E36M3] M3 SMG the only option? - from Rex Tener
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Date: Thu, 03 Oct 2002 09:35:11 -0700 From: Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] M3 SMG the only option? At 11:21 AM 10/3/2002 -0500, Dorffer, Rich wrote: >To further my point of BMW doing stuff based on economics, I was talking >to Brett Anderson the other night. He told me the cost of the E46 M3 >engine block went from ~$12,000 to $4,600 recently as BMW lowered the >prices. I didn't understand why. He said they did it due to the number >of motors blowing up under warranty. As BMW gives dealers 10% of the >parts cost under warranty work, it is much cheaper for them to give the >dealer 10% of $4,600 than 10% of $12,000. They also do this so they don't have to write off as much of a loss on those engines, gotta' keep those earnings up. They did the same thing with all the Nikasil V8 engines they replaced in the mid '90's. -- Rex Tener rex_tener@yahoo.com 1996 BMW M3, SCCA SFR Solo II Street-Mod #173
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#7. Re: [E36M3] Re: M3 SMG the only option? - from Zack Steinkamp
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 09:36:58 -0700 (PDT) From: Zack Steinkamp <edsarkiss@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Re: M3 SMG the only option? --- Paul Elliott <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> wrote: > I might be wrong, but Id be very surprised if the > number of SMG buyers > exceeded 20-30% of the total. 'cause it's more expensive! cheaper will always sell more. zs
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#8. OT - Metro DC area - from Carey Probst
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 12:55:59 -0400 From: "Carey Probst" <hcprobst@nycap.rr.com> Subject: OT - Metro DC area It appears I may be transfered to my company's Reston office. If so, I will likely be working for several agencies in the DC area. Can anyone recommend a decent place to live that is 1. relatively rural 2. reasonably decent commute to Reston/DC area Am I nuts to think such a thing is possible? OBMWC I'll probably get and SMG E46 so my left leg doesn't get larger than my waist. Thanks Carey Probst, '99 M3/2, BMW CCA Patroon and Genesee Valley Chapters JC CAIed and Sharked, Stressed, Schrothed, Gauged, Hitched, X-Braced A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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#9. Road Atlanta World Challenge - from James Clay
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 13:38:35 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Road Atlanta World Challenge We have space for 1-2 people on our crew list for the RA World Challenge race, 10/8-11. Test day is Tuesday, practice Wed, Qual Thurs, race Friday. If anyone wants to help out, email me and I will give you the details, no mechanical experience needed, minimal work required. James -------------------------------------------------------------------- James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance Genuine and OEM BMW Parts 540.639.9648 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Call or visit our website for special introductory pricing on Powerflex suspension bushings.
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#10. Quaiff Diff for AutoX - from cteague@cox.net
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Date: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 13:29:14 -0400 From: <cteague@cox.net> Subject: Quaiff Diff for AutoX Does anyone have any comments on using a Quaiff diff for autox? How does it affect the balance (understeer/oversteer) of the car? Is it better to stay with the stock clutch type? Chris 97 M3/4