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#1. Re: [E36M3] shifter sticking - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:29:21 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] shifter sticking At 05:54 AM 10/17/02, Chester Wong wrote: >Sounds like there was a reason why the tranny came out of the other car with >only 20k miles. I think Jim Bassett has this problem as well as Dave Ngo. We >fixed Dave's car by swapping out the tranny :( Oh great, that's encouraging :-) Yep, not only do I have the sticking to the right problem, but there's also a huge amount of play in the shift lever to the right when in gear. Both combined have made for some vague shifting lately. The M3 is going into the shop on Monday for a couple of days (rear main seal, clutch, comprehensive track-type inspection since it's been neglected since I bought the race car :-( ). My mechanic will take a look at the tranny issues (the tranny's coming out of the car, so we'll get a GOOD look :-)), and see what we can do. He does have a used 5-speed from another customer's car there, just in case. Jim Bassett
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#2. Koni SA settings and adjustments - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:36:52 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> Subject: Koni SA settings and adjustments OK, I'm *finally* replacing the stock shocks/struts with Koni SAs (Thanks, Jonathan!). Fronts get installed while the car is in the shop Mon/Tues for other work, rears I'll install Sunday before dropping the car off. First, I want to take an informal poll of those that have the Koni SAs with stock springs - what are you settings for plain ol' street driving? Second, I wanted to confirm the adjustment directions. Fronts are easy, adjustment tool says counter-clockwise for firmer. If I'm adjusting the rears by turning the hex bolt on top, it's the opposite, correct? Firm = clockwise, soft = counter-clockwise? Thanks, Jim Bassett 1998 M3/4 - after 120K+ miles, in need of some rejuvenation 1993 325is #44 KP - we're still working on the driver :-)
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#3. Re: [E36M3] Koni SA settings and adjustments - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 11:54:11 -0700 (PDT) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Koni SA settings and adjustments --- Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> wrote: > First, I want to take an informal poll of those that have the Koni SAs with > stock springs - what are you settings for plain ol' street driving? > > Second, I wanted to confirm the adjustment directions. Fronts are easy, > adjustment tool says counter-clockwise for firmer. If I'm adjusting the > rears by turning the hex bolt on top, it's the opposite, correct? Firm = > clockwise, soft = counter-clockwise? Yeah, something like that. If you think about adjusting the rear shock by having the shaft point downwards and turning the body in the direction of the adjustment knob, it's the same thing. I have about 1.5 turns from full stiff in the front and 1.25 - 1.5 turns from full stiff in the back...I think :) Chester ===== __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com
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#4. Re: Winter Tires - from Neil Maller
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 13:55:35 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Winter Tires on 10/17/02 1:24 PM, Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> wrote: > In reference to a Tire Rack search, can anyone confirm that the Blizzak MZ-01 > 225/45QR17 will fit my '95 with stock Contours all round? That same size tire on the same 7.5" rims is stock on the front of the 96+ M3. So it'll fit yours. What was your concern? on 10/17/02 1:24 PM, DocWyte <josh_wyte@yahoo.com> wrote: > 225-45-17 should fit, however, that's not the size I'd > go with. For optimal snow traction you want the > smallest, tallest tire you can fit. In the case of > the E36 M3, that's a 205-55-16. Snow traction will be > dramatically better than with a lower profile wider > tire... Not so fast, Josh. First, Steve said he needs to use his existing 17" rims, so that rules out the 16" option. Second, only some 16" rims fit the M3, so one has to be careful in selection. (No 16" BMW OE rim will fit the M3.) Lastly the choice of snow tire size depends on the inevitable compromise to be made between snow traction and handling when there isn't snow. That in turn tends to be dictated by where you are. Steve didn't tell us that in his original post, but I see from a later response that he's in KC. I'm no expert on regional climates, but suspect his needs may be similar to mine, see below. For example I live in NE Indiana. We get our share of snow, but the roads get cleared and we typically don't have to drive on snow-covered surfaces for very long. I run 225/50-16 snows (Pirelli 210) on ACT -LS wheels which tire Rack recommended. They work fine in snow, while still allowing me to drive my M3 like, well, an M3 the rest of the time. I've been up to Michigan skiing with this setup and no problems (well, except ground clearance). Now if I lived in Minnesota I'd be on those skinny tires. Neil 96 M3
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#5. Re: [E36M3] Winter Rims and Tires FS in NorCal - from Scott Yu
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:00:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Scott Yu <segascott@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Rims and Tires FS in NorCal I guess this might be a good time to mention that I've got a set of TSW 16" Trophy rims with Bridgestone Blizzak snow tires for sale. Photos of the tread and of the TSW rims on my '97 M3 are at http://photos.yahoo.com/scottstuff4sale I moved from MA to CA, don't need these anymore. Unfortunately they moved with me... if anyone would like to purchase these, I was thinking of $400 for local pickup (anywhere in norcal) or $400 + shipping for anywhere else. The tires have 2 seasons of light to moderate usage on them - the siping is still quite deep and they were working well at the time I pulled them off the car. As it's been mentioned before, the 16" rim is narrower than our stock rims, and that combination with the Blizzak's works extremely well. They come with lug bolts and fit neatly over E36 M3 brake calipers. As much as I hated driving in the winter, I do have to admit that it was quite enjoyable passing stuck SUVs and awd (audi, subaru) vehicles that were shod with all-season tires... this wheel/tire combo with DSC is unbeatable. Except by an AWD vehicle with snow tires and traction control. Or one of them snowcats. But hey... ain't no AWD M3's or tank treads in THIS list, right? scott yu '97 M3 norcal, previously MA. PS if anyone has any tips on shipping a wheel/tire combo, could you forward 'em to me? Thanks! --- DocWyte <josh_wyte@yahoo.com> wrote: > Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 10:51:27 -0700 (PDT) > From: DocWyte <josh_wyte@yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires > > It's usually cheaper to get a second set of wheels > with snow tires on them. That way you don't have to > pay twice a year to have the snows mounted and > dismounted, which can cost anywhere from $60-100 > each > time. > > Not sure if regular E36 wheels will fit, I know some > aftermarket 16's will... > > -josh > > > --- Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> wrote: > > Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:10:01 -0500 > > From: Steve Klein <klein@robinsonad.com> > > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires > > > > Hi, Josh- > > That's ultimately what I'd like to do (aside > > from having a different > > vehicle for the winter), but that means different > > rims, right? > > Unfortunately, I have to pass on that route for > this > > year. Will other > > E36 rims fit our Ms, or do the calipers become a > > factor? > > > > Thanks for the reply, > > Steve > > > > DocWyte wrote: > > > > > 225-45-17 should fit, however, that's not the > size > > I'd > > > go with. For optimal snow traction you want the > > > smallest, tallest tire you can fit. In the case > > of > > > the E36 M3, that's a 205-55-16. Snow traction > > will be > > > dramatically better than with a lower profile > > wider > > > tire... > > > > > > -josh __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com
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#6. shifter sticking - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:31:15 -0400 From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> Subject: shifter sticking >>My shifter is sticking when it is pushed over to go into 5th gear. When I push it over to the right it will not come back to center. Could it just be the colder weather? It is only in the 40's though. There is supposed to be only about 20 some thousand miles on this used tranny that I recently had put in.<< On mine, if its in neutral, I can push it left and right in the neutral horizontal slot with ease. Then, if I push it past the detente all the way to the right, it will stay there by friction hold. I need to nudge it a bit to get it to come back to neutral again. Is this what youre talking about? At least in my case, its certainly no biggie, and not indicative of any problems Im aware of. Besides, it doestn always stay there. Sometimes, it just pops back by itself. When would it ever present a problem? Or are you just curious? Paul Elliott --------------------------------------------------------- '99 White M3; 45K 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
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#7. Upcoming work on the M3 - from Jim Bassett
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:30:16 -0700 From: Jim Bassett <jimbassett@attbi.com> Subject: Upcoming work on the M3 Just in case anyone is curious and/or has any suggestions of what else to do, here's the list of repairs that I'll be having done on the M3 next week. As mentioned previously, it's got over 120K miles now and up until last October was getting fairly regular inspections (about once a month or so for track schools). - Replace rear main seal (been leaking for over a year now) - Replace clutch, pilot & throw out bearings (while doing above) - Check aforementioned tranny issues - Check oil pump sprocket nut - Reinforce F subframe & R swaybar brackets - Replace leaking power steering hose - Complete undercarriage inspection - Oil, tranny & diff fluid changes (going to try Royal Purple Synchromax, based on others reports) I fully expect to need F control arms & bushings. RTBs, RSMs, & flex disc have already been replaced. Although the timing of all this isn't the greatest financially (just having the race car's motor rebuilt), some of that work has been put off long enough. I'm looking forward to having a better-riding, non-leaking car <g>. Cheers, Jim Bassett
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#8. Winter Tires - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:42:20 -0400 From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> Subject: Winter Tires Now that the talk has turned to winter tires, do all you guys think this is a bad idea? First, I have a set of 4 contour look-alikes from TR on which I have mounted Pirelli P210 Asymeticos, which they dont make anymore. Anyway, every december I change over from my summer Fikses to my winter 225/45-17 wheels and tired. Now Im thinking that around here, Metro NY, we get so little snow, usually, that I halfway think I could get by with my summer tires, Pilot Sports, year round. But then I remember that at the least, we do have days, and sometimes weeks, of light snow, and/or a little ice. But Im hard pressed to justify the use of the winter tires 4 months a year. So I was thinking, what about if I sell the 4 winter wheels and tires, which still have great tread on them, and instead, try the Pilot Sport All Seasons, mounted to the Fikses. According to the Reader Survey at TR, these things perform as well as the regular Pilot sports. More people would re-buy them than the summer ones. Dry traction is almost as good. And....they have decent winter traction performance numbers. So, for year round use including light winter weather, these sound like the first so called all seasons which really hold their own against their summer counterparts, while still delivering decent winter traction. Im sure many of you are so ingrained on the idea that all seasons suck, but just take a look at the reader's surveys on TR. Most people like these better, or, at least as much, as the regular Pilot Sports. Have tire mfgs really finally turned the corner on the ability to really make decent All Seasons? Paul Elliott --------------------------------------------------------- '99 White M3; 45K 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
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires - from DocWyte
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 12:51:15 -0700 (PDT) From: DocWyte <josh_wyte@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires I'd really stick with the snows. Especially with the hp that you have. The all seasons aren't the greatest in the snow, and don't even think about putting your car on the road with the pilot sports if there's any snow or ice. Course, if you're set on selling the snows, drop me a note, I'm in the market for a set... -josh --- Paul Elliott <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> wrote: > Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:42:20 -0400 > From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> > Subject: Winter Tires > > Now that the talk has turned to winter tires, do all > you guys think this is > a bad idea? First, I have a set of 4 contour > look-alikes from TR on which I > have mounted Pirelli P210 Asymeticos, which they > dont make anymore. Anyway, > every december I change over from my summer Fikses > to my winter 225/45-17 > wheels and tired. > > Now Im thinking that around here, Metro NY, we get > so little snow, usually, > that I halfway think I could get by with my summer > tires, Pilot Sports, year > round. But then I remember that at the least, we do > have days, and > sometimes weeks, of light snow, and/or a little ice. > But Im hard pressed to > justify the use of the winter tires 4 months a year. > > So I was thinking, what about if I sell the 4 winter > wheels and tires, which > still have great tread on them, and instead, try the > Pilot Sport All > Seasons, mounted to the Fikses. According to the > Reader Survey at TR, these > things perform as well as the regular Pilot sports. > More people would > re-buy them than the summer ones. Dry traction is > almost as good. > And....they have decent winter traction performance > numbers. > > So, for year round use including light winter > weather, these sound like the > first so called all seasons which really hold their > own against their summer > counterparts, while still delivering decent winter > traction. > > Im sure many of you are so ingrained on the idea > that all seasons suck, but > just take a look at the reader's surveys on TR. > Most people like these > better, or, at least as much, as the regular Pilot > Sports. Have tire mfgs > really finally turned the corner on the ability to > really make decent All > Seasons? > > Paul Elliott > --------------------------------------------------------- > '99 White M3; 45K 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 > > > > > ************************************************************* > 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. > ************************************************************* > > ===== Josh Wyte Momentum Motorsports 508-833-3024 After 5 pm EST __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More http://faith.yahoo.com
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires - from Paul Elliott
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 16:02:36 -0400 From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires Josh, Since my Pilot Sports still have most of their tread, now's not the time Im going to try this. It looks to me like the Pilot sports and the Pirelli Winter P210 Asymetricos may give up their tread at near to the same time, sometime perhaps a couple of years away, so its more like Im just musing at the moment. Last winter, there wasnt one damn day where we even had any snow or ice on the roads. Not One! Its almost like the climate has changed so much around here, that the last time we had a decent winter with any snow that made you even think that you needed snow tires was the memorable '95-'96 winter. Since then, bupkis. So, I'll look and see what ol man winter has in store the next couple years, but, if it looks like hes' gone on permanent sebatical, I may have to give some more thought to this whole thing. Paul Elliott --------------------------------------------------------- '99 White M3; 45K 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: "DocWyte" <josh_wyte@yahoo.com> To: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net>; "E36M3" <e36m3@bmw-m.net> Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 3:51 PM Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires > I'd really stick with the snows. Especially with the > hp that you have. The all seasons aren't the greatest > in the snow, and don't even think about putting your > car on the road with the pilot sports if there's any > snow or ice. > > Course, if you're set on selling the snows, drop me a > note, I'm in the market for a set... > > -josh > > > --- Paul Elliott <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> > wrote: > > Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:42:20 -0400 > > From: "Paul Elliott" <elliott.paul@worldnet.att.net> > > Subject: Winter Tires > > > > Now that the talk has turned to winter tires, do all > > you guys think this is > > a bad idea? First, I have a set of 4 contour > > look-alikes from TR on which I > > have mounted Pirelli P210 Asymeticos, which they > > dont make anymore. Anyway, > > every december I change over from my summer Fikses > > to my winter 225/45-17 > > wheels and tired. > > > > Now Im thinking that around here, Metro NY, we get > > so little snow, usually, > > that I halfway think I could get by with my summer > > tires, Pilot Sports, year > > round. But then I remember that at the least, we do > > have days, and > > sometimes weeks, of light snow, and/or a little ice. > > But Im hard pressed to > > justify the use of the winter tires 4 months a year. > > > > So I was thinking, what about if I sell the 4 winter > > wheels and tires, which > > still have great tread on them, and instead, try the > > Pilot Sport All > > Seasons, mounted to the Fikses. According to the > > Reader Survey at TR, these > > things perform as well as the regular Pilot sports. > > More people would > > re-buy them than the summer ones. Dry traction is > > almost as good. > > And....they have decent winter traction performance > > numbers. > > > > So, for year round use including light winter > > weather, these sound like the > > first so called all seasons which really hold their > > own against their summer > > counterparts, while still delivering decent winter > > traction. > > > > Im sure many of you are so ingrained on the idea > > that all seasons suck, but > > just take a look at the reader's surveys on TR. > > Most people like these > > better, or, at least as much, as the regular Pilot > > Sports. Have tire mfgs > > really finally turned the corner on the ability to > > really make decent All > > Seasons? > > > > Paul Elliott > > > --------------------------------------------------------- > > '99 White M3; 45K 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 > > > > > > > > > > > ************************************************************* > > 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. > > > ************************************************************* > > > > > > > ===== > Josh Wyte > Momentum Motorsports > 508-833-3024 After 5 pm EST > > __________________________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Faith Hill - Exclusive Performances, Videos & More > http://faith.yahoo.com >
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#11. Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires - from Chris Papademetrious
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Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:55:10 -0400 From: Chris Papademetrious <chrispy@ieee.org> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Winter Tires At 02:44 PM 10/17/2002 -0500, Paul Elliott wrote: >Im sure many of you are so ingrained on the idea that all seasons suck, but >just take a look at the reader's surveys on TR. Most people like these >better, or, at least as much, as the regular Pilot Sports. Have tire mfgs >really finally turned the corner on the ability to really make decent All >Seasons? All-seasons suck. It's a simple fact of science that compromises will be made to design a tire for both drastic condition extremes. Personally, I've never understood the resistance to having killer Z-rated summer rubber, and dedicated winter rubber. Cost is not an effective argument, since you are still only wearing the rubber off one set of tires at a time. You are now using two sets of tires which both last twice as long. When the local roads were covered with frozen snow and slush, my friend could never make it up the hill to my house with his premium Dunlop all-seasons - it's both very steep and very curvy. Once I convinced him to get snow tires, he's been able to drive right up it every time, no matter how bad the conditions were. And, he remarks at how much better his handling is with the summer tires than with the all-seasons. In my mind, all-seasons are fine for people who live in flat areas, don't drive much, and don't have a garage handy to keep the extra wheels/tires around. For a car enthusiast who has spent so much money on a performance machine such as a BMW M3, it's a tradeoff that simply doesn't make sense to me. But then, I'm biased from living in the eastern ski region of Pennsylvania. Even the cheapest junker car here will have true snow tires in the winter. - Chris