-------------------- 1 --------------------
#1. Battery Options - from Mike Frank
Top
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:16:50 -0500 From: Mike Frank <mfrank28@comcast.net> Subject: Battery Options Well, it finally happened. The battery in my 97 M3 has given up. You might want to keep some jumper cables with you Andrej. :) I've been looking through old digests for info and have a couple of questions. I would love to shed some weight and go with a Dyna-Batt, but I'd be curious to hear the long-term experiences of others who have used them. Low reserve doesn't bother me as I don't run any accessories without the car running (except the alarm). I have heard some concerns about proper care/charging. Seems that mounting the smaller battery is a concern, along with having to fit a larger (-) terminal clamp (easy). Am I missing anything? A gel cell (Optima or other) would probably be my second choice. Is there is a significant weight savings vs. OEM battery such as Interstate. It seems that reserve capacity and durability are the main advantages. Yes/No? Is mounting an issue? I seem to recall that they are taller and require modification of the plastic cover if one wishes to continue using. ~ $135 If all else fails, I'll just get an OEM replacement such as the Interstate MTP-91 which seems to be a little lighter, a little cheaper, and possibly a little better. Others have commented that it fits fine with the adjustable bracket and there is a vent kit available (from the distributor I assume) that works fine. Costs about $80. If any of this is incorrect could someone please let me know. Thanks, Mike Frank 97 M3
-------------------- 2 --------------------
#2. RE: [E36M3] Repair shops in Bay Area - from Go, Jeffrey
Top
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2003 00:17:28 +0200 From: "Go, Jeffrey" <jeffrey.go@sap.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Repair shops in Bay Area David Try German Motorsports in Sunnyvale. Phone: 408-522-9525 Ask for saied -----Original Message----- From: david tow [mailto:david_tow@hotmail.com] Sent: Monday, April 07, 2003 3:14 PM To: E36M3 Subject: [E36M3] Repair shops in Bay Area Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2003 15:07:10 -0700 From: "david tow" <david_tow@hotmail.com> Subject: Repair shops in Bay Area Hi, all, My brother's 88 E30 325i unfortunately broke its timing belt, and he's out of a job. He has asked me to find a mechanic for him to fix the car, but he would want to get one that would charge very reasonably. He is planning to have the car fixed and sell it, since he cannot afford to keep it any longer. Sad story. I've got some recommendations for the following two shops: Rennwerks and Import Connection. Any other shops you could recommend? My brother is even open for ideas such as taking the car to an unlicensed mechanic's as long as he/she wants the stuff. Mechanically he's good enough to help out. He helped me with my brake job last time. Thank you! _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com BMW M3 Specialties http://www.jt-designs.com Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm *************************************************
-------------------- 3 --------------------
#3. Air intake question - from Edward N Frank
Top
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 18:49:48 -0400 From: "Edward N Frank" <enf@iglou.com> Subject: Air intake question This may be a stupid question for which I will apologize for in advance but, what real difference is there is cold air intakes. Why this (say Conforti) over another? I've seen some cheaper ones as well, how are they different from each other? The next question, if I mod the intake, and thats all I want to do (because I'm bored or whatever) is that all that is needed? If I install the intake is anything else required to be done? Thanks Ed Frank 97 M3/4
-------------------- 4 --------------------
#4. Re: [E36M3] Repair shops in Bay Area - from Jon Phillips
Top
Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2003 16:10:59 -0700 From: jon@maximumpc.com (Jon Phillips) Subject: Re: [E36M3] Repair shops in Bay Area Bill Arnold in San Rafael... Very nice guy, he will explain exactly what he's doing, educate you about your car, and just charge you for his time and the parts -- and not by some arbitrary book rate that is probably excessive in the first place. He used to be the chief scrutineer for our club chapter. I also think there are some club racers on this who might help for free. But they will have to step forward on their own! At 04:13 PM 4/7/2003 -0600, david tow wrote: >Date: Mon, 07 Apr 2003 15:07:10 -0700 >From: "david tow" <david_tow@hotmail.com> >Subject: Repair shops in Bay Area > >Hi, all, > >My brother's 88 E30 325i unfortunately broke its timing belt, and he's out >of a job. He has asked me to find a mechanic for him to fix the car, but >he would want to get one that would charge very reasonably. He is >planning to have the car fixed and sell it, since he cannot afford to keep >it any longer. Sad story. > >I've got some recommendations for the following two shops: Rennwerks and >Import Connection. Any other shops you could recommend? My brother is >even open for ideas such as taking the car to an unlicensed mechanic's as >long as he/she wants the stuff. Mechanically he's good enough to help >out. He helped me with my brake job last time. > >Thank you! > >_________________________________________________________________ >MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* >http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus > > > >************************************************* >Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: >Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com >Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com >BMW M3 Specialties http://www.jt-designs.com >Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com > >DIGEST INFORMATION: >http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm >************************************************* >
-------------------- 5 --------------------
#5. Re: [E36M3] Dead car - dead starter? - from James Clay
Top
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 19:36:03 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Dead car - dead starter? It isn't EWS - if EWS is bad, the car turns over but doesn't catch. James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
-------------------- 6 --------------------
#6. Re: [E36M3] Conforti chip compatibility across build dates - from James Clay
Top
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 19:52:15 -0400 From: "James Clay" <james@bimmerworld.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Conforti chip compatibility across build dates 3 different boxes: -506 computer in early production cars -413 non EWS computer -413 EWS computer, 1/95 and up (smaller, all-silver label) An EWS chip will never work in a non-EWS car/computer, so 1/95 and up chip fits 1/95 and up only. A non-EWS 413 chip will work in an EWS 413 if you snip wire #66 at the connector. A 506 chip run in any 413 computer, but you have to snip the #66 wire in an EWS system. This information comes from the Bimmerworld race shop and is how the system actually works, not from the Bimmerworld authorized Conforti office which will tell you exactly what is written and is absolutely foolproof so you aren't sitting around with a car that doesn't run if you identify parts incorrectly or cut the wrong wire. James James Clay http://www.bimmerworld.com Engineered BMW Performance 540.639.9648
-------------------- 7 --------------------
#7. Hose Clamps - from Patrick Dargan
Top
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 20:37:54 -0400 From: "Patrick Dargan" <darg01@earthlink.net> Subject: Hose Clamps I bought a new '99 M3 in December of '98. Although I've been "under the hood" hundreds of times, it was only today that I noticed that every visible hose had old style screw-type hose clamps. I guess they finally got it after all.
-------------------- 8 --------------------
#8. Dead car - dead key! - from Seth Frader-Thompson
Top
Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2003 23:21:29 -0400 From: "Seth Frader-Thompson" <fraderth@colorado.edu> Subject: Dead car - dead key! Thanks to all those who replied. The problem was the key; my spare key worked. Foiled by the car's own security system... Seth
-------------------- 9 --------------------
#9. RE: [E36M3] Hose Clamps - from Johnny Lee
Top
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2003 00:11:38 -0400 From: Johnny Lee <arionatof@comcast.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Hose Clamps Even the one for the radiator overfill hose? I just got that clamp from the dealer and they have the pinch type clamp for that one. I am still trying to figure out how I can tighten that one up since the guy at the counter said that I need a special tool to "pinch" that one. Can anyone give me a tip on how to secure a pinch clamp? TIA, Johnny 1998 M3/4 >Although I've been "under the hood" hundreds of times, it was only today >that I noticed that every visible hose had old style screw-type hose clamps. >I guess they finally got it after all. ************************************************* Please help support the E36M3 list by visiting our sponsors: Taylor Autosport http://www.taylorautosport.com Rogue Engineering http://www.rogueengineering.com BMW M3 Specialties http://www.jt-designs.com Bimmerworld http://www.bimmerworld.com DIGEST INFORMATION: http://www.bmw-m.net/resources/digest_info.htm *************************************************
-------------------- 10 --------------------
#10. RE: [E36M3] Hose Clamps - from Jeremy Conners
Top
Date: Tue, 08 Apr 2003 00:31:59 -0400 From: Jeremy Conners <jeremy.conners@comcast.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] Hose Clamps <SNIP>Can anyone give me a tip on how to secure a pinch clamp?<SNIP> Cut them all off and use screw type hose clamps. I'd bet the PO of Patrick's car did the same. An OEM typically won't use them due to the cost associated with them. I'm in the process of replacing them. Fuel system done. Cooling system done. Steering on deck. Of course, YMMV. Jeremy Conners