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#1. RE: [E36M3] European Trip - from jason
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Date: 04 Aug 2004 23:57:10 -0700 From: jason <jason@doomba.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] European Trip On Wed, 2004-08-04 at 14:31, Murray Roblin wrote: > Murray responds: > -Driving in Italy is fun when you're on the open road or in small towns. > It's very exciting in big towns. If you're touring around a larger town, > it's much easier to take a cab than to futz with a car. Parking in larger > towns (and smaller towns as well) can be v. ugly. amen. i drove in rome. spent 2 hrs going 1 mile. faster to walk. all roads lead to rome and within rome all roads lead to the coliseum. went past coliseum 4 times before getting it right :) > -Theft from vehicles is an issue for rental cars in Italy - never leave > anything in your car, even in the trunk. yup. a large percentage of my friends have gotten ripped off in rome and mugged in paris. i was lucky, but nothing is sacred. friend got car stolen while parked at the vatican. > -The train from Milan to Tuscany (where? - Florence?) can take a long time, > check the schedules and make sure you have a seat reservation, especially on > a weekend. Get the reservation several days in advance, maybe longer for a > weekend. Many say that 2nd class train travel is fine, but on a crowded > train, it sucks. Go with 1st. I might choose to drive this section. i bought a 2nd class ticket but sat in 1st class by accident. when i got thrown out i discovered i liked 2nd class much better. 1st class was filled with businessmen/women in stuffy clothes and all the windows shut. 2nd class had the windows open and the drapes flying in the wind as we cruised at 100mph. very relaxing way to travel. > -Speeding fines can be levied on the spot, so if you speed, have some cash. > -Don't drink and drive - it's a big deal in Italy. > -The autostradas use photo radar, so you can get nicked that way. I usually > drove pretty fast, but never had a problem. There was almost always a big > Benz or BMW that when blowing by me. i still haven't figured out the traffic policing system in italy. on way from sienna to florence we went through a pretty hilly section and i was going about as fast as that little focus could go. at one point i slowed down only to realize that a police car was just a little bit behind me. must have been following me for quite a while. at the time i guessed that if you look competent then they don't bother you. maybe i was just lucky. a friend of mine rented a bmw 540i and drove all around italy in that. that sounds really really fun. must try one day. be conservative in switzerland. oh, and to drive around switzerland we had to pay some sort of extortion fee and get a stupid little sticker for like 20 bucks. keep in mind if they hassle you. jason
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#2. Re: Spares at the track - from r.j.norwalk@att.net
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Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2004 12:09:18 +0000 From: r.j.norwalk@att.net Subject: Re: Spares at the track And most importantly...always sign up for the same track events as Marc or Mark, or someone who packs spares just like them ;) You never know when you might need to re-tap a lug bolt hole, right Neil? Rob Norwalk 93 325 > -------------------- 9 -------------------- > Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 21:10:17 -0700 > From: Mark Dadgar <mark@pdc-racing.net> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] Spares for Carlos at the track > > On Aug 4, 2004, at 8:51 PM, Msebmwman@aol.com wrote: > > Water wetter: when combined with water serves just as well as > > antifreeze if > > you need to get home. > > Good call. > > > Spare old known-to-be-good thermostat and old plastic cover (I have an > > aluminum one on the car and the old one might help someone else one > > day). > > Good call. > > > Assorted worm gear hose clamps for me or someone else to repair BMWs > > crimp > > clamps > > Excellent call. > > > One spare lug bolt for track wheels, one spare for street wheels > > Spare front rotors with spare rotor bolt (the small one that lightly > > fixes > > rotor to hub) > > Likewise, one or two spare wheel studs and a couple of nuts to go on > them. > > - Mark > ----- > mark@pdc-racing.net > >
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#3. Re: [E36M3] European Trip - from Thomas G. Clark
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Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2004 07:25:37 -0500 From: "Thomas G. Clark" <toclark@cisco.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] European Trip At 12:51 AM 8/5/2004, you wrote: >if i'm not mistaken its not a big deal to rent a car in one country and >then drive it all around europe. i would definitely recommend reserving >from over here though. you can save lots of money reserving rather than >just showing up at a rental place in italy or some such. This depends on which brand you rent. Most rental companies will rent you a BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, etc. while your in Germany but you can't, (at least with Hertz), take said car from Germany to Italy or a host of other countries. They give you a little map of which countries you can drive the car to. Way too much car theft for them to let high value cars into eastern or southern European countries. Check ahead...
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#4. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from Jay W. Hudson
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 05:52:35 -0700 From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 > > I bought a new Ipod last week. What a great little device (no affiliation). > It holds up to 10k songs and hooks right into my Bose Lifestyle unit. The > software interface is great as well. It appears that BMW and Mac have a > kit for models 2002 and newer. Anyone fitted this in their vehicle yet that > has found the most efficient and clean way? > > I know I can send the stereo output on the Ipod to a y connector and put it > into the stereo input if any exist on the head unit. I al;so know I can get > a radio frequency adapter. Question is has anyone done it already or am I in > virgin territory? > > Shel Hart > 98 M3 > 02 996 Depends on some things. Are you talking about a factory deck? If so, it has no AUX input so you'll have to use an FM modulator. The FM mod will feed the signal into the antenna port on your factory deck. You'll need 2 Euro antenna adapters because the FM mod will use standard input/output. One to go from Euro to standard and one to go from standard to Euro. Once connected, you'll listen to iPod supplied music by tuning to the frequency of the FM mod. Usually in the low FM range, eg 88.1. You pick and choose the songs using the controls on the iPod. If you have an aftermarket deck, there are a number of scenarios where you can use the AUX input on the deck. Or, use an adapter to create an AUX input. These will provide better audio performance than an FM mod. Jay
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#5. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:00:29 -0700 (PDT) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 Huh? Why would you get something like iTrip (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=T7194LL/A), plug it into the iPod and tune the unmodified stock setup to whatever FM channel? I haven't followed the thread too closely, so maybe I don't know what I'm talking about.... Chester --- "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> wrote: > Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 05:52:35 -0700 > From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> > Depends on some things. Are you talking about a factory deck? If so, it > has no AUX input so you'll have to use an FM modulator. The FM mod will > feed the signal into the antenna port on your factory deck. You'll need 2 > Euro antenna adapters because the FM mod will use standard input/output. > One to go from Euro to standard and one to go from standard to Euro. =====
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#6. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from Chester Wong
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:02:05 -0700 (PDT) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 Ahh..the original post. The BMW adapter you speak of is only good for newer cars...unfortunately, I believe the E36 falls outside the compatible cars... =/ --- Shelhart2@aol.com wrote: > I bought a new Ipod last week. What a great little device (no affiliation). > It holds up to 10k songs and hooks right into my Bose Lifestyle unit. The > software interface is great as well. It appears that BMW and Mac have a > kit for models 2002 and newer. Anyone fitted this in their vehicle yet that > > has found the most efficient and clean way? =====
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#7. RE: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from Robert Chay
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 10:14:45 -0400 From: "Robert Chay" <lists@rchay.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 The factory connection kit doesn't apply to e36 M3's. http://www.apple.com/ipod/bmw/ Chester seems to have found a cool little device for a work-around. -Bobby > -----Original Message----- > From: Chester Wong > > Huh? Why would you get something like iTrip > (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?p > roductLearnMore=T7194LL/A), > plug it into the iPod and tune the unmodified stock setup to > whatever FM > channel? I haven't followed the thread too closely, so maybe > I don't know what > I'm talking about.... > > Chester >
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#8. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from Jay W. Hudson
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 07:21:06 -0700 From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 > > Huh? Why would you get something like iTrip > (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMor e=T7194LL/A), > plug it into the iPod and tune the unmodified stock setup to whatever FM > channel? I haven't followed the thread too closely, so maybe I don't know what > I'm talking about.... > > Chester > > --- "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> wrote: > > Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 05:52:35 -0700 > > From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> > > Depends on some things. Are you talking about a factory deck? If so, it > > has no AUX input so you'll have to use an FM modulator. The FM mod will > > feed the signal into the antenna port on your factory deck. You'll need 2 > > Euro antenna adapters because the FM mod will use standard input/output. > > One to go from Euro to standard and one to go from standard to Euro. > > This thing sounds like a wireless FM modulator. We've not had good experiences with them. Another possible degradation in audio performance. But, if you want easy, this may be your cup of tea. Jay
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#9. Re: Spare parts for the track? - from Neil Maller
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Date: Thu, 05 Aug 2004 10:02:37 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: Spare parts for the track? on 8/4/04 2:41 PM, Carlos.F.Lopez@jci.com wrote: > What are the most commonly failed parts to have at the track just in case? > > I know about the water pump (learned from Neil M.<g>) Ouch, that hurts! > and the ever popular cracking radiator neck. How about sway bar brackets? I > think I've seen at least one broken on an instructor's car. Anything else? on 8/4/04 2:41 PM, Mark Dadgar <mark@pdc-racing.net> wrote: > Unless you're running big bars, you're probably fine with the stock > brackets. Otherwise, get some reinforcements. I've personally broken one front swaybar bracket, cracked another, and loaned one to a club racer who broke his. I don't think the rears ever break, rather the subframe tabs to which they attach. Of course this is all with heavy bars. > Skip the expensive aluminum radiator and get an M-Coupe-with-S54 > radiator. It's basically the Euro M3 radiator and it bolts right into > the car. It's a nice 3-row unit, so cooling is improved over the stock > one. Yeah, it's got the plastic neck, but it's got a useful life of > 50K miles. That's a lot of track miles. And it's half the price of > the aluminum one. The S54 rad is much more expensive - I vaguely recall $250-275 online, anyone? - than the normal one. Zionsville's all aluminum rad runs $459, which I'd think is well worth the extra money. I think of track spares selection as a priority based on likely need times ease of transportation times how screwed I'd be if the original broke. Although a spare radiator might be rational if yours is old, who wants to haul that around? (Of course hauling is a relative thing. At Putnam Club Race in June, Jack Money had his control arm attachment welded up in the paddock by another racer who not only had brought a MIG welder to the track, but also a generator to power it. Hats off the Alex!) So for instance I do take front swaybar brackets, because they're small, light, cheap and you're screwed if one breaks. In addition to spare lugbolts/studs/lugnuts that others have mentioned, I also take an M12x1.5 tap and die. Again: small/light/cheap/screwed. You'd be surprised at how often people cross-thread or otherwise bugger up their wheel fasteners, so these can really save someone's weekend. on 8/4/04 2:41 PM, "Mount, Mike" <JMMn@pge.com> wrote: > A nice starting point is a Visa with a very high limit! Priceless! Neil 96 M3
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#10. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from George R Carr Jr
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 09:14:59 -0600 From: George R Carr Jr <georgercarrjr@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 >Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 21:14:43 EDT >From: Shelhart2@aol.com >Subject: ipod in the M3 > >I bought a new Ipod last week. What a great little device (no affiliation). > It holds up to 10k songs and hooks right into my Bose Lifestyle unit. The >software interface is great as well. It appears that BMW and Mac have a >kit for models 2002 and newer. Anyone fitted this in their vehicle yet that >has found the most efficient and clean way? > >I know I can send the stereo output on the Ipod to a y connector and put it >into the stereo input if any exist on the head unit. I al;so know I can get >a radio frequency adapter. Question is has anyone done it already or am I in >virgin territory? > >Shel Hart >98 M3 >02 996 I chose a portable solution for my portable tune machine. I use Griffin's iTrip FM transmitter along with their PowerPod DC power adapter in our 98 M3/4, 00 MRoadster, 02 WRX, and whatever rental car I happen to be in. I went this way primarily for the rental car situation but it works fine at home also. -- =========================== georgercarrjr@earthlink.net
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#11. Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 - from George R Carr Jr
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Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 09:17:55 -0600 From: George R Carr Jr <georgercarrjr@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 >Date: Thu, 5 Aug 2004 05:52:35 -0700 >From: "Jay W. Hudson" <jwhud@budget.net> >Subject: Re: [E36M3] ipod in the M3 > >> >> I bought a new Ipod last week. What a great little device (no >affiliation). >> It holds up to 10k songs and hooks right into my Bose Lifestyle unit. >The >> software interface is great as well. It appears that BMW and Mac have >a >> kit for models 2002 and newer. Anyone fitted this in their vehicle yet >that >> has found the most efficient and clean way? >> >> I know I can send the stereo output on the Ipod to a y connector and put >it >> into the stereo input if any exist on the head unit. I al;so know I can >get >> a radio frequency adapter. Question is has anyone done it already or am >I in >> virgin territory? >> >> Shel Hart >> 98 M3 >> 02 996 > >Depends on some things. Are you talking about a factory deck? If so, it >has no AUX input so you'll have to use an FM modulator. The FM mod will >feed the signal into the antenna port on your factory deck. You'll need 2 >Euro antenna adapters because the FM mod will use standard input/output. >One to go from Euro to standard and one to go from standard to Euro. > >Once connected, you'll listen to iPod supplied music by tuning to the >frequency of the FM mod. Usually in the low FM range, eg 88.1. You pick >and choose the songs using the controls on the iPod. The Griffin iTrip is tunable to any FM frequency. Tuning can be a little clunky but it works. -- =========================== georgercarrjr@earthlink.net