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#1. Re: [E36M3] FS: JT Design Front Strut brace - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 23:03:39 EST From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] FS: JT Design Front Strut brace In a message dated 12/20/2004 10:45:05 PM Eastern Standard Time, mark@pdc-racing.net writes: It's a steal at $300. - Mark, has one on the race car Thanks for the endorsement, Mark. Oh, and also the fact I always seem to under price my goodies ;-)) I guess I should add...this is a Christmas special price! Bob Gill - 97 M3 coupe SCCA - Philly Region
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#2. Re: [E36M3] FS: Stromung catback exhaust (NJ) - from Ben C
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:50:30 -0500 From: Ben C <stckmn@gmail.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] FS: Stromung catback exhaust (NJ) The exhaust is louder than an AA gen III but not as loud as a UUC v2. Here are some pics of it. Brand new it is $619 plus $35 shipping from Understeer.com. I'm asking $575. The exhaust looks brand new except for a few marks on the flanges from bolting and unbolting it from my car. http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA0NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA1NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA2NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA3NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA4NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNjk4MDA5NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg
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#3. Re: It's a good thing they make such great cars ... - from Neil Maller
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:04:56 -0500 From: Neil Maller <neil.maller@gte.net> Subject: Re: It's a good thing they make such great cars ... > Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:29:40 -0800, from: the_buch@telus.net > I am embroiled in a disagreement with BMW Canada, and thought the list might > enjoy reading about it: > http://www.bmwccbc.org/forums/bits/BMW_Letters-Oct_27_2004.pdf > I know this is a bit long to read, but would also greatly appreciate any > opinions or advice on this situation. > Thanks, Doug OK, Doug, this is going to seem harsh, but consider: - You send the BMWNA Pres/CEO a densely written 3 page letter, thus making sure that he won't read it himself. (A half page plus timeline would have conveyed your message and maximized your chances.) - In this and other equally lengthy letters you name-drop expensive cars you've owned and proclaim your own professional standing. (Message: my time is more important than yours.) - You list aftermarket performance parts you've installed (this helps your case how?), and volunteer their manufacturers to defend those products to BMW. (Do they know this?) - Despite symptoms of a potentially serious engine problem showing themselves toward the end of the warranty period, you've continued to use the car, without resolution of the complaint, up to nearly double the original kilometres, presumably many months or even several years. (Message: it couldn't have been that much of a problem.) - And in a final, magisterial coup de grace you've installed a supercharger, something that's guaranteed to increase stress on an engine you claim is ailing, and which must raise a red flag the size of the Northwest Territories at BMW. I'd guess that this last point alone, even though it apparently occurred long after the original problem showed up, ensures that your case ends up in the F*ck-off file at BMW. While I'm sure that you didn't intend to convey these impressions, that's how reading the exchange struck me. Unless I'm way off base (always a possibility) that's probably how it struck BMW too. Sorry. Neil 96 M3 - Bastard child MB 300E - 235K miles and on its way out 525iT - Looking for a nice example with low miles and all options 77 MGB - Original owner, need to sell Mini - Cooper S on order
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#4. Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... - from FS
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 10:35:38 -0500 From: "FS" <freestat@stny.rr.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... Hi, Does it make sense to do the thermostat, water pump, etc. while in there? And what radiator fluid are you using? Bill -------------------- 5 -------------------- Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 21:00:30 -0600 From: "Bruce" <gobuffs93@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... 3 words....3 for one. I can buy 3 (at Zionsville prices) or 4 (at Fluidyne prices) stock radiators. For a daily driver this is a no brainer IMO....just becomes a scheduled replacement item at 40k miles. For the track/race car- probably a no brainer I will get an aluminum one. Bruce
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#5. Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... - from GGray657@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 11:35:39 EST From: GGray657@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... It took an hour to change it. No biggie. One of the easiest thing to do on any car. Well, I can tell you there are quite a few newer cars that pulling the radiator is a major PITA..I Have done a few. The M3 is easy. I keep my cars until the wheels fall of so for me not replacing the radiator every year or two is worth the up front money, it's a long term investment. And I have seen them fail in as little as 20,000 miles or less. Gary Gray Pro Bike/Pro Bike Cycling Team
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#6. Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... - from Jim Powell
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 08:48:52 -0800 From: "Jim Powell" <jsp98m3@apexcone.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] broken radiator neck claims another E36 M3.... I'm on the third water pump and still the first radiator. Which has been pried out of the car about 20 times. You'd think just taking the hoses on and off so many times would have broken the stupid thing. Go figure. Jim >>>> replacing the radiator every year or two is worth the up front money, it's a long term investment. And I have seen them fail in as little as 20,000 miles or less.
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#7. Signs of a failing water pump? - from Chester Wong
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:01:18 -0800 (PST) From: Chester Wong <chester_p_wong@yahoo.com> Subject: Signs of a failing water pump? Hey all. I posted last week about my experiences with an OEM alternator from bimmerparts. I think yahoo prompted me to type in one of those scrambled words and I missed that point and just closed the window. Doh! Anyway, to sum it up, spend the extra $$ and get the alternator from a BMW dealership. I got the Bosch OEM 140A one and it whistles. Ugh. Anyway, I replaced mine because I started noticing a rhythmic grinding sensation (I can feel it through the pedals) at idle. When I replaced the tensioner pullies and belts, I grabbed the alternator pulley and gave it a shake....lots of play. After replacement, the odd sensation is still present. I have a new BMW water pump ready to go...just haven't had the time to change it and now that it's freezing outside...I have even less incentive. Anyone care to share how they knew their water pump was dead? BTW, my car is a '99 so it has a metal impeller but the car has 101k miles. TIA, Chester =====
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#8. Re: It's a good thing they make such great cars ... - from Som Naderi
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:21:57 -0800 From: "Som Naderi" <som@dimensionracing.com> Subject: Re: It's a good thing they make such great cars ... Doug, Maybe I missed it, but do you have a timeline for when the engine performance modifications were made? -- JC software -- Exhaust -- Dinan SC If these were added after the original diagnosis, then I would think they are irrelevant to the matter at hand -- that your car was misdiagnosed while under warranty. If they were added prior to the original diagnosis, I would think you've got an uphill battle with BMW Canada -- particularly with the JC software and the exhaust. *Proving* that any performance enhancing product has negligible effects on the engine's parts is a, typically, a very tough thing to do. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here, but I was under the impression that there was some sort of agreement between Dinan and BMW that allowed one to add Dinan parts without voiding the BMW warranty. Is this true? If so, is it only a US agreement or would it apply to Canada? Also, if this is true, I would imagine that Dinan goes through great lengths and spends massive amounts of money to test their products to assure they don't significantly increase the wear on the vehicle. In court, I don't believe a purely technical explanation of engine mechanics and performance modifications could do much for your case. For every 1 person that you bring that contends the JC software and exhaust have minimal impact on engine reliability, they're likely able to bring 5 people that contend the opposite. To quote from Blade Runner, "The light that burns twice as bright burns for half as long." You would be hard pressed to convince a judge otherwise. I would *imagine* that is why a company like Dinan *likely* spends a lot of money on testing their modifications specifically for documenting the effects on the vehicle's reliability. Of course, I'm not sure about that... I guess it's possible BMW just wanted to sponsor a random performance company and picked Dinan out of the bunch... but I doubt this was the case. I would imagine Dinan goes to great lengths to prove their modifications don't significantly impact vehicle reliability. Does anyone know for sure? Anyways... None of those things change the fact that your car was, apparently, grossly misdiagnosed. If your vehicle had the aforementioned modifications during the original diagnosis of the problem, and BMW Canada contends that those modifications were a significant cause in the accelerated degradation of your engine's piston rings, then that is all the more reason why the technical experts at the dealership should have diagnosed the problem correctly in the first place. If BMW Canada continues to firmly hold the position that the JC software/exhaust/Dinan SC were a significant reason for your premature piston ring failure, you could turn this around and have it work *for* you. *Maybe* the appropriate action at this point would be to go after the dealership. Afterall, they are the ones who originally misdiagnosed the problem. And, according to BMW Canada, the performance modifications should have given them more reason to suspect significant problems with the engine. As such, their prescribed treatment should not have been "wait it out and use BMW mineral oil" -- an answer that suggests to me that they knew you had a bigger problem than they were letting on and didn't want to deal with getting it covered by the warranty, so they had you "wait on it". Once you've built a strong enough case that the dealership could be held sufficiently liable, then you should bring them into the fray. My understanding is that you have a good relationship with the dealership, though. So the best idea might be to not go firm-fisted in attacking the dealership. The dealership is not going to want to pay for the repairs -- that's a given. So, by submitting sufficient documentation to *suggest* that they are liable, you should be able to convince the *dealership* to take up the fight with BMW Canada for warranty coverage. The onus should be on the *dealership* to protect *their* money because, ultimately, they are at fault here. There are 3 parties involved here and it appears to me that the wrong 2 parties are having the disagreement. Go to the dealership and delicately, but firmly, implicate them as the liable party. Then let the dealership and BMW Canada battle it out and relegate yourself to being a catalyst to speed up the process -- a task that would, I imagine, take sufficiently less of your valuable time. - Som >I am embroiled in a disagreement with BMW Canada, and thought the list might >enjoy reading about it: > >http://www.bmwccbc.org/forums/bits/BMW_Letters-Oct_27_2004.pdf > >I know this is a bit long to read, but would also greatly appreciate any >opinions or advice on this situation. > >Thanks, Doug
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#9. Re: [E36M3] Signs of a failing water pump? - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 12:31:07 -0500 From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] Signs of a failing water pump? Chester asks for signs of a failing water pump: One sign is when the water temperature gauge pegs and the check engine light comes on. Or another is when you see smoke bellowing out from under the hood and water is pouring onto the ground. :-) Seriously, water pumps can fail suddenly or they can slowly start leaking. Typically, water will start leaking out the pulley shaft and eventually get to the point where you lose a lot of water every time you drive. But I consider water pumps to be a normal maintenance item. I've always had to replace the water pump by 100,000 miles on all the cars I've driven. So at 101,000 miles, I would say you are on borrowed time. I'd replace it next time it is convenient. It is not urgent, unless you have that smoke bellowing out, but go ahead and buy one. Lowell Seaton '95 M3 - water pump replaced at 55,000 miles as preventive maintenance
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#10. Re: [E36M3] Signs of a failing water pump? - from Jim Powell
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Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:34:07 -0800 From: "Jim Powell" <jsp98m3@apexcone.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] Signs of a failing water pump? Anyone care to share how they knew their water pump was dead? 1. Squeels like a pit bunny with a reversed umbrella 2. Leaks like an incontinent 80 year old woman 3. Wobbly belt 4. Thermostat checks ok with thermometer but that dang needlw climbs into red anyway