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#1. RE: [E36M3] battery replacement suggestions - from Martin Bullen
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Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:05:09 -0500 From: Martin Bullen <vze322dw@verizon.net> Subject: RE: [E36M3] battery replacement suggestions Add another vote for the Optima. It was as easy to mount as taking the stock bracket, re-drilling the mounting hole and bending it a little in a vise. 5 minutes, tops, and no more worries about vent tubes or leaking acid, and it's a few pounds lighter than stock or the Interstate. Martin Bullen '95 M3 with Optima '97 Z3 2.8 future Optima On Feb 14, 2005, at 6:07 PM, E36M3 wrote: > Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 23:48:16 +0100 > From: "Dat Quach (quachd)" <quachd@cisco.com> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] battery replacement suggestions > > At 02:07 PM 2/13/05, quest@pacifier.com wrote: > >> I've come to the conclusion I need a new battery in my m3. >> Suggestions? > as I'm sure there's something better then stock? > > I've replaced mine with an Optima Red Top battery (top posts). Reason? > The assclown that had the car before me (aka previous owner) installed > a > battery that did not fit (Wal-Mart Everstart battery). His solution > was > to remove everything including the vent tube, clamp, etc...He never did > any spirited driving, but when I did, acid dropped in to the tire well > area and that was when I discovered the problem. Much grinding, primer > and painting later, the problem was solved. The only thing I had to do > was make a bracket to hold the Optima in since it is smaller than the > standard battery (also a little taller, but the battery cover fits > fine). > > Dat > > '97 M3/2
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#2. More M3 parts for sale - from docwyte@comcast.net
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 01:25:07 +0000 From: docwyte@comcast.net Subject: More M3 parts for sale Have a few more parts for sale... Thule Roof Rack, fits any E36 3 series from '92-'99. Includes bars, feet, locks and a wind fairing. Looking for $125 plus any shipping. Drivers front brake caliper. Used, but in good shape. Make offer. Cannon heavy duty black rubber winter floor mats. Make offer. -josh
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#3. A couple of replys. - from Jeff Kumler
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Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 17:30:11 -0800 (PST) From: Jeff Kumler <jdkumler@yahoo.com> Subject: A couple of replys. Battery: I too recommend the Interstate MTP- 91 with vent kit. I replaced my stock battery after almost 7 seven years with one. No-prob. My car sits all winter. The only thing I've ever noticed regarding the Interstate batteries is that some vendors charge for the vent kit and some don't. ymmv. Fan Delete: I've tried the fan delete option twice on my E36. The first time I removed it the car overheated but this was related to a plastic impeller failure, and I put it back on when I replaced the pump. Second time I removed it my car consistently ran at least 30 degrees higher oil temperature. Autocrossing and stop and go traffic would allow oil temperature to creep up to around 250. I did not change thermostat or fan switch. That was too high for my taste so I put the fan back on. Now, oil is usually only 200 and tops out around 220. I figure the extra heat offsets any parasitic gain anyway. By the way I'm in Chicago. Jeff
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#4. Dang hot rodded cars - from Alain van der Heide
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Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 19:39:37 -0700 From: "Alain van der Heide" <ajvdh1@comcast.net> Subject: Dang hot rodded cars About 42,000 miles ago, I bought a used MechTech turbo kit from another member of this fair list, and installed it on my '95 coupe. Out of the box, the kit was not ready for prime-time, but after a year or so of tweaking, I got it so I was reasonably happy with it. Especially given that I spent less than 1/2 of what AA gets for their cheapest kit. My car doesn't live a particularly easy life. I autocross, in a mediocre fashion, with both SCCA and BMW CCA. I also do open track days, and instruct. Figure at least a couple of thousand of those 42k miles were driven in anger. Over Xmas week, our local track has free days, so I availed myself of a couple (also found out first hand that a 1st gen Viper is not all that much fun to drive, but that's another story). It was pretty cool out, and I guess the combination of relatively low ambient temps and 1450 degree EGTs was not a salubrious one. I didn't drive the car much over the next few weeks, and when I did I noticed it was a bit louder than I remembered, at least before it had warmed up. "Gotta check those manifold nuts," I thought. Yesterday morning, I did a grocery store run and thought, "This is definitely louder than I remember." So, late in the evening after the engine was stone cold, I got out the ol' torque wrench and started checking stuff. That's when I noticed that leeeetle ring of soot. The Mechtech manifold is a "log" configuration. Basically a straight pipe with a short runner from each cylinder, and a square mounting flange on the underside between cyls 4 and 5 for the turbo. It's not cast, it's constructed of segments of ductile cast iron welded together. What's leaking is the joint between the runner for cyl 4, and the straight section connecting to cyl 3, which is what's giving me that "clapped out Chevy pickup" audio track. So, now I get to tear out everything, and see if I can get the manifold re-welded. Happy happy, joy joy. - Alain (Jes' venting)
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#5. Re: [E36M3] SOT: RFID Toll Tag Mounting - from Grant Fairweather
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Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 22:53:51 -0600 From: "Grant Fairweather" <grant_f1@comcast.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] SOT: RFID Toll Tag Mounting Carey Probst <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> wrote: > Only problem with mounting high behind the mirror is that some > sun bands that use metallic particles can block the rfid tag. Here's a little info clipped from Illinoistollway.com. Note the reference to the new 5 and 7 series. Perhaps the use of "new" precludes the E46 M3. Grant Fairweather 98 M3/4 Will I-PASS work if I have a special windshield? A very small percentage of vehicles (see list) have windshields that may interfere with I-PASS transactions being properly read. Only about 1 percent of I-PASS customers are currently impacted. A special bumper-mounted transponder is available for those customers and can be purchased online at the same price as standard Flatpack Transponders online at www.getipass.com or by calling 1-800-UC-IPASS. According to experience thus far, standard Flatpack Transponders WILL NOT work on the following vehicles: Buick Roadmaster Oldsmobile Silhouette Pontiac Montana Pontiac Transport Cadillac Catera Mercedes S class New Mercedes E class New BMW 7 series New BMW 5 series Flatpack Transponders DO work in a specific location on the following vehicles: Chevy Venture - 1/2 way between rear view mirror and passenger side window mounted 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the film located on the windshield Buick Rendezvous / Pontiac Aztek - Drivers' side next to the rear view mirror 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the film located on the windshield
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#6. [M3] wheel fitment ? - from Guillermo Molina
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:31:43 -0500 From: "Guillermo Molina" <drwillb@msn.com> Subject: [M3] wheel fitment ? Could someone answer the following question for me: Will 17x9" wheels with 245x40 rubber fit the FRONT end? Is fender rolling necessary? I know that different tires of the same size will actually vary somewhat but please let me know of your personal experiences. Thanks Bill Molina
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#7. Re: [E36M3] [M3] wheel fitment ? - from cteague@cox.net
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:53:39 -0500 From: <cteague@cox.net> Subject: Re: [E36M3] [M3] wheel fitment ? Bill, I am running 17x9's on the front with 255/40-17's. No fender rolling necessary. Likely you will need a spacer to keep the tire off the strut though. With my ET45 SSR wheels, I use a H&R 15mm spacer. I still have plenty of outer fender clearance. Chris 97 M3/4 > Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:31:43 -0500 > From: "Guillermo Molina" <drwillb@msn.com> > Subject: [M3] wheel fitment ? > > Could someone answer the following question for me: > > Will 17x9" wheels with 245x40 rubber fit the FRONT end? Is fender rolling > necessary? I know that different tires of the same size will actually vary > somewhat but please let me know of your personal experiences.
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#8. Re: [E36M3] [M3] wheel fitment ? - from LoweSeaton@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 11:56:49 -0500 From: LoweSeaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] [M3] wheel fitment ? Bill asks: Could someone answer the following question for me: Will 17x9" wheels with 245x40 rubber fit the FRONT end? Is fender rolling necessary? -------------------------- Bill, You didn't say what the offset of your rims will be but most likely, you can get those wheels to work. I run 255/40 Toyo RA1 tires on stock M3 17x8.5" 41 mm offset rims with no trouble. Your concern on the front is rubbing on the strut housing, not the fender unless you have almost no camber. Add a little more negative camber and you will clear the fenders. The problem you will have is the rim offset. A 9" rim will need about 30-35 mm offset. You can use spacers to reduce the offset, it is just a matter of finding the right thickness. Lowell Seaton '95 M3
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#9. Check out car in PA? - from Thomas E. Tice
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 14:16:01 -0500 From: "Thomas E. Tice" <tetice@triad.rr.com> Subject: Check out car in PA? Is there anyone on the list located close to Point Pleasant, PA that would be available to check out an E36 car for me. If so please e-mail me privately. TIA, Tom Tice '98 M3/4 '99 540/6 '98 325iC '02 325iT
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#10. Re: Re[2]: [E36M3] battery replacement suggestions - from Mdriver13@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 15 Feb 2005 16:13:50 EST From: Mdriver13@aol.com Subject: Re: Re[2]: [E36M3] battery replacement suggestions In a message dated 2/13/2005 7:17:51 PM Eastern Standard Time, adolenc@erols.com writes: Interstate MTP-91. Be sure to ask for the "vent kit". > Seconded. 3rd recommendation. Fits great with the stock hardware, hooks up to the vent hole. Easy as pie. ditto... Bob Gill 97 ///M3 coupe Philly Region SCCA 2nd Place BSP - PA State Championship 2004