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#1. Re: [E36M3] S54s - from Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:27:10 -0400 From: "Rob Levinson * UUC Motorwerks" <rob@shortshifter.com> Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s What the issue is with your M Coupe is that BMW deliberately neutered the car. Think about it... same S54, lower weight - why is it slower to 60mph than the E46 M3? Besides the different, taller final drive ratio, there are changes made to the software that slow the throttle response. Likewise, the lower power is directly related to the lower redline - not the "exhaust system restriction" that was claimed in marketing literature. We couldn't have the M Coupe out-perform the M3 "halo" car, now could we? Ugh. Definitely get the Conforti software, I think you will like the change. Along the same lines, it's also possible for you to retrofit the Sport Throttle feature - it's little more than plugging in the button. Drive by wire is "ready for prime time, and other BMW applications that have been using it have normal throttle response. In the applications where it feels sluggish, it's simply due to the electronic tuning, that's how it was intended to feel. - Rob Levinson > From: Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com> > Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s > > At 09:25 AM 5/15/2007, Carlos Lopez wrote: > >On 5/15/07, Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com> wrote: > >>I am pretty sure the S54 M Coupe is also drive by wire. I have one > >>in my garage and it feels like it has a big rubber band connecting > >>the gas pedal to the throttle bodies. > > As an electrical/software engineer, I am sure drive by wire and brake > by wire can be made into great systems by the OE's with enough time > and money. However, this particular implementation is really poor in > comparison to what the analog throttle in my 1995 M3 felt like.
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#2. re: Parts needed: O.E. a/c compressor & x-brace - from bnmhead-bmw@yahoo.com
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 10:32:38 -0700 (PDT) From: <bnmhead-bmw@yahoo.com> Subject: re: Parts needed: O.E. a/c compressor & x-brace For the AC compressor I'd suggest trying AirParts on eBay - http://stores..ebay.com/AIR-PARTS They don't currently have a e36 compressor listed in their store, but I've seen them there several times, they rebuild them and they're reasonably priced. hth, Barrett
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#3. RE: [E36M3] S54s - from Rick Cooke
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:35:22 -0400 From: "Rick Cooke" <rickcooke@rcn.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] S54s >On 5/15/07, Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com> wrote: >>I am pretty sure the S54 M Coupe is also drive by wire. I have one in >>my garage and it feels like it has a big rubber band connecting the >>gas pedal to the throttle bodies. >> >>Rex "Still not a fan of drive by wire" Tener At the moment, I am not such a big fan of 'drive by cable'. My accelerator pedal seems notchy, as if it is sticking slightly. Anyone have a fix? Rick Cooke '96 (23k miles, original MXXX tires - I know I need to replace them!)
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#4. Re: [E36M3] S54s - from loweseaton@aol.com
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:38:24 -0400 From: loweseaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s Rex writes: "Would not look forward to converting great analog steering feel into steer by wire" ----------------------------- Then you better not buy a Lexus IS350. I test drove one. It has some sort of "electric power steering." Basically, steer by wire. It felt like I was holding a dead piece of wood. Zero feedback, zero road feel. I passed. I won't be buying a Lexus anytime soon. Lowell Seaton '95 M3 ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
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#5. Cable lube - from Rex Tener
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 10:42:11 -0700 From: Rex Tener <rex_tener@yahoo.com> Subject: Cable lube At 10:35 AM 5/15/2007, Rick Cooke wrote: >At the moment, I am not such a big fan of 'drive by cable'. My accelerator >pedal seems notchy, as if it is sticking slightly. >Anyone have a fix? Hey Rick, I have used Cable Life with some success. <http://www.protectall.com/cable_life.htm> Available at most motorcycle accessory shops. I am also using White Lightning lube for the gas door, hood, door, and trunk hinges. <http://www.whitelightningco.com/> Available at most bicycle stores. Rex
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#6. Re: [E36M3] S54s - from Carey Probst
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:47:20 -0400 From: Carey Probst <hcprobst@alum.mit.edu> Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s Replace the cable Lube the cable Check for fraying Rick Cooke wrote: > Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:35:22 -0400 > From: "Rick Cooke" <rickcooke@rcn.com> > Subject: RE: [E36M3] S54s > > > At the moment, I am not such a big fan of 'drive by cable'. My accelerator > pedal seems notchy, as if it is sticking slightly. > Anyone have a fix? > > Rick Cooke > '96 (23k miles, original MXXX tires - I know I need to replace them!) > > > -- Carey Probst Member, M.I.T. Educational Council Perm: hcprobst@alum.mit.edu A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
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#7. RE: [E36M3] S54s - from Stiles
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 11:10:57 -0700 From: "Stiles" <stiles_s@hotmail.com> Subject: RE: [E36M3] S54s My lexus truck (gx 470) has pretty good steering feel (for a truck :) ). I may be butchering some terminology here, but I'll take a shot at it. There are two ways where electrical-assist gets involved in steering. The first is what we've seen since at least the Honda S2000 (maybe the NSX too?), and that's electrically-assisted steering -- replacing the hydraulic pump with an electric motor (or two). Many cars use this today, including many of the newer bimmers. What strikes me as interesting, though, is that none of the M-Cars to date have electrically assisted steering -- all of them are still hydraulic -- due to the loss of steering feel. I've never driven a car with electro-assist steering that I liked (including the S2k, new GTI, etc.). Then you've got the craziness being pushed by Mercedes and others: Electric steering. What this in effect means is there's no more steering column. Just as there's no more throttle cable. You've got your x-box steering wheel mounted on the dash, and it's relaying bits of instructions to the steering rack down in front. Welcome to "force feedback" and pseudo-steering-feel a'la video games. I think this will be mainstream in the next 10yrs, which really freaks me out. Steering feel is *much* more important to me than throttle feel; though both are important. Scott. -----Original Message----- From: loweseaton@aol.com [mailto:loweseaton@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 10:45 AM To: E36M3 Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 13:38:24 -0400 From: loweseaton@aol.com Subject: Re: [E36M3] S54s Rex writes: "Would not look forward to converting great analog steering feel into steer by wire" ----------------------------- Then you better not buy a Lexus IS350. I test drove one. It has some sort of "electric power steering." Basically, steer by wire. It felt like I was holding a dead piece of wood. Zero feedback, zero road feel. I passed. I won't be buying a Lexus anytime soon. Lowell Seaton '95 M3 ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.
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#8. Carfax Report - from Ahmad Lutfeali
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 14:33:24 -0400 From: "Ahmad Lutfeali" <m3_racer99@hotmail.com> Subject: Carfax Report Can one of your peeps please run a carfax report for me? Ahmad
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#9. Climate Control Fix - from Burgess, Kim L
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 11:44:20 -0700 From: "Burgess, Kim L" <kim.l.burgess@boeing.com> Subject: Climate Control Fix John - What are you recommending in capacitor size for repairing the digital climate control module? I have seen reference to .47uF50V Tantalum capacitors. TIA KLB
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#10. Climate Control Capacitor - from Burgess, Kim L
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Date: Tue, 15 May 2007 11:52:32 -0700 From: "Burgess, Kim L" <kim.l.burgess@boeing.com> Subject: Climate Control Capacitor The local Fry's supply of .47uF50V Tantalum capacitors is "out of stock". Ref http://www.benhirsch.net/m3-maintenance/e36_climate_control.htm My online search of other local suppliers has failed me. Anyone know of a good online supplier of small quantity items that is also willing to sent said item for 'reasonable cost'? Fry's online wants close to $5.00 to ship a 50-cent cap.. And a search of the digest revealed an interesting debate with regard to which type of capacitor I should really use. Andrew/John - Can you comment further? Are "metalized polyester film" capacitors polarized? Andrew Kalman wrote <digest #3930> "Interesting -- our conservatively rated tantalum caps (50V, where the maximum voltage was 15V on the board) would often blow up in a pyrotechnic orgy and send their tops flying through the lab, invariably landing on someone's skin <snip> I've avoided tantalums wherever possible ..." Response from John Firestone <digest #3931> "If I remember correctly, they can also catastrophically short if subject to high inrush currents as you might find in a power supply. <snip> this particular part is used in a higher impedance (and hence less stressful) watchdog timer circuit. I will probably use a metalized polyester film part <snip>" John - Are you still supplying you turn signal control modules? Kim L Burgess