| Author |
Message |
Fred W
Guest
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 Posted:
Fri Nov 12, 2004 7:35 pm Post subject:
Re: Yes - car washes do scrape the paint! |
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Dan Drake wrote:
| Quote: | And yes, I *did* have a virgin daughter at one time...
|
I guess that you're one of those guys that believes; "Vice is nice, but
incest is best", eh?
-Fred W
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sailor
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:08 pm Post subject:
Re: 2005 3 Series Front Assymetrical Device?? |
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I have talked to glass shops they tell me that 3M make the product and
there may be others.Try their web site.
I even have it on the headlights as it resists scrathes from debris and it
will polish with Zymol.
Good luck
Sailor |
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fbloogyudsr
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:45 pm Post subject:
Re: Good SoCal used car? |
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<klee8888@gmail.com> wrote
| Quote: | Here's another question though, should I be concerned about buying a
used 3-series with say 40-50k miles? By this time, the factory
warranty is pretty much expired if not already expired. I suppose I
could purchase a 3rd party warranty from someone like Warranty Direct
who, for about $2000 can extend it for 4 more yrs or total 100k miles,
whichever comes first. Do you think its worthwhile?
Or are BMWs that are well maintained generally trouble free? I guess
my main worry is that I go out, buy a 2001 330ci, and end up taking to
the shop repeatedly, each time forking out more and more to cover
various repairs from wear and tear.
I know having a ASE-certified mechanic inspect the car before buying
goes without saying, but is there any other advice one might have? I
considered the CPO programs, but they seem to add quite a bit more in
cost than is worth it -- for the same cost differential, I can
generally get something with a few less miles and still be able to put
on the extended warranty.
What are the opinions -- warrantys overrated?
|
IMO, yes. I've owned two BMWs from new - a '91 525i now with 145K miles
and my '01 330xi with 62K. Neither has had significant problems, although
that's obviously not always the case. Never-the-less, the engine/drivetrain
on
BMWs is as bullet-proof as on any car (excepting some well-documented
problems in the '90s.) It's all the "other stuff" that goes wrong on BMWs,
and often much of that isn't covered by extended warranties.
Someone is making money on warranties, and it usually isn't the buyer.
Floyd
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Somebody
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:55 pm Post subject:
Re: Traffic Ticket in Toronto |
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|
"Kevin Oberle" <kloberle@nospam.ca> wrote in message
news:Xns959ED87A4F497kloberleuwaterlooca@216.196.97.142...
| Quote: | "HDR" <hdr@rogers1.com> wrote in news:koCdnWUS46bp1AzcRVn-jg@rogers.com:
Thanks all who responded; requested a trial date today which can take
up to 6 months in Ontario for a court date.
I am leaning towards going it alone.
Good luck, I hope you do well. Is your main hope that the officer doesn't
show, or do you intend to mount a defense?
I tried to protest a ticket in Toronto some years ago. I had talked to
some cops and worked up what I though was a pretty good case. But then
the
officer got up on the stand and lied outright about the facts, changed the
whole situation around. I didn't manage to recover from the shock in time
to adjust my defense in any meaningful way.
So my advice is to be prepared.
|
Heard a story from a lawyer... a guy got stopped, and he started a tape
recorder, one of those dictation deals. He recorded the conversations.
Later, in court, the officer recounted what happened. The defendant gave
his version. It differed materially from the officer's, and the defendant
had proof that his version was correct. Even though at the root of it, he
was guilty, the officer's testimony was so far to being wrong, that the
judge threw out the case and he got off.
Makes me want to buy a tape recorder for the car.
-Russ. |
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BD U100 Icc
Guest
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| Posted:
Fri Nov 12, 2004 10:57 pm Post subject:
Re: 1993 BMW325 IS - Brake Light Electrical System |
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| Quote: | I just bought a '93 235 IS and the following warning message was diaplayed
"Brake Light Electrical System - Chck your owners manual"
|
I just bought a 1989 735i and I am getting the exact same message and my brake
lights work. How wierd is that ?
Milo- "If you can dilute it, shoot it" |
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Dori A Schmetterling
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 4:56 am Post subject:
Re: Yes - car washes do scrape the paint! |
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I have seen similar here in London. Hair-raising. That's why I prefer
mechanical washes, not a hand-wash by ignorant, untrained people who know
nothing about paint care and have only been employed because they are
desparate for a job and are prepared to take any pay...and may even be here
illegallly so have no recourse to anyone at all..
(End of rant.)
DAS
--
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"David Haqeman" <dhageman@hagemangroup.com> wrote in message
news:60c6fb30.0411120549.7038f58f@posting.google.com...
| Quote: | "Dave Plowman (News)" <dave@davenoise.co.uk> wrote in message
news:<4d0c66b4b1dave@davenoise.co.uk>...
In article <kgs7p0li8ccck6rr5emd40dlbmgb0n0iug@4ax.com>,
Dan Drake <ddrake@comcast.notthis.net> wrote:
My point is that I prefer to use it - and wash the crap off it
periodically, which includes running it through those nasty ol' whirly
brush car washes.
Perhaps I'm too sensitive, but I'd rather leave it until I get time to
wash it by hand than put up with those horrid swirly scratches.
But I enjoy washing a car. Until I notice the latest car park ding. I
then weep. ;-)
Last month the guys at the front of the carwash...whose job is to
power wash the brake dust off the wheels...use plastic brushes on mop
handles after applying a chemical of sorts.
They nonchantly dip the brush head into a tub of solution and BRUSH
THE HOOD AND LOWER DOORS NEAR THE ROCKER PANELS....after using it on
the wheels!
I went ballistic...and sure enough, I have left to right hairline
scratches on the hood (bonnet).
Dumbasses!
David H. |
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Dori A Schmetterling
Guest
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| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:00 am Post subject:
Re: BMW Company History help... |
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He says he has the book. See OP.
DAS
--
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---
"Oliver Hui" <huioliver@netvigator.com> wrote in message
news:cmu8nf$nc31@imsp212.netvigator.com...
There is a book called 'Driven'. It talks about BMW's history, and
products.
Oliver
"Frank Kemper" <spam-muelleimer@gmx.de> wrote in message
news:Xns959E2D35EB7eldosampleman@130.133.1.4...
"WillyStyle" <wscanlan@austin.rr.com> haute in die Tasten:
| Quote: | Not so much about the car business specifically but
more along all the lines of business they have been in... I know of
airplane engines, furniture, and motor cycles. How has the company
been innovative?
|
one can only understand the history of BMW, when you look at the time in
which the company was embedded. The BMW group regards the year 1916 as the
year of its birth. In that year the Bayerische Flugzeugwerke (BFW, Bavarian
Airplane Works) was founded. The BMW (Bavarian Motor Works) took over the
BFW in 1922. The problem: After WW1 (1918) Germany was not allowed to make
airplanes and airplane parts - bad luck for an aircraft engine maker. The
basic reason for making motorbikes and cars was the Versailles treaty, BMW
was not allowed to make what they had made before. The same thing happened
after WWII in 1945. Before 1945 BMW had been one of the major players in
the military industry of the 3rd Reich, they made the first jet engines
which powered the first jet fighters of the world. The majority of the car
production took place in Eisenach (Thuringia) at that time. Eisenach is
located in Eastern Germany, which became the Soviet Zone (and later the
GDR) after the war. So after 1945 BMW had lost almost all their production
sites for civilian goods and again was not allowed to produce the military
goods. Germany had surrendered and was on the ground - there was no demand
for airplane engines in Germany at that time. So after 1945 BMW was almost
dead and began to make the things they were able to, they were allowed to
and people would buy. After 1945 they even converted german military steel
helmets into cooking pots and pans. It may be interesting to know that both
after WW1 and after WWII the first cars wich were built in considerable
numbers were license productions: In the early 20's BMW took a license on
the Austin seven and launched the Dixi. In the early 50's BMW took a
license from ISO (Italy) and launched the Isetta.
Things like cooking gear and furniture, which may be produced in the BMW
facilities, sound to me like a kind of "panic product", which should keep
the company alive during serious times.
If I think about the products BMW deliberately made without being forced
to, the following comes to my mind:
Airplane engines and components
Marine engines and components
Motorbikes
Motor scooters (IIRC made in Italy)
Cars
Bicycles (made by a supplier)
brand merchandise
If you ask for innovations, you can find loads of them in the products
mentioned above. Besides that BMW has earned merits in the field of road
safety and traffic management. In Munich there are field tests on the run
to influence traffic flows to prevent traffic jams. IIRC the first car
with an optional factory installed onboard navigation system in Germany
was a BMW. BMW does a lot of research on projects like parking management
and alternative fuels. BMW runs a fleet of hydrogen powered cars and has
helped in installing the first public hydrogen fuel station at the airport
Munich. It seeems to be logical that Wolfgang Reitzle (ex head of R&D
department) became the CEO of Linde, which is the leading supplier of
hydrogen in Germany.
Below I have provided the fax number and the e-mail adress of the BMW
archive (run by the company). I am quite sure that they can anwer your
queries in english. It may be possible to access the post-war parts of the
archive online, but I doubt that this will be suitable if you are not able
to read german documents.
Fax: +49 (0)89/382-24765
E-Mail: historisches.archiv@bmw.de
Hope that helps
Frank
--
please replace spam-muelleimer with fk-newsgroups for e-mail contact
Citroen - Made in Trance |
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Matt O'Toole
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:02 am Post subject:
Re: Good SoCal used car? |
|
|
fbloogyudsr wrote:
| Quote: | klee8888@gmail.com> wrote
Here's another question though, should I be concerned about buying a
used 3-series with say 40-50k miles? By this time, the factory
warranty is pretty much expired if not already expired. I suppose I
could purchase a 3rd party warranty from someone like Warranty Direct
who, for about $2000 can extend it for 4 more yrs or total 100k
miles, whichever comes first. Do you think its worthwhile?
Or are BMWs that are well maintained generally trouble free? I guess
my main worry is that I go out, buy a 2001 330ci, and end up taking
to the shop repeatedly, each time forking out more and more to cover
various repairs from wear and tear.
I know having a ASE-certified mechanic inspect the car before buying
goes without saying, but is there any other advice one might have? I
considered the CPO programs, but they seem to add quite a bit more in
cost than is worth it -- for the same cost differential, I can
generally get something with a few less miles and still be able to
put on the extended warranty.
What are the opinions -- warrantys overrated?
IMO, yes. I've owned two BMWs from new - a '91 525i now with 145K
miles and my '01 330xi with 62K. Neither has had significant
problems, although that's obviously not always the case.
Never-the-less, the engine/drivetrain on
BMWs is as bullet-proof as on any car (excepting some well-documented
problems in the '90s.) It's all the "other stuff" that goes wrong on
BMWs, and often much of that isn't covered by extended warranties.
Someone is making money on warranties, and it usually isn't the buyer.
|
I agree with Floyd.
With rare exception, all modern cars are virtually bulletproof until 100,000
miles (the Federally mandated life of emissions performance). Many, including
BMWs, are unlikely to need significant repairs until well beyond that.
Personally, I would buy a well-maintained car w/ records from a private party.
This is easy in CA where there are jillions of pampered BMWs being sold this
way. Learn the telephone prefixes of the best neighborhoods, and shop there.
You can easily save several thousand dollars vs. buying a dealer/CPO/warranty
car. Even if the car breaks big-time, you'll still probably come out ahead. If
you need financing, arrange a loan ahead of time. Plenty of "blank check" loans
are available these days, especially for cars less than 5 years old.
Matt O. |
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dizzy
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:26 am Post subject:
Re: Yes - car washes do scrape the paint! |
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|
On 11 Nov 2004 19:11:00 GMT, kokaineboy@aol.com (KoKaineBoy) wrote:
| Quote: | No... Not Bull. Any car wash that has a brush or soft cloth touch the car
will scrape the paint all to shit. If you give me $5 I'll take an old dirty
rag or some 2000grit sandpaper and scrape it up just as good! I'm even
skeptical to run my car through a touchless wash where the jets of water blast
the dirt against the paint.
I'll stick with handwashes even in -15 weather!
|
I use the manual car washes, with the "foamy brush", on my 323. Not
ideal, maybe, but I rinse the shit out of the brush, so I'm not
sand-papering my car with someone else's dirt, at least.
My Supra, on the other hand, only gets hand-washed. It's more of a
special car, and it's black. |
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Dan Drake
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 5:36 am Post subject:
Re: Good SoCal used car? |
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|
On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 19:02:26 -0500, "Matt O'Toole" <matt@deltanet.com>
wrote:
| Quote: | With rare exception, all modern cars are virtually bulletproof until 100,000
miles
|
I wish I could believe that. Your definition of 'rare exception' may
be different to mine though, so that could account for the difference.
--
Dan Drake |
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Bob
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 6:24 am Post subject:
Re: Good SoCal used car? |
|
|
klee8888@gmail.com (Ken) wrote in message news:<32081bf2.0411090944.6a874a09@posting.google.com>...
| Quote: | In the market for a used car -- leaving New York where I had no car
and heading to SoCal where I need a car. Work will be about a
15-minute reverse commute, mostly highway travel. Trying to decide on
a good ride, and been advised by a few friends to consider a BMW
3-series or even an older M-series.
I'm married, 31 with no kids, and no real plans to have them anytime
soon. I figure we'll love exploring SoCal and having the top down
would be great!
Looking to spend about 20-23k, maybe more if its worthwhile. What do
people think about say, an '01 Lexus IS300, '01 BMW 3-series coupe, or
I've seen a few 1998-99 M3 coupe convertibles on sale that are in (or
close) to that price range.
Any suggestions? I was leaning towards the IS300 at first, but as I
keep reading I wonder about sitting in an IS300 knowing that I'd
probably be having more fun in my beemer...
|
Ken,
There's a lot of good commentary here about the convertibles, but I'll
add my $0.02 since I have one and live in SoCal. I've got a 1999 M3
convertible with a 5 speed. Let's start off by saying that I love the
car. I love tossing it into corners, burying the tach, scaring the
beejezus out of my wife... I bought it as a CPO from BMW of Bellevuew
(near Seattle) with about 25,000 miles on the clock and drove the
coast highway all the way down here. I ended up buying it there
because I couldn't find any with the color I wanted (Fern Green with
Grey leather). That all said, here's some comments from my point of
view. YMMV (radically).
The CPO was, in retrospect, a great idea that saved me a lot of money.
The convertible top has been an infuriating and glaring flaw in an
otherwise great car. It has failed to retract without manual
assistance, had tensioner straps lose tension, plastic bits break
causing the "headliner" to flap around, etc. Again, I love the car,
but find this to be unforgiveable in the Ultimate Tanning Machine.
Other maintenance is not cheap if you have it done at the dealer. In
fact, it's never cheap. The closest independent shop that I'm aware
of (and have used) is a bit too far away to be really convenient,
though they are good folks and do good work. Now that the car is no
longer under CPO, I'm more inclined to go to third parties or do it
myself. Probably going to tackle an oil change and try to diagnose a
sporadic low oil pressure light at idle this weekend.
Brake pads: When you have to change them out, don't go to a harder
compound. I did this, along with drilled rotors and it was a mistake.
The good news is that the wheels stay cleaner longer, the bad news is
that I lost a lot of braking performance and almost overshot a
driveway into a tractor trailer turning out of the same driveway.
I'll be going back to softer pads someday.
On having the top down. This will depend a lot upon your
sensitivities. I had a Miata before I got really started in college
and loved it. If the temperature is over 50 degrees, odds are the top
is down. Unless it's over 90 (I'm out in Ontario, so that's not too
unusual) in which case the top is up and the A/C is on or,
occasionally, the top is down and the A/C is on. Works for me. :)
I've considered paying an upholstery shop to remove the leather on the
seats and replace it with cloth. It's really annoying to have to peel
yourself out of the seat because you've sweated through your shirt.
Leather in a convertible where the weather gets hot is just a bad
plan, I think.
On the noise front, I have no issues with that at all, even long
freeway drives. I never put the top up except for parking overnight
on the drive down from Bellevue. The wife is more sensitive than I,
however, and when we're going down to San Diego or some such she'll
have me keep the top up. She does live for the seat heaters when its
chilly, though.
On a related noise front, the factory HK stereo is a piece of crap,
IMNSHO. ;-) Bass is unacceptable (despite the--I think--8" sub behind
the rear center "arm rest" and the rest of the speakers can't handle
high volume levels. I'm more of a hard rock, rap, rock 'n roll
listener, so figure that into your YMMV equation. I'm slowly
accumulating components (CDT component speakers, Alpine head unit &
changer, Brax amps, 12" Image Dynamics sub) to completely replace the
stereo and when that's done I'll be much happier, I'm sure.
If you don't need the extra seats of the 3 series (and, quite frankly,
they're barely big enough for real people), consider a Z3. I doubt
you'll lose much trunk space between the two and probably gain a lot
of fun and handling and quite possibly gas mileage.
Cowl shake. You'll notice it and it's annoying. I'm told that it is
a "solved" problem on the E46, however if you go in knowing it's
there, it's not something that can't be lived with.
Speaking of which, I average about dead on 20 mpg. Most of my driving
is city streets and lots of jackrabbit stops & starts. Freeway driving
is a bit better, though my average speed is about 80mph with no
traffic in the way and the occasional sprint over 100 when it's empty.
I really should "invest" in a Valentine One, though I'll want to do a
good solid stealth install.
When I was looking for mine, I looked at 325's, 328's and M3's. In
the end, I just couldn't get past the longing for the extra power of
the M3--though it's easy to argue that an M3 convertible is a silly
thing.
In sum? I love the car, but the convertible top shouldn't have the
problems that it does.
Feel free to shoot me an email or to the thread if I can add any more
info!
Bob
Ontario, California |
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GRL
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 6:27 am Post subject:
Re: BMWNA October Sales |
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|
BMW also target expensive SUV's and both Lexus and Infiniti do as well.
The Infiniti G35 coupe and sedan are precisely targeted at the 3-series
market. Precisely.
I'm shocked you would mention Cadillac. How serious can Cadillac be if they
mount a foot-operated parking brake in the manual-only CTS-V? Duh? GM is
still not really serious. Maybe some day. Maybe.
George Litwinski
"Ramone Cila" <dontw@nt.spam> wrote in message
news:9jwjd.75$Zq3.34535@news.uswest.net...
| Quote: |
"GRL" <GLitwinski@CHARTERMI.NET> wrote in message
news:10oqtdu4du9gcfa@corp.supernews.com...
How about comparison with Lexus? Or Infiniti?
I don't see Lexus or Infiniti targeting similar balance between
performance
and luxury in the way the German makes are, so I don't see the relevance
in
comaring sales figures with the Japanese makes. Though Caddy might have
been
a good one to include, despite the great disparity in selling price.
The bottom line is that in a very competitive and decidedly "down" market
BMW is doing quiet well, indeed record well, with both it new models and
it's older ones. I like seeing that.
George Litwinski
"Ramone Cila" <dontw@nt.spam> wrote in message
news:7P7jd.12$rj3.23246@news.uswest.net...
In it's last year the 3 series is down about 4% year to date. In terms
of
market performance...what a product! The A4 is down 10% year to date
and
the
C Class is down 3% but selling far fewer units that the E46.
The 5 is doing great and appears be the second best 5 series year
(2003
E39
being the best) ever, and despite having two full months to go is
already
better than the first full year of E39 sales. The E-Class still
outsells
everybody in this segment in the US. They are down for the month but
up
for
the year. The A6 is way off track and down 20% year to date.
7 sales are down 19% for YTD but so is the market. Merc S Class sales
are
down 37% for the month and 12% for the year. By comparison Audi sells
very
few A8's..but their numbers are up about 68% 2004 vs. 2003.
Z4's are off 2003 numbers by 23%, But so is everyone else's roadster
numbers. There may be too much competition for the market levels. By
comparison Boxster numbers are off by 37% for 2004 vs. 2003. TT's off
31%,
SLK's off 17%.
Production must have ramped up for the 6 because like the 5 those
sales
numbers are growing.
2004 X5/X3 combo has outdone the 2003 X5 numbers by 23,000+ year to
date
.
And given the sales figures for the sedans it sure doesn't seem like
many
of
those buyers were cannibalized from the 3 and 5 series cars. No one
else
comes close to BMW in success with an SUV, but Porsche is selling the
living
crap out of the Cayenne.
If my math is worth a shit BMW is having their best year ever and
outselling
Merc in the US. Despite all the commotion over design and i-drive BMW
is
doing great. And where BMW is suffering unit sales losses in certain
segments, so are their competitors, which seems to indicate it is the
market, rather than anyone's particular offering, that is dictating
the
those reduced sales.
Despite bad press about design and almost constant criticism in forums
like
this, BMW can only be happy about their performance this year and
particularly ecstatic about their performance compared to competitors
in
various market segments that are suffering across the board.
Unlike some of the posters on this ng, I am really happy to see BMW
selling
cars and pumping money.
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2041103.008/bmw/1.html
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2041103.005/porsche/1.html
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2041104.001/mercedes/1.html
http://www.germancarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2041103.006/Audi/1.html
http://www.e60.net/information/ click "US Unit Sales"
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fbloogyudsr
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:39 am Post subject:
Re: Good SoCal used car? |
|
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"Bob" <double_entendre@hotmail.com> wrote
| Quote: | There's a lot of good commentary here about the convertibles, but I'll
add my $0.02 since I have one and live in SoCal. I've got a 1999 M3
convertible with a 5 speed. Let's start off by saying that I love the
car. I love tossing it into corners, burying the tach, scaring the
beejezus out of my wife... I bought it as a CPO from BMW of Bellevuew
(near Seattle) with about 25,000 miles on the clock and drove the
coast highway all the way down here.
...
On having the top down. This will depend a lot upon your
sensitivities.
|
Interesting... ;-)
I bought my wife's Boxster in Sacramento - lot more used convertibles
down in CA - and drove it *up* to Seattle.
I have to say that Convertibles are made to have the top down.
The Boxster just isn't the same with the top up!
Floyd |
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FSCHW
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:56 am Post subject:
Re: 1993 BMW325 IS - Brake Light Electrical System |
|
|
The next day when we went to use the car, the message was gone and hasn't
come back. The problem went away all by itself. Must have been something
loose. |
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FSCHW
Guest
|
| Posted:
Sat Nov 13, 2004 9:00 am Post subject:
Re: 1993 BMW325 IS - Brake Light Electrical System |
|
|
The next day when we went to use the car, the message was gone and hasn't
come back. The problem went away all by itself. Must have been something
loose. However, now the backup lights don't work. Took it to my local
mechanic and he said it's the switch on the transmission, but none of his
dealers had an aftermarket replacement and BMW would have to order it. |
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