Genesee Valley Chapter Forum / GVC Chapter Forums / Car Related Topics

Xenon Headlights

dheffler — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 20:27:14 GMT

I just purchased my 2008 BMW 528i. It came with halogen headlights. Does anyone know if you can convert to Xenon headlights and if so, where would I go to do so.

Thanks.

Dave

Looking for prepurchase inspection shop near Webster, NY (non-BMW)

m3olsen — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:23:54 GMT

Hi everyone, I'm looking at a non-BMW vehicle in Webster (traveling from Ithaca) and am looking for a trusted shop that could do a prepurchase inspection for me.

I can offer recommendations for a shop near Ithaca to anyone who needs one, but am guessing the dealer in Webster won't appreciate me taking the vehicle 100 miles each way to get it checked out! :D

Thanks for your help.

-Mike Olsen
153374

FS: 1989 BMW 325i

ajy4490 — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:15:09 GMT

I am reluctantly selling my e30 :-/ Check it out here: [url= http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/866536474.html]http://rochester.craigslist.org/cto/866536474.html[/url]

If you want more information, call my cellphone at 585.259.5170. Thanks!

Good BMW mechanic in Rochester, NY area

p60151 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 08:40:47 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering if anyone can recommend any good BMW mechanics/garages in the Rochester, NY area. I was bringing my car to the dealer here, (john holtz), for regular maintenance and any issues/problems, but the quality of work done there was very poor. Any recommendations would really be appreciated.

Thanks,

-p

Emergency Water Pump Pulley

GEOFF.FRANKS@GMAIL.COM — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 19:02:21 GMT

Anyone know where I can source a water pump pulley for a 2001 Z3 Coupe (M54)? Part 11 51 1 436 590.

I was changing my water pump/thermostat before o-fest and damaged the pulley getting it off, 5 minutes after the Buffalo BMW parts department closed. :(

Anything open on sundays? I don't really care if it's in rochester or not, i'll go get it wherever it is.

Detail/Body Work in Rochester

B EWhitney — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:00:03 GMT

I have an almost 8 year old E46 that's just starting to show paint acne- a couple of spots about an inch or so each. Does any one have any recommendations for detailing or small touch up work. I'm just not going to get around to it before salt season.

Finding e30 parts

ajy4490 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:13:16 GMT

So I just picked my first bimmer, a 1989 BMW 325i and I love it. However it is almost 20 years old and some things I will replace in order to restore it to its original condition. This includes various small exterior, interior, and some mechanical parts such as a drivers seat, an antenna, a front lip spoiler, maybe a catalytic converter, and a brake duct (yes, I broke it when I hit the wall at the last BIMP event :P). None of these parts are necessary enough for me to pay big bucks to order new parts at the dealer, so I'm just looking for a low cost alternative.

I have been told in the past to pick up a parts car, however this doesn't seem to be a viable option for me as I have little space for a junker and I dont want to pay for parts I don't need. I also had a very hard time finding an e30 in the first place, and I can only imagine finding a parts car will be just as hard. So what do you guys do for finding parts for your older BMW?? Does anybody actually have a e30 parts car and want to sell parts? Is there a known junkyard that has an e30 that I can pick parts off of? Has anybody had any luck on eBay?

Any help or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Mechanics in Buffalo

GEOFF.FRANKS@GMAIL.COM — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:26:31 GMT

I used to use a place called United Import Motors as my primary mechanic in Buffalo. They had done great work for me, until they got bought out by a collision repair chain, and brought in a few new mechanics and manager. Since then, i've been getting screwed left and right.

Anyone have any recommendations on good/trustworthy BMW and VW mechanics in buffalo? I remember something like pinnacle, but i can't remember where they were, or what the name was for sure. There was a post on the old forums about it, but i don't think those forums are around anymore.

Any help would be much appreciated, since i don't want to bend over for dealer pricing, or United Auto at this point.

1982 320i - Sell, Part out, or junk it?

BMWRick08 — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:23:07 GMT

In 2001 I gave my nephew my 1982 320i, and now he wants to get rid of it. It's not running, but may only need a minor amount of work. The interior is excellent, the exterior is good and I think there may still be some value in it.

He needs it moved from his dad's place quickly...within a few weeks. Do you folks think there's any hope in getting a buyer, either whole or parted? Or should he just avoid the hassle and have it towed and junked?

The car is in Dundee, NY (where my nephew lives), and I'm in Minnesota.

Mechanic/shop for track set-ups

RADIATION-JOE — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 21:40:13 GMT

I'm new to the area (Oswego) and am looking forward to track days at the Glen. My modified e46 M3 is in need of some TLC (suspension) prior to it's first track day this year. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

Is the BMW Aftermarket Overpriced?

cretinx — Sun, 06 Apr 2008 18:05:57 GMT

First - it was nice meeting all of you (I was the short guy with the black Z4) - sorry I didn't stick around longer - the pancakes were great but my wife needed to get home so she could watch her boys drive fast and occasionally turn left.

After talking to Bill at the parking lot, we got into a conversation about the 1 and I mentioned what an overweight porker it is at 3400 lbs (another thread topic in and of itself) - he countered that Dinan has an ECU mod for it - at $2000

This shocked the hell out of me - because I know that Vishnu provides an ECU for $1300 - which makes more power (not to mention their other packages)

It also shocked me because reflashes for most other cars cost FAR less than that - for instance, on our old A4 our reflash cost $400, and I know Cobb, Hondata, GIAC, APR and REVO all range from $400-$800 - many times with far more adjustability.

Which gets me to my point - looking at aftermarket parts for BMW, I can't help but notice they tend to be 50-100% higher than a similar product for a different car.

Is this because BMW owners simply expect to pay more for parts so the market supports these outrageous prices?

Is it due to economies of scale - being that one could claim there are less BMWs so less of a chance to save manufacturing costs through an economy of scale (an argument I don't really buy . . . . considering I come from DC and my wife is from Manhattan - and in both cities you'll see as many BMWs as you will Nissans or Hondas).

So - what are your thoughts?

Are we suckers in the marketplace, are the products THAT much better (I simply can't believe this), or is it a function of economies of scale . . . or something else I'm not thinking of?

2000 bmw 323ci wont start after battery change ??

TODDFITZ — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:27:57 GMT

friend has a 2000 bmw 323ci.
his battery was getting weak, ..but car was starting & working fine. he did decide it was time to change battery,..but now the car wont start.
it turns over great , but no start. / could it be in limp mode, or a computer needs to be reset ??
sounds strange , but maybe a security system issue.
any help is welcome, thanks!!!

2003 330i Intake questions

Flatblak — Tue, 06 May 2008 14:35:21 GMT

I just picked up my first BMW car, an '03 330i sedan sport package 5 spd manual, the car has a magnaflow exhaust and I might like to make or buy an intake that replaces the air filter box for the car . I do not want to make it excessively loud though, or create any problems. i have seen some dynos that may indicate a 10 whp addition though which would be nice and noticeable.

what are your suggestions or opinions on the intake? thanks, Eric

Anybody have a Peake R5-SRS to loan out?

m3olsen — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:56:12 GMT

Hi everyone, sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong place. This is my first time back to the website in quite awhile.

I need to read and reset a tripped SRS (airbag) light in my E36 97 M3 and was hoping somebody not too far from Ithaca would have one that I could reset with. I also have a coworker who commutes from the Rochester area, so if someone was willing to loan it out for a couple of days I could have him transport the tool back and forth.

Thanks for your help,
Mike Olsen
BMWCCA 153374

1998 540i paint job needed in Rochester

billythesig — Tue, 06 May 2008 17:37:53 GMT

I have a 1998 540i 6spd that I love but needs some TLC on the exterior. Any suggestions for a resource?

thanks,

bill

Toyo RA1 Winter Storage Warning

RZimmerman — Fri, 30 May 2008 12:58:52 GMT

Was surfing around the Toyo site last night looking for tire spec's and tripped across this. Hadn't heard this before so I thought I'd share. . . .

For Toyo RA1 users, we have (hopefully) six months before we need to worry about this, but this is a good piece of info to put in your mental tool kit.

link is: http://marktg.toyotires.com/file/TireStorage.pdf

Consumer Advisory

TSD-07-001 November 15, 2007
Recommendations on the
Proper Use, Handling, and Storage of Toyo Tires
This advisory applies only to the following products:

All Proxes® R1R™

All Proxes R888™

All Proxes RA1™

Open Country M/T® 32x11.50R16 (Product Code 360150)

This advisory addresses the proper storage of these tires in colder climates. As seen in the picture below, tires stored and operated at sub-freezing temperatures, i.e., at or below 32°F (0°C), will lose rubber compound flexibility and may experience cracking when operated under such conditions.

WARNING!

The rubber compounds used in these tires have unique properties that, when compared to other tires, can cause them to lose some of their flexibility when stored and operated at sub-freezing temperatures. This loss in flexibility can lead to potential cracking and other damage to the tire.

TO MINIMIZE THE CHANCES OF THIS HAPPENING, CONSUMERS AND INSTALLERS ARE ADVISED TO FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS DURING SUB-FREEZING CONDITIONS:

1. Do not operate the car with these tires, as the tires may suddenly fail.

2. Always store these tires indoors at temperatures above 32°F (0°C).

3. Before mounting or dismounting, store these tires for at least 24 hours in a temperature-controlled environment of 68°F (20°C) or warmer.

4. Remove these tires from the vehicle and deflate to half the normal air pressure during prolonged periods of non-use or storage.

5. Do not move a car that is in storage with these tires, as the tires may crack.

For more information, please contact Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation’s Consumer Relations Department at (800) 442-8696

Tread cracking due to low temperatures Toyo Tire (U.S.A.) Corporation 6261 Katella Ave, Suite 2B Cypress, CA 90630 www.toyo.com 4M 11/07 Item # 0180253

Service Interval Battery

bobandjean — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:27:16 GMT

I have 88 635csi. I reset SI last month for 'inspection'. All was fine. This week the yellow and red lights are on with or without ignition being on. When in the on position the 'oil service' light is also on. Based on my research I believe my SI board batteries are dead since my R5 reset does nothing now. I am looking for the instructions for pulling the instrument cluster, diassembling , and replacing the batteries, to make sure I get it right. I believe the board has 2 AA nicads that are soldered in. Any advice, tips or information anyone can share to help me do this right (including my diagnosis!)

Thanks in advance for your assistance!

bob

E46 parts?

bukowskw — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:35:40 GMT

Hello
Any body know where to get AC Schnitzer type IV knockoffs in 18 inches and a good recommendation on a set of good reliable Angel Eyes for a E46?

Thanks Walt

Alignment near Ithaca?

Brendan — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 18:27:08 GMT

Anyone have a recommendation for a good shop to get my E30 M3 aligned at? The closer to Ithaca the better, but I'll drive if necessary.

Thanks,
Brendan

oil selection

TODDFITZ — Sun, 04 May 2008 18:16:39 GMT

what synthetic oil viscosity would be best in a 1998 m3. using car at watkins glen driving school.

Tech Question - Racing Shells and Seat Back Braces

Brendan — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:13:21 GMT

I'm wondering about the requirement for seat back braces and if I'm reading it right in the tech packet. The line in question reads:

[i]5. Roll bar/cage structure must support seat backs in case of seat back failure.
[/i]
Does this apply to cars with seats still within their FIA certification window? I thought braces were only required after the FIA certification lapsed. My car is an E30 M3, 4 point roll bar, FIA racing shells, 6-pt harnesses. The only question I'd have, is that the seats are mounted to adjustable tracks utilizing the stock mounting points in the car, not sure if that changes anything.

Thanks,
Brendan

Track Insurance

SHR — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:28:11 GMT

The old forum had a thread that recommended a couple of insurance companys that will insure tracking your car. If you know of any please post them here, thanks.

scott

damaged BMW'S

langevine — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:03:55 GMT

For the autos damaged in the ship tip -- will the prospective owners be notified and given a choice as to accept or not?

For the crusher cars, will the owners be promoted to the top of the production list for a replacement?

Curious from PA.

langevine