Das Bimmer Rundschreiben April 2011
Lone Star BMW CCA Chapter Volunteers Page 3
President Mark Williams 972-315-3302 das Bimmer
Vice Pres. Joe Sullivan [email protected] Rundschreiben
Secretary Brian Hanchey [email protected] April 2011 INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Treasurer BJ Meyer President‘s Page 4 MINI Chair Drew Burroughs [email protected] Moto GP Pace News 9 Autocross Ken Orgeron [email protected] FTW LSC MTG 11
Driver Education Steve Hodges [email protected] BMW Design Awards 12 Club Racing Bruce Heersink April DE! 14 Editor Will Atkinson [email protected] Fueling Around 16 Associate Editor Jason Vail 214-682-9185 [email protected] Survey! 17 Membership Howard Sutton [email protected] DIY? 18 Neuews 20 Social Karen O‘Brien [email protected] Howard Sutton Club Calendar 22
Technical Trent Cole (817) 732-4888 Advisors Fort Worth [email protected]
Nerces Mavelian (972) 867-7467 MEMBERSHIP Dallas [email protected] National : 76,450 Tourmeister Marc Leediker [email protected] Lone Star Chapter: 1,369 WEBSITE Vendor Relations Mike Langford The Lone Star BMW CCA chapter website is www.lscbmwcca.org. Web Maintenance Richie Yosten [email protected] ADDRESS CHANGES
Advertising Will Atkinson [email protected] Send your change of address to ROUNDEL, BMW CCA, 640 South Main Street — Suite 201, Greenville, SC 29601. This takes care of both the Roundel and das Bimmer Rundschreiben. das Bimmer Rundschreiben is published by the Lone Star Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America. All of the informa- NEWSLETTER CONTRIBUTIONS: tion furnished herein is provided by the membership of the We welcome articles and photos from members for club for the members only. The Club membership assumes no publishing in the das Bimmer Rundschreiben. To be liability for any of the information contained herein. The ideas included in any issue, materials must be received by opinions and suggestions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and no authentication is implied unless BMW CCA otherwise noted. South Central Region
VICE PRESIDENT: Mark Doran [email protected] Cover: The cover art was taken from the BMW Press Club. TIPS REP. Terry Sayther Austin (512) 442-5648 Page 4
The First Word
By: Mark Williams I replied, "I've no idea!" and set off arrive the 17th, the event would be to Google Helmut's name. the 18th, and that we would return (Since Mark had a big adventure home the 19th! Yikes! I asked if I recently, his story is going here — I did find a hit, an article mentioning could extend my stay and Helmut Ed.) his name in BMW magazine. Mi- replied that certainly is possible just let him know the date! chael at the same time had logged Have you ever signed up for a con- back into the closed room at m- test, and then later wondered, were power.com, where a note indicated On Veterans Day, I received a call there really any winners? that "contest winners have been se- that my passport was in (hooray!) Was anyone notified or was it just a lected and notified by email". Wow. WOW. and at this point I began to feel com- hoax for publicity? Well, the fortable telling friends and respond- Still in disbelief I sent back a reply, thought has occurred to me, and I ing to questions I was receiving. I knowing it was some odd hour in can report that I now will not have logged onto 1addicts.com, a site I Germany, and received a reply back that feeling again! You see, I was visit infrequently, and found that immediately asking what airport notified that I won the BMW 1 series another participant "JasonCSU" had would I leave from? I told him I‘d M coupe drive event via a very sim- posted, and that he is from Colorado fly from DFW and Helmut replied ple email. It stated, and has a 135i coupe. Two others that an itinerary would be sent in the ―Nearly 4000 people registered, and added their names later, one fellow next few days! Oh my! you are one of the twelve winners, if from Barcelona who owns an e46 you will give your consent to allow M3, and another from Hong Kong The next few days were tense, as I yourself to be recorded, then we will who owns Z4 2.5! It was clear that realized I had replied with an af- make arrangements for you to fly to not only would the participants be an firmative, that I would attend, with- Leipzig, Germany.‖ international group but so far we all out disclosing that I have never been own different BMWs, as I own an out of the United States, and that I At first I was in disbelief! An email? E30 M3! don't even have a passport!! I began No phone call, no telegram, just an We all exchanged private messages to search and located a local com- email? What if it had gone to a and Jason indicated he decided to pany that indicated that passports spam folder? Wait? Maybe it's a visit BMW Welt the Friday after the could be obtained in as little as spoof? It was sent to me on a Satur- event. I asked if I could tag along 24hrs. I immediately took Monday day afternoon, not a weekday, and at and he replied that would be a great off, found a copy of my birth certifi- 5pm? And who is Helmut Breundl, idea. The next few days went by cate and went to their office and the person that the email comes quickly as I picked up my passport plunked down the additional cash to from? I immediately sent a text to and shopped for a few new pairs of make it a 3 business day rush. It was my friend Michael, as we had actu- pants and packed. I received a con- Monday, November 7th and I ally registered online at the same firmed itinerary and Helmut indi- needed to be I Germany the 17th! time after discussing the event. cated a car would pick me up at the
"Did you get an email from BMW? ― airport, the driver would be holding I asked. I notified my family and my boss, an "M" badge!
and they congratulated me. I re- He replied, ―No, what email did you ceived an itinerary on Tuesday, indi- I then boarded the plane Tuesday get?‖ I sent him the email, and his cating I would leave from DFW on afternoon for a long, grueling 10 response was, the 16th, that all attendees would "Is this really true?‖ (Continued on page 6)
Page 6
hour flight in economy that arrived coupe drive printed on the back, and six would head out to a factory tour in Frankfurt Tuesday around 9am, in my name on the front! and the other would drive the cars, time for a three hour layover, and and that we would invert and do the then a 1hr commuter flight to Leip- Wow! The four of us went out and opposite activity after lunch. zig. Jason and I met in Frankfurt and visited the city for a beer and ex- we got acquainted as we still had no plored the beautiful shopping area in My group was picked to see the fac- idea what we would be doing other the city center. Rich with history, tory first. We went on a full three than being filmed! The Nurbugring we visited monuments to composers hour guided tour of the factory. Our was closed for the winter, and fore- Johann Sebastian Bach, Mendels- guide, Fritz, was very informative casts showed rain all week and sohn, and sampled Gose, a local and answered any and all questions temps in the low 40s (5-6 degrees beer, and a local drink, mitallasch, a during the tour. We were able to Celsius). Would we get a chance to schnapps type liqueur. We returned see every aspect of the manufactur- drive the cars on the autobahn? On a to the hotel for dinner, where we met ing of vehicles at Leipzig, from the track? We could only wonder. When the rest of the participants, two 1 automated, pressing and welding of we arrived at the airport, we spotted series owners from Britain, one from underbody panels, the four stage another American (Nick from North Italy, another from France, and a paint process, the fitting of interior Carolina, who had owned an e36m3 man and woman from Germany. items, the "marriage‖ of the entire sedan until recently). completed drive train to the chassis, The three of us approached the exit We met several M employees; Brian installation of glass, and final trim and were met by the driver, and a and Phillip representing sales, Juer- out. We were able to fully see the fourth participant, Adam, from Swit- gen from design, a BMWTV camera "on demand‖ process that is em- zerland, also a 135 owner, joined us man and of course Helmut the mar- ployed by BMW, where parts for and we were driven in matching dark keting partner that had emailed us. each vehicle arrive at the same time blue BMW 520d sedans to the Leip- We were then advised that we would zig Westin hotel. We were greeted at the chassis arrives. The Leipzig plant meet in the morning at 7:30am how- the hotel and received papers to sign produces 1 series coupes, 3 and 5 ever we all continued to mingle into our consent to agree to be filmed and door hatches (sold in Europe and the wee hours. to not release details of the event other countries) as well as the x1 lineup. The cars are interspersed on until we were permitted to do so. When I finally did get to bed, I was the production line, which fosters the Sure! We were then advised that we only able to sleep for three hours (!) "on demand" need for manufacture. were the middle group, three partici- as I awoke and was excited about the Vehicles are also produced in right pants had arrived another five had chance to drive the 1 series m coupe, yet to arrive, and that we would have or left hand drive on the same line. but still not knowing the schedule a few hours on our own to explore for the day. We all met in the lobby the city center, before dinner at 7pm. One of the neatest parts of the tour of the hotel, wearing our new M was watching the automated ma-
garb! We were shuttled to the chines install a dashboard in under The three of us Americans immedi- BMW factory in Leipzig, where we 45 seconds. Anyone that has ever removed and then reinstalled a vehi- ately went to our rooms for a went to a conference room and cle dashboard and taken hours to do watched a short recorded welcome shower! Moments after entering my so would instantly be jealous of the room there was a knock at the door! from Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW machinery! Our tour ended with a A hotel employee handed me a beau- M. chance to see a 1M nearly at the end tiful dark coat and matching vest of production on the line, and we with BMW M logos, BMW 1 series We were then advised that we would then went to lunch in the factory split into two groups, one group of Page 7
cafeteria. After lunch, the two cobblestone road and a town square. one just *mashed* the accelerator, at groups switched, and my group It became apparent that we were which point the wheels would spin headed outside to see the test mules. driving a route that showed off the frantically for grip and then the trac- handling and ride of the 1M. The 1M tion control would keep the car from There were three cars, two black, has razor sharp steering, sidestepping too far, while the car and one white, and they still wore and uses the suspension from the simply rushed forward. the odd camouflage that one sees on E9x M3. The ride on even the cob- cars in spy photos. We were in- blestones was rough, but not jarring We returned to the BMW proving formed that German law requires and very comfortable otherwise. The grounds and we then took turns on that manufacturers hide manufac- acceleration of the turbocharged inline the test track at the Leipzig plant. turer logos. But, when there is round six was absolutely thrilling. At one The test track was a long oval, with (el) spot in the center of the hood, point, I dropped back and then floored one straight having a kinked bend in the car, briskly accelerating from sec- trunk, and center caps, it's not too it. The four car M train circled the ond all the way to near the top of hard to figure out who makes the track at least a half dozen times, and fourth gear. The torque from the mo- vehicle! We were advised that we then we switched drivers again. tor was just amazing, it didn't even would share cars, and Nick and I Once more, the drop back and catch run out of breath until above immediately paired off. The BMW up method proved useful, and soon, 6500rpm, and felt strong all the way TV camera crew followed us and Nick and I were counting off the top to the 7K redline. At the square, we advised that they would be alter- speed in kph at the end of the long switched drivers and Nick drove nately riding with us in the different straights.. 200.. 210... 220.. and then while I got cars along with Joergen from the M comfortable in division. Each car had a Go Pro the passenger HERO camera inside, pointed across seat as we both the vehicle, and the BMW.TV em- drooled over ployees alternately ―miked up‖ dif- the wide ferent drivers. haunches of the 1M ahead of us, We were given two simple instruc- our grins grow- tions...First... don't pass the lead ve- ing ever wider hicle (an X6M), and to not fiddle as we took in with or shut off the traction control. the German Wow! NO contracts to sign, no countryside and threats of " you wreck it you buy it", the sublime not even a request to see our driver‘s handling of the license! Ah, the simplicity of Euro- 1M. The only pean law! damper thus far was the rain, I immediately jumped behind the which was a wheel with Nick in the passenger persistent driz- seat. The lead X6M took off across zle. Getting the the BMW grounds, with three driv- cars sideways ers following in hot pursuit in the under brisk ac- trio of 1Ms. We immediately left the celeration was plant and turned onto city roads, and simple, and we then onto the autobahn! We drove noted that the about 15-20 kilometers on the auto- traction control bahn and then traveled through sev- was rather for- eral small towns until we arrived at a giving unless Page 8
225 kph! Each time we reached the ABS. WOW! Metallic. We were able to pore over end of the straight, a firm stab of the the final products, and we all began brakes hauled the car down to nor- After we both took our turns on the to decide just what color we would mal speeds with no drama. Slight test track, we then went to a small like our car to be in the future! All understeer was present, but the tail parking lot where sets of cones were too soon, the day at the plant was at could easily be provoked using the set up for slalom. As an avid auto- an end, and our M hosts then treated right pedal. All the while, the car crosser, I was happy to see this han- us to dinner, and we all hung out and stuck to the road like it was on rails, dling test and my first dash through shared car stories, peppered the M despite the persistent drizzle! Later the cones confirmed that the car engineers with questions about M in the evening someone produced a transitions very well! After several cars new and old and not even fully calculator, and I discovered I had runs in the slalom one of the BMW conceived, and realized that the M just gone 136 mph... as fast as I have test drivers took us all for a spin, engineers are just like any other ever been on a track... but in some- literally. He switched OFF the trac- BMW fanatics.... with one excep- one else's car... and IN THE RAIN!! tion control and showed us how the tion... they have what most of us Even more amazing was that that the 1M can do donuts, even with full would consider a dream job! car was completely composed and opposite lock! It was at this point never put a wheel wrong... never got that I realized that this is a car that I sideways unless literally provoked, simply must have one day... and and even when the back end stepped hopefully someday soon! out, it was easily controllable. Only once was there a hint of drama when As dusk fell, we returned to the main I wasn't quite sure I had left enough plant and the group was taken into a room for braking behind the car room where a Valencia Orange pre- ahead.... I simply pushed REALLY production car was unveiled along hard on the brakes... and the car with another car in Black Sapphire obeyed... not even getting into the Page 9
BMW 1 Series M Coupe to serve as MotoGP Pace Car
(I thought this story adds nicely Car is a model of uncompromis- to the 1 M Coupe piece earlier in In the interests of weight optimi- ing purism. A rollover cage this issue — Ed) zation, the BMW Safety Car bolted behind the B-pillar, the comes with a carbon fibre- absence of rear seats, two racing Courtesy of the BMW Press reinforced bonnet featuring addi- bucket seats with 6-point safety Club: tional large air vents, as well as belts, an M steering wheel in al- Press Release: 3/18/2011 polycarbonate side and rear win- cantara and a fire extinguisher are dows. A special lightweight tita- all standard in the Safety Car. Munich. The motorcycle road nium race exhaust system not racing world championship – or only saves weight but also deliv- The suspension technology of the MotoGP – ranks among the ers a captivating sound for the BMW 1 Series M Coupe was world‘s most popular and spec- benefit of the spectators. Comple- specially adapted for the Safety tacular sporting events. The in- menting the discreet spoiler lip on Car. Its high-performance suspen- volvement of BMW M GmbH in the boot lid there is now an ad- sion system boasts an adjustable motorcycle racing‘s top-echelon justable rear wing to provide the race track set-up that includes a event now enters its 13th year. To requisite down force. On the sports-tuned chassis in which the ensure the safety of the practice Safety Car the aerodynamically dampers are independently ad- runs and the race itself, BMW M honed front apron with its pre- justable for bump and rebound. GmbH is providing the official cisely defined air ducting, includ- The BMW Safety Car runs on 19- Safety Car along with a raft of ing Air Curtains, features an addi- inch mixed tires measuring other high-performance vehicles tional splitter integrated on the 255/35 at the front and 285/30 at for use by the Dorna Sports man- underside of the apron. the rear. Vehicle height is varia- agement team and IRTA officials. bly selectable and the camber of The interior of the BMW Safety the front and rear axle can be al- At the curtain raiser on 19th March, the BMW 1 Series M Coupe will for the first time be deployed as the official Safety Car for the MotoGP events – in advance of its market launch late in April. The BMW Safety Car is a one- off built by BMW M GmbH specifically for this race series. Only the 250 kW/340 hp straight-six M TwinPower Turbo engine and the entire drive train were taken over unchanged from the production model. Page 10
cles, BMW is supporting the safe running of race weekends: a tered to suit the circuit topogra- running of the motorcycle world BMW S 1000 RR and a BMW phy. The braking system of the championship in the current race HP2 Sport. The ceremonial hand- BMW 1 Series M Coupe, already season. As well as the official over of the vehicles took place at designed for extremely high de- BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety BMW M in Garching-Hochbrück mands, is replaced in the Safety Car, this year sees two further on 28th February 2011. It was on Car with a six-piston fixed- reserve Safety Cars from BMW this occasion that Dr Kay Segler, caliper racing brake system. M GmbH present at the track: a Director of BMW M GmbH, and BMW X6 M and a BMW M3. In Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO Dorna The deployment of the brand-new addition, the organizing team has Sports, made an advance an- BMW 1 Series M Coupe Safety been given a BMW X5 M for the nouncement that the successful Car marks the continuation of Safety Officer and a BMW Ac- partnership would be extended BMW M GmbH‘s successful tiveHybrid X6 for the stewards. until 2016, before sealing the partnership – begun in 1999 – On call this season as a Medical agreement in a signing ceremony. with Dorna Sports, the organizers Car is a BMW 535i Touring. of the MotoGP World Champion- There will also be two Safety ship. With a fleet of eight vehi- Bikes contributing to the safe
Because it’s what’s inside that really counts
CAR AUDIO SALES & SERVICE OUR 18TH YEAR
SALES & REPAIR ON MOST BRANDS
5111 Davis Blvd. North Richland Hills, Texas 76180 LSC Fort Worth March Get Together
The Lone Star Chapter had a great event at the Magno- lia Motor Lounge in Fort Worth in March, with a good crowd in attendance. The Motor Lounge is a new place in the West 7th dis- trict that features cool car memorabilia with a hot rod theme, excellent bar food, and lots of TVs showing vintage car movies like Le Mans and the original ‗The Fast and the Furious‘ (from the ‗50‘s). If you‘re in Fort Worth, it‘s well worth a stop for fun and refreshment. Be sure to call another LSC mem- ber to join you! Page 12
BMW RECEIVES 3 2011 RED DOT AWARDS
Reprinted from the BMW Press Club. tion ceremony will take place on 4 July its segment, stretched lines in side view 3/15/2011 2011 at the Award Gala in the Aalto and dynamically sloping roofline lend Theatre in Essen, with more than 1,200 the new BMW 5 Series Touring a har- The red dot awards have once again guests from around the world attending mony and elegance that is unmatched recognized the high standards of BMW the festivities. among its competitors. ―We are very Group Design in 2011. This year BMW The red dot award is among the world‘s happy to have demonstrated through the sees a trio of models honored at the in- leading honors for product design. It was BMW 5 Series Touring that functional- ternationally renowned awards: the first conferred in 1955 and recognizes ity can be translated into appealing de- BMW 5 Series Touring, BMW 6 Series outstanding design achievements in a sign. In this way, BMW blends out- Convertible and BMW X3. Indeed, the wide range of categories covering not standing functionality with a particularly new BMW 5 Series Touring secured the only cars, architecture, household and modern and emotional aesthetic,‖ said special ―red dot: best of the best‖ prize consumer electronics, but also fashion, Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice for top design quality in the life sciences and medicine. When judg- President BMW Group Design. ―Automobiles, transport and caravans‖ ing the submitted products, the jury of In the new BMW 6 Series Convertible, category. The new BMW 6 Series Con- international design experts based their the typical proportions of a BMW open- vertible was awarded the red dot for appraisals on a variety of criteria rang- top model – the stretched bonnet, set- outstanding design, and the international ing from degree of innovation to func- back passenger cell, long wheelbase and panel of experts presiding over the red tionality, all the way to the product‘s flat waistline – are combined with a dot awards 2011 selected the BMW X3 environmental credentials. classic soft top in characteristic ―fin‖ for an honorable mention. The presenta- The ultimate seal of quality conferred in design. Powerfully contoured surfaces the red dot and the forward-surging dynamic of its awards – the lines leave no doubt as to its supreme ―best of the driving properties. The luxurious ambi- best‖ – hon- ence inside the cabin includes the driver- ors exception- oriented cockpit that is a hallmark brand ally high- feature, while also imparting an exclu- level as well sive sense of cosseted security to the as pioneering front and rear passengers. Nowhere is design. It was the high-level functionality of the inte- bestowed on rior underscored more strikingly than by the BMW 5 the newly designed freestanding Control Series Tour- Display of the standard-fitted iDrive ing in recog- operating system. nition of a car The body design of the new BMW X3, whose charac- which was awarded a red dot honorable teristic design mention, radiates urbane elegance and features are multifaceted agility. The combination of above all re- a flat front end with a raised rear end flected in its creates a dynamic wedge shape when highly indi- viewed from the side, clearly alluding to vidual propor- its sporting credentials. The concave and tions and sur- convex bodywork contours are struc- face design – tured with striking lines. The interior of an individual- the new BMW X3 boasts a generous and ity that cre- flexible spatial concept, high-grade ma- ates a dy- terials and a characteristically three- namic and dimensional surface design to ensure a powerful modern, premium ambience coupled look. Its long with intelligent functionality. bonnet, short overhangs, longest wheelbase in
Page 14
LONE STAR CHAPTER DE AT MSR
If you haven‘t signed up for the annual Spring DE at the challenging and twisty Motorsport Ranch circuit, it‘s not too late!
Please visit http://www.lscbmwcca.org/hpde-home.html for registration details and all the information you need about preparing for the event.
If you‘ve never done a DE, now‘s your chance. It doesn‘t matter if you drive a fire breathing E92 M3 or a docile E28 528i, there‘s a place for everyone at our events and everyone will learn something and have a blast to boot.
Come on out and join us!
Page 16
SWEPCO Fuel Additives CarsTECH Everywhere! TALK I
Is it just me or are gas prices increas- needs the highest octane gasoline ing? I usually do not look at gas available… Fuel treated with SWEPCO 503 prices on a regular basis. When the burns more cleanly. On the left is light comes on in my car, I get gas. The simple answer is yes. With all an injector spray pattern from a Yes, I am a creature of habit. You high performance vehicles, we need, plugged injector running on un- flash something in front of me, I re- they deserve a higher octane treated act. ―premium‖ gasoline. You may not fuel. On the right is the spray pat- hear the ping or knock in your en- tern from an injector running on But when did gas get to almost $3.50 gine and may question why pay for fuel treated with SWEPCO 503. a gallon? Didn‘t we just do this two something that you don‘t need, but Better atomization of fuel means years ago when prices reached an all believe me just like a woman can not more time high? Are we going back to have enough diamonds, your car efficient combustion, more power prices over $5.00 a gallon? Does it needs the best you can give it. and less smoke. really matter what type of gas I put in my car? Not to get too technical, but when I really don‘t think about it too the engine piston is on the upstroke much. Before I fill up with gas, I I, like most of you, have a favorite there is a pre-detonation of fuel. add a 12 oz bottle, I keep in my local gas station. It is convenient. I This pre-detonation can cause inter- trunk, to my tank. Sometimes peo- like to pull in, swipe my card, reach nal damage to your car. When you ple ask what I am doing and I tell for the handle and fill my car. (The use a high octane fuel, you lower that I am keeping my fuel system cute guy behind the counter, the your changes of this occurring. Sim- clean, trying to increase my fuel lattes and lottery tickets add just a bit ply it is an extension of your insur- economy and ultimately reduce my more to my reasoning). There are, ance policy. Keep your car healthy. overall maintenance costs. It is easy times when I am across town and and effective. If I can improve my just pull into a random station. Am I Premium fuel often comes with a fuel mileage up to 25% with an addi- getting ―bad‖ gas when I stop at a premium price. So, what can you do tive, why not? non-branded convenient store or to get the most out of your fuel from a lesser known brand name? costs? Gas additives and octane I‘ve tried to swap a bottle of the 503 Do I always need to go to a Shell or boosters are a big business. I per- for a latte but so far the cutie behind Mobile gas station? sonally recommend the SWEPCO the counter has not taken me up on 503 gas and diesel fuel improver. it. His only comment is ―Cool Car, Sometimes I wonder, does it really Mama‖. matter if I get regular, mid-grade or My mechanic tells me that by using premium gas? Do I really want to this product my fuel injectors, Kay Evans is a representative of pay extra for 92, 96 or 98 oc- pumps and o-rings are wearing less SWEPCO and can be reached at tane…especially now. Should I get and deteriorating slower. He likes it 303-859-5566 or [email protected]. a better gas in the winter when it is because there is less carbon deposits She offers SWEPCO products cold or in the summer when it is hot. in the fuel system and cylinders, through Great-Lube.com. Members (Isn‘t that all the time?) leaving less residue. I like it because can use promotion code CCC to re- I replace my fuel filters less often ceive additional discounts. Have I gotten caught up in all the and feel like I am doing something advertisements and flash that leads special for my car…like that mani- me to believe that my precious car pedi that I get for myself. Page 17
Automotive/MotorcycleSmile! Enthusiasts Needed!
FirstHand Research specializes in new product development, primarily in the powersports and automotive sec- tors. We are conducting focus group discussions on a new street vehicle concept in Dallas on the evening of Monday, March 28. Each discussion group will last about two hours and most participants find the groups fun and interesting.
We are seeking 25-50 year old automobile and motorcycle enthusiasts who would like to participate in one of our focus group discussions. If you are interesting in attending, click the link below and fill out a brief enroll- ment form. Also, if you have any friends who may be interested, feel free to forward the e-mail so they may also enroll. Finally, if you now of any groups that would be interested, fee free to call me at the number be- low.
http://www.firsthandresearch.com/VehicleTest/SignUp.htm
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
William J. Morrow, Principal FirstHand Research (715) 488-2237
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What the heck is a DIY?
By Will Atkinson of the BMW CCA and its chapters The second camp are the around the country. ―tinkerers,‖ the ones who know bet- If you‘re new to the club, you‘ve ter, but can‘t leave well enough probably seen the term DIY on the DIY means: If it‘s broke, YOU fix alone. I also fall into that camp, but calendar or the forum, but what is it it. Don‘t take it to the dealer, or an old cars are too neat to keep your all about? (See one this month, unknown repair shop, get in there nice clean hands in your nice clean 4/16 at Louden Motorcars) and expose those virgin fingernails pockets. to a little ―BMW character.‖ No, it‘s not a secret internet abbre- In the context of the club, a DIY viation that all the forum veterans DIY‘ers come from two basic folds. day is a day on which a local shop use to insult the newbies, and it‘s First, those who can‘t really afford offers the use of their lifts, some not a secret password into the hid- to pay someone to work on their tools, and their advice to club mem- den BMW lair of free parts and car/cars. Hey, for me, DIY was a bers who want to tackle repairs that grease free repair jobs. way to afford a race car. No way might otherwise be difficult, daunt- could I buy a built race car, or pay ing, or downright impossible. It‘s just an abbreviation for Do-It- someone to build me one. But I So, if you‘ve got the itch, pick a Yourself, which is an idea, or a could afford some parts and a lot of task and head out to the next DIY, movement really, that is at the heart long nights. with some hand cleaner, of course. Page 19
German Engineering With Southern Hospitality.
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Facility. Our clean shop, well-stocked parts department, and comfortable waiting room ensure that you and your car will get the kind of service that you deserve. Maintained tools and equipment. Clean cars. We are meticulous about details.
Parts. Our parts department is also second to none. Our knowledgeable staff will assist you in finding that necessary part or after-market option you require. We are an author- ized dealer for high-performance Recaro seating, Yokohama Tires, Bilstein Shocks, Bosch, and many others. This ensures that whether you are a casual driver or an enthusiast who needs race prep assistance, Nine-Eleven has the experience and knowl- edge to keep your car running at peak performance.
Convenience. We are conveniently located near the intersection of Stemmons and LBJ Freeways in Dallas. We offer emergency towing service 24 hours a day and have arranged for special rental car rates with area rental agencies. Come by for a visit between 7:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday—Friday, or call for a service appointment. Page 20
The New 2002!
April 1, 2011 duce a faithful descendant to the met vis mush rezistance inter- By: legendary 2002! nally, but ve vere vinally able to Herr Wilhelm Scherz You can be forgiven for a little get ze funting zat ve neetet!‖ giggle, or maybe even a shout, I thought I‘d save the breaking because this is supposed to be the BMW is still pretty coy when it news for the last page of this is- real thing. BMW has been devel- comes to the details, but the 1.8 sue, but now it‘s time for the pur- oping technologies to go with its liter 4 cylinder should be a far cry ists to rejoice. Efficient Dynamics theme for the from the outgoing and unloved Hours of hoping, days of dream- last several years, and one of the M44 that powered the E36 318i, ing, weeks of whining and writ- key recent engines is a small, producing ―somewhere in the ing, and years of yearning have naturally aspirated 4 cylinder (not neighborhood of 175hp‖. finally had an impact. carbureted!) that combines all the new variable valve timing, They also won‘t be pinned down start/stop, etc. that they can jam Our sources in Germany shared on the final weight of the car, and in there, to create a torquey yet with me that BMW has finally it would be naïve to hope for a efficient powerplant. gotten the message from all the car that meets today‘s stringent
BMW Faithful that it‘s time to safety standards to weigh the get back to the original formula This is the engine that gave the featherly 2200lbs of the original. that delighted so many American engineers at the secret stinktier- drivers in the late Sixties and su- werken the idea to build a car true However, the media spokesper- per Seventies. to the spirit of the venerable ‗02. son, Klaus Unwahrscheinlich, did Plus, they had lots of good sus- let on that since this will be a spe- pension pieces from the 1 series Instead of just another big over- cial, low-volume production that they could use. featured and overloaded luxo- model, that it might be built out barge, BMW has (at the behest of of a light composite or even alu- a renegade group of senior engi- Dr. Wolfgang Altmeier told the minum, to keep the weight down. neers in Munich) decided to pro- German media (after much goad- He said, ―The final details have ing) that, ―Zis vas unt idea zat not been confirmed, but rest as- sured that the new 2002 will re- tain the lightweight and purity that originally raised awareness of BMW in America. We know that the ‗02 has many fans in this country and we are very excited to be able to announce the official launch of the Neue Neue Klasse.‖ Pictures are still under tight wraps, but we were assured that the car would be available for sale in exactly one year.
Page 22
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2010
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6/2-11 BIG New Mexico Trip! Santa Fe and Beyond! Marc Leediker [email protected]
Louden Motorcar Services has been FIRST CLASS FACILITY servicing fine European motorcars in Dallas since 1977. From the moment FIRST CLASS SERVICE you drive in, it is apparent that quality FIRST CLASS CUSTOMERS is our number one priority. From the comfortable waiting room to the well- kept workshop, Louden Motorcars ex- hibits professionalism.
We‘ve been winning awards for the quality of our service for years. Louden has been voted ―Best in Dal- las‖. ―Best in Texas‖, and ―Top Ten in the U.S.‖. 11454 Reeder Road And we‘d like the opportunity to show Dallas, Texas 75229 you why. (972) 241-6326 Discount Tire Co. America’s Largest Independent Tire Company! DISCOUNT STORE LOCATIONS IN THE METROPLEX Amarillo 3343 I-40W 806-356-8383 Fort Worth 6610 Camp Bowie Blvd. 817-731-0692
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Carrollton 3408 E Trinity Mills 972-380-8854 Hurst 1364 W Pipeline 817-595-1912
Carrollton 1405 Josey Lane 972-416-5325 Irving 1550 N Belt Line 972-986-1680
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