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FAQ part 1/10 (!)



Due to potential digester problems, we had to split the FAQ into
even more pieces!  I'll be posting the 10 sections of it slowly over
the next few days.

Enjoy,
rick



- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
- - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  1.0: BMW history


- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+ Chapter  2.0: BMW models and specs ( chronological order )

<<<<	(by Herman:cliofine1@domain.elided) (slightly modified)

** Body/Chassis Designations **

Number/    Year
Variant   (Euro)    Model                   Body Style
- - -------   ------    -------------------     ----------

114       1967-74   1502/1602/1802/2002     2d sedan
115       1962-64   1500                    4d sedan
116                 1600                    4d sedan
118       1963-?    1800/1800Ti/1800TiSA    4d sedan
120       1966-?    2000/2000Ti/            4d sedan
                    2000TiLUX/2000Tii
121       1965-69   2000C/2000CS            2d coupe
E3                  2500 - 3.3Li            4d sedan
E6                  1600/1800/              2d coupe/3d hatch
                    2000/2000/Tii touring
E9                  2.5CS - 3.0CSL          2d coupe
E10                 2002ti/2002tii          2d coupe
E12       1973-81   5-series                4d sedan
E12/8     1973-81   5-series-see above      4d sedan - South African
E20       1973-74   2002 turbo              2d coupe
E21       1976-82   3-series                2d coupe
E23       1978-86   7-series                4d sedan
E24       1976-89   6-series                2d coupe
E26       1979-80   M1                      2d mid-engine coupe
E28       1982-88   5-series                4d sedan
E30       1983-91   3-series                2d coupe/4d sedan/convertible
E30/5     1987-91   3-series 'Touring'      5d wagon
E30/16    1987-91   3-series iX             2d coupe/4d sedan (4WD)
E31       1990-     8-series                2d coupe
E32       1987-94   7-series                4d sedan
E32/2     1987-94   7-series                4d sedan LWB
E34       1989-94   5-series                4d sedan/5d wagon
E36       1992-     Current 3-series        4d sedan
E36/2     1992-     3-series see-above      2d coupe/convertible
E36/3     ?         3-series 'Compact'      5d hatch
E36/5     1994-     3-series 'Compact'      3d hatch
E36/6     1994-     3-series 'Touring'      5d wagon
E36/7     1995-     'R1'                    2d roadster - U.S. made
E38       1995-     New 7-series            4d sedan
E38/2     1995-     7-series                4d sedan LWB
E39       1995-     New 5-series            4d sedan
E44       ?         Megaron                 minivan/people carrier
E48/E45   1997?     2-series                sedan/hatch/wagon/offroader
                    (E1 derivative)         FWD/Aluminum spaceframe
E49/E46   1998?     Next 3-series           4d sedan/2d coupe


Z1        1986-87   plastic-body roadster   2d convertible
Z13       1993      hybrid city car         3d hatch


E1/E2     1992      electric prototypes     3d hatch


Number/                      Valvetrain/
Variant     Disp.            cylinders                Body range
- - -------     -----            -----------------        ---------------

M10         1.8              SOHC-8v/L4               E21
M12/6       2.0              DOHC-16v/L4              Formula 2
M12/7       2.0              DOHC-16v/L4              F2/320i Group 5
M12/9       2.0              DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo        320i Group 5
M13         1.5              DOHC-16v/L4 Turbo        Formula 1
M20/B27     2.7              SOHC-8v/L6 ETA           E28/E30/E34
M20/B25     2.5              SOHC-8v/L6               E28(?)/E30/E34
M21         2.4              SOHC-8v/L6 Diesel        E28/E30/E34/E36
M30         3.0/3.2/3.3/3.5  SOHC-8v/L6               E23/E24/E28/E32
M40         1.6/1.8          SOHC-8v/L4               E30/E36
M42         1.8              DOHC-16v/L4              E30/E34/E36
M50         2.0/2.5          DOHC-24v/L6              E34/E36
M50TU       2.0/2.5          DOHC-24v/L6 w/VANOS      E34/E36
M60 (old)   2.0/2.3          SOHC-12v/L6              E12/E21
M60         3.0/4.0          DOHC-48v/V8              E31/E32/E34/E38
M70         5.0/5.4/5.6      SOHC-24v/V12             E31/E32/E38
M80         ???              ???/V6                   ???
M88         3.5              DOHC-24v/L6              E26-M1
M88/1       3.5              DOHC-24v/L6              Group 4 (470hp)
M88/2       3.5              DOHC-24v/L6              Group 4 (850hp)
M88/3       3.5              DOHC-24v/L6              E24-early M6
M102        3.2/3.5          SOHC-12v/L6 Turbo        E23-745i Turbo
S14         2.3/2.5          DOHC-16v/L4              E30-M3
S38         3.5              DOHC-24v/L6              E28-M5/E24-M6
S50         3.0              DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS)      E36-M3
S50US       3.0              DOHC-24v/L6 (VANOS)      E36-M3 U.S. vers.
S70/2       6.1              DOHC-48v/V12 (VANOS)     McLaren F1
S80         3.6/3.8          DOHC-24v/L6              E34-M5

Mxx/Byy (xx=engine family; yy=displacement)

============================
Section 2.1: M3 Evolutions

A: 	(by smithgb@domain.elided (?))
> I heard that the M3 went through 3 evolutions but that only the first
> evolution made it to the US.  Is this true and if it is, what was involved in
> the evolutionary process?

I can't comment on what evolutions went to the US, but I can tell you
that there were actually 2 evolutions of the car over its production
duration.

The first car was known as just the M3. It was not an evolution
model, and produced 200bhp (2.3 litre).  It proved highly
successful in touring car racing.  It first arrived on the scene in
1986-87. About 10,500 were produced.

In 1989 BMW made the evolution 1 which produced 220 bhp from 2.3
litres. This car again was very succesful in touring car racing.
500 of the evolution 1 were produced.

Finally in 1990 the evolution 2 was made. It was actually known as
the "Sport Evolution", and had been bored and stroked to 2.5
litres. The car produced 238 bhp in road trim , and 365 in race. The
reason for the increase in displacement was that the German Touring
Car Championship allowed a maximum of 2500 cc, hence all
manufacturers took advantage of this rule. 500 Sport Evolutions were
made.

	(by garyh@domain.elided)

There was another evolution (I'll look it up tonight) M3 that had a 10k
red line, did 0-60 in ~4.5 sec, active spoilers, (don't remember the 1/4
mile time), and a few other nifty things that went for 100k.

<from perelet@domain.elided (Oleg Perelet)>
As i know 17184 87-92 M3 was produced.
This number includes:
786 convertibles.
330 racing.
600 evolution II models.

I believe 87 models were handmade by 2-3 craftsmen -
one car in 3 weeks.
88 and later only engine was produced by hand,
rest was produced on line.

Everything in new M3 will be produced on production line.

There was some discussion between M factory
and main BMW about the model for this car:
330CSi or M3; design & production was voting for
330CSi marketing for M3.


- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  3.0: BMWNA

Section 3.1:	Where do i contact BMW NA ?

A:	Contact the "BMW NA Customer Relations Office" at:
	BMW of North America Inc.
	Customer Assistance Center
	P.O.Box: 1227
	Westwood  NJ  07675-1227
	(800)831-1117

- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------	
Chapter  4.0: BMWCCA and other clubs

Section  4.1:	List of all the BMW chapters in USA

	Boston Chapter-BMW CCA
	P.O.Box 382
	Weston  MA  02193-0004
	(617)-894-8766
	Newsletter: Bimmer

==============================
Section  4.2:	Other car clubs and organizations

	<this is all printed at the back of each Roundel. will type it
	later..>

==============================
Section 4.3:	How do i join BMW CCA?

A:	(from Aviad Sheinfeld)

To join the BMW Car Club of America (and automatically receive the
Roundel) you may call (800) 878-9292 between 9:00am and 5:00pm EST
with visa or Mastercard.  Or you can send name, address, phone
(optional) , BMW model and year (optional) to:

        BMW Car Club of America, Inc.
        2130 Massachusettes Avenue
        Cambridge, MA  02140-9850

The cost of membership is $30 until June 30, 1994.  After that date
the dues are $35.  You may enclose a check in U.S. funds or a Visa or
Mastercard number (include exp. date).

You may indicate your interest(s) in

        * Rallies               * Coucours
        * Autocross             * Social
        * Maintenance           * Model Cars
        * Driver Schools        * Other ____________

You may also include a member who recommended you with their
membership number (there is no reward in it for the current member)

==============================
+ Section 4.4:	Who's Who List

< This list of _mostly_ all List members + DIYERs is maintained by
John Gong:jgong@domain.elided. Send him mail if you would like your
name to be added to this list >

- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  5.0: SECA

- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  6.0: Renting a BMW

Section  6.1:	Does any car rental outfit in the US have BMWs?

==============================
Section  6.2:	How do i rent a BMW in Europe?

A:	(by Steven J. Bernstein: bernstein@domain.elided)

< send mail to Steven for further details >

- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  7.0: Driving Schools


- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter  8.0: Related Publications

	(by Al Cote:cote@domain.elided)
"Illustrated BMW Buyer's Guide"
by Ken Gross
Motorbooks International
Osceola, Wisc. - 54020
Many pictures and specs on BMWs from the early days to the mid eighties.
Most US cars are shown in the photos. The European ones are mentioned
in the text along with engine and styling differences. This book is a
"must have" reference. Published 1984, $16.95.

"Bosch Fuel Injection and Engine Management"
by Charles O. Probst, SAE
Robert Bentley Inc., Publishers
1000 Cambridge Ave.
Cambridge, Mass. - 02138
Describes all Bosch fuel injection systems from the first Jetronic
through the new Motronic systems. Includes chapters on diagnosing
problems and performance tuning. Learn about Thermotime switches,
throttle switches, air flow sensors, mass meters, control of air-fuel
ratio, measured and un-measured air. Published 1989, $29.95.

"Sports Car and Competition Driving"
Paul Frere
Robert Bentley Inc., Publishers
1000 Cambridge Ave.
Cambridge, Mass. - 02138
Originally published in 1963. Updated, except for the old photos, in 1992.
Covers your basic driving school topics in exceptional detail. Well done
and easy to read. $17.95.

"Secrets of Solo Racing"
by Henry A. Watts
Loki Publishing Co.
849 Gary Ave.
Sunnyvale Ca. - 94086
Distributed by
Motorbooks International
Osceola, Wisc. - 54020
Probably the best book on driving skills since Frere's "Sports Cars
and Competition Driving." Published 1989, $14.95.

"Bosch Automotive Handbook"
Ulrich Adler, Ed.
Published by:
  Robert Bosch GmbH, 1993
  Postfach 30 02 20, D-70442 Stuttgart.
  Automotive Equipment Business Sector,
  Department for Technical Information
Worldwide  distribution:
  SAE Society of Automotive Engineers
  400 Commonwealth Drive
  Warrendale, PA  15096-001  USA
  ISBN 1-56091-372-X
Approved Edition:
  Robert Bently, Publishers (see above)
  ISBN 0-8376-0330-7
An amazing general automotive encyclopedia.  Everything from basic physics
to corrosion theory to engine cooling, vehicle dynamics and electrical
seat adjustment.

<<<<<
Misc manual recomendations
	(by: Sam Chien-shin Lin:sam@domain.elided & Tim Rogstad)

For the 2002 and 320's the Haynes books are very good.  They are based
upon a complete teardown and rebuild.  They are better organized than
Bentley, and have all specs in tabular form in the beginning of each
chapter.  However, the British English is a bit difficult to get used
to.  Some of them have glossaries.  Also, Haynes tends to include
weird euro car information, such as 316's and carbureted 320's, which
some will find handy, and others, confusing.

Haynes also has a terrific Weber manual - a must read for anyone who
is serious about maintaining or tuning Webers - which covers all models
from down drafts to side drafts.