Fresh back from Texas

1996 328is, 5MT, 100% stock (see how long that lasts)

*Updates*
2/08 17″ ’95 M3 wheels from black car
5/08 Koni SA Yellows, H&R Sport springs, wheel stud conversion, fresh bushings, control arms, tie rods, UUC Swaybarbarian SpecE36 bars
6/08 Rear Brembo OE rotors, Axxis/PBR street pads
7/08 15% window tint
8/08 Front OE rotors, Axxis/PBR street pads

RIP



1/31/2008

Murdered by a Dodge Ram while unoccupied in a Papa John’s parking lot. What a disappointing way to go.

Purchased: 12/22/2006, 155k miles
Totaled: 1/31/2008, 182k miles

Absolutely the best of the four BMWs I’ve owned thus far. So what’s next? … Wait and see.

BMW Ultimate Drive – Susan G. Komen for the Cure

While I was in Birmingham on April 24, I joined some fellow members of the Heart of Dixie chapter of the BMW CCA to drive the fleet of Susan G. Komen cars from Birmingham to Knoxville. For every mile driven, BMW donates $1 for breast cancer research. I drove a 2007 Z4 Coupe on this leg.

The BMW Ultimate Drive was also in Huntsville on April 27 so I took Dad down with me, and we were able to test drive the 335i coupe, the 335i sedan, and the new X5 SAV. The 335i has an impressive, wonderful engine, but the car overall leaves me a bit underwhelmed. I’m hoping that powertrain ends up in a 1-series soon.

BMW Ultimate Drive – Susan G. Komen for the Cure 2007

Project: Makeshift Racing

On December 22, 2006 I bought a black on black BMW 325is manual coupe to replace my gold 325i manual sedan that was totaled. On February 1, 2007 I got caught in an ice storm and slid off the road, into a ditch, and turned on the roof in the “new” car. State Farm declared that one also a total loss, but it was still in decent condition. Since February it has been an on-going project for David (my brother) and I to repair and convert to a trackable driver.

I’ll post more details on the car later, but its due for its first track day at Barber Motorsports Park on Memorial Day weekend, immediately followed by an SCCA National autocross on June 1-2 in Huntsville. On July 17-18 we’ll be going to Deal’s Gap.

1992 BMW 325is Blk/blk Coupe

Caster, camber, toe

Pointed the Right Way

Camber, Caster and Toe: What Do They Mean?

The three major alignment parameters on a car are toe, camber, and caster. Most enthusiasts have a good understanding of what these settings are and what they involve, but many may not know why a particular setting is called for, or how it affects performance. Let’s take a quick look at this basic aspect of suspension tuning.