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On the cover

C o m m e r c i a l A d v e r t i s i n g : This publication is read monthly by over 4,500

BMW enthusiasts in Northern California. Dead-line for new ad artwork is the fifth day of each month prior to publication. Please submit artwork to the newsletter editor.

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Classified Advertising Submissions:Classified Ads are free to all current BMW

CCA members. However, ads MUST be submitted in writing–EMAIL IS MUCH PRE-FERRED–and must include membership number ([email protected]). For repeat issues, ads must be resubmitted each month. A photo will be printed for $5/month. Publication deadline for copy is the first of each month prior to publication.

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with payment due with insertion order. Make checks payable to: Golden Gate Chapter, BMW CCA.

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cept for combined issues Nov/Dec and Jan/Feb). Article/photo submission deadline is the first day of each month prior to publication.

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Your input is encouraged! Submissions deadline is the 1st of each month prior to publication.

Volume 34, No. 5June, 2005

Chapter Email List Disclosure:The Golden Gate Chapter has created an email

list from the National BMW CCA database to send out event announcements that don’t make it into print. We promise to respect your time and limit the frequency of these messages to one or two a month.

This email list is sent to all Golden Gate chapter members who chose to provide an email address to the BMW CCA when they joined or renewed their membership. You have the option to add or remove your address from this list at any time. To add your email address visit http://lists.ggcbmwcca.org/mailman/listinfo/announce and follow the directions. To remove your address go to http://lists.ggcbmwcca.org/mailman/options/an-nounce, enter your email address and click on the unsubscribe button. There is no password.

Drive it Like You Won It By Brenda Barnes and Gordon White ...................................................... 11

Ooo! Ooo! Too Bad You Missed It! By Kris Linquist ........................... 14

Sideways on the Backroads of Wine Country By JP Collins ................................ 15

Autocross Results ............................ 18High Performance Driving School

at Thunderhill Raceway .......... 20Jim Smith Receives Knöchlein Award

By Tom Graham ........................... 26

President’s Page ................................. 3Calendar of Events ............................. 4Announcements ................................. 5Minutes ................................................ 7Bimmerphile ....................................... 8News From National ....................... 16Meanwhile, Back At The Wrench... 23New Members .................................. 24Classified Ads ................................... 26Chapter Contacts .............................. 28BMW CCA Discounts ................... IBCLocal BMW Dealers ...................... IBC

BMW NA brings the new E90 3 Series to town for BMW CCA members to spend an afternoon learning about this newest offering.

Photo: Kris Linquist

mailto:[email protected]



http://lists.ggcbmwcca.org/mailman/listinfo/announce




2 June 2005

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Mike Mills, President

Ge�ing the Balance RightThe chapter is alive and well, but still having to

paddle a li�le harder than we’d like. We were happy to find that the expected loss for the February Club Race wasn’t as much as we thought it would be, yet we didn’t quite make as much as we hoped on the March driving school. Nevertheless, our reserves continue to meet our needs despite falling short of the target we’ve set.

June brings us a wide variety of activities for the calendar with something for everyone in this first month of summer. The more sporting group can a�end the Bu�onwillow Club Race June 11-12, or for a li�le bit of cone crushing, there’s the Marina Autocross June 12. That same weekend on June 11, the Bay Area 02

Group—the “old whispering bomb” 2002s—is get-ting together at Sean Casey’s garage for a tech session and a BBQ. The dorks of BMW—Z and M coupes—get together for the third annual Dorkfest at the Blackhawk Museum on June 5. For those interested in diagnosing electronics in later-model cars, Alan Hardy of H&B in Berkeley is leading a Tech Session June 25. And for those who want to get away from it all, there’s the Tour of the Lost Coast—another June 11 event—which is a fantastic tour of the north coast and its spectacular beauty. Check the calendar for more details on these and other activities as well!

Don’t forget about the San Jose Grand Prix coming up at the end of July. Our club members a�ending have an opportunity to have parade laps on the race course if we are one of the top three clubs with the most tickets purchased. Let’s establish a new chapter tradition with this inaugural event and lead all the other car clubs in the area: Sign up (http://www.sanjosegrandprix.com/car-clubs.html) early and o�en!

I also ask that you please continue to support our advertisers. Without their valued support, the chapter would be in a very different financial situation. Please use their services and let them know where you found out about them.

Until next month,Cheers!Mike

http://www.sanjosegrandprix.com/carclubs.html


4 June 2005

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To add an event to the calendar, email your information to: [email protected]

The most current calendar is at: www.ggcbmwcca.org

Dates Event/Location/ Organization/Contact JUNE

Jun 3 Buttonwillow Driving School Central CA Chpt Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA Peter Kwan www.cccbmwcca.org [email protected] 5 Pacific Raceways Driving School Puget Sound Chpt Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA Tom Olsson www.bmwpugetsound.org [email protected] 5 Dorkfest 2005 Dorkfest Blackhawk Auto Museum, Danville Scott Barneson www.mdork.com [email protected] 11 Bay Area 02 Gathering Bay Area 02 Casey Motorsports / Petaluma, CA JP Collins www.bayarea02.com [email protected] 11 Tour of the Lost Coast Bavarian Rescue Point Mendocino & Ferndale, CA David Simmons [email protected] 707-268-8074Jun 11-12 BMW CCA Club Racing NASA SoCal Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA Steve Walsh www.bmwccaclubracing.com [email protected] 11-Jul 9 The Ultimate Drive BMW USA Bay Area BMW Dealerships www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EventsandPrograms/UDSK/ 1-877-4-A-DRIVEJun 12 Autocross GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Jonathan Bensen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 18 June Board Meeting GG Chpt BMW of Fremont Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 25 Technical Session GG Chpt H & B Inc / Berkeley, CA Brant Miller www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected]

JULYJul 9 BMW Blast - Marin Driving Tour GG Chpt Bell Market / Mill Valley Edgar Chen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 9 Bay Area 02 Gathering Bay Area 02 East Bay, TBD JP Collins www.bayarea02.com [email protected] 9 July Board Meeting GG Chpt Stevens Creek BMW, Santa Clara Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 10 Pacific Raceways Driving School Puget Sound Chpt Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA Tom Olsson www.bmwpugetsound.com [email protected] 16 Autocross GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Jonathan Bensen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 23 Meguiar’s Detail Clinic GG Chpt TBD Jeff Cowan www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 29-31 San Jose Grand Prix San Jose Grand Prix HP Pavilion / San Jose Mark Dadgar www.sanjosegrandprix.com/carclubs.html [email protected]

AUGUSTAug 6 Car Control Clinic GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Bob Goebel www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected]

Aug 7 Autocross GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Jonathan Bensen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 13 Ladies-only Tech Session GG Chpt Bavarian Motorsport / Milpitas Brant Miller www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 13 August Board Meeting GG Chpt East Bay BMW, Pleasanton Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 13-14 California Speedway Driving School LA Chpt California Speedway, Fontana, CA Roger Scilley www.bmwclubla.org [email protected] 19-21 Festorics at the Monterey Historics GG Chpt Monterey, CA David Crum www.festorics.org [email protected] 20-21 Thunderhill Driving School GG Chpt Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA Bruce Nesbit www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 28 Pacific Raceways Driving School Puget Sound Chpt Pacific Raceways, Kent, WA Tom Olsson www.bmwpugetsound.com [email protected]

SEPTEMBERSep 3 September Board Meeting GG Chpt Concord BMW, Concord Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 17-18 Buttonwillow Driving School Central CA Chpt Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA Peter Kwan www.cccbmwcca.org [email protected] 17-23 Oktoberfest - Greensboro, NC Tarheel Chpt Greensboro, NC www.tarheelbmwcca.org/oktoberfest.htm Sep 24 Autocross GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Jonathan Bensen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 24-25 BMW CCA Club Racing VARA Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA Steve Walsh www.bmwccaclubracing.com [email protected]

OCTOBEROct 8-9 BMW CCA Club Racing NASA SoCal Buttonwillow Raceway, Buttonwillow, CA Steve Walsh www.bmwccaclubracing.com [email protected] 22 Car Control Clinic GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Bob Goebel www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 22 October Board Meeting GG Chpt BMW of San Francisco Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 23 Autocross GG Chpt Marina Airport, Marina, CA Jonathan Bensen www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 29-30 BMW CCA Club Racing SCCA Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA Steve Walsh www.bmwccaclubracing.com [email protected]

NOVEMBERNov 5-6 Infineon Driving School GG Chpt Infineon Raceway, Sonoma, CA Bruce Nesbit www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 19 November Board Meeting GG Chpt Stevens Creek BMW, Santa Clara Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 19 Bremerton Driving School Puget Sound Chpt Bremerton Motorsports Park, Bremerton, WA Tom Olsson www.bmwpugetsound.com [email protected]

DECEMBERDec 17 December Board Meeting GG Chpt BMW of Fremont Mike Mills www.ggcbmwcca.org [email protected] 17-18 Phoenix Driving School Roadrunner Chpt Phoenix International Raceway, Phoenix, AZ Rick Touton www.roadrunnerbmw.org/ [email protected]

Bolded events are Regional or National CCA events

Dates Event/Location/ Organization/Contact


http://www.ggcbmwcca.org/

http://www.cccbmwcca.org/


http://www.bmwpugetsound.org/


http://www.mdork.com/


http://www.bayarea02.com/



http://www.bmwccaclubracing.com/


http://www.bmwusa.com/bmwexperience/EventsandPrograms/UDSK/













http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/
















http://www.bmwclubla.org/


http://www.festorics.org/








http://www.cccbmwcca.org/


http://www.tarheelbmwcca.org/oktoberfest.htm























http://www.roadrunnerbmw.org/


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tsH&B Tech SessionAllen Hardy of H&B, Inc. will host a technical session

in his Berkeley shop on Saturday, June 25. The focus of the session will be on the diagnosis of modern BMWs using computer-based diagnostic tools. H&B has been a regular user of BMW’s MODIC and Group Tester One (GT-1) and is now a Beta site for BMW’s Passthrough Tool, which will connect a customer’s car via the Internet to BMW’s comput-ers in Germany. All of these tools communicate with your car’s on-board computer to learn about your car’s condition.

The session will start at 9:00 a.m. with a discussion of electronic diagnosis—the tools and methods used by the shop to learn what your on-board computers know about your car. A�er that discussion, each participant will have an opportu-nity to have their car tested. You will be able to watch the test-ing process and you will leave with a printed report on your car. The testing will be most useful for cars manufactured a�er about 1992. Older cars are welcome; however, informa-tion available from electronic diagnosis is quite limited.

H&B will be able to accommodate about 30 cars on Saturday. They will maintain the sign-up list for this event. If you would like to a�end, please call Sue or Carol at H&B to register—tell them if you do or don’t want to have your car tested. I encourage you to call soon to reserve a spot if you do want to have your car tested. H&B will maintain an overflow list if more than 30 members wish to have their car tested. The actual sequence of testing on Saturday will be determined that morning at sign-in.

When: June 25, 9:00 a.m.Where: H&B, 2300 Fourth St., Berkeley (From I-80 take

the University exit towards Berkeley. Turn right on Sixth St. and then right on Bancro�.)

GGC Questions: Brant Miller, [email protected].

Registration: Sue or Carol at H&B, 510-549-1515

Bartender, I’d Like a BMW Blast“Never heard of it—what’s in it?”1 part towering redwood forest,1 part stunning views from Mount Tam,¼ small and cute coastal towns,½ famous California rolling hills,A hint of the Pacific and Tamales Bay,Extra on the twisty roads...and top it with BMWs, driven not stirred.With the winter storms behind us, the spring flowers in full

bloom, and nothing but the warm summer weather and sunny blue skies above us, it’s the perfect time for a BMW drive. Join us for the BMW Blast on July 9. It is an amazing route giving you everything that Marin county has to offer—open roads, miles of hand-over-hand turning, beautiful views, and more.

This drive is the ideal opportunity to explore the hidden back roads of Marin and to exercise your BMW outside of the clogged freeway environment. Come drive with us, get drunk on good vibes and great cars, and we promise you’ll leave with a silly, ear-to-ear grin at the end of the day.

When: July 9, meet 10:00 a.m., leave by 10:30 a.m.Where: Bell Market, 207 Flamingo Rd., Mill ValleyContact: Edgar Chen, 650-291-9186,

www.ggcbmwcca.org

Details, DetailsTime to shine up your car? Come learn how to do it

right from a Meguiar’s expert! GGC is hosting a Meguiar’s detailing clinic on Saturday July 23 (location TBD). Jeff Brown from Meguiar’s will demonstrate proper car-washing techniques, surface preparation for polishing and waxing, and provide techniques for exterior and engine-bay detail-ing. You’ll see the different results achieved from apply-ing wax by hand, by dual-action orbital buffer, and by a

professional high-speed buffer. You’ll also come away with an understanding of the various products and their specific uses. If you strive to achieve that perfect shine or show-car appearance, you won’t want to miss this event!

When: July 23Where: TBDContact: Jeff Cowan, [email protected]

Ladies-Only Tech SessionNicole Scherlie, co-owner of Bavarian Motorsport with

Ramon LeFrancois, will conduct a Technical Session for women only on Saturday morning, August 13. This is an op-portunity for the women of our chapter to learn what they really want to know about their BMWs.

Bavarian Motorsport can accommodate 25 a�endees for this event. Please call 408-956-1662 to reserve your spot now. Coffee, tea, juice, croissants, and muffins will be served. A random drawing will be held for a free oil change—which will be performed as part of the demonstration during the technical session. Mark your calendar, and watch the chap-ter website for additional details.

When: August 13, 9:30 a.m.Where: Bavarian Motorsport,

1753 Houret Court, MilpitasContact: Nicole Scherlie, 408-956-1662 www.bavarian-

motorsport.net

BMW Festorics at the HistoricsWhat is BMW Festorics? It’s a celebration of our mobile

tradition—a look back at what started as a fascination with cars and turned into an obsession—it’s a BMW CCA gather-ing of 350 of your closest club buddies at one of the premier vintage car weekends in the world. The weekend begins early with Friday’s Concorso Italiano with Central Cal Chapter’s elegant parking corral and clean-car contest on the green lawns of Black Horse Golf Course. The following days, head to the BMW Festorics XIV corral at Laguna Seca, both one of the larg-est BMW CCA regional events and a great way to have conve-nient parking at the Monterey Historic Races. Between the vin-tage auctions, the Monterey Historic Races, Concorso Italiano, Central Cal’s Clean Car Contest, BMW Festoric’s Friday-night dinner, the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, and all the exotic cars just driving around on the city streets, you won’t want to miss this weekend! Lodging is always very tight in Monterey that weekend, but we have a limited number of rooms reserved for BMW Festorics registrants.

When: August 19-21Where: MontereyContact: David Crum - Team Festorics, info@festorics,

www.festorics.org

Rallymaster NeededThe Golden Gate Chapter is in need of a rallymaster to

coordinate TSD rallies for the club and manage the relationship with The Rallye Club of Silicon Valley (TRC). If you are a mo-tivated volunteer who is ready to assume the Rally Coordina-tor position, please contact Mark Dadgar, our Driving Events Coordinator: [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]?subject=H&B Tech Session


mailto:[email protected]?subject=Car Detailing

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Ladies Only Tech Session

http://www.bavarianmotorsport.net/

http://www.bavarianmotorsport.net/

mailto:info@festorics

http://www.festorics.org/

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Rallymaster

6 June 2005

7

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Golden Gate Chapter - BMW CCA Board Meeting MinutesBy Donna Seeley Secretary, GGC BMW CCA

Our thanks toEast Bay BMW

for hosting this board meeting!

April 16, 2005East Bay BMW

The Board meeting was called to order at 1:34 p.m.Board in A�endance: Mike Mills, President; Tammi Hull, Treasurer; Donna Seeley, Secretary; Ed Lizardo, Membership Chair; Mark Dadgar, Driving Events Coordinator; Sco� Smith, Technology ManagerBoard Not in A�endance: Peter Guagenti, Vice-President

Meeting Notes:I. Treasurer o Financials • We have $28,000 on hand. The bill from Infineon Raceway was $2,300 more than their original quote.80% of membership dues payments have been allocated to our newsle�er and 20% to our general fund. • The truck and trailer expense allocation is still in progress. • The Bank of Los Altos want to charge for online banking. Hull will look into moving our account to Washington Mutual around September 1. • A new generator/compressor in the capacity and physical size we need would be about $2,000. o Social Events • Marque Madness, Apr 28-May 1, 2005 • E90 (new 3 Series) introduction display may not be on the vendor island due to restricted access. It may be in the paddock. • More tire giveaways have been announced. • San Jose Grand Prix, July 29, 2005 • The circuit has been changed due to construction (the printed brochures show the old circuit). This means the club corrals will not be in the park as originally planned. We are still planning to have a display of select members’ cars. • Grandstand seating is limited, so members are urged to buy their tickets early. The car club with the highest a�endance will get parade laps a�er the races. • Festorics: Aug 19-21, 2005 • The Festorics is the same weekend as the Thunderhill driving school. • Kelly Collins will keep the website updated as plans are firmed up. • Tours: • Members are reminded that unless an event has gone through normal chapter planning procedures, including a general invitation on the website, it is not a GGC event. • Jeff Cowan is planning a June drive, plus a picnic. • Cowan is organizing the June 20 Ultimate Drive shu�le. Seeley, who has previous experience, will assist. • There will be a Meguiar’s detailing workshop July 23. Location is yet to be determined. • A German Auto Club's GoKart Challenge is tentatively sched-uled for Aug 13.II. Secretary o Tech Sessions: • The H&B electrical diagnosis tech session will be Jun 25. Seeley and Brant Miller will get details to Collins for the website and Bombe. o 2005 Paperwork status: • Secretary has sent all required 2005 forms.III. Vice President (via email) o Newsle�er: • Advertisers have been transitioned over to the new advertising rates as of March. • All new advertisers will be on a pre-pay schedule before placement. • Existing customers will be transitioning to pre-pay, starting in the next month. • Guagenti is going to schedule working sessions with the advertis-ing (first) and editorial (second) teams to document their roles, processes, and to discuss the pain points in what they do.IV. Driving Events Report o Truck and Trailer • Problems were found inside the trailer that were caused by a dam-aged seal in the roof vent. • The truck will go into service for maintenance and new tires. • Seeley will call our insurance agent for information about the “Safety Plus” rate discount given for designated drivers who have taken safety courses. She will also add Chris Goelkel to the list of designated drivers. o Autocross • The next autocross is Apr 17. Forty competitors are pre-registered, indicating a well-a�ended event. o Driving Schools

• The August school is historically undersubscribed. The breakeven price may change. • Robyn McNu�, western region DEC, is working on an instructor training clinic. One tentative date is in October, right before our Nov 5-6 school at Infineon, another date has a possible conflict with Oktoberfest. She has asked Pacific Region chapters to contribute $500 to defray costs. • There is a BigMiniDay.com event Jun 2 at Thunderhill. o Car Control Clinics. • The October Clinic and a Board meeting are scheduled for the same date. This will be resolved. o Street Survival School – May 7 at Candlestick Point. • Due to Bob Goebel’s excellent marketing efforts, the school is sold out and has a waiting list. • Film crews will be present for the BMW Foundation, TV-20 News, and Bimmer Magazine. • Because of the demand, Dadgar will look into adding more teen clinics. Limiting factors are ge�ing enough instructors, the insurance for students under-18, and the Foundation-mandated limits on enrollments and pricing. We could invite trusted instructors from other clubs. o Club Racing • The next race is May 14-15 at Thunderhill. • BMW CCA CR insurance requirements were adjusted to match NASA’s requirements. o Rally • Coordinator search: Dadgar is reviewing candidate proposals.V. Membership Chair o Membership • 4,348 members: down slightly from March. Lizardo noted that new memberships are not keeping pace with non-renewals. National surveys all non-renewals, the most common reason given is that the member no longer has a BMW. Lizardo suggested that he write le�ers to non-renewing members with a survey and a copy of the events calendar. • Further discussion indicated that this may not be as effective as contacting members whose renewal date is approaching. • Suggestions for improving retention included a new-member bar-becue a�er board meetings, general membership meetings (historically not well a�ended), and adding anniversaries to the Bombe’s new member listing. • The presentation to dealers’ sales reps and staff is still in develop-ment by Dadgar and Collins. • The Contra Costa Times lists local car clubs in their Friday issue. • The GGC sample brochure text is still in development by Lizardo. • Area rep positions are still open for the S.F. Peninsula and South Bay. Lizardo is reviewing candidate proposals. o Communications • There have been requests for autocross results to be archived on the website. • Some members have asked why GGC did not post a memorial to Yale Rachlin. Hull noted that Yale and his family did not want any memorials.VI. Technology o Website content. • The website group is to set up a Board-files area on the website.Meeting minutes will be posted in PDF format from the final Bombe version. • The webmasters will set up the autocross results archive.National has asked chapter boards to check out the beta test of their new website. • The May 13-15 national editor/webmaster conference will be at-tended by Brian Ghidanelli and Kelly Kirkland.VII. President o Ops Manual updates. (Ongoing) All board members are to update their areas. • Document truck/trailer insurance and management procedure. • Ghidanelli, Smith, and Guagenti to update website-update section, including expected response time for update requests. • Hull to update bank account section. • Seeley to update Under-18 Parental Release Consent forms section, in-cluding the task to forward the forms to National for seven-years archiving.

The meeting adjourned at 4:30pm

The Board thanks East Bay BMW for the use of their lunch room and for the snacks.

http://www.bigminiday.com/

8 June 2005

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Bimmerphile Editor: Ed Lizardo

Turbocharged N52 to Bridge Gap Between 330i and M3… Excluding the modern common rail diesel motor, BMW hasn’t worked with the turbocharger since the time of the hair-raising 2002

Turbo and the Brabham/BMW F1 car o f the early ‘80s. So far it’s managed to avoid forced aspiration in all of its gaso-line-powered vehicles, opting for lag-free advancements in performance and fuel-saving technology through good ol’ ingenuity and countless hours of research and development. Therefore it comes as a great surprise that rumors run amok that the German brand is considering turbochargers for a new range-topping inline-six engine.

Announced just over a year ago, BMW’s state of the art N52 motor upped the ante. A complete overhaul of the M54 3.0-liter I6 engine currently found in the E46 (current generation) 330i, X3 3.0 SAV, and the Z4 3.0 roadster, the all-new engine will be available in nearly every 2006 model year BMW. The engine includes the brand’s double-VANOS variable valve timing system and the highly advanced Valvetronic thro�le control system. The 258-horsepower motor’s claim to fame is that it’s the lightest inline six on the market today, thanks to exten-sive use of magnesium and other high-strength, light-weight alloy metals.

Between the upcoming 258-horsepower 330i and the forthcoming M3 (which is said to feature a 400-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 derived from the M5’s 500 horsepower F1-in-spired V10) is a rather large performance gap—roughly 130 horses. Rumor has this white space being plugged by a high-performance model featuring a twin-turbocharged variant of the N52 powerplant, available in sedan, coupe, wagon, and convertible body styles. The so-called 335i also serves the secondary purpose of staving off Benz’s updated C350, Lexus’s shocking IS 350, Saab’s twin-turbo 9-3 Aero, and the face-li�ed A4 3.2 FSI.

Having learned a great deal about turbocharging in the development of its all-conquering 3.0-liter bi-turbo diesel, it’s reported that BMW will apply the same tech-nique in building the gasoline equivalent. Though the mo-tor will have two turbos, they will not operate in tandem like a conventional twin turbo (e.g. Audi A6 2.7T); a small, light-pressure turbocharger will provide additional power without the lag and delay for superior low-end grunt, while a larger turbo will operate at higher revolutions to improve performance once the car is underway. The idea, already in practice in the 535d, works with absolute effi-ciency, providing a one-two knock-out punch of accelera-tion and responsiveness throughout the rev range.

Building on the existing engine means that the twin-turbo version will feature the same weight-saving construction and power-improving technologies. While not confirmed, the turbo add-on should boost the 335i’s output to around 330 horsepower, an increase of 72 from the 330i, and less than fi�een horses short of the current M3! This should guarantee that the 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) 3

Series be propelled to 100 km/h in around six seconds, and have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). If you hadn’t figured it out already, the name relates not to the car’s displacement as with the 330i, but rather the equivalent engine size for the power output. Lexus uses such a system now for designating its hybrid models, the new RX 400h and upcoming GS 450h.

Though a six-speed manual and a six-speed auto-matic gearbox will undoubtedly be offered with the 335i, insiders believe that BMW will be phasing out the current SMG option for regular 3 Series models. Hav-ing observed the ultra-quick gear change times and the unparalleled smoothness of the Borg-Warner designed VW-Group DSG twin-clutch gearbox, BMW is said to be investing in its own variant for use in the 335i. The engine will most likely debut prior to the release of the transmission. While it’s nearly certain that the bi-turbo motor will make its debut on the 3 Series during early 2006, expect it to migrate elsewhere in the range to 5, 6, and 7 Series models. While the N52 is available in the 6 Series and the recently face-li�ed 7 Series in Europe, it won’t be made available in North America in those mod-els due to conflicts in badge image and prestige value. In Europe, on the other hand, where tax levels are scalable to CO2 emissions, the bi-turbo motor will be a smash hit—providing the performance without the he�y taxes or fuel bill. Canadian Auto Press

BMW Bias… Australian government seeks to end public housing for “BMW-driving” tenants. New South Wales Premier Bob Carr says the State Government is ending the policy of lifetime tenure for public housing, so that people on high incomes can no longer benefit. “Under the new arrangements we’ll make an assessment and ask you, for example, please explain where you got your BMW from,” he said. The Opposition leader John Brogden has welcomed the Government’s announcement that public housing tenants will no longer be housed for life. “You should not be living in public housing and earning a big salary and driving a [BMW],” Mr. Brogden said. Australian Broadcasting

Sauber Buyout One Step Closer to Reality…The ru-mors have been circulating for some time now that BMW would buy all or part of the Sauber Petro-nas team. The buyout will soon move one step closer to real-ity as head of BMW Motor-sport, Mario Theissen, will present a purchase plan to the BMW Board of Directors.

The Munich-based automaker has a longstanding relationship with the Williams F1 team as a supplier of engines and technical collaboration. It is no secret that the two parties have been less than pleased with their current arrangement. BMW has sought a controlling interest in the team, but Sir Frank Williams has no interest in selling.

9

This is where the Sauber team has caught BMW’s eye. Sauber’s a�ractive Hinwil facility has been recently upgraded with a top-of-the-line wind tunnel and super-computer. It is located in relatively close proximity to Munich and is already staffed with a number of person-nel with BMW backgrounds, including technical director Willy Rampf. The team essentially has everything it needs to succeed in F1 except for the funding and manu-facturer support currently enjoyed by the top teams.

Credit Suisse currently owns the majority of the Swiss team, although Peter Sauber has remained in charge. These are the shares that BMW are most likely to buy, although a total buyout is conceivable.

Theissen stated a while ago that he expects a deci-sion in June as to which teams would receive BMW’s V8 engines next season. Their interest in buying Sauber continues to back up speculation that the Swiss team will run with BMW power. Meanwhile, Williams is reported-ly negotiating with Cosworth despite having a long-term

contract with BMW through 2009. Sport NetworkBa�le to Take Pope for a Ride… Now that a new

pope has been chosen, the next big decision to be made is: Who will build the new Popemobile? The unique, hump-backed, bulletproof vehicle that has been a staple of papal transportation since the 1981 a�empted assas-sination of John Paul II is the subject of intense interest by car manufacturers. And nowhere is the competition more intense than in new Pope Benedict XVI’s native land of Germany.

According to manufacturers and the European press, suitors include BMW, Volkswagen, and current Popemo-bile builder Mercedes-Benz. In addition to being a fellow German, Volkswagen is also the automobile sponsor of World Youth Day in Cologne in August, the site of the Pope’s first planned trip abroad. The company has stated it wants to have Benedict XVI travel through the event in a VW Popemobile.

“We have offered [the Vatican] to make a Popemo-bile,” said Volkswagen spokesperson Tom Wegehaupt.

A BMW spokesperson told Germany’s Der Spiegel the company would be “pleased if the Pope were to choose one of our armored limousines.” The last Pope-mobile was based on a Mercedes-Benz ML 430 SUV. New York Post

BMW Group Korea Builds Academic Center…BMW Group Korea held a signing ceremony recently to build a KRW500,000,000 (US $500,200) academic center on the premises of Yonsei University’s new graduate school of

business, to provide diverse academic support including data on the European economy, business administration, and culture. German professors will be invited to teach. The Korea Herald

Bullets Over BMWs… Cheong Wa Dae plans to buy

five bullet-proof BMWs for use by the president of South Korea this year since the existing vehicles need replac-ing, the presidential office said. President Roh Moo-hyun and first lady Kwon Yang-sook have been using mostly Mercedes Benz S600s.

Cheong Wa Dae plans to buy the top-of-the-range BMW 760Li from the company’s luxury 7 Series sedans, equipped with special security equipment like 5mm bullet-proof glass and an extra-strength frame. The ordinary version of the car sells for KRW240,000,000 (US$239,000), but the modified vehicles are tipped to cost several times that.

The cars are to be used by President Roh and visit-ing heads of state. For security reasons, all cars national leaders use are bulletproof. How many such vehicles are in Korea is apparently also a security ma�er. “Cheong Wa Dae doesn’t have only five,” an official said, while a car import industry source said, “Including the existing Benz S600s, there are more than ten in Korea.”

Bulletproof vehicles look no different from ordinary ones from the outside, but they have special tires that can take a bullet and still travel at least 40 kmph and weigh two or three times more than normal cars.

The price is also a secret, reportedly since experts could guess what features a car has if they know how much it costs. There are rumors that a bulletproof BMW 760Li would cost about KRW630,000,000. Within the industry, however, the prices are said to differ greatly depending on the level of bulletproofing, with some estimates pu�ing the cost at ten times that of the normal version.

How o�en Cheong Wa Dae replaces the vehicles is also a secret. The bulletproof Cadillac the Foreign Minis-try provides to foreign leaders when they come to Korea is a 1996 model. “I understand that in other countries, they change them every five or six years,” a Foreign Ministry official said.

Mercedes Benz, BMW’s main competitor, insisted Cheong Wa Dae was not switching presidential vehicles from Mercedes to BMW but merely adding an additional make. Chosun.com

10 June 2005

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11

When the Golden Gate Chapter annual dinner was announced for January of 2005, we thought it sounded like fun, so we decided to make that our first BMW CCA event. It was a gracious

evening of gawking at cars, meeting new people, and inspecting the wide array of raffle prizes offered—in particular, we had our eye on the beautiful artwork and the E39 5 Series cup holders. Near the end of the raffle, event organizer Jeff Cowan announced that our special guest speaker, Dr. Joachim Stilla, the General Manager of the BMW Group Technology Office in Palo Alto, had generously offered a special prize: a weekend in one of the com-pany 645Ci’s. It would be the last raffle prize of the evening. The idea that we might actually win the prize was so unthinkable that we almost ducked out a�er missing out on the prizes we’d been pining for. But when the ticket number was announced for the weekend toy, we were beyond amazement when we realized we won the final climactic raffle prize!

Now comes the task of figuring out when to do it. For the next two months, we hold the offer of the 645Ci for the weekend in our grasps like kids at a candy shop with our last dime. What weekend should we use the car? Being autocross devotees, our first thought is to take the car with us on an autocross weekend to show it off to as many of our friends as possible. Maybe the San Diego National Tour? Since our autocross car is already being towed there, we could drive the 645Ci instead of flying. Mmm, nice road trip, but now we think, “What about driving it to Bim-merfest in Santa Barbara instead?” A great choice, but April seems so far away… we want to spend our dime SOON. Finally, we decide on the March weekend when our com-pany, EDGE Motorworks, is hosting an open house.

Friday morning of our prize weekend we arrive at the Tech Of-fice to pick up our hot ride—what a great experience! Even though we had already re-scheduled our weekend once and had made multiple calls to them arranging for

our weekend, the people at the BMW Group Technology Office are beyond helpful and pleasant. They even provide a parking spot for our 1997 540 in their private garage for the weekend.

Jumping into the 645Ci is a first-rate iDrive immersion ses-sion. The stereo is turned up to at least 11, and figuring out how to turn it down is harder than turning off the “Office Assistant” in a Microso� program. Once the radio is under control—thanks to a phone call to a friend who suggests looking for bu�ons on the steering wheel—the first experiences are memorable. Zip-ping through downtown Palo Alto, up Sand Hill Road, and down Highway 280 is like taking a quick vacation with the windows open and the sun shining brightly. Ahh, what a joy to have the 645Ci on the wide-open weekday freeway!

While it isn’t a surprise to see how many BMW owners look the car over, the number of non-BMW drivers giving the car an admiring glance is very unexpected. Most memorable is the guy driving the Nissan 350Z who paces us to catch our a�ention for a big thumbs up. It sure feels nice to drive this beautiful car home and into my garage.

The next morning we put the big Six on display at our EDGE Motorworks, Inc. open house. It’s a great forum for the 645Ci, as the car looks like a natural si�ing in the middle of the crowd of racing and street BMWs. As for the human crowd, they are

thrilled to look at, in, and under the car. Respecting BMW’s request that we not allow other people inside the car, the doors are locked so we’re sure nobody smears hot dogs or spills soda on the lovely light interior.

Once the open house is over, we seize the opportunity to really get to know the 645Ci. Our choice of road trip is a drive around the Bay Area through the hills before culminating in 50 miles of East Bay back-road twisties. While

Our weekend with BMW Tech Office’s 645CiBy Brenda Barnes and Gordon White

Brenda and the 645Ci at the EDGE open house.

It would be easy to get used to seeing this 645Ci in our driveway!

A gear-head’s view of the 645Ci.

12 June 2005

the freeway portion of the drive gives the impression that the 645Ci might be BMW’s re-release of the 840Ci, the mountain road portion clearly shows what a dozen-plus years of development brings to the executive-coupe segment of BMW’s offerings.

Evolving from the E24 bodied 6 Series of the Eighties, the 8 Series is the direct predecessor to the 645Ci. Introduced in the States

in 1992, it delivered the pinnacle of technology and sporting luxury with

a 286 horsepower V8, and drew its styling heavily from BMW’s M1 race car. The 840Ci managed a 0-to-60 acceleration best of 6.9 seconds and 60-to-0 stopping ability in 127 feet. The 4,191 pounds of technology packed into its svelte frame reflected in its 15 mpg fuel economy. Its base price started at $70,400 in 1992 and grew to $76,500 by 1997.

In comparison, the 645Ci offers styling derived from the amazingly beautiful Z9 Gran Turisimo show car and is powered by a 325 horsepower V8. The 645Ci delivers 0-to-60 mph in just 5.5 seconds, and 60-to-0 braking in an M-car-like 111 feet. Despite being laden with enough high-tech safety, entertainment, and performance offerings to fill a truck, the Sixer tips the scales at just 3,527 pounds—a good 660 pounds below the 840Ci, while delivering 18 mpg (a twelve percent improvement). The most impressive comparison: this 21st-Century luxury car, along with its four-year/50,000-mile free maintenance, comes in at a $69,900 starting price—$500 below the 1992 840Ci’s price.

This 3,500 pound modern-day luxo-cruiser feels silky-smooth on the freeway and around town. The ride, comfort, and ameni-ties are as complete as any current top-class car, with the added spice of BMW’s 4.5 liter V8 masterpiece at your beck and call. The beautiful low-profile run-flat nineteen-inch tires transmit each highway expansion joint in the same fashion that every other luxury car on nineteen inches of rubber does. Overall, the car is thoroughly composed and obviously under-exerted at California freeway speeds.

Highway cruising is enjoyable, but transitioning to the back roads is where life in the big Six is impressive and rewarding. A�er we get the navigation lady to stop insisting that we get back on the freeway (a mere three menus into the iDrive navigation we find the checkbox to quiet her), we hit the twisties and the 645Ci begins gobbling up the East Bay Hills’ roads like it’s on rails. On the snaking mountain roads, the Adaptive Roll Stabilization and Active Steering quickly transform the autobahn cruiser into a ca-pable sports coupe. Unlike the other equivalently classed luxury

cars which typically reprimand you for spirited driving, the 645Ci builds driver confidence with every turn. Without exaggeration, on curvy mountain roads the 645Ci feels more like a first-genera-tion M3 than an 840Ci. It’s beyond fun flying down those hills! Of course, it is a challenge ensuring we don’t get pulled over by the friendly local patrols. A previous BMW group drive through these hills had taught us a lesson that they really prefer that visitors observe the speed limits through this particular route.

When the time comes to return the 645Ci, we drag our feet by taking the most round-about and longest route possible back to Palo Alto. BMW has done a great job on the big coupe and turning the keys over to Jeff of the Tech Office team is bi�er-sweet. As Jeff sees us back to our car he says, “This 540 is a clas-sic.” We’re not sure whether that makes us feel be�er or worse about ge�ing back into our beloved and comfortably familiar 540—but at least its stereo controls are where we expect…on the steering wheel.

We would like to offer a big thank you to both Dr. Stilla and the BMW club for this wonderful raffle prize.

And yes, we WANT one!

Authors Brenda Barnes and Gordon White live in Dublin with their four children, two cats, and an “inherited” Yellow Lab. In addition to high-tech careers, they are particularly passionate about cars and driv-ing. As partners in a BMW and Mini performance shop (EDGE Mo-torworks, Inc. in Dublin - www.EDGEmotorworks.com), their lives are steeped in BMWs. Most weekends, you can find them on an autocross course competing on the circuits of SCCA and American Autocross Series. In San Francisco Chapter Solo 2 competition, Brenda holds the current BSPL Championship title, and Gordon holds the current BSP Open title. Both won driving in a 1997 M3 sedan. They’ve owned nu-merous BMWs, and currently—that is, this week—own an E39 540 and a fierce E36 325 autocross contender. Got a question about your BMW or autocrossing? They invite you to call, e-mail, or come to an event and introduce yourself.

http://www.EDGEmotorworks.com/

14 June 200514 June 2005

Text by Kris Linquist

BMW of North America’s showcase of the brand-new E90 3 Series, “3 Across America,” arrived in the Bay Area in late April. It was the seventeenth of 21 stops for the tour—an exclusive event for BMW CCA members.

What do curious members eager to see the new Three before it goes on sale derive from such an outing? The morning begins with registration where BMW NA gives the Golden Gate and Sacramento Chapter CCA members free posters, pins, and promotional brochures for the new car. These 40 CCA mem-bers have come ready to sit in, criticize, and/or drool over the new design. Alas, driving the new cars isn’t part of NA’s plan for us! (Continued p. 16)

Ooo! Ooo! Too Bad You Missed It!BMW NA’s 3 Across America comes to town.

Five generations of 3 Series sit with a spectacular background.The E36 M3 CSL drew a lot of attention.

...and then parades to Stinson Beach with the new Three in the lead.

The tour passes by the Palace of Fine Arts on the scenic drive...

Patrick R. Demorais

Kris Linquist

Kris Linquist

Kristy Hwang

Kristy Hwang

15

The tour starts at Napa Valley College.

This is our monthly gathering for Bay Area 02, a special interest group dedicated to the BMW 2002. Some additional modern BMWs and other makes have joined the

group for today’s gathering.A�er the usual meet-and-greet, hood popping, and photo snapping, we file into a class-

room for our lesson on wine tasting given by our co-host Dr. Steven Krebs, an 02 owner and the department head of viticulture at Napa Valley College.

Once the glasses are passed around, we taste two wines that were produced by the stu-dents at the school, one red and one white. Our first lesson is on how to score wine using the U.C. Davis twenty-point score card. As we taste, Dr. Krebs educates us about the vari-ous elements of wine: the legs (the streams of wine that run down the side of the glass), the nose, the body, and other characteristics. We also learn how various regions of the tongue are receptive to different flavors in wine.

The Hess Collection Wine Company leases its beauti-ful facilities from the Christian Brothers Winery.

Picnicing among the 250 year-old oaks of V. Sattui Winery.

A 2002 owner finds there’s more to Napa than tasting wine. By JP Collins

a foggy March Saturday morning as I pull in to the Napa Valley College park-ing lot and see a dozen or

more BMW 2002s. The first thing I notice is a rear brake repair go-ing on with one of the 02s. I know I’m in the right place.

16 June 2005

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FROM: Wynne Smith, Executive Director

DATE: April 21, 2005

BMW CCA Donates a Portion of Membership Dues for Street Survival Participants - The BMW CCA Foundation asked whether BMW CCA would donate 50% of cost of a new BMW CCA membership to participants of a Street Survival School, who are not already club members. This would cost CCA $20 per new member participant. Several considerations were taken into account:

Currently less than 20% of the participants are new, i.e. not members or children of a member; that number will likely rise. A sponsor might be found to fund BMW CCA’s portion.

A rough estimate of the cost to the club for this donation is $6,500-$8,000 annually.

This would be a cost to the National organization and not charged to any chap-ter. Chapters will still receive their $15.30 dues rebates for these memberships.

The Board voted unanimously to approve a subsidy of $20 to the Founda-tion to cover 50% of the first year of a new member membership up to a maximum of $8,000 for FY 2005.

Permanent Regional Status For Designated Events - There has been a question discussed at several National Board meetings whether the CCA event at the Monterey Historics was previously given permanent Regional status. Keith Wollenberg clearly recalls that it had been, Barbara Adams reviewed the minutes of the past fourteen years and could not find any such designation.

At our March meeting, discussion took place regarding the advisability of designating any event as “permanent” or would “recurring” be a better designa-tion. In regard to the Monterey Historics, it really is a moot point in that the Board will likely continue to support this event in the future. The 2005 event has been granted Regional status.

Membership Incentive Program - Yes, we lost members again this month. Several months back I asked for ideas from you on how we could do a better job of recruiting, and more importantly, holding on to members. There was a splendid response from many of you with excellent suggestions, most of them indicating that a membership incentive program might be just the ticket.

The idea of a membership incentive program to encourage members to recruit new members as a way to grow the club seems like a winner. So what about these following ideas?

If a member recruited a certain number of new members (say fifteen) within a period of say 6 months, the recruiter would get a one-year free membership. Appeal to anyone?

Should we make it a tiered program? You’d receive something when you’ve recruited 15, then 20, then 25 within that 6-month period? A free membership? An iPod? BMW goodies?

Would a membership contest (trip to Germany for grand winner, $500 in BMW goodies to the runner-up(s)) create more interest and action?

Do we want an incentive program, or contest, or both? What say ye? [email protected]

News From National

But they do plan to fa�en us up, apparently. We snack on free pastries, breads, coffee, and juice before Hernando Carvajal, the previous BMW NA M Brand manager, gives a presentation on the new 3 Series. This new E90 is an obvious evolution of the E46 in its design, but its performance is yet another BMW mile-stone: It’s faster than any of its predecessors. The car must drive even smoother, too: I overhear the BMW NA crew who drive the cars from city-to-city say that they’ve had eight speeding viola-tions among them!

We learn from Carvajal that some of the E90’s new technolo-gies are aimed at lessening the need for traditional maintenance-related items. Its all-new magnesium/aluminum engine doesn’t have a dipstick; instead, the oil level is measured electronically by the onboard computer. The car also has an electric water pump, which is said to consume only one tenth the power of its mechani-cal equivalent. Still, many of the members in a�endance take this new low-maintenance technology with an air of caution.

As is typical with our CCA crowd, the majority of ques-tions we ask of Carvajal are about the M3 version of the E90. He can’t provide many details, but says, “While I can’t tell you how many doors it will have, how many cylinders it will have, or other specifics, I can tell you it will be fast!”

A�er the talk, the party gets on the road with a BMW-led scenic drive over the Golden Gate bridge, through Sausalito, then up Highway 1 to Stinson Beach, where NA serves us a free boxed lunch. Then we head back to San Francisco, where the NA group sets up for their “Celebrate the 3” party—a separate evening event at the Palace Hotel with free food and drinks for pre-registered BMW CCA members and guests of the BMW dealerships. It’s a splendid conclusion to a great “insiders’” day—a special connection between BMW NA and appreciative chapter members.

Ooo! Ooo! - Continued from p.14

The kids play while parents check out the new 3 Series.

Hernando Carvajal of BMW NA presents information about the new Three while trying to fend off questions about the upcoming E90 M3.

Kristy Hwang

Kris Linquist

mailto:[email protected]?subject=Membership Incentives

17

Sideways - Continued from p. 15With the lesson complete, we are ready to apply our new

knowledge at the next stop: the Hess Collection Winery. A beauti-ful half-hour drive from the college up the hill to the winery gets us out of the fog and into the sunshine. As we pull into Hess, we meet up with some others of our group who had skipped the classroom session.

The Hess Collection is part of what once was the Christian Broth-ers Winery. In 1986, the company began leasing from the Brothers what is now the visitor center and production facility of the Hess Collection. The monks still remain next door in the monastery.

Chuck MacDonnell is our tour guide at Hess. He’s a gradu-ate of the Napa Valley College program and currently the grower liaison for the winery. He treats us to an extensive tour of the grounds, art gallery, cellars, and production facilities.

Our tour starts outside in the garden courtyard and entrance to the visitor’s center but quickly moves inside and into the aging cellar, or Barrel Chai (pronounced shay). Inside the stone-walled cellar it’s dark and cool, and the aroma of oak and wine—the smell of wine-on-a-cork—permeates the air. Chuck describes the aging process and the work done during the chardonnay’s aging period in the large French oak barrels. Later we taste a red and a white wine that are much different from what we tasted at the school.

From the aging cellar, we head into some production areas that aren’t seen by many visitors. Although no production is taking place today, the machinery and storage areas fascinate our entire group.

Climbing the stairs, we’re treated to Donald Hess’ world-class collection of contemporary art, which covers 13,000 square feet of exhibit space in the winery’s art galleries. I recognize works by several American artists including a beautiful Morris Lewis painting from the early ‘60s, contem-porary technology-based sculptures by Alan Rath, and works by Frank Stella (known to BMW enthusiasts for his BMW 3.0 CSL art car of 1976). Other artists included in the galleries are Francis Bacon, Franz Gertsch, and Leopoldo Maler.

We thank our guide as the tour ends, and make a few purchases in the store before a last-minute look around the courtyard. Next on our day’s agenda is a drive down and through Mount Veeder above Napa Valley, and on to V. Sa�ui Winery in St. Helena.

Minimal traffic, Spring in the air, green hillsides, and blos-soming trees energize our 45-minute romp through the back roads of Mount Veeder. For me, this part of the gathering is the most fun. We stay in a fairly tight group as we wind through

the good twisty roads in our eager BMWs. Normally during gather-ings, we encounter a lot of cyclists and other vehicles, but this leg of the trip is well into the a�ernoon and most other traffic—bicycle and otherwise—is thankfully somewhere else.

Ge�ing down into the valley, our group gets snarled in traffic as a long line of cars sit waiting at a stop sign to get onto Highway 29. Once we make it onto the highway, the sides of the road are li�ered with beached whales… I mean, limousines. They look completely out of place in the landscape parked along the tarmac by the various wineries.

As I drive into V. Sa�ui, I’m surprised to see some of our group already leaving. A�er parking, I find out why. The scene at the winery is—for lack of a be�er word—a scene. Crowds of peo-ple are all over the place: there’s a snaking line of people waiting to get some food by the BBQ billowing smoke, the wine tasting horde inside is three to four deep at the bar, and the procession of limos continues to deliver more and more people to the grounds.

Inside there’s a sandwich counter and deli where we pick up some food and make our way out—dodging the growing mass at the tasting bar. Finally, with a picnic table secured, the talk turns to less frantic subjects: the day’s gathering, cars, food, and wine.

Despite the crowds at V. Sa�ui, our group gathering is a success. Folks remark that they’re happy they joined in for the tour, and I’m happy about the spirited driving, the fine art, and a few slurps of good wine.

I’ve lived in the Bay Area for almost twenty years and continue to be surprised and impressed with the variety of places there are to visit. Because of our Bay Area 02 gatherings, I’ve seen more unique places in our gorgeous region than I ever would on my own. The best thing is, you don’t have to drive a 2002 to experience this… it’s just more fun if you do. Join us sometime—you’ll have a blast.

The Bay Area 02 calendar of gatherings is posted at: www.bayarea02.com/events. If you would like to get a PDF copy of our itinerary for this drive, go to: www.bayarea02.com/events/03-05-directions.pdf.

JP Collins owns a 1969 BMW 2002 and is the found-er of Bay Area 02 (www.bayarea02.com). He lives with his wife, Lisbit, in San Francisco and is owner of Pylon Studios, a creative marketing business in San Francisco (www.pylonstudios.com).

When was the last time your classroom had a line of wine bottles on the shelf?

http://www.bayarea02.com/events

http://www.bayarea02.com/events/03-05-directions.pdf


http://www.pylonstudios.com/

18 June 2005

Autocross

Driver Name Model Time PntsGONZO 1 Qaisi Faisal M3 61.074 20 2 Bensen Jonathan M3 61.095 15 3 Pieron Remy M3 62.412 11 4 Webber Chris M3 65.661 8 AAA 1 Sams R. Jason M3 64.541 20 2 Ball Rodger M3 65.661 15 3 Gwee Poh M3 65.791 11 4 Prasad Praneil M3 66.137 8 5 Hsu Michael M Cpe 66.485 6 6 Crow Frank 540i 67.500 5 7 Sakhartchouk Alex M3 67.828 4 8 Cowan Jeff M3 67.970 3 9 Miller Sco� 325i 68.160 2 10 Ray David M3 68.456 1 11 Lopez Sergio M3 68.537 12 Sanchez Kyle 325i 69.115 13 Crow Rufus M3 69.247 14 David Crum M3 70.395 15 Parle�e Jim M3 Conv 70.573 16 Cheng Michael M3 74.493 AA 1 Knoot Ma�hew Cooper S 65.802 20 2 Visser Ma�hew 328ic 65.831 15 3 Linquist Kris 330iSPP 66.752 11 4 McCormick Jeff M3 Conv 70.038 8 5 Goelkel Chris 535is 70.200 6 A 1 Dolan Tim Cooper S 66.961 20 2 Mercado Joe 325is 67.406 15

Driver Name Model Time Pnts

3 Killeen Noah 325is 68.457 11 4 Dolan Cathy Cooper S 68.983 8 5 McFarland Randy 330Ci Sprt 69.493 6 6 Shirvani Philip 330Ci Sprt 70.545 5 7 Bry Gary 325is 71.240 4 8 Ha Hien 330iSPP 71.730 3 9 Chang Can 325is 72.020 2 10 DiMauro Paul M635 72.492 1 11 Chiang Chu 330Ci 74.182 12 Swartz Randall Cooper S 80.424 B 1 Brown Herschel 325i Sport 73.116 20 2 Parsons Brock 330xiA 73.728 15 3 Lysgaard Jeff 328iC 76.346 11 C * 1 LeFrancois Ramon 750iL 65.792 20 * C Class times are adjusted by formula. N (non-competing BMWs) 1 Killeen Deb Z8 69.981 2 Hewle� Ben Z8 70.270 X (non-BMWs)

1 Thonier Guillaume Audi S4 63.760 2 Mervich Mark Subaru WRX 66.355 3 Catalin Reu 66.590 4 Marshall Moranda EVO 68.766 5 Tellier Arnaud Miata 68.949 6 Kim Frederick Sentra SE-R 70.259

Event 2 - April 17, 2005 Marina Municipal Airport

utocross

Name Car PtsGonzo

1 Bensen Jonathan M3 232 Cheung Eric M Coupe 202 Qaisi Faisal M3 204 Webber Chris M3 195 Pieron Remy M3 166 Garcia Ken 325is 157 Kupper Steve 2002 6

AAA1 Sams R. Jason M3 402 Ball Rodger M3 233 Gwee Poh M3 174 Prasad Praneil M3 155 Tanphaichitr Saksiri 116 Cowan Jeff M3 77 Hsu Michael M Coupe 68 Crow Frank 540i 58 Sanchez Kyle 325i 510 Sakhartchouk Alex M3 411 David Crum M3 312 Collins Kelly M3 212 Miller Sco� 325i 214 Lopez Sergio M3 1

Name Car Pts14 Ray David M3 1

AA1 Knoot Ma�hew Cooper S 351 Visser Ma�hew 328ic 353 McCormick Jeff M3 Conv 124 Garcia John M5 114 Linquist Kris 330iSPP 116 Goelkel Chris 535is 86 Killeen Noah Z4 88 Clark Andrew M5 69 Su�erfield Bob 535is 510 Small Ma� 311 Graham Bruce 1

A1 Dolan Tim Cooper S 351 Mercado Joe 325is 353 Dolan Cathy Cooper S 134 Antonowicz Vance 325i 114 Killeen Noah 325is 116 McFarland Randy 330Ci Sport 87 Vogt Jonathan 325es 68 Chang Can 325is 58 DiMauro Paul M635 Euro 5

Name Car Pts8 Shirvani Philip 330Ci Sport 511 Bry Gary 325is 412 Ha Hien 330iSPP 313 Chiang Chu 330Ci 214 Smith Kim 1

B1 Brown Herschel 325i Sport 201 Goebel Bob 328is Sport 203 Bishop Jason 318ti Active 153 Parsons Brock 330xiA 155 Lysgaard Jeff 328iC 115 Orbon John 318iC 117 Webster Earl 318ti Active 88 Li Nicholas 325i Sport 69 Lau Victor 5

C1 Gould Curtis 528iA 201 LeFrancois Ramon 750iL 203 Wolfson Larry 325iT 15

Standings After Two Events

Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA 2005 Autocross Series

19

Driver Name Model Time PntsGONZO 1 Qaisi Faisal M3 61.074 20 2 Bensen Jonathan M3 61.095 15 3 Pieron Remy M3 62.412 11 4 Webber Chris M3 65.661 8 AAA 1 Sams R. Jason M3 64.541 20 2 Ball Rodger M3 65.661 15 3 Gwee Poh M3 65.791 11 4 Prasad Praneil M3 66.137 8 5 Hsu Michael M Cpe 66.485 6 6 Crow Frank 540i 67.500 5 7 Sakhartchouk Alex M3 67.828 4 8 Cowan Jeff M3 67.970 3 9 Miller Sco� 325i 68.160 2 10 Ray David M3 68.456 1 11 Lopez Sergio M3 68.537 12 Sanchez Kyle 325i 69.115 13 Crow Rufus M3 69.247 14 David Crum M3 70.395 15 Parle�e Jim M3 Conv 70.573 16 Cheng Michael M3 74.493 AA 1 Knoot Ma�hew Cooper S 65.802 20 2 Visser Ma�hew 328ic 65.831 15 3 Linquist Kris 330iSPP 66.752 11 4 McCormick Jeff M3 Conv 70.038 8 5 Goelkel Chris 535is 70.200 6 A 1 Dolan Tim Cooper S 66.961 20 2 Mercado Joe 325is 67.406 15

Driver Name Model Time Pnts

3 Killeen Noah 325is 68.457 11 4 Dolan Cathy Cooper S 68.983 8 5 McFarland Randy 330Ci Sprt 69.493 6 6 Shirvani Philip 330Ci Sprt 70.545 5 7 Bry Gary 325is 71.240 4 8 Ha Hien 330iSPP 71.730 3 9 Chang Can 325is 72.020 2 10 DiMauro Paul M635 72.492 1 11 Chiang Chu 330Ci 74.182 12 Swartz Randall Cooper S 80.424 B 1 Brown Herschel 325i Sport 73.116 20 2 Parsons Brock 330xiA 73.728 15 3 Lysgaard Jeff 328iC 76.346 11 C * 1 LeFrancois Ramon 750iL 65.792 20 * C Class times are adjusted by formula. N (non-competing BMWs) 1 Killeen Deb Z8 69.981 2 Hewle� Ben Z8 70.270 X (non-BMWs)

1 Thonier Guillaume Audi S4 63.760 2 Mervich Mark Subaru WRX 66.355 3 Catalin Reu 66.590 4 Marshall Moranda EVO 68.766 5 Tellier Arnaud Miata 68.949 6 Kim Frederick Sentra SE-R 70.259

Event 2 - April 17, 2005 Marina Municipal Airport

20 June 2005

1. WelcomeCome and join the Golden Gate Chapter of the BMW Car

Club of America for its summer driving school at Thunderhill Raceway in Willows, California. Thunderhill is a beautiful and challenging race track in California’s Central Valley, making it a great place to learn the art of high performance driving from the dedicated team of experienced GGC instructors. You’ll go home with skills you can use on the roads every day as well as some great memories of laps at this famous racetrack.

This application includes all of the information you’ll need to apply and prepare for this school. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions that are not answered here.

We look forward to seeing you at Thunderhill!Bruce Nesbit – Chief Driving InstructorBilly Maher – Chief Driving Instructor

2. Event OverviewFees for this school are:· $399 for BMW CCA members/$439 for non-members (in-

cludes a one-year membership)· Optional $25 dinner ticket for Saturday night dinnerDeadlines:· Applications and payment due by 8/15/05· Cancellations assessed a $50 fee before 8/7/05· No refunds issued a�er 8/7/05TRACK LOCATIONThunderhill Raceway is located seven miles west of I-5 on

Highway 162.TRACK SCHOOL SCHEDULEIn an effort to maximize the amount of track time for stu-

dents, GGC driving schools run on a very tight schedule. A detailed schedule will be provided to you at registration.

Students will be divided into four run groups based upon experience level. Session lengths are roughly 25 minutes.

FRIDAY NIGHT EARLY REGISTRATION7:00-9:00 p.m.(Lobby) Best Western Golden Pheasant Inn, 249 N. Humboldt

Ave, Willows, California 530-934-4603 or 800-338-1387.Remember to bring your helmet to registration for inspec-

tion along with your completed, signed, and stamped tech inspection form.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY TRACK SCHEDULETime6:30 a.m. Track gates open7:00 a.m. Registration opens8:00 a.m. Driver’s Meeting - MANDATORY9:00 a.m. Track is open5:00 p.m. Track is closed

The drivers’ meeting in the paddock at 8:00 a.m. is MANDA-TORY for all students. Failure to a�end this meeting will result in you missing your first track session while we repeat the safety information for you.

SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUETAt Casa Ramos, in the Best Western parking lot.6:00 p.m. Social (hotel lobby)7:00 p.m. Dinner (banquet room)If you choose to sign up for dinner, submit your $25 per din-

ner fee when you apply.GETTING MORE INFORMATIONYour primary source of information for these events is the

Golden Gate Chapter web site: h�p://www.ggcbmwcca.org/Please download the Event Preparation document and read it

prior to arriving at the school! It includes information about car and safety requirements.

The discussion forums in the “GGC Talk” section of the chapter web site are an excellent place to ask questions about the format of these events and to get advice from previous partici-pants as well as chapter officials and instructors.

If you have questions a�er reading the application and web site, please contact us ASAP! Questions can be directed to Bruce Nesbit at 415-461-1811 between 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. or [email protected]. Email is preferred.

CONVERTIBLESConvertibles and T-top cars must have 5-point belts and arm re-

straints, as well as an approved roll cage installed. Factory “rollover protection” for a so� top (i.e. BMW Z3 and Z4, Porsche Boxster) is not sufficient for the school. Convertibles with hard tops are NOT ALLOWED. Examples of cars NOT ALLOWED include: Firebirds and Camaros with T-tops or convertibles; any Corve�e other than the Z06 coupe; Porsche convertibles and Targas. It is essential that you email or call Bruce Nesbit (see above) to discuss these issues well in advance if you plan to bring a convertible or T-top car.

3. Sign-Up ProceduresELIGIBILITY: PREVIOUS DRIVING EXPERIENCE REQUIREDYour car must be registered and insured, you must be a

licensed driver, eighteen years of age or older, and you must be a BMW CCA member to be eligible for enrollment. If you have no previous organized, on-track high-performance driving experi-ence, you are required to a�end one of the club’s Car Control Clinics (CCC). A CCC will normally be scheduled prior to each scheduled track school. If you have not already enrolled in a CCC and need to meet this eligibility requirement, please check for scheduling information on the club’s web site and act now. If you are a�ending the track school, you will have priority for the CCC; but you must apply prior to the deadline for the CCC. If you have questions about the applicability of any previous driving experi-ence, please contact us.

THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS1. Online Application: Apply online at h�p://www.ggcbmw-

cca.org/. Online application is encouraged. You can also use the hard copy application available at h�p://www.ggcbmwcca.org/ but you will need to fill out, print and mail a signed copy of your application along with a check made payable to “BMW CCA GG

High Performance Driving SchoolThunderhill Raceway, Willows, California

August 20-21, 2005






21

Chapter” for $399 (add $25 for each optional dinner and add $40 if you’re not a BMW CCA member) to:

Track Schoolc/o Bruce Nesbit18 Via CheparroGreenbrae, California 94904

2. Payment: Credit card payment is available for online ap-plications ONLY. You are eligible for enrollment only when we have received your payment for the entire enrollment fee or have confirmation of online payment by credit card.

3. Enrollment Status: Your enrollment status will be available online at h�p://www.motorsportreg.com. Once we receive your payment, and provided you meet eligibility and membership requirements, your status will be updated to show you are IN the school. Until we receive full payment and determine eligibility, your status will be shown as PENDING. If you are wait-listed, your place on the list will be shown as WL# indicating your posi-tion on the wait-list. If we hold a lo�ery, enrollment status will be updated a�er the lo�ery has been run. Our schools are BMW CCA events, so BMWs will have enrollment priority. If you are driving a non-BMW, you are in line behind BMWs unless we open the school to non-BMWs, at which time you will have the same prior-ity. Please check your status at h�p://www.motorsportreg.com before contacting us to ask if you are IN, or if we have received your application and payment.

4. Cancellation Policy: All cancellations from “enrolled” status are subject to a $50 cancellation fee. The balance of the enrollment fee will be refunded by check for cancellations made prior to the cancellation deadline. NO REFUNDS will be issued a�er the cancellation deadline. If you are on the wait-list, but excluded from a�ending the school, you will receive priority for the next GGC driving school. Any cancellations from the wait-list will receive a full refund, but no priority for the next school will be given to wait-list cancellations. No enrollment fees will be refunded for registrants who are not present at the school.

4. GGC BMW CCA Driving School ProgramPROGRAM OVERVIEWIf you have not yet a�ended one of our high performance

driving schools, this material will help you understand our program. Your safety is our primary concern. Every procedure, requirement, guideline, and instruction is carefully designed to satisfy that concern. Cars moving at speed on the track can be dangerous to the occupants, to corner workers, and to other cars. It is possible for you to be injured and your car damaged. In order to manage this risk and to allow us to continue with these activi-ties in the future, your understanding and cooperation is essential.

This is not a racing school.There will be no timing equipment or stopwatches, nor tro-

phies or bonus points for fastest lap. This experience is designed to increase your mental, visual, and physical skills, as well as your knowledge of what your car can and can not do. Our philosophy is that a good driver is an aware driver... aware of the car, aware of the track, aware of other drivers.

SCHOOL FORMATAll students on track have access to instructors for the entire

weekend. Our instructors are experienced track school or road racing veterans and are serious about your learning experience and your safety! Instructors will drive the first few laps with the student in the passenger seat to familiarize them with the track, and to be-come comfortable with the integrity of the car. Instructors drive the students’ cars at only moderate speeds in this session.

The balance of the weekend is spent with students driving and receiving coaching from an instructor in the car. Typical schedules allow a student to have four 25-30 minute run ses-sions during the day. Students are formed into four separate groups that are based on experience. Relatively inexperienced students will be on track with others of similar experience and who drive at moderate speeds. The more experienced student groups drive at higher speeds.

A�er students demonstrate judgment and familiarity with the track and car, they may be signed off by their group leader to drive on track without an instructor. Many students find that even while signed off, they prefer to keep an instructor in the car to continue on their learning curve. Students are encouraged to seek rides with their instructors if time permits. These rides provide additional perspectives on the capabilities of the car and driver.

Listen to your instructors, many of them started out as stu-dents themselves. Utilize their knowledge to enhance yours. Good students make the teaching easy and enjoyable for all parties concerned. Sessions will be tailored to student experience level.

A WORD ABOUT VOLUNTEERSNumerous volunteers devote their spare time to make this a

safe and successful learning experience for you. No staff person or instructor is paid for his/her participation. Staffers and instruc-tors volunteer their time because of their love of the sport and their desire to help club members—you—maximize the joys of the ultimate driving experience. If you have a particularly good experience with an instructor of staffer, please remember to thank them for their help and to let one of the school organizers or the group leader at your tent know about it.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/

http://www.motorsportreg.com/

22 June 2005

23

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Email your questions to: TheWrench@ggcbmwccaorg

By Ramon LeFrancoisNoisy BlowerMy ‘97 528i makes a slight whining noise when the

AC/Heater fan is on. The sound changes with fan speed, which leads me to think it must be related to the fan motor. I had an E28 5 Series which did the same thing, I was able to fix it by removing the fan motor and lube the bearings with Pedro’s Synlube. The E28 fan motor was easy to access. I have two questions: 1. Is there a known problem with the E39 fan mo-tors? 2. How difficult is it to take out the E39 fan motor? Thanks, Rick T.

Rick, noises are very difficult to diagnose without experiencing them first hand, and even then they can be tough. I would suggest replacing the interior air filters, or at least removing them for a few minutes just as a test to see if it helps the noise. I haven’t seen any E39 blower motor problems, but I do know that replacing the blower motor or removing it from the car is not an easy task on that model.

How much does my car suck?I am considering installing a manifold vacuum gauge in

my E36 M3. (Mostly for its entertainment value. Although, wouldn’t it probably have some diagnostic utility as well?) Is there an existing tap in the manifold someplace for the sender unit? Or is there an electronic signal that can be tapped into? Thanks! Glenn T.

Glenn, on a stock E36 M3 there is no electronic signal to be tapped into for manifold vacuum readings. How-ever, you can tap into the vacuum hose that runs from the intake manifold to the fuel pressure regulator at the back of the fuel rail. This will probably be the correct size hose and will be a good source of manifold vacuum.

In need of assistanceI have an ‘89 635 CSi (E24) with about 85,000 miles. My

car is supposed to have power-assisted steering but it disap-peared around three years ago. I have been able to live without it, however. The odd thing: it comes back to haunt me once in a while for short interludes at various times—maybe to remind me to have the car checked?

I’ve asked two or three shops about it, but none have been able to suggest a reasonable possible source of the problem. The last time the power-assist came back to haunt me, I immedi-ately drove over to the shop where I already had an appoint-ment in order to prove to the owner/mechanic that the car had power-assist. Some mechanics think my steering is normal the way it is. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks, Andrew C.

Andrew, from what you are describing, I suspect you have a servotronic problem. I don’t think you are completely losing your power assist because if you were, the car would be nearly un-drivable. Nobody would think the steering in your car was normal if there was no assist at all. It’s possible the servotronic failed in such a way that is in the full stiff mode and what you’re feeling when the power assist “is working” is that the servotron-ic is functioning properly during that time.

Is it time yet?I have a ‘98 328i with roughly 105,000 miles. Should I be

thinking about replacing the radiator now? It seems like I’ve heard or read many stories of the neck breaking off at this age. Bob C.

Good question, Bob. The answer is yes, you are on borrowed time. The time to replace the radiator for BMW E36s and E34s around 80,000 miles—some fail sooner, some fail later, but 80,000 is pre�y safe. In addition, you should replace the water pump, thermostat, thermo-stat housing, and radiator cap. All of these parts have a high failure rate. Also, I recommend using only factory

coolant and distilled water in the cooling system. While you’re at it, drain the block and radiator so you start off with all new coolant—then you can scratch the coolant change off the “to do” list for the next two years.

Ain’t got no gasI would like to know how to tell when the electric fuel

pump on my tii is about to go bad. I’ve blown two fuses and I can’t tell why. The car seems to run fine, then spu�ers and dies. I find the fuse blown, so I replace it.

I also understand these cars have a reputation for exhaust smell ge�ing into the car somehow. This seems especially bad when the window is cracked open a bit. I don’t notice a thing if the vent or heater is on. Is the reputation true? Is there anything that can be done about this? The exhaust system I have is nearly new (it’s an ANSA and I really don’t like it!), although it is a two-piece thing. The old one did the same thing despite being welded over the rear end. Thanks for your time. Frank V.

Frank, you need to check the current draw on the fuel pump. If the pump is drawing close to the rating of the fuse, the pump is probably bad. If the current draw seems okay, look for damaged wiring that could short out near the pump.

Yes, the smelly exhaust reputation seems to be true. The cause of the exhaust problem is probably a bad trunk seal. These cars will pull exhaust in through the trunk—it gets worse when a window is cracked. Install a new seal and make sure the trunk lid pulls down tight when it’s latched. To make sure the seal is good, put a volunteer in the trunk and close the lid (good luck finding a volunteer), shine a bright flashlight at the seal from the outside. Have the volunteer look for light com-ing through. If light comes through, so will the exhaust fumes. Don’t forget to let the volunteer out of the trunk! Careful, I ended up in the hospital with carbon monox-ide poisoning a�er a mountain drive in my 02 that had the same problem yours does.

24 June 2005

New

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e!Last First City Model YearAzevedo Jeff Alamo 745il 2002Bagis Maristelle Fremont Barsby Rowenah Albany M3 2004Behrens Eric Oakland 635csi 1985Bez Ron Paso Robles M3 1998Cefalu Frank San Francisco Celestino Candido Pinole 328i 1998Chew Phillip Pleasant Hill Coons Ted San Francisco 325xi 2003Corbell Tracee Pleasanton M3 2003Dillon Michael Tracy Esposito Richard Danville Fang Edward San Francisco 330ci 2004Francis Charles Ross 545i 2005Garcia Joe Berkeley M3 2004Gleaton Jacob Walnut Creek M3 2005Golgolab Arman Los Altos Hannig Steve San Luis Obispo Hayden Kevin Morgan Hill 328i 2000Hayes Howard San Jose 740i 2000Illanne Charles Danville M3 2002Johnson Elizabeth Pacific Grove Kaczmar Ted Monterey M3 2003Kaneko May Pleasant Hill 330Cic 2005Kielczynski George Santa Rosa 320i 1977Killion David Brentwood Z4 2003Krause Patrick Redwood City M3 2002Langenhan Robert San Rafael Lees Shane Reno, NV 328ci 2000Lokey Jeff Menlo Park M3 2005Lunge Mark San Leandro 528i 1979Lynn Jeffrey San Jose M3 2002Lyons William Oakland 535i 1989Malter Greg San Mateo 330i 2003

Martinez Tito Daly City M3 2001Ma�son Jennifer San Anselmo 540i 2002McLain Thomas Martinez 735 1988Mehren Jay El Cerrito X5 2004Miller Tim Brentwood 750il 1993Murray Mick San Mateo X3 2005Nagase Shinya Hayward M3 2005Nelson Bob Sco�s Valley 325 1987Peterzell Paul San Rafael 325ci 2005Pra� Carl Gilroy 325i 2003Rivera Louis San Francisco 540i 1995Robertson Charles Cupertino Rubinfeld Joseph Danville Ruiz Javier Mountain View M5 2001Schmidt Weston Sausalito Z3 1998Silva Kathleen Napa 545i 2004Sokol Leslie San Jose Spencer Brendan Morgan Hill M3 2005Stewart Jody Santa Rosa 328is 1996Tantoco Liza El Sobrante 528i 1998Tom Gerry Pacifica 740i 1998Trieu Dat San Carlos M3 1995Tulp Frank San Francisco Valdez Dennis San Jose M5 2000Vitolis Andris San Mateo 540ia 1999Walker Steve Santa Cruz 323ci 2000Wehman Brandon Marina 325i 1991Wilkerson Sco� Danville 330ci 1994Wong Chico Berkeley 740il 1995Yamaguchi Don Freedom Yazolino Pat San Leandro 330i 2002Zampiceni Michael Sunnyvale 328i 1999Zarnegar Rodney San Francisco M3 1996Zelony James Morgan Hill 328i 2000

Last First City Model Year

26 June 2005 27

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COMMERCIAL ADS2002/Bav/3.0/Coupe Radiator Upgrades. Rebuilt

with new three-row high-efficiency core. Be�er cooling. Fits without mods—same size, mounting, clearances, fi�ings, and appearance. Curt Ingraham, 510-507-2002, [email protected]

Have your classic BMW painted by a fellow car enthusiast with nearly twenty years experience. I do body work, rust repair, and specialize in the 2002 and 3.0 Coupe, as well as doing CLEAR COAT REPAIRS on your late 1980’s and early 1990’s cars. I use top qual-ity German-made acrylic urethane paints and deliver a factory looking finish. My prices are a bargain in today’s current market. Contact me: Andy Schank, via email at [email protected], or call me at 510-236-5232 to set up an appointment for a free estimate.

Publication dead-line for copy is the first of the month - see front of magazine for more information.

CARS IS CARSE36 M3 Race Car - WBABF3319PEF40957 Built by

Ray Korman for Prepared Class. 3.0 engine with Group N cams. Bilstein coil-overs. Chrome moly cage. Momo seat/wheel. 3.73 diff with 75% limited slip. Three sets of wheels. See www.rikke.us for full details and photos of car. Enclosed trailer available also. Ralph 650-454-0152.

PARTS IS PARTSFour BMW wheels -1997 E-38 OEM, Four Cross-

spoke rims with Continental tires, good mileage re-maining on tires. Located in South San Jose for pickup. $300.00 for all. 408-225-7553 or [email protected].

By Tom Graham

There was a surprise party May 1 at Jim Smith’s home in Sonoma, California. The occasion? Jim was awarded the very prestigious Dr. Knöchlein Award

by the International Council of BMW Clubs for outstanding contribution to the international BMW vintage community.

Jim, who has been featured in Roundel, is a hands-on restoration expert of vintage BMWs and has estab-lished an impressive collection of about twenty pre-1965 BMWs going back to the Dixi of the late 1920s. Instead of le�ing the cars sit on display, Jim is an active driver of the cars in various rallies and tours. The Knöchlein Award was championed by Goetz Pfafflin, president of the BMW Vintage and Classic Car Club of America, on Jim’s behalf. According to the words of the BMW Inter-national Council, “This award honors individuals from the international network of BMW Clubs who have ren-dered an outstanding contribution to the promotion of BMW’s heritage by ensuring the optimal upkeep of their historic BMWs through active involvement in events.”

There is no one in the U.S. who is more deserving of this very high honor. It is the first time the award has been

presented to anyone in America. Larry Koch, repre-senting Mobile Tradition, made a personal appear-ance to present the award and show his support.

Jim’s wife, Gloria, and their four daughters were in charge of organizing the event, all the while keeping it a secret from Jim! Wonderful wines were poured, there was a catered dinner, and a slide show chronicling Jim’s lifelong connection with the au-tomobile and his dedication to restoring and show-ing his wonderful vintage BMW collection. An ice sculpture with a two foot wide roundel made by a local cra�sman decorated the buffet table! The guest list included not only the movers and shakers in the vintage BMW community, but many of Jim’s neigh-bors, family, and lifelong friends.

Tom Graham is a longtime CCA member. As presi-dent of the BMW Vintage Car Club, Graham has pro-duced more research on vintage BMWs than anyone else in the world, including translating pre-war car manuals into English. His collection of vintage BMWs, fea-tured in a 2001 Roundel story, even exceeds that of Jim Smith’s. He and Smith will be running Graham’s 1937 BMW 319/55 in the 2005 Singapore/Malaysia rally.

BMW only built 35 of the 319/55 that Graham and Smith will drive on the Singapore/Malaysia rally. These were produced for the British market, manufactured in Eisenach, and then shipped to Munich to get the “M” treatment! They installed the hot roadster motor: three carburetors, sport cam, high compression. Next came the same close-ratio four-speed transmission and knock-off wheels later used on the BMW 328.

Jim Smith (left) accepts the Knöchlein award from Goetz Pfafflin. Jim Smith, is BMW through and through.

The party kicks off in Smith’s barn where most of his BMW collection. resides.The party kicks off in Smith’s barn where most of his BMW collection resides.

Photos: Kelly Kirkland

Jim Smith Receives Knöchlein AwardA GGC member is recognized for his longstanding dedication to preserving BMW’s heritage.


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mailto:[email protected]?subject=Wheels

28 June 2005

Newsletter TeamEditor-in-Chief Kelly Kirkland 650-322-9393 [email protected]

Assistant Editor/Copy Editor Patrick R. Demorais

Advertising Manager Dale Schuett 925-462-2497 home 925-518-8066 cell [email protected]

Ad Billing Manager Paul DiMauro [email protected]

Classified Advertising Dale Schuett [email protected]

Regular Contributors Steve Albrecht, Jeff Cowan, Kris LInquist, and Scott Miller,

Printing Commerce Printing (Please don’t call for membership questions.)

Requests for replacement or extra copies of the Bombe should be directed to the Membership Chair.

Communications Team Communications Manager Kelly Collins [email protected]

Webmaster Brian Ghidinelli [email protected]

Graphic Design Percy Chow http://www.percydesign.com

Area RepresentativesNorth Bay Tamara Hull 415-472-6787

San Francisco Open

East Bay Cliff Greenberg 510-886-5432

Peninsula Open

South Bay Open

Monterey Bay Area Ken Whitson 831-625-5133

San Luis Obispo Area Rob Torres Jr. 805-541-2002

BMW CCA Pacific Region V.P.Eddy Funahashi 559-583-6768 (d) 559-582-2731 (h) [email protected]

Board MembersPresident Mike Mills 510-537-8960 [email protected]

Vice President Peter Guagenti [email protected]

Secretary Donna Seeley [email protected]

Treasurer Tamara Hull [email protected]

Membership Chair Ed Lizardo 408.839.5120 cell 925.469.5067 office [email protected]

Event StaffChief Driving Instructors Billy Maher 707-546-5572

Bruce Nesbit 415-461-1811 [email protected]

Chief Operations Steward Steve Johnson [email protected]

Track School Project Manager Bruce Nesbit 415-461-1811 (9am-8pm) [email protected]

Driving Events Coordinator Mark Dadgar [email protected]

Chief Scrutineer Ramon Le Francois 408-956-1662

Car Control Clinic Coordinator Bob Goebel/Steve Albrecht [email protected]

Autocross Coordinators Jonathan Bensen Mike Hsu Rich Vijeh [email protected]

Autocross Car Classifications Scott Miller [email protected] 925-997-4751

Rally Coordinator Ken Whitson 831-625-5133

Technical Session Coordinator Brant Miller [email protected]

Club Racing Steve Walsh [email protected] www.bmwccaclubracing.com

BMW Festorics Coordinators Kelly Kirkland/David Crum/Percy Chow [email protected]

Social Events Director Jeff Cowan [email protected]

Golden Gate Chapter, BMW CCA, Inc. is a nonprofit California corporation, it is a chapter of the BMW Car Club of America, and is not connected with Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or BMW of North America. Die Flüsternde Bombe is a publication of the Golden Gate Chapter, all ideas, opinions, and suggestions expressed in regard to technical or other matters are solely those of the authors, and no authentication, endorsement, or guarantee is expressed or implied. Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA, Inc. assumes no liability for any of the information contained herein. No factory approval is implied unless so indicated. Modification of your BMW within the warranty period may void the warranty, and some modifications may violate federal or state laws or regulations. All contents remain the property of the chapter, but BMW CCA and BMW ACA chapters may quote or copy from the publication, provided full credit is given to the author and the Golden Gate Chapter, unless otherwise noted or specifically prohibited.

Chapter Mailing Address: Golden Gate Chapter BMW CCA909 Marina Village Parkway, PMB #189Alameda, CA 94501

The BMW Car Club of America, lnc. is a not-for-profit national association of over 70,000 members, dedicated to the enjoyment of driving BMWs. Membership provides access to driving and social events, maintenance and technical information, parts discounts, and more. Dues are $40 per year, with an associate member added for $5 more. Members receive the monthly Roundel magazine and a newsletter from their local chapter, or from a chapter of their choice. The Golden Gate Chapter is one of the largest chapters in the BMW CCA with over 4,500 members.

For a new membership or to renew an existing one, please call toll free 1-800-878-9292 or visit www.bmwcca.org. Visa and Mastercard accepted.

BMW CCA mailing address:640 South Main St., Suite 201Greenville, SC 29601 Phone: 864-250-0022Fax: 864-250-0038www.bmwcca.org

BMW CCA

GGC, BMW CCA Chapter Contacts

Membership address corrections are only accepted at the BMW CCA na-tional office. Changes must be made at www.bmwcca.org or in writing via email, fax, or USPS.

Member Updates

By joining the BMW Car Club of America (BMW CCA), you provided personal information that allows us to contact you. BMW CCA provides this information to the Golden Gate Chapter of the BMW Car Club of America (GGC BMW CCA) for the following purposes:

To send GGC Newsletters (Die Flüsternde Bombe) by U.S. Mail.To help us create content and events most relevant to you. To alert you to updated information and other new services from ggcbmwcca.org using an email announcement list.

GGC BMW CCA does not distribute personal informa-tion to any third parties. The information you provide to BMW CCA to be used by the GGC will not be used for any other purpose—we promise.

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Privacy Statement

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Independent Service & Supply DiscountsBavarian Enterprises Sunnyvale

408-737-6100 Various Parts

Bavarian Motorsport Milpitas

408-956-1662 10% Parts

Bavarian Professionals Berkeley

510-524-6000 10% Labor

Berkeley Motor Works El Cerrito

510-528-1214 5% Parts/Svc

Bimmers BMW Service San Carlos

650-591-2474 Various

Catalpa Street Garage Santa Cruz

831-464-2269 10% Parts

Classic Euro-Asian Oroville

530-534-6887 10% Parts

CSi Fullerton

714-879-7310 10% Parts

Conversion Techniques Oakland

510-639-0911 Various

Dinan Mountain View

650-962-9401 10% Labor

Double 02 Salvage Hayward

510-782-2002 10% Used Parts

German Auto Santa Maria

805-922-1262 10% Parts

Jam Engineering Monterey

831-372-1787 Various Parts

Nate Smith's Optimal Auto Santa Cruz

831-476-1332 10% Parts

Phaedrus San Francisco

415-567-8000 10% Parts

Roseville BMW Roseville

916-782-9434 10% Pads

Rossi’s Tire Service 831-424-0011 Various

2002 Haus San Luis Obispo

805-541-2002 10% Parts

Dealership Discounts Ph # on rightAllison BMW Mountain View

10% Parts

BMW of San Francisco San Francisco

10% Parts

BMW of Fremont Fremont

10% Parts & Labor

East Bay BMW Pleasanton

10% Parts

MY BMW Seaside

10% Parts

Peter Pan BMW San Mateo

10% Parts

Sonnen San Rafael

10% Parts

Stevens Creek BMW Santa Clara

Various/20% Parts & Labor

Weatherford Motors Berkeley

Various

Patelco Credit Union 415-442-6200 Special Offer http://www.patelco.org

SAS German Auto Pleasanton

925-846-4886 10% Parts

Schulba BMW ServiceBelmont

650-592-7352 10% parts orders

Sound Innovations Hayward

510-471-9062 10% Parts

Stanford European Palo Alto

650-324-4488 15% Parts

Sterling Car Care Prod & Svc 510-471-4600 10% Prod/Svcs

West Bay Bavarian 415-457-0820 10% Parts, Labor, San Rafael and Dinan work

BMW Concord 1945 Market Street Concord, CA 94520 (925) 682-3577

BMW of Mountain View 150 E. EI Camino Real Mountain View, CA 94040 (650) 943-1000

BMW of San Francisco 1675 Howard St San Francisco, CA 94103 Sales: (800) USA-BMWs

BMW of Santa Maria 2150 South College Drive Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 614-0306

Claridge’s BMW 4421 5 Auto Mall Circle Fremont, CA 94538 (510) 360-5900

Coast BMW 1484 Auto Park Way San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 (805)543�4423

East Bay BMW 4355 Rosewood Drive Pleasanton, CA 94566 (925) 463-2555

Mid City Motor World 4800 N. Highway 101 Eureka, CA 95501 (707) 443-4871

MY BMW One Geary Plaza Seaside, CA 93955 (831) 899-5555

Peter Pan BMW 2695 S. El Camino Real San Mateo, CA 94403 (650) 349-9077

Prestige BMW 2800 Corby Avenue Santa Rosa, CA 95407 (707) 545-6602

Stevens Creek BMW 3737 Stevens Creek Santa Clara, CA 95050 (408) 249-9070

Sonnen BMW 1599 E. Francisco Blvd San Rafael, CA 94901 (415) 482-2000

Weatherford Motors 735 Ashby Avenue Berkeley, CA 94710 (510) 654-8280

Golden Gate ChapterBMW Car Club of America909 Marina Village Parkway, #189Alameda, CA 94501www.ggcbmwcca.org

POSTMASTER PLEASE NOTE: MATERIAL IS DATED, Thanks.

Presort Standard US Postage

PAID Sacramento, CA

Permit 185

HAVE YOU MOVED? Please send address changes directly to the BMW CCA National Office at:BMW CCA, Inc., 640 South Main St. , Ste. 201, Greenville, SC 29601 - or to - [email protected]

Want to join the club? Call 800-878-9292 or go to www.bmwcca.org and sign up for only $40.

w w w . s c b m w . c o m

4 3 4 3 S t e v e n s C r e e k B l v d . , S a n t a C l a r a 408-984-0794

The Ultimate Dealership,

The Ultimate Driving Machine!New

State of theArt facility

ServingSanta Clara

County

60 ServiceBays

SILICON VALLEY’S BMW CENTER

SILICON VALLEY’S BMW CENTER

Come Visit And See OurCommitment For The Future Today!

BMW Club Members Receive 20% Discount OnParts & Labor. Just Ask For Scott Fuller,

Service Manager, And Show Your Club Membership Card.

Stevens Creek BMW is anauthorized DINAN BMW

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