München, Germany

Three trains and two hours of sleep and it was 5:30am when we pulled into the station. Munich was already awake to welcome weary travelers. I could not check into my hotel until 11:00am so I walked around the station looking for a place that had WiFi. I tried a Starbuck’s and after a hot chocolate, a chocolate muffin and three hours of trying to decipher a German set of instructions on how to get an hour of free surfing, I gave up and went over to Burger King where I was able to get some kind of internet even though it surfed at the speed of a Slowski. It was 10:00am and I walked to my hotel praying they would let me check in early. I know they have WiFi; I made sure of it before I booked the room! I get to the hotel and check in and find… that the WiFi access point on my floor doesn’t work! In fact, the only way that I was going to get internet is to hang out in the lobby with the nice lady at the front desk.

I wanted to crash and sleep for a few hours at this point. But, knowing that I only had a couple of days to see Munich, I decided to walk up to Olympiapark where Munich hosted the 1972 Olympics. It was nice to see the park still alive with people and that all of the facilities were still being used. I thought about Rachael’s task of creating a facility for the 2012 Olympics in London that would still serve a purpose long after the games were over.

Um, ridiculous. Close to Olympiapark was the BMW dealership and museum. I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this. People were coming in to test drive or pick up their new BMW. I watched cars being taken up elevators and being driven down the ramp. Restaurants, bars, kids jumping into the seat of any BMW they could open the doors to; it was amazing.

Munich is considered the “Beer Drinking Capital of the World”.  So, later that night, I decided to join a little tour that took you through various beer halls. At each hall, we got to sample a different beer that was recommended by the tour guide. I got into a friendly competition with a couple of guys from Australia that we would only order beers by the liter or “leedah” as they would call it. For those following along at home, that is almost 3 beers (34 oz). At some point during the night, I wanted to prove that my camera was indeed water proof. I took the above picture with my camera inside of my mug. Fortunately, it still worked this morning.

I got a little lost on my way back to the hotel. I knew how to get there from the train station so I attempted to ask someone if they could point me in the right direction. I found a guy who was speeding towards me and asked “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” to which he replied in perfect English, “I do not speak German”. I thought, “Fantastic!”. “Can you point me in the direction of the train station?”. His reply was “I’m sorry but I can’t help.” as he continued to speed by me. I don’t know if he thought I was trying to mug him or if he had a fear of Germans. Needless to say, I found a German guy who helped me get back to the hotel.

[Via http://racheandanthony.com]

Vanguard Performance Titanium Exhaust System BMW E9X M3

Vanguard Performance Titanium Exhaust System For BMW E9X M3

Vanguard’s BMW E9X M3 Titanium Exhaust system is a proven performer, made from high grade titanium alloy for maximum performance and weight savings. A fully bolt-on system, specifically designed and manufactured for the latest BMW M3 high performance vehicles, unleashing the potential of M Power’s potent S65 V8 powerplant. Its twin canister design provides both a deep rumble as well as an aggressive high-rpm tone without drone or excessive idling noise.

• Aircraft grade titanium alloy for Ultra-lightweight performance (19 lbs vs 55 lbs stock system)
• Dyno-proven gains, 15+ HP, 5+ lb/ft TQ at the wheels on Mustang MD-500 (*)
• Twin-canister design for maximum flow and aggressive tone without droning
• Complete bolt on system including titanium connecting pipes, no cutting or other modifications necessary
• Fully adjustable tips for perfect fitment on Coupe (E92) Sedan (E90) and Convertible (E93) M3 models

[Via http://blog.pyspeed.com]

Moses Lake continues not-so-secret project

Officials in Grant County continue to work behind the scenes on what they’re calling “Project Chinook,” which is the not-so-secret effort to lure a plant that would build car parts for BMW.

According to a recent television report from Spokane, officials of SGL Group still haven’t decided between locating the plant near Moses Lake, or at an undisclosed location in Canada. KXLY-TV reported, however, that a decision is “weeks away.”

The plant — which would cost $200 million to build and employ 200 people — would produce carbon fiber car parts for BMW.

Washington is a global leader in composites research and manufacturing, in large part because Boeing pioneered the use of composite materials in aircraft with the 787. Washington has research centers at the University of Washington and worker-training centers at both Edmonds and Everett community colleges. And last year, Italian automaker Lamborghini created an advanced composites lab with UW in Seattle to study ways to use composites in the auto industry.

Become a fan of IAM 751 on Facebook.

[Via http://iam751.wordpress.com]

Track Days

Well this could be a interesting way to start this Randoms Blog, i am in the process of finding a track day car, this will be following in the shoes of my Brother who has been showing his talents in a BMW 325 at York Airfield. I am personally looking also for a BMW as all i have heard is raving reviews but i am open to suggestions if any of you have recommendations and videos just to make your argument more juicey

[Via http://xtremeplayer.wordpress.com]

Extraordinary Mistakes - Mario Wagner and Thomas Stüssi

March 20th to April 17th 2010
opening reception Friday March 19th – 6 – 10 pm

The janinebeangallery presents mixed media of the German native artist Mario Wagner, based on magazines of the 50ies and 70ies. The other half of the group show features objects and installations of the Swiss artist Thomas Stüssi.

[Via http://janinebeangallery.wordpress.com]

Work Hard for the Money

Wifey left me…  she’s out on the road pushing her product; I put her ass to work! It ain’t what it sounds like though you bastards…

She’s up north selling her jewelry to tourists who I’m sure will wonder, is that girl native, asian, hispanic or something we’ve never heard of. She keeps em guessing, and loves every minute of it.

Lemme think here, what do I really want once she gets the cash flowing… a new X-box, another new pair of Air-Forces, a BMW 335i.. sigh, the possibilities are endless. Eh, actually to be honest, I would be perfectly happy if she just paid a bill or two. I can dream can’t I?

[Via http://jcastro8188.wordpress.com]

Avatare masini

[Via http://download4full.wordpress.com]

Top 20 Blogs of 2010

The Blogosphere is still going strong, with lots of interesting information and inside scoops coming from all corners of the world every day. With the iPad release just around the corner, the Apple Insider and iPad blogs are more popular than ever.
For art lovers there is the increasingly popular BibliOdyssey and the less known Flickr blog for photo lovers.

Environmental blogs are of course a must this year, with Solar Power Forum and Eco Geek paving the way before the much awaited Chevrolet Volt. Of course, other car manufacturers have hybrids and electric cars coming out this year too, according to rumors from the auto blogs of Audi Rumors, Mercedes Rumors, and BMW Rumors.
There are plenty of rumors on other technology fronts too, such as with Chinese Clones of everything from iPhone to iPad, even though Chinese tablets have been released before the iPad.

Major events this year one can follow through blogs are of course the FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP and
EUROVISION 2010. Not to mention the continued popularity of the Twilight Saga on blogs such as Breaking Dawn, Bella Cullen, Eclipse, Edward Cullen, and Werewolf Jacob.
Oh and I hear Perez Hilton is still a popular blog.

[Via http://nothuffington.wordpress.com]

2010 BMW Z4 GT3

BMW Motorsport announced the GT3 version of the Z4 sportscar. The car will make its debut in 2010 and will compete in international and national championships in accordance with GT3 regulations, such as the FIA GT3 European Championship, International GT Open and the ADAC GT Masters.

The BMW Z4 GT3 is powered by a 4-liter, eight-cylinder engine equipped with a 408 ECU and a Power400 control unit. The engine delivers a total of 480 bhp and is mated to a sequential, six-speed gearbox.

Sales will begin in the second quarter of 2010 at an estimated price of 298,000 Euro.

[Via http://autowheel.wordpress.com]

New Hotspot: Hanging out with Mom & Dad

Indy & fresh-pressed Demon Bunny with his winter tires

Chilling with Mom & Dad, (undisclosed location in North Jersey),

Busy weekend so far, keeping up with Mom and Dad. Yesterday Mom and I embarked on her goal to walk the entire length of Fifth Avenue; we started at 60th and walked down to 30th, with a quick pit stop at Connolly’s, on 47th between 5th and Madison (three other locations as well, http://www.connollyspubandrestaurant.com/dev/), and at Dylan’s Candy Bar, on 60th and 3rd (http://www.dylanscandybar.com/). We always go to Connolly’s on St. Patrick’s Day amidst the revelers (Brian at 13 years old: “Mom, there were guys peeing in the sink!”). We had the lobster clam chowder, a creamy, addictive interpretation that brings to mind a fine tomato basil soup, and the smoked salmon potato pancakes, which piled the salmon generously on some deep fried heaps of mashed potato. Delicious. We couldn’t resist braving the throngs of preschoolers to fight for some green M&M’s at Dylan’s after dinner.

Today, Dad and I took on the filthy Demon Bunny and brought it back to life; we clayed the car, then he polished and I followed with Black Magic wax. Six man-hours of labor later, DB was restored to its former glory, and we discussed strategic modifications to keep DB in top shape for the upcoming autocross season without bumping ourselves into the next, more competitive class.

Meanwhile, Mom and Indy took on the recipe for vegan Mac N Cheese that Kate send me earlier in the week; an inventive take on the traditional dish that successfully re-creates the unholy yellow tinge of Kraft’s classic, vegan Mac combines vegetable broth, nutritional yeast, and turmeric with a box of macaroni with mixed results. We plan to re-attempt the recipe in the near future, with the addition of avocado, for creaminess that might better mimic cheese, garlic, for taste, and peas, to break up the monotony of fluorescent noodles.

I tried to give Indy a bath earlier in the day, but his scabs from surgery are still a little too fresh. He is off the hook for now, and is currently out cold at my feet, from all the excitement of the day. In about a half hour, I will be in the same boat; whoever said Boomers were starting to slow down was clearly mistaken.

[Via http://loqiii.wordpress.com]

love breathing

three word wednesday: frail, sacred, amaze
photo:  gasitech, flickr

we’re in love….
with the blue expanse above
with the 2-door sexy fire engine red convertible bmw my friend just took me for a ride 
with the frail freedom we so freely embrace
with the birth of unborn love
with the cost of never letting go
with the having won a hard fought battle that cost everything
with the perfectly run half-marathon under two hours
with the lifelong secret sacred dream coming true
with the first flower of spring’s approach yellow crocus blooming

amaze! we’re in love

[Via http://pieceofpie.wordpress.com]

Now here's something slightly different

Coming from us, anyway, since big, heavy, six-figure executive saloons are usually pretty far from our collective consciousness. C/D recently roadtested a Quattroporte, 7-Series, and Panamera, ranking them in that order from last to first.

This one’s subjective (we see this going any one of three ways for folks, depending on one’s objectives), but for us it’s a no-brainer: we’d take the “Four-door.”

In this rarified class, for this amount of money, it’d be hard (for us) to choose a car that doesn’t elicit passion, and the Quattroporte, with its Ferrari-derived engine and sculpted Italian sheetmetal, offers up pasione in spades (we’re sure at least one aging rock musician would agree). In contrast, the big, anonymous 7er may as well be DOA, and as tidily as the Panamera purportedly drives, we just can’t get over its looks.

Of course, we get that our priorities aren’t necessarily someone else’s, so in this class, we can see how less enthusiast-minded individuals might go for the big BM, and how someone else (who perhaps places more emphasis on engineering and quantifiables) might go for the Porker.

Our unsolicited alternative in this class would be…? A used Audi D3 S8, arguably our top choice of the bunch.

Images: Car and Driver; Jan Baedeker

[Via http://bulgogibrothers.wordpress.com]

GO GREEN! FIRST EVER PLUG-IN HYBRID PORSCHE = REDICULOUS.

Hailing from the grandeur of the 2010 Volkswagen Preview x Geneva Auto Show, this is without a doubt the dopest concept car of the “go green” age. Porsche plans to set the bar for hybrid sports cars unveiling the 918 spider, a 500hp beast that gets 78 mpg and 16 miles on one plug-in charge.

Read more @ TreeHugger

Looking a bit like a Carrera GT evolved, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 horsepower or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 62 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds and nip 198 mph on the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 78 miles per gallon and emit just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

[Via http://trapanati.wordpress.com]

How to maximize your next car lease

With this post we’ll change speeds and look at one of the big expenses in life: your car. Using this one hot tip find out how you can maximize the payout from your next car purchase.

The secret: Lease Busters

I know what you may be thinking: That’s no secret, I’ve heard of LeaseBusters.com for a long time. If that’s true, why haven’t you used it yet?

For those who don’t know, LeaseBusters.com is a site where people in Canada who want to get out of their car lease connect with people who are looking for leases. The “lease sellers” post their car’s details, plus any other incentive (this is where it gets exciting).

Incentives are usually cash payouts of thousands of dollars. The savvy investor that you are (I know you’re savvy because you keep up to date on weblogs like this one), you realize that there are a number of benefits:

1. The cash

The cash that you get for taking the lease off of the lease seller’s hands can be immediately put towards any high interest creditcard payments. We all know that credit card debt is the silent killer, this money can help you fight back!

2. A shorter lease term

Aside from the cash, your lease term will be much shorter than the term usually allowed by the dealerships. The majority of leases on the site have fewer than 15 months on the contract. Plus, you still have the flexibility of re-upping once the contract is over; although it may be a better idea to check back with LeaseBusters.com and get a new lease with new incentives.

3. No start-up costs, potential deposit returns

Picking up someone’s lease is much cleaner than signing a new lease agreement. The previous leaser has paid all of the start-up costs, plus, any left over deposits would belong to whoever holds the lease when the deposit is due back.

Though there are many advantages, there are a few downfalls that you want to be aware of:

1. Be sure to check how many kilometers are left on the lease, and how much it costs/km if you surpass that level. One of the reasons why people try to get rid of the leases is because they drive so much that they’ll have to write a fat check to the dealership if they continue driving the car. If you drive fewer km/day then they do, you can benefit from their miscalculation when they signed the lease.

2. REMEMBER YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for the condition of the car when you return it to the dealership. Be sure to have the car inspected before you buy it. Spending a few hundred dollars to get a complete diagnostic of the car, inside and outside, could save you thousands when you return the car to the dealership.

On a final note, I want to remind you that you CAN NEGOTIATE with people who have posted their cars on leasebusters.com. One thing that a lot of posters will accept is to pay for the car’s inspection: remember, be reasonable in your negotiations and you will end up on top.

There it is, a quick and simple way to save thousands, maintain supreme flexibility, and to have a new car every year. I’m always at your service via email, thanks for reading. Ares

[Via http://yourlifetoronto.wordpress.com]

BMW 328 MILLE MIGLIA BLUEGELFALTE GOES TO AUCTION

  ne of the world’s most significant pre-war sports racing cars, 1937 BMW 328 Mille Miglia ‘Buegelfalte’ will go to auction in Monaco on May 1 at the Grimaldi Forum. This car is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich, has numerous race wins to its credit (including a Mille Miglia class win) and became the pattern for a whole generation of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as the Jaguar XK120 Roadster. BMW had been actively involved in sports racing activity in the pre-war years and had enjoyed significant successes with its technically advanced, high-performance 328 model. Chassis 85032 was manufactured in May 1937 as a standard-bodied car for Rudolf Schleicher´s Experimental Department at BMW. The car participated in the 1937 Le Mans with the well-known British driver of the period, A.F.P. Fane, as well as the 1937 Tourist Trophy in the hands of H.G. Dobbs. The following year it participated in the 1938 Mille Miglia and won a notable victory in the 2.0-litre class, again with Fane driving and William James as co-driver. Chassis 85032 subsequently won a Gold medal in the “German Alpenfahrt” with Fritz Roth and “Blasi” Huber, plus an overall win in the same event in 1939. In the autumn of 1939, “85032″ was then dismantled by the racing division and the car was significantly re-engineered as an all-new open streamliner destined for use as a factory entry in the 1940 Mille Miglia alongside the two factory fixed-head “streamliners”. The beautiful and entirely unique bodywork of “85032″ was designed by Wilhelm Kaiser, a very experienced member of BMW`s new design department, “Künstlerische Gestaltung”, headed by Chief-Stylist Wilhelm Meyerhuber. The car was built at the factory racing department in Milbertshofen, Germany. The nickname of the car is derived from the creases on the top of the fenders, referred to as ‘Büegelfalte’ meaning ‘trouser crease’. This absolutely genuine and iconic bodywork styling was to become the pattern for a whole generation of post-war sports cars, an influence seen very clearly in cars such as the Jaguar XK120 Roadster. Amongst the other extensive modifications required to create the car was an intricate tubular steel framework for the body, whilst re-engineering also ran far deeper than chassis and body changes. Key components such as brakes and the Hurth-gearbox were up-rated to cope with the increased performance that was derived from its more powerful 130 PS engine and lighter overall curb weight of 725 kgs. Of significance to BMW historians, the ‘Buegelfalte’ is the only special roadster ever built at the BMW factory in Munich; the two other ”second series” streamline roadsters (after having been assembled) got their final outer Aluminum body skins by independent coachbuilder, Touring of Milano. In its new form, chassis 85032 was intensively tested before the 1940 Mille Miglia alongside the two 328 streamline coupes by Ernst Loof, who was the head of the BMW race department. Ultimately, chassis 85032 finished sixth in the 1940 Mille Miglia in the hands of Hans Wencher and Rudolf Scholz, with the 328 Touring coupe of Fritz Huschke von Hanstein and Walter Bauemer victorious that year. After the war in 1945, the car was part of the reparation payments and was given to the UDSSR and ultimately to Artiom Ivanovich Mikoyan, head of the Mikoyan Gurevich Design Bureau, best known as the creator of Russian MiG warplanes. His son used the car and eventually traded it with Mr. Giudo Adamson of Riga for a brand new Lada in 1972. Mr. Adamson kept the car until 2001, when, after the collapse of the “Iron Curtain”, the car was driven from Riga to Munich and stored by BMW in its museum. The current owner bought this important motor car in 2001. A copy of the Büegelfalte was made and now resides in the BMW Museum. The Büegelfalte joins an already impressive lineup of cars consigned to RM’s inaugural Sporting Classics of Monaco event at the Grimaldi Forum on 1st May, 2010 – the same weekend as the 7th Grand Prix Historique de Monaco. The single-day event is set to present 80 of the world’s finest motor cars to an elite assemblage of automotive enthusiasts and collectors from around the world. “Our Monaco sale will feature some truly outstanding historic cars, but the totally unique nature of this BMW and its fascinating history make it an exceptional opportunity for any collector of significant motor cars”, says Max Girardo, managing director of RM Europe.

[Via http://5magazine.wordpress.com]

Experimenting with education

In a major experiment with technical education, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to introduce Bachelors of Engineering (BE) course in the civil and mechanical disciplines in the Tamil medium also in 15 constituent colleges of the four Anna Universities. The state would create an additional cumulative 1,800 seats in these institutions to accommodate students who prefer to study BE in Tamil medium.

- The Times of India, TNN, Feb 25, 2010

The Minister of Education in Tamil Nadu (India), K Ponmudy, has announced the introduction of BE courses in select engineering colleges of the Anna University in Tamil. It is going to be piloted first with freshmen students. The minister also added that students would have the option of choosing which medium to study in, English or Tamil.

Unlike most people in northern India, citizens from southern states – especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala – have been known to consecrate their language and hold it so close to their daily life that both English and the worldliness it brings with it is lost in in an often-meaningless pursuit of nativity.

I am from Tamil Nadu, and if I were to back home and so much as suggest some parallel anglicisation with Tamil, I will be shot down as a “traitor of the culture” – a phrase I am accustomed to hearing these days. There is some English in the Tamil airs, but it is of an esoteric nature. Even Hindi for that matter: speakers of the national language are treated with a different kind of affection, one that is constantly affectated with scorn.

A cultural disparity does exist, and it will not be a surprise when a Tamilian is mocked in Mumbai or when a Mumbaikar is mocked in Chennai. However, there is no move to embrace anything from either end. Although a pacifist, I am not being one when I hope that the Tamilian mindset will change. There is more to it than meets the eye, including a state-wide cohesion that means progressive thinking will be very slow and very painful.

To that end, the TN government’s decision to only “introduce” the opportunity to study in Tamil is, simply put, bad and in poor judgment. Of course, the “true” Tamilian won’t see it. After all, 1,800 new seats will be opened up and that too to people who have had no formal education of English. However, in affording such an opportunity, the government is also blindly sidelining the importance of English when it comes to employment.

For example, in 2007, BMW India opened its first production plant in the country in Chennai. If a through-and-through Tamil speaking engineer enters the job scene, how can he hope to be hired? Tamilians have to remember that when Tamil is concerned, it is important only within the state. When the state itself concedes and opens its arms to host European companies on its soil, why can’t it see the cons in denying the college student a global perspective on life?

[Via http://thedeadtiger.wordpress.com]

2004 BMW 330Ci Service 2

Ok, I’ll promise to stop being lazy and keep the blog updated in my spare time, lol.

Right now one of the current projects is a 2004 BMW 330Ci that I am doing a service 2 on along with some other maintenance.  The owner is moving to Arizona, and wants the car in tip top shape in the hotter climate.

And the pile of parts we have to go on the car.

List of things we are doing:

Radiator

Coolant Expansion Tank

All cooling hoses

Thermostat and housing

Updated waterpump

Oil Change (BMW 5w-30)

Diff Fluid change (redline)

Transaxle fluid change (redline)

Updated black grills

Fuel Filter

Air Filter

Cabin Filter

Valve cover gasket

Spark Plugs

Belts

Lower Control Arm Bushings

Front and Rear Rotors, Pads, and Sensors, and Brake Flush.

Getting to work:

First thing to tackle was the valve cover gasket, spark plugs, and cabin filter.

You do not have to remove the airbox to do the valve cover gasket, but since it does have to come out for the radiator replacement, I went ahead and pulled it.

Shot of the old radiator that will come out.  Fan’s are removed.

Back to the valve cover.  Disconnect the wiring harness and lay aside.

Then you can pull the coil packs, and remove the valve cover.

And going back together with a new gasket and new spark plugs.

Next was time to tackle the cooling system.

Old waterpump.

Old versus new pump.  If you are updating your pump, make sure to update to a pump that uses a metal impeller.  The stock pump is plastic and known to have issues.

Radiator out of the car.

Removed the coolant thermostat housing for replacement.

And all back together again.

Along with the above, I changed the oil and swapped out the grills.  Tonight I will tackle the brakes once the garage floor dries.  No point in sliding around in coolant, so I took some time to scrub and wash the floor, which will make the rest of the job much more enjoyable.

[Via http://docwilenracing.wordpress.com]