GM and BMW to cooperate on fuel cells?

Woche reported yesterday that BMW and General Motors are planning to team up in
order to develop premium[...]

cause it is more expensive to operate and more polluting ...

salt water bio diesel is RIGHT NOW ...

three is tons and tons of it on the bottom of the ocean just sitting
there waiting to be sucked up with those BIG PUMPING SHIPS you see at
Drilling Plaforms in the Gulf Oil Disaster.

Can go get it right now and harvest it ... and use it for diesel engines
that turn the key and run like gas engines .. they are very nice.

ALSO ..

for every Barrel of Salt Water Bio Diesel we make on land in Bio Diesel
Plants and sell as well as put back UNDERGROUND ... is a 80% to 180%
reduction in Green House gases that are killing us all.

You like the weather one year after Gulf Oil ...

you gonna love it one year after Brazil Oil.

no news is good news ...

sumbuddie wear blind sea

On Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:20:28 -0800, "Alan B. Mac Farlane"


Brilliant..how do I get it past the sign on my BMW that says "No bio
diesel" without shafting the warranty?


You've experienced this then?


Last time I saw my Doctor he mentioned deadly sins like smoking,
drink, obesity, lack of exercise, stress -  but not greenhouse gasses.
To be honest, a bit of global warming would be welcome round here.
Then I could burn less fossil fuel trying to keep warm.


Can't say I've noticed anything unprecedented round here. It's
certainly not been as violent as it was ten years ago because my roof
is still attached and so are more of my neighbours roofs.


Excellent, I could do with something more likeable. Warmer would be
good. My BMW is a laughing stock in the snow.


No news is just..er..no news, isn't it? Maybe my paranoia isn't as
well developed as my cynicism.


Ah..er..I'll have to Google on that one old son. Hold on a
minute...rrrrrriiiight...oooookaaayyyy...don't worry about it, sorry
to have bothered you. As you were. Byeeee. Whooosh...

--
Z

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:26:24 +0000, Zathras


Put winter/snow tires on it in the winter, then.  You'll be amazed how
well the car will do in snow and slush.

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 07:40:09 -0500, Dean Dark


Would be rather expensive though. I've got 255/35 ZR 18 on the back
and max torque at virtually idling speed. I would strongly suspect I
would need to get narrower winter rubber all round and that means new
alloys that will go over M-Sport brakes. $$$$$

This is my third winter using skill, a spade and a block of concrete.
I've also got snow socks and a pneumatic jack in case the above fails!

--
Z

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:18:58 +0000, Zathras


Wide tires are useless in the snow.  Go narrower, something that will
dig in and bite.  It's not all that expensive.

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 13:35:18 -0500, Dean Dark


..if you're a millionaire!

--
Z

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:47:40 +0000, Zathras


<shrug> I'm not.

Price it.  You might be surprised.  Even cheaper if you go with used
gear.

On Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:18:57 -0500, Dean Dark


BMW keep sending me lovely offers but the cheapest they have (ugliest,
too small to fit) *starts* at 700UKP. That's a lot of concrete!
Looking outside my window (white) suggests used gear that would fit my
car will now be even more like hens teeth than before the winter.

--
Z

On Fri, 16 Dec 2011 09:36:27 +0000, Zathras


Well, *there's* your problem.

You only buy things like this directly from BMW if you have more money
than sense.

On Fri, 16 Dec 2011 07:32:10 -0500, Dean Dark


However, you've not mentioned what you think four 18 inch wheels (that
can go over M-Sport brakes) plus four tyres would cost. I am not
thinking that it will be under 1000UKP - indeed, it costs about that
just to put summer tyres on my current wheels from an Internet tyre
supplier.

--
Z

Just had a quick look at www.realoem.com for brake disc sizes.
Not sure of your 325d month and year of production, I used a date of
around 07-2007 and it gave
the front discs as:  330x24 mm
the rear discs as:   336x22 mm

it did not differentiate between the SE and MSport models.

My 335d has 17" wheels, and www.realoem.com gives my brakes as:
front discs:    348x30 mm
rear discs:    336x22 mm

My may get away with 17" wheels.

Have you tried a specialist BMW breaker ?

David    

That's interesting. Although I've never measured them, my mother's SE
disks on 17 inch wheels look quite a bit smaller than mine on 18 inch
wheels. I suppose it could be an optical illusion. BMW did claim that
my M-Sport did have up rated brakes compared to lesser models. Don't
worry about it though.


That would be the sensible option (if it's possible) as that would
allow a higher profile tyre.


Thanks for doing the research. However, I'm not getting winter tyres
at the moment.

--
Z

On Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:26:52 +0000, Zathras


Lo0ok, pal, if you just want to buy from the BMW dealer and you're not
even willing to shop around and look for other options, then I guess
you're screwed.

Have fun in the snow with your wide low profile summer tires!

On Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:44:10 -0500, Dean Dark


Really? When did I say wanted to buy winter tyres at all or was so
bored in my life that I'd want to shop around for something I don't
want but someone else thinks I should have? For complete clarity, I
have reasons other than price why I don't want winter tyres and wheels
one of which is..I don't need them.

I said, in response to your advice, that winter tyres would be
expensive on my car and provided figures. If I can put it this way, if
some stranger said to you "it's not all that expensive" and then
couldn't back that claim up (even with a guess) would you
automatically think to yourself "my, this guy really knows what he's
talking about"?

Thanks for the patronising 'shop around' advice.


Why else would I take my Beemer out in the snow?

--
Z

On Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:19:54 +0000, Zathras


When you said: "Excellent, I could do with something more likeable.
Warmer would be good. My BMW is a laughing stock in the snow,"  and
then proceeded to vaguely discuss the wheel options and dealer cost of
the same. You obviously already looked into it to some extent.  Any
more questions?


Been there, done that.  I have a set of winter wheels and snow tires
for 3 of 4 cars.  The 4th car doesn't have the ground clearance or
temperament for snow.  I didn't buy any of the wheels from the dealer.
You seem to think that the dealer is the only option, I pointed out
that there are cheaper ways to do it.

But seeing as you're being coy about what vehicle it is that you're
actually talking about then how could anyone even take a guess at what
wheels and tires for it would cost?


If that's the way you want to read it, then fine ...


I wouldn't ride *any* motorcycle in the snow.  Only a nutter would do
that.

On Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:13:32 -0500, Dean Dark


You misunderstood. Also, you completely disregarded the context of my
statement. You seem to have taken it considerably more seriously than
originally intended!


It never occurred to you that advice might be unnecessary. Are you
stuck in some bygone era before forums, Google and eBay etc?


2008 325d M-Sport saloon.


You don't sound very adventurous, but, I don't consider this pair
"nutters":

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Long_Way_Round

--
Z

On Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:35:02 +0000, Zathras


The whole issue, including what you had said and then changed your
mind about seemed odd, and worthy of question as to what you actually
meant.  That's regardless of whatever context you *think* that you
implied.


Well, you've put some time and effort into discussing how expensive
you think they are in a few messages now, though.  A reasonable person
might conclude that you want them, but you can't afford them from the
dealer, no?  Why else all the responses the discussion?


I misunderstood that you said that winter tires would be too expensive
for you?


What on *earth* does "some bygone era before forums, Google and eBay
etc" have to do with it?  How does the medium alter the message? Would
you invalidate Archimedes' work because it was written on vellum?

Methinks you say that because you're running out of ideas with which
to defend your very tenuous position and now you're clutching at
straws.  I guess it must be important to you though?  Me?  I'm just
bursting some bubbles, I sometimes do this for entertainment.


Is that all?  I figured it must have been at least a wickedly-tuned
late model M5 or something like that, the way you were talking.


Anybody who rides a motorcycle in the snow by choice is definitely a
nutter.

But hey!  At least you've looked up and learned the difference between
beemers, beezers and bimmers.  You won't make that mistake again, will
you?  Or are you going to somehow try and pretend that you meant
'beemer' all along?  That would be interesting, and it would
definitely maintain my interest in this thread.

On Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:37:24 -0500, Dean Dark


So you *really* think that my reply to Mac F was to be taken verbatim?
If I'd known in advance that you would take it seriously, I'd have put
up a warning.


Incorrect assumptions. I glanced at 3 BMW flyers (sent over time) and
have bought wheels and tyres (from elsewhere) in the past.


Incorrect assumptions (again).


Doh. Google is a search engine where answers to a great many things
can be found (like tyres and wheels). eBay is an on-line auction where
a market value can be ascertained and things bought and sold (like
tyres and wheels). Forums are places where people converse on
(typically) specific matters (like car issues). Do you need help with
any other modern technology who's relevance escapes you?


Even more invention on your part then.

I note with interest, no mention of the cost even though I've supplied
the information you requested. I'll take it as read that you're can't
back up any of your guesswork with figures. This being the main issue
of course and one you seem unable to put to bed. You're certainly keen
to make smoke and hide from this matter.


No mistake..also I was (partially) taunting you..sorry.


I meant beemer and I said beemer. The cars are called beemers round
here - hardly anybody has or had the bikes. Indeed, I'd be surprised
if many outside of the biker world (or BMW magazine) even know BMW
still make bikes. If that's a cultural difference then so be it.


--
Z

On Sat, 24 Dec 2011 09:58:38 +0000, Zathras


Seriously?  Nah, just some tail-tweaking.


Your "my BMW is a laughing stock in the snow" was not meant to be
taken verbatim?  So it goes well in the snow with summer tires?  Wow.


Then you already know that they can be had for a lot less than BMW
wants for a set.


You *didn't* say that winter wheels and tires are too expensive for
you?  I could have sworn that you did.


This makes your apparent belief that wheels and tires for a BMW can
only be purchased from a BMW dealer even more puzzling.  You seem to
be vaguely aware of modern computer and information technology perhaps
you need to work on learning when it's appropriate to use it?


Well, you *were* making it out to be something very special and
potent, weren't you?


At this point, the cost is kind of irrelevant, isn't it?  You know
that I know ways get a far better deal than the dealer offers.  Your
claimed familiarity with modern computer technology and methods will
get you that same information, if you have the wit to apply it
properly.


Very cute.  Do you know any more of that AOL "insider" computer
jargon?


Well, my mistake.  I guess that some people cannot or will not learn.


"Taunting" me?  That's funny, though I can't imagine why you would
think it was somehow a "taunt."


You're a "that's the way we do it around here, boy" type?  That's very
telling.  It's probably the most pathetic excuse ever invented for
getting something wrong.

You really don't know much about BMW at all, do you?  Do you live in
some Mississippi backwater surrounded by mouth breathing old Chevy
pickemup drivers who think that only Harley Davidson makes motor
cycles?  That's the same narrow minded thinking that you seem to have
about winter wheels.


Thank you.  Please proceed.  And feel free to digress some more.