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Ownership - BMW 330ci Convertible - November, 2003

2001: General Notes | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
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2003: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
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2007: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
2008: January | February | March
November 4

Fall arrives in Northern California. Spotty top-down driving.

November 6

New tires

Tires are bald. The photo below is from the rear passenger side, the one with the bent rim. I'm pretty sure the uneven tread wear is due to my never putting air into them. The white spots are from the gravel that lines the road I live on.

Ordered new tires from Wheel Works in San Mateo, four Michelin Pilot Sport All-Season (A/S). Wheel Works matched TireRack.com's price $174/tire + $19 (I have the feeling that they're reselling them from TireRack.com since they said their warehouse is in Nevada). They're also going to take a look at my bent rim. Expect them in on 11/10.

More about Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires:
TireRack.com user reviews | TireRack tire comparisons | Michelin Pilot Sport A/S marketing info

November 18

New tires installed

Four new tires: Michelin Pilot Sport A/S. Size:205/50-17 YR Speed Rated.

Nice tires, but a bit pricey. The guys at Wheel Works on B St. in San Mateo were great—helpful and knowledgeable.

Cost breakdown
Tires
$772.00
 $193/tire (Tirerack.com price + $19)
Balancing
$44.00
 $11/tire
Alloy rim wheel weights
$14.00
 $3.50/tire
Rubber valve stem
$12.00
 $2.95/tire
Wheel works disposal fee
11.80
 $2.95/tire
California recycling fee
$4.00
 $1/tire
BMW alignment
$99.99
  
Slot R/F camber adjustment
$85.00
 See below
Sales Tax
$66.81
  
Total
$1109.60
  

Alignment Worksheet

Left Front
  
Right Front
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
in degrees
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
-0.2
-0.2
 -0.7 to 0.0
Camber
-0.1
0.0
 -0.7 to 0.0
4.7
4.7
 4.9 to 5.9
Caster
4.8
4.8
 4.9 to 5.9
0.06
0.04
 0.05 to 0.18
Toe
0.10
0.07
 0.05 to 0.18
    -2.07 to -1.07
Turning Angle Diff.
     -2.07 to -1.07
Front
 
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
Cross Camber
-0.1
-0.3
 -0.5 to 0.5
Cross Caster
-0.1
-0.1
 -0.5 to 0.5
Total Toe
0.16
0.11
 0.10 to 0.37
Left Rear
  
Right Rear
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
in degrees
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
-1.3
-1.4
 -1.8 to -1.3
Camber
-1.2
-0.6
 -1.8 to -1.3
0.17
0.00
 0.08 to 0.18
Toe
0.15
0.23
 0.08 to 0.18
Rear
 
Actual
Before
 Specific Range
Total Toe
0.32
0.23
 0.17 to 0.37
Thrust Angle
0.01
-0.11
 -0.10 to 0.10
November 19

Visitor asked about whether I take my car through carwashes and how it affects the top. My opinion has always been that I know full well that I'll need to replace it in after 8 years, so why worry.

 

 

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