Blue Ridge Chapter - BMW Car Club of America auf bergstrassen March 2016 Vol. XXXV Issue 1 Air & Space Museum Tour II by Dennis Topper Mark your calendars and save the date for May 1! Museum Docent and Blue Ridge member Bill Rowe has once again agreed to assist our club by sharing his experience and knowledge with the group. We made this trip 4 years ago and it was well supported and greatly enjoyed. May 1 We will meet at the intersection of Rtes. 522 and I-64 and travel north through picturesque countryside until we reach the Dulles Airport area and lunch at several of the local restaurants. After lunch, we will reconnoiter at the museum for the tour. by Dennis Topper Blue Ridge Spring Wine Tour is coming up on April 16. While details are still in the planning, you can expect to visit two or three wineries with plenty of twisties along the way and a break for a picnic, Blue Ridge Wine Tour COMING APRIL 16 snack, or lunch! This is our first driving event of the spring so dust off those cobwebs, clean up your Bimmer and plan to attend. More info, registration, and details to follow on our club website as well as on social media outlets and email. Bill has also offered to tailor this trip to the interests of those attending and will take topics, suggestions, and questions in advance of the tour via his email, wmrowe@comcast.net. Watch for registration announcements via email and on the Blue Ridge Chapter website. REMINDER Richmond BMW and West Broad BMW are going through major renovations. Check out our chapter website and chapter Facebook page for details of open house events at those dealerships! Lunch will be provided for all by the Chapter. Get your car checked out by a Master Technician. STAY INFORMED ONLINE: www.blueridgebmwcca.org www.facebook.com/blueridgebmwcca
Racing In the Winter! by Peter Larsen Around 15 people came to Thunderbolt Indoor Karting on a sunny and warm Saturday in December last year to have fun on the indoor track! The chapter paid for everyone to have 3 races and the competition was fierce. The chapter also provided catered sandwiches, a wide variety of cookies, chips, and drinks for everyone who attended at no charge to the attendees. Some of the best times were under 25 seconds for a lap in the electric indoor karting track. Your President won one (and only one!) race and he was proud as a peacock! Everyone had a great time and we will be having more events at Thunderbolt Indoor Karting, particularly in the colder months. Our Chapter had a Blast at Thunderbolt Indoor Karting on December 13, 2015! Hands-On at the New Thayer Motorsports Shop in Ashland by Ed Hellerman A number of Blue Ridge BMW CCA Chapter members attended the new Thayer Motorsports shop open house event on November 21, 2015. Thayers staff were on hand to talk with visitors about their new shop and available services, offering genuine BMW parts. Visitors enjoyed talking about their BMWs while enjoying delicious grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, snacks and drinks. Ed Hellermann, of Blue Ridge BMW CCA membership team, was on-hand to greet fellow BMW enthusiasts, chapter members, and to promote Blue Ridge BMW CCA membership. Thayer MotorSports shop is located in Hanover County Airpark at 9825 Atlee Commons Dr., Suite 116, Ashland, VA 23005. If you are in the Ashland area, be sure to stop by and check out Thayers services and/or check out their website: thayermotorsports.com. 2
The Fine Print Detailing Tech Session in Charlottesville by Brad Day A new automotive detailing specialist has opened in Charlottesville. Automotive Aesthetic recently opened their doors and head shine wizard Daniel has agreed to host a detailing tech session for the Blue Ridge Chapter on Saturday, April 9th. The session will begin at 11am with food and soft drinks provided by the chapter. Daniel will demonstrate a wide range April 9 of detailing products and techniques at his 1717 Allied Lane location in Charlottesville (behind Cville Coffee.) Whether you need a high quality wash and wax or a badly needed paint restoration, they can handle it all. Come hungry and loaded with questions! Please join us and send an e-mail RSVP to Brad at ub3r02@gmail.com so we know how much food to get. Auf Bergstrassen (On Mountain Roads) is the official publication of the Blue Ridge Chapter of the BMW CCA, Inc., (the Club) a not-for-profit organization in no manner connected with BMW or BMWNA. All information furnished herein is provided by and for the members of the Club and the Club assumes no responsibility for any of the ideas, opinions or suggestions contained herein. The contents of this newsletter remain the property of the Club. Persons wishing to communicate with the Club or submit articles for publication in the newsletter should address themselves to: Blue Ridge BMW Chapter P.O. Box 4381 Charlottesville, VA 22905 Display advertising space is limited and preference is given to businesses within the region that Blue Ridge Chapter serves. Inquiries should be directed to the editor. Note: Blue Ridge Chapter does not endorse the products and/or services offered by the businesses advertising in this publication. Please send address changes directly to: BMW CCA, Inc 640 South Main Street, Suite 201 Greenville, SC 29601 or call: 1.800.878.9292 Also visit www.bmwcca.org and log in to change address, phone, email, car models. Log in instructions are provided after clicking the login button at the top of the home page. 3
A Message from the President by Peter Larsen Hello Blue Ridge BMW members and friends! Spring is upon us and not a moment too soon. We had some snow this winter, and one whale of a storm in January! Remember? Seems so long ago. Spring is a time of renewal. Quick reminder to RENEW your BMW CCA membership if it s due. It s only $48 a year. And the benefit of Roundel magazine every month, invites to Chapter events, and discounts at the dealer make is so worth it. So celebrate renewal time and renew. We will have an active May and June this year! First up is the monthly socials in the locations of Richmond, Charlottesville, and Lynchburg. These are great fun and an easy event to bring guests to. We have the April Wine Tour and the May 1st Virginia Air & Space Museum event (details coming). Both Richmond BMW dealerships are going through MAJOR renovations! Newsletter submissions We will have an Open House at West Broad in June, and Midlothian probably a week or two later. It s a time to get a FREE assessment of your BMW by a Master Technician. Worth it! Our Chapter Facebook page continues to grow. We have about 552 connections and growing each year. Just 2 years ago we had 300 connections on Facebook. This is part of the strategy to reach out to younger BMW owners, they look at Facebook often. Have you LIKED our Facebook page? It s Blue Ridge BMW CCA. Please LIKE it. Twitter is active too. Follow us at BlueRidgeBMWTwi. Thanks! Instagram is also a way to connect. Follow us at Blue Ridge BMW. Lots of pictures are posted weekly. Celebrating my 2nd year as your President, I am continually humbled and grateful for the support of the Board, as well as so many members. If you have suggestions about how to improve the chapter, please let me know. Larsp2e@gmail.com or call me at 804-405-2322. Please submit all classifieds, photos, announcements, articles, etc. by to guarantee inclusion in the next newsletter issue. Unsolicited articles and photos are always welcome. Send to Peter Larsen at larsp2e@gmail.com. Who s who in Blue Ridge Officers President: Peter Larsen 804/ 405-2322 larsp2e@gmail.com Vice President: Nick Frye 434/ 229-9369 fryebaby161@gmail.com Secretary: Dennis Topper 804/ 380-5843 Topper219@comcast.net Treasurer: Brad Day 434/ 207-8008 ub3r02@gmail.com Newsletter Editor: Peter Larsen & Brad Day 804/ 405-2322 larsp2e@gmail.com 434/ 207-8008 ub3r02@gmail.com Richmond Rep: Paul Coakley 804/ 261-5928 pcoakley02@verizon.net Richmond Rep: Dennis Topper 804/ 380-5843 Topper219@comcast.net Charlottesville Rep: Steve Cunningham 434/ 962-9540 beadbrothers@gmail.com Charlottesville Rep: Phil Marx 434/ 979-4919 BMWCCA1@gmail.com Valley Rep: Butch Eskey 540/ 289-9872 abeskey@comcast.net Lynchburg Rep: Nick Frye 434/ 229-9369 fryebaby161@gmail.com Blacksburg Rep: James Millhiser jmillhiser@gmail.com Chapter Adviser: Tom Millhiser millhisert@aol.com Member Services Membership Coordinator: Mike Hogan 804/ 503-0811 mike@rvarealtor.com Membership Committee Members: Ed Hellerman, William Kavanaugh Tool Steward: Paul Muskopf mooseheadm5@yahoo.com Autocross Coordinator: John Harmon 804/ 360-1947 jharmon128@gmail.com Webmaster: Brad Day 434/ 207-8008 ub3r02@gmail.com Check out our website for current news and more www.blueridgebmwcca.org 4
Mark Your Calendar For More Spring Events Southeast Sharkfest When: April 28- May 1 Where: Chattanooga, Tennessee This is the 14th annual meet that started as 6-series focus and has expanded to include 2002 s and e9 coupes along with more recent models. There is a Friday mountain drive planned and fellow BMW drivers attending from up and down the east coast. A special rate has been negotiated with Marriott Chattanooga Downtown of $129/ night. The event registration includes all events as well as the awards dinner on Saturday evening. Sponsors include Odometer Gears as well as our own local enthusiast, Don Elliott. For registration, events, gallery, and more details check the website at www.bmwsharkfest.org. If you haven t attended or are just interested in Chattanooga for the railroads, plan to attend. The Vintage BMW Meeting When: May 20 to 22 Where: Asheville/ Hot Springs, NC This is a national gathering of vintage BMW s and this is the first time in Ashville. Aside from the cool cars, the area has plenty of other attractions such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewery. The host venue for the Saturday portion of the event is Hot Springs Resort and Spa. The host hotel is Clarion Inn Ashville Airport. I understand that the hotel may already be full so there are additional arrangements made at the Fairfield Inn, 31 Airport Park Rd, Fletcher, NC (only.6 miles from the Clarion) mention BMW Car Show for special rates. For more information and registration check out http://atthevintage.com. New Address Reminder If your mailing address has changed, please contact the National office to update their records. National supplies the mailing labels both for the Roundel and our chapter newsletter. We are unable to make changes at the local level. Log into your account at bmwcca.org or call 1.800.878.9292 to make changes. Have Something to Sell? Classified Info: Ads are free to Club members listing personal, BMW-related items. All ads will run in one issue only unless otherwise requested. Submit ads to Peter Larsen: larsp2e@gmail.com. 5
How To Replace Cigarette Lighter with ipod Open cover (1). Remove ashtray insert (2) in direction of arrow from center console function carrier (3). Unscrew bolt (1). Unclip side guides (2) and raise center console function carrier (3). Feed center console function carrier (3) out of front guides (5) and pull back a little. Unlock associated plug connections, disconnect and remove center console function carrier (3) from center console (4). Installation: Make sure front guides (1) of center console function carrier (3) are correctly seated. Make sure side guides (2) of center console function carrier (3) snap into place correctly. Replacement: Unlock plug (1) and unclip in direction of arrow from center console switch unit (4). Release screws (3) and remove switch unit on center console (4) in direction of arrow from center console function carrier (2). The Tool Box Paul Muskopf, tool steward mooseheadm5@yahoo.com If you d like to borrow a tool, contact Paul and he ll make arrangements to get the tool to you. The tools: Electronic troubleshooting manuals on CD for e23, e24, e28, e30, e31, e32, e34, and e36 models. Easily navigated wiring schematics (in English) showing colors and sequence of wires and connectors. Hub and rear wheel bearing R&R kit Master bushing kit for subframe bushings 16 1 050 - fuel line disconnect tool LT-940 - fuel pump retaining ring removal tool Tool for removing cooling fan from older models Reset tool/code readers for service indicator lights for models through 2007 Windshield lock trim tool Anti-theft radio screwdriver Clutch alignment tools for various models Bentley manual for the e30 (3-series 84 90) Bentley manual for the e34 (5-series 89 95) Bentley manual for the e36 (3-series 92 98) Bentley manual for the e39 (5-series 95 03) Bentley manual for the e46 (3-series 99 05) Parts CD BMW Mobile Tradition: includes e12, e21, e30, motorcycles to 69. G-Tech accelerometer Pressure brake bleeder by Motive Products Tie rod end puller Complete set of hex wrench sockets 6
Picture Perfect Check out all the fun we have! 7
Blue Ridge Chapter BMW Car Club of America P.O. Box 4381 Charlottesville, VA 22905 Return service requested Pre-Sort First Class U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2 Charlottesville, VA Chapter Website: www.blueridgebmwcca.org On the Horizon Here are some upcoming Blue Ridge BMW CCA events that you will want to attend in 2015-2016: April 6 Richmond Monthly Gathering. 5:30pm at Capital Ale House Midlothian. 6 Lyncburg Monthly get together at 5:30pm at West Side Deli. 16 Spring Wine Tour. Start in Charlottesville area and go to wineries throughout the area. Look to our Facebook page or the chapter website for more details. Organizer: Dennis Topper 20 Charlottesville Monthly Gathering. 6pm at South Street Brewery. May 1 - Virginia Air & Space Museum Chapter Drive. We will drive up to DC to tour the Museum. Back roads as much as possible! Organizer: Dennis Topper 4 Richmond Monthly Gathering. 5:30pm at Capital Ale House Midlothian. 4 Lyncburg Monthly get together at 5:30pm at West Side Deli. 18 Charlottesville Monthly Gathering. 6pm at South Street Brewery. June 1 Richmond Monthly Gathering. 5:30pm at Capital Ale House Midlothian. 1 Lyncburg Monthly get together at 5:30pm at West Side Deli. 15 Charlottesville Monthly Gathering. 6pm at South Street Brewery. Scan codes to jump to website or Facebook Use a QR scanner on your smartphone to jump to our website (left) or Facebook (right) for the latest! blueridgebmwcca.org facebook.com/blueridgebmwcca @BlueRidgeBMWTwi BlueRidgeBMW For up-to-date event info, see our website: www.blueridgebmwcca.org 8