Thursday, June 13, 2013

New Car Review 2012 BMW 328i

White BMW 328i 3/4 view parked in country setting
The 2012 BMW 328i.

Automotive history is littered with small cars that packed on the inches and pounds until they were no longer small. In a sense, its already happened with the 3-Series BMW, or else we wouldnt have had a 1-Series going on five years now.

So further enlargement of the 3 in its latest generation might not seem like such a good thing on paper. But this is not The Ultimate Reading Machine. So we drive.





Rear 3/4 view of white BMW 328i parked in country setting
Rear three-quarters view of the 2012 BMW 328i.

Sorry. What were we saying?

You have to be very, very good at building cars to make the car bigger, put a four-cylinder where literally generations of drivers have come to expect a six, and still have a terrific driving experience.

BMW is very, very good at building cars. Sure, the four doesnt quite have the zing of the best sixes in the world (which is what BMW built)...but it doesnt feel like anybody elses four, either. Its 2.0 liters, 16 valves, dual overhead cam, an aluminum block, Twin-Power Turbo and variable valve timing. And the upside (a big part of why BMW is switching to fours) is fuel economy...an EPA estimated 23 city/34 highway. In a week of some seriously awful stop-and-go rush hour commutes, we averaged 27.6, which is better than what weve seen in some lesser economy cars.

Handling? Its darn near a cliche, but its true, so here goes: The car is like an extension of your brain. Think "I want to go......there", turn the wheel just so and....youre there. Zero delay, a slop factor of nil. Simple, precise response.

In a world of $27,000 uplevel Accords and Camrys, $34,900 for this kind of precision and quality is by no means out of line. And it comes with Driving Dynamics Control, Dynamic Stability Control, Dynamic Traction Control, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, Dynamic Brake Control, Cornering Brake Control, tire pressure monitoring, halogen high and low beam headlights and halogen free-form front foglights, a three-spoke, leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth, iDrive with a 6 and a half inch color display, automatic climate control, rain sensing wipers, automatic headlights, an AM/FM/CD/mp3 audio system with HD Radio, iPod and USB adapter, 17 inch light alloy wheels with run-flat all season tires and a full complement of active and passive safety features.


The 2012 BMW 328i optional Sport Line interior in Dakota Coral Red/Black.



Options? You can get em, and our test vehicle had em. Including the Dakota Coral Red/Black leather interior you see above ($1,450). Then theres the Sport Line Package...Sports leather steering wheel, an upgrade to 18 inch light alloy wheels, door mirror caps in black, sport seats, brushed aluminum trim, high-gloss black trim highlights and an anthracite headliner ($2,500). The Adaptive M Suspension is $900.

Theres also a moonroof ($1,050), split fold-down rear seat ($475), heated front seats ($500), satellite radio with a one-year subscription ($350) and BMW Assist with enhanced Bluetooth and USB ($650).
Add on the $895 destination charge and youre at $43,670.

Now, that close to 45K, I have trouble making the bargain...and even the value analogy. Its all neat stuff and if you want it and can afford it, great. But some judicious cherry-picking of the options list (Red interior: Maybe. Sport Line Package: Maybe. Adaptive M Suspension: Definitely.....) can keep you on this side of $40,000, which is good value. And buying it box stock for $34,900...well, thats a stone cold deal.
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Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Podiums with his own hands VAZ 2110

In order to make their own podiums for vases 2110, you will need these materials: - plywood 10 millimeter, about 1 square meter of plywood and another 3-millimeter, about 0.7 square meters - a cardboard to make layouts - polyurethane foam, approximately 500 grams - 0.25 millimeter fiberglass, approximately 1 square meter - 1.5 liters of epoxy resin - 0.1 liters Hardener - 1 liter solvent - 0,5 kg filler with fiberglass - Spatula Rubber - screws 15 mm and 20 mm, 15 pieces with large round head - 14 pieces of wood screws, flat head - the nails of 10 mm, about a matchbox - 1 square meter of artificial leather, the color of the shell door. In addition, you will need tools such as shliferka, jigsaw, electric drill and various screwdrivers and knives. The process of manufacturing the catwalks are not very original. From the beginning to make a power cage. Take a 10-mm plywood for the base, which is adjacent to the casing of the door, as well as an oval, which will be attached speaker. To fit the base. Relief under the skin, it is necessary to adjust the base for this, we use 3-mm pieces of plywood. On the ground, fix oval, with 3 uprights which secures with screws countersunk head. The fourth stand you do not need the base serves instead. Next on the basis of applied polyurethane foam, maintains her day around. After, cut the foam residue, a knife and process coarse sandpaper. This must be done in order to give the correct form of a skeleton. Then, it is necessary to prepare the surface for laminating fiberglass. All errors must be carefully paint over putty, it should be applied thinly. Next wait until it dries and process shliferkoy in order to get rid of the irregularities. Next take the fiberglass. Before you start, it must be burned with a blowtorch, or at the stake, so that no more wax. The thickness of the glass is not very important, thin 0.25 mm or less falls better. But still she repeats all the irregularities. That she was tough, you need to apply multiple layers. Make a mixture of epoxy resin and hardener, the ratio should be approximately 20 to 1. Until the desired consistency to the mix we must add the solvent, and then stir well to avoid lumps remain. Next, soak the fiberglass, and then apply a thin layer of cooked weight to the podium. Lay fiberglass, gently smoothing it so as not to remain the folds and bubbles. Excess material is cut with scissors. Dry it should be at least one day. When everything is dry, you need to carefully cut the hole for the speaker, it should be done with a knife with serrated edges. If you have any inaccuracies, delete them shliferkoy. Then try on as catwalk falls on the door trim. Next, you must drag the catwalks of artificial skin. To begin to tighten the skin so that never appeared folds. All secure with nails and skin, which is located on the oval speaker, glue super glue to it from slipping when you'll cut it. Internal illumination of speakers to do so: Take the hot melt glue and spread them all the surface dynamics of the reverse side.

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Sunday, June 9, 2013

Arm VAZ 2107 with his own hands

Usually, when long trips, hands that are unsupported tired. To do this, and need armrests that provide convenience and drivers and passengers. But for this device, there are security requirements. For VAZ 2107, there are many models of armrests, but despite all the attractive accessories on the shelf or in a box, in the prescribed form, they put it mildly, do not look. But this can not be attributed to all models as a whole. For example, arm rests, without a box looks great, and the additional possibility of raising provides additional scope and increases the space, making this a win-win option. In turn, the armrests are very comfortable with a box of its spaciousness. For example, for storing gloves. Because of this, the demand for such increases armrests. The average cost of this enhancement is about $ 20, which translated into the Russian currency is about 600 rubles. Those people whose hands can be considered as gold, may well themselves to build similar object. In order to properly outline drawing, you need to calculate all sizes, ranging from the distance between the seats. Even the absolutely identical machines available in different figures. Get comfortable, it should be noted the level of paralytic elbow. This is necessary in order to subsequently cap was raised to 3 cm above. Putting the car on the handbrake, measure the distance from the handle lever of the brake to the rear passenger seat backrest. Measurements of boxing needs to have sitting right rear passenger was not bruising on his left leg, as usually the driver's seat is more push back than the front passenger seat. In carrying out such elementary calculations, convenience will be ensured not only the driver, but all people in his car. Also need to fasten your seat belt and in a position to measure the distance that will seamlessly secure and release the belt. Sami catches the transfer belt can not in any way. If your car seat installed by other manufacturers, it is necessary to reflect on the sketch, all data on the location of the belt. But we should remember that the most convenient are five-point safety belts. All the preparatory drawings are ready and it should bring the final calculations, which will help to create his own armrest. Do not forget in his sketches of the fixtures, as well as about what it will look better than sloping front end than any other. Semi-finished foundation should make pyatimillimetrovoy plywood. From it you need to cut all the components of the box, namely: front and rear end parts, a lid, bottom and front wall of the armrest, and the side walls. That the front end part has a sloping, you must bend it over the steam, and just as soon as it cools, it should cut the connectors for the parking brake. This should be done to become soft plywood and plastic, and move the handbrake became fluent. Cementing all the details together with screws and bars, you get almost ready armrest for your car. Start with a face you can after you have marked the holes for the possible switch and cigarette lighter. Bottom of the design, usually glued over a thin layer of foam rubber, then on the arm and jacket.

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Friday, June 7, 2013

Google Maps Driving So Fun

Road - the road to a new place we visit is fun, but if a stray it will be very boring. This time I, encoba from hp android google maps to find points of interest.

Google maps is a standard application in every hp android. Compared with the blackberry, android google maps can be opened more quickly and easily. To Maximum Traffic google maps, you must first activate his gps facility. If we do not know the position where we are staying pake facilities "My Locations".

Before starting the journey, which is done first is to find the target in place that will be addressed. Targets that can be a street name, building or area name / housing. If you want to accurately use the coordinates of our destination.


With a quick google maps directly show the fastest path to the destination indicated by the blue line on the map. At each intersection point google maps will give clues to which direction to turn. I intentionally focus following the directions on the map regardless of direction/ road signs or ask someone.

The results are remarkable, carrying all the way never stray or until the person should ask. Accuracy is shown goole maps were great. Accuracy can be obtained because of facilities on the hp GPS function properly. Experience using another phone sometimes inaccurate google maps showing our location because the benchmark used is not a satellite telephone bts GPS.


Only one of the weaknesses of this facility, to follow the map we must often manually shift the phone screen, not like real GPS screen is always shifted in the direction we are heading. For the safety of navigation affairs is better left to the co driver / passenger for cars and motorcycles.

Happy adventuring with google maps
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Wednesday, June 5, 2013

VIDEO Speed Camera Van Tarred And Feathered



Posted last night on YouTube. Poster says its Phoenix and those are Arizona temporary tags. The vehicles unmarked, but its new (the temp tags).

Could be legit...but its also April Fools Day.

A civilian employee in one of these vehicles with DPS markings was killed about a year ago when someone pulled up and opened fire. The suspect is on trial now.
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