Clic sur le drapeau!
Indian Summer l, ll and lll is just leaving. Halloween usually brings the first snow storm, but not this year.
It was freezing harder because the frost on the windshield was taking longer to scrape off. Aren't you glad you live where it's warmer ?
The Canada Jays, the Blue Jays and brave little Chickadees have been back for some time now. This is their Winter Vacation land!
Years ago I learned the Canada Jays, AKA ' Whiskey Jacks', like dog food. My dog, use to join the birds eating their sunflower seeds. Role reversals in the animal kingdom. Early morning breakfast here is busy.The Chickadees buzz my head like P51 Mustangs. Not seeing the geese flying high in the long 'V formations' yet, no ice on lake, so winter slow coming this year.
We have had lots of positive compliments on our last newsletter. Did we hit BMW's quality ? Yes. Interesting ? Hmmm . . our local super-duper real estate sales lady, Jodi Gibson said: " Looks great, but, Engines Engines Engines." So I have added some of the nice stuff, [ click to bottom - Life Train ]. And for an extra measure we'll start showing you some of our other customers boats. We're beginning this trip with the Pearson Flyer and the 'M Power' Sabre made in the UK by Plancraft.
We get busier and busier selling engines. Two D7's are in the process for full rebuilds now. If you are have been thinking it's time to do something with your engine over the winter [ It's summer in OZ ] now is a good time to contact us before the rush begins.
American Thanksgivings Day is weeks away. Thanksgivings Day in the USA is America's time for family. Here in Canada it is Christmas. So in Bavaria is it Oktoberfest ?
These bulletins are fun.
Don Finkle's newsletter came in, AGAIN and AGAIN. Latest one he was writing on a plane on a Sunday evening. Dedicated type 'A' ? Here's a few of his comments on both of Annapolis' Sail and Power Boat Shows.
[ Interesting his comments on the two types of sailors. . . ]
First, the customers [ power boaters ] are not as hardy, it rained yesterday, just as it did last week at the sail show, but the crowd was much smaller this time. The bars start to fill up earlier in the day. The waitresses will tell you that the powerboaters are better tippers!
While the sail show has some big stuff on the outer docks, the power show really has the "heavy iron". I saw one boat with a sign on it; "Show Special, this hull only, $1,297,000". This was far from the largest boat in the show. I marvel at how they move all the sailboats out from the first show and move in all the powerboats, in only two days time.
The hangover from the sail show has been all good. We have already sold a Hunter 45CC and a Hunter 27 and have a bunch more deals in the works. One dealer friend of mine sold five Beneteau 473s alone at Annapolis, plus a bunch of others! The superb summer weather we had seems to have customers focused on their plans for next year, not wanting to miss out on another season in a new boat.
It seems American's economy is still cruising along nicely . . . at 'almost' full throttle !
back to BMW . . . .
It's amazing where you run into 'Sailboaters'.
Each year the ladies at our church make 400 dozen Polish style Perogies and they ' sell like hotcakes'. Prior to the 'folding bee' the potatoes have to be pealed, boiled, mashed etc. so I pitch in to do some of the 'heavier work'. Behind every good woman... 
At a coffee break discussion up comes Mexico and 'Sailfest' and building a school for native kids to learn Spanish so they can go to school.
So if you are sailing south down the West Coast, somewhere between Acapulco and Porto Vallarta there's this place where the sailors gather, have fun, race and do 'Good Deeds'.
Here's the links . . . [ first stop the local Bar ] . . . .
Rick's Bar - http://www.ricksbar-zihuatahejo.50megs.com/
Mark you calendar, or post a note on the Fridge ' Before I die' list. ::
Regatta en el ParaisoZihua Sailfest 2006 February 1 - 5, 2006
It's six weeks since my trip to Germany to meet with BMW. Things are returning to slightly normal here on Lake of the Woods.
' BAVARIA'
Lesson number # 1 :
There's this bottom corner of Germany in 'Hammer Country' next to the great Austria, called Bavaria. I believe Bavaria became part of Germany about 100 years ago. It's Capital city is the 'Hard work - hard playing' Munchen / Munich. Maybe that should be 'Efficient Working'. Munich is not the huge 'Megalopolis' type city. And when I saw the Tiffany store, and the cocktail parties for the Movie or fashion industry in progress, the sound of the Prosperity Bell rang clear in my head. Here a 3 year old BMW is an OLD BMW.
Planning my trip, I figure, go there in September, before Oktoberfest starts, I not big on being the 'Tourist' or standing in lines. Surprise ! If you think Oktoberfest is in October. Wrong. Seems the 'Bavarians' cannot wait to enjoy the beer and the good weather. This year it started Sept. 17th. I arrived Sept. 14th. Hotels ? Good luck. My business friends looked after me. It all works out.
The most pleasant surprise; it seems the 'Lower Cut' traditional Bavarian dress the Ladies wear carries over into modern everyday wear. Hummm. The trip started off great at the airport, and didn't stop.
Everyone I met in this part of the world has an ease about them. These are a gracious people.
The reception I received at BMW, both at the Steyr Austria engine plant and in Munich reflected this. Wonderful. 3 engine plants in 2 days. A motorheads dream.
Steyr, 3 hours east of Munich, over the border in Austria, is amazing. BMW's engine plant here is a model of Automation with a capital 'A' and quality controls with a 'Crisp' capital 'C'.
And the town of Steyr turned out to be a gem! A city of 50,000 at the junction of two rivers. From Steyr by car, within 2 to 4 hours, you can be on an Italian beach, a Croatian Islands, in a Vienna theatre, in Switzerland or in France. And that's just for starters.The corn fields here remind me of those outside of Chicago. Economics here are very good. House prices are reasonable and unemployment hovers at 2-1/2 %.
This is the 'Land of the Hammer' as in blacksmiths and forges. Working Iron and steel is in these people's blood. My 1st. impression of Austria ? A great neighbour for Germany, Europe's powerhouse. The German - Austrian relationship is maybe not unlike Australia and New Zealand's. They Compete hard, and after the game, celebrate hard, together. Good friends, good neighbours ? My guts tell me so.
After 5 years specializing in marketing BMW Marine engines and parts it was time to meet with BMW. This was the 'Intro' trip. The result, we now know who the important ' players are'. The most apprehensive meeting turned out well. Our first goal was to give our customers quality parts support. This job is 85 % done. We still struggle on some items, but slowly we conquer each challenge. Service support we have less control over, however, almost weekly, another Marina somewhere in the world comes to us for parts. Our reference list of Marina's now numbers 185 worldwide. Here we are 15 % satisfied. A next focus is 'ENGINES. To date we have sold only 20 odd engines. We focus on selling more in the coming year.
Our immediate goal is to solidify a parts supply for you, our customers, for another 17 years.
Maintaining and improving the 'reliability' of your BMW is our first concern.
Friends in right places. Our associate in Hamburg, Eckhard Guise works at Europecar. You're not going to visit BMW in a Lada ! Munich Europecar is given Instructions : ' Upgrade Mr. Langtry a 5 or even 7 Series. He's going to visit BMW.' Didn't happen, the upgrade that is. The 'Coupe de gras' of the trip the new [rented] BMW 320d. That's a 3 Series, 2.0 litre 'd' for diesel engine, for those of you that are not familiar with BMW's model designations. Up at 200 KPH / 120 MPH she cruised nicely down the Autobahn Was the tach at 3500 rpm? As I recall, my focus was not on the instruments ]. Cruising ! And more pedal to go. The German Autobahn, a motorheads dream. Hours of fun and, no ticket. Father Roger, Is this heaven ?
It had a 6 speed manual trans bolted to the 4 cylinder version of the 'Hot Rod Six' diesel.
The engine was a shade noisy, outside, idling. Not a big deal. Economical ! Super. Less than US $ 100.00 covered me for 8 days travel. And the dreaded 'I Drive' everyone complains about. What a great tool. It saved me two days time looking at maps, missing the scenery and getting un-lost amongst signs in a foreign language. Punch in the destination address [ the GPS knows where you are now, within 3 feet ] and then this nice Lady, somewhere in the dash, gives you directions in perfect English. In the middle of the dash is the TV screen with dancing arrows showing you where to aim. And the 'kicker' is when she says:
" You have arrived at your destination ". And you have! Like WOW. Modern Techno-Magic. After finding a parking spot, several times I asked her, with visions of her in her Bavarian costume, to join me for a beer. No luck. Turn off the key, she's gone. Well maybe next trip.
In the last few months it been Pearson Flyer - Pearson Flyer - Pearson Flyer.  Why do 'you all' come in flocks ? First it was the Hans Christian / Lord Nelson 40 footer guys, [ or guys with 40 foot boats ] then the S2ers and then the Aloha's. Next ! ! ! !
And for some reason, they are mostly on Lake Champlain. Lake Champlain in upstate New York, up south from Montreal, at the last count, has 3 or 4 Flyers, all with their D7 Bimmer. One guy apparently has a Yanmar. Kind of sad, but we can fix that sooner or later. Maybe he's sell it to a guy with a Bimmer and a Beemer and a vengeance.? Never know, eh !
Our first exposure the Flyer was when we sold Pippy Longstockings, a new D7, to Bill Gardner. Bill sails out of San Diego. Bought the engine, never heard from him. Pippy with her red hair in pig tails,was all a flutter when she left. A new job, nice boat. Life's good.Since then the Flyer owners keep coming to us for technical help and parts and engines. Life's good. All round.
Three owners to date have moved up to the D12's which we supplied. Seems if they are into any currents, 30 feet is a lot to ask of a little D7. The D12 upgrade takes some work, mostly in building stainless extensions to the stringers.
Here is the Pearson Flyer designer, Bill Shaw's letter about his reasons for the flyer.
Interested in buying a Pearson Flyer ? I checked and guess who has 3 for sale? Don Finkle's RCR Yachts of course. Fresh not salt water boats ? A BMW D7 ? Fantastic! And if she, the D7 starts easy, buy her. If not, buy her anyway. It has to be the least expensive way of becoming.After BMW wins the America's Cup, we'll have about 3000 happy owners around the world. You can call Scoop Hyde in Rochester, NY @ 1.585.339.9730
Most of our B130 customers are concentrated in the UK and Ireland. Once we heard there's a Mercedes Benz executive in Germany with one in a runabout, Apparently the engine is all dressed up and immaculate. 
Staying in the UK, Kane Burgoyne called recently, wondering about his recent purchase of a Plancraft with a B130 and Mark l drive. Kane is a BMW fan, and, so naturally the boat appealed to him. Good choice,
He was mused ? I related to him that most of these boats have now been through 4 or 5 hands. Typically they are now very neglected. Beaters. Buy the trailer and you get the boat with it. Not long back, New Jersey one went for under $ 500.00. After Chris Lindstrom got it home [ the 'X' sold it to him, as ex hubby had left it too long in her front yard. ] he popped open the engine cover. A BMW ! Talk about where life leads us !
Some of us love to take on these projects, I do. But to get her back to 'Square One' ? Not cheap. The Z-drive alone can swallow a $ 3,000.00 bill in minutes. Stainless or original BMW exhaust manifolds, another $ 2,000. The BMW manifolds can lasted 17+ years. Plancraft Sabre Kane's
Meanwhile back to Kane, he sends me photo's. Surprise! She's one of those Plancraft's BMW 'M Power' babies. Last one we saw was in Switzerland. The owner was to ship her to Steve at Plancraft, to have the B130 pulled, and get this, put into a new hull ! I can only picture this boat ' restored' lying dockside in America!
Kane wrote:
Hi,
been out in my boat today and was picked up by the police for doing 75 mph
got an on the spot fine
but
they said it was one of the quickest boats they had ever chased.
but
still had a bit more
do you know what the top speed on a Plancraft is or the design speed ? kb
 So I ask Kane, "Do you have Speed Limit Signs mounted on buoys there ? "
[ " Can you imagine this with a B220 six ? I could make money in the summer drag race 40 year old kids on SeaDoo's. Wonder if a D7 diesel would fit in a SeaDoo ? Humm. But no where to mount the mast for the sail.]
Good news, we now have another new D7 on the way in. She will get a thorough go through before we ship.
These are rare. If you'd like a New D7, she's on her way into our stock shortly. And if you miss out on a rare new one, we do have 3 D7's here now. Call and we'll book one through the shop for you. We have 2 in the works at present to be shipped in the next 2-3 weeks. If you'd like to own a Brand new D7 please call. Don't be disappointed.
 We hope to get a few D7's onto the shelf for sale next summer. We disappointed a few customers wanting a D7 midsummer. We don't like doing that.If you would like a D7 for next year you can order one now and we'll ship to you in lots of time for next season. We have 3-4 cores on hand. For those not able to afford a fully rebuilt D7, one overhauled D7 will be available in late November.
Only two 'Rebuilts' on the shelf. 'Ugly Ducking' is now looking good.
After these are gone, it could be pretty dry for about 4-5 months. Come and get one while they are still warm.
 Poor [ We purchased her in Clinton N.J. ] Hillary.She's still sitting in Bayfield awaiting her trip to the 'Spa'. WE yanked her transmission, the dreded ZF, and sold her flex plate. It was like new. I think she's going to clean up well. On my way to visit her now.
Latest news is that a lot of the Jonmeri's out of Finland came with Rich's favourite, the D50 three cylinder. A mechanic working on the D50 in a 40'er described the wood work in the Jonmeri as unbelievbvly beautifully done. The parts availability on these is still good. The 'Ribbed' oil cooler still giving me a tooth ache.
We can ship the D50-1 oil cooler in a kit, and it will fit. Our kit, the engineering folder waits for me.
Lift Pump BMW # 1331 1331 218
Our experience shows that the Lift pump, what we called the fuel pump on cars, tend to wear out after 15 years. We sell many of these pumps for our smaller diesel engines. If the diaphragm breaks or the poppet valves plug with dirt from the tank, you are down.
We recommend you order a replacement lift pump for your on board kit. Except for the bleeding of the lines, replacement is a simple procedure. Ideally, you replace the old lift pump, and keep the old one that is still working as an emergency spare.
Our price on these is US $ 118.24. If you need fuel, oil or air filters, add thee to your order and save shipping costs.
Remember the fuel filters come I two diameters. The older style is 3-1/4 " in diameter. The newer model is 4-1/4'' diameter.
ANTIFREEZE
For Aluminium RED Colour 20-30 % Air bubbles. D150 etc.
When you come to us looking for parts and props, the most important concern is do you have a Mark l or a Mark ll.
Most of the time the serial number plate is long gone. Here are some photos. Remember, all the transom parts stay the same, it's just the legs that change. The biggest difference is BMW moved the drive U-Joint or Constant velocity [ CV] joint to the leg on the Mark ll. Pull off a Mark ll leg, the U-joint comes with it. On the Mark l, the U-joint stays attached to the rear of the engine, to the bell housing.
The most visible difference is the two black inlet grill[s] in front of the prop on the Mark l. One on each side. On the Mark ll, BMW replaced the grills with 4 fluted holes 14mm [ !/2"] diameter.
Next, the Mark l came with a 'Bullet' pinned to the back of the prop. The Mark ll Prop has large 83 mm [ 3-1/4" ] hole at the back with the nut visible. Also the Mark l had a flapper over the wide exhaust port at the hindmost end of the drive.
Finally the drives came in 3 different ratios. The Diesel's have 1.61:1, the B190/220 gas had 1.95:1, and the 4 cylinder B130 has a 2.05:1 ratio. Currently we have on new Mark ll, 1.95:1 for the B220 and B190, in stock.
This thing has the 'Hot Rod Diesel' in it. Ouch. And I think of all the kids today putting this Tomato Juice Cans on the tail pipe of their Hondas and then think they are going faster. . . . . BMW just raised the bar ! Again.
This thing has to be 'Scary fast'. 7.5 seconds to 60 ! And its a BMW 6, not a '4' and it comes in 4 wheel drive. Again the boys over at Mercedes loose sleep. Dropping 'Buckets on the 'Smart Car'.
When does America get to buy BMW diesels ? BMW is the ' Diesel engine leader in the world. Steyr ships 3.0 litre 6 to Spartanburg, installed in the X5. Then shipped everywhere - but America. Sad.
BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world. It's financial performance is the envy of its competitors, and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty. While many carmakers struggle with falling sales, profits and market share, demand for BMWs continues to grow, frequently outpacing production. Now, David Kiley-Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today and author of Getting the Bugs Out, which covered Volkswagen's demise and rebirth, goes inside the fabled German automaker to see how it does what it does so well. With unprecedented access to BMW executives, Kiley goes behind the walls of BMW's famed "Four Cylinders" headquarters in Munich at a time when the company is in its most aggressive, and some say riskiest, expansion in its history and when some of the company's new products, like the 7 Series sedan and Z4 roadster, are for the first time drawing as many barbs from critics as bouquets. Kiley covers intimate details of the boardroom drama surrounding the company's nearly disastrous acquisition and subsequent sale of the British Rover Group and its expansion into selling MINI and Rolls Royce cars. Besides being a world-class carmaker, BMW is also considered one of the smartest consumer marketing companies and Kiley explores the extraordinary value and management of the BMW brand mystique. He also takes a revealing look at the mysterious and ultra-private Quandt family of Bad Homburg Germany, which owns a controlling stake in BMW: Johanna and Susanne Quandt, two of the wealthiest women in Europe and Stefan Quandt, one of the wealthiest bachelors on the continent.
David Kiley (Ann Arbor, MI) is the Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today who has covered the auto industry for 17 years. He has been featured on Nightline, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR and the Today show. He is also the author of Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Volkswagen in America (0-471-26304-4), also available from Wiley.
Trapani Sicily Italy
The tents for the America's Cup Park have been erected, new pavement is down on the street, and fresh coats of paint are being slapped on everything in sight - it's been a beautiful evolution, and local interest in the event couldn't be higher.
On Sunday afternoon, a full five days before racing begins and the AC Park is opened, the waterfront was packed with locals on their Sunday 'promenade', watching the Cup boats returning from training. The Defender of the America's Cup, Alinghi, has a strong hold on the season championship.
The Defender of the America's Cup has a powerful six point lead over BMW ORACLE Racing, so Alinghi would have to stumble badly in Sicily to be overhauled.
Behind Alinghi is where it really gets tight. BMW ORACLE Racing is just one point clear of both Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa.
The Americans [BMW] were stronger in Malmö, but the Kiwis were the season champions in 2004, and Luna Rossa is competing in its home country for the first time ever, so there's plenty to play for in this battle among the top three Challengers. "This is an important moment for us because it will allow many Italians to enjoy first-hand the unique atmosphere of the America's Cup," said Vincenzo Onorato, the leader of Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia.
A short Primer' on Beemers.
The traditional BMW Motorcycle has a 'Boxer' engine. Boxer engines have horizontally opposed cylinders, 180 degrees apart. Boxer style engines include those in the VW beetle, the older Westphalia Vans with a air cooled 4 cylinder and the modern Subaru's with water cooled 4's. Most light aircraft, like the Cessna's have 4 or 6 cylinder boxers made by Lycomming or ? ? ? ? . The most famous Boxers of all - the Ferrari 12's. The toughest boxers; the Porsche 911 et all.
The traditional BMW bikes are the 'R' series. When you see a new Beemer R1200 you'll see the cylinders, two, poking a head out on each side. The theory is that this design lowered the centre of gravity of the bike, making the bike handle better.
The 'K' bikes are more recent, dating from the early 1980's. The K75 was a 3 cylinder and the K 1000 a four of 750 cc and 1000 cc's respectively. The K75's had the reputation of being bullet smooth runners. I owned one. It was. The K bikes engine lies down flat on it's side, except for the new K 1200R and K1200K that appear to have left to right position like the Japanese 4's. These are the recent 'Gauntlet dropped by BMW. 'Bare knuckle' bikes.
Another signature of a BMW bike is the 'Shaft Drive'. No chains, as you see on the Harleys and Hondas and Yamaha's and Suzuki's and last but not least the 'Cows' as in Kawasaki. Kawasaki seems to be the BMW of Japan. A very reputable company.
Lastly, and this is real neat, when you look at most 'Beemers, the rear wheel doesn't have an axle. The wheel bolts onto the Shaft Drive arm, just like a car wheel. Neat. Talk about engineering . . . .
Last is the latest 'Cult' bike the 650's. I believe they are made in Italy to BMW's engineering design. They have a single cylinder, like our D7 and D12's. These are not classed as a road bike but for off-road autocrossing or dirt tracking or . . .
It is interesting to note that in town the bikes we see are mostly not BMW's. May people are surprised to see a BMW motorcycle. But on the highway here, it is surprising how many of the bikes are Bimmers. It seems to push 40-50%.
For travelling in North America the Gold Wings are very popular, followed by the Yamaha's. But, it seems these are the take the wife for a trip bike. With BMW's, she'll ride her own ! Just my impression.
A great read for you guys out there that like business and BMW's and international finance, the 'Investment Biker' is a great read. [ I am never ceased to be amazed by our good neighbours the Americans. ]
Sedan racing. The race for first place has been held by BMW for some time now, however the completion is fierce.
Cadillac dropped a Corvette V8, cut out the frame to lighten and lower their circuit car and beat BMW in Montreal so they could brag in their newspaper adds.
One thing about you American's, 'Race on Sunday . . . . .'
The part I like is that if you don't win that Sunday, look out next Sunday.
Being a 'Car Nut' as well as a bit of a MotorHead, I enjoy reading mostly Car and Driver. Sometimes I even buy Motor Trend after I've spent 20 minutes reading it in the Safeway Library.
Here's the latest on the new M5, The 'Best in the World' car.
Financial news:
"Shares of Porsche AG plummeted 10% yesterday ( Sept... 26th.) after the sports-car Maker said it is acquiring a fifth of Volkswagen AG to head of any attempt at a hostile takeover of Germany's No. 1 Automaker."
LEAD, FOLLOW . . . . [ insert 'M' logo ]
Infiniti has announced their New 2006 Model, the M Series. the M45 sedan with 335 HP V8.
You can always tell the 'Followers'. . . .
But granted, Nissan does make nice stuff ! Are they trying to match Lexus ? Or just shooting for the Top, BMW ?
Granted these two Japanese automobile manufacturers do make some very nice product.
Nov 3-6 Strictly Sail St. Petersburg, [ Florida of course ]
Dec 31-Jan 8 NY National Boat Show [ The Big Apple, New York ]
Jan 13-22, Cleveland Mid - America Sail & Power Boat Show,
February 2-5, Strictly Sail Chicago Show, Navy Pier
- D7 - 1 new arriving Dec. 1st., 3 cores, 1 overhauled available late November.
- D12 - 2 rebuilt. 3 cores.
- D35/2 - 1 core
- D50/2 - 1 new, 2 cores, 1 low hours Hamburg stock.
- D150 - None
- D190 - 1 core
- D530 - 1 core not in our stock
- D636 - none
- D254 - 1 rebuilt
- B130 - 1 core long block
- B130 - 1 new
- B190 - None
- B220 - 1 New Long Block, Early model 1977
- B220 - 5 cores Long blocks, Take-outs
- B220W - 1 'Inboard' low hours, i.e. 25 TTSN.
- B635 - None
- B130 Mk ll - 1 new Ratio : 2.08:1
- B220 Mk ll - 1 new Ratio : 1.95 : 1
- B220 Mk 1 - 2 cores Ratio : 1.95 : 1
- D190 Mk ll - None Ratio : 1.60 : 1
- V12 - 1 core [ 1991 automotive for marinizing, located Hamburg Germany stock.]
In addition to the above, surprisingly, we have engines offered to us continually. Many of these are new engines. Many are 'take-outs' replaced usually with Yanmars.
The current list includes:
1 B220's with Mk ll drive, 2 -B190's with Mk ll drives, 1 new D35-1, and 3 new D35-1's
It is difficult for us to purchase all the engines offered to us, however we do do our best.
If you are seriously interested in a particular BMW engine, call us and discuss what you want and your price range.
It may take a while, but odds are you'll get what you want at a fair or better price. Often the seller is motivated. If you are buying you are in a strong position to deal.
Interested in a new B635, 3.5 litre 6 to replace your B220 ? New BMW engines are available. With or without catalytic converters.
Interested in an 'M' engines, with lots of horsepower ? Our associate in Hamburg Germany is in the heart of Germany's 'Hot Rod' neighbourhood.
Tell us the Horsepower you want - we will build it for you.
As for the new 3003 tii, 3.0 litre 6 cylinder 'Hot Rod Diesel' a few have been built and are running in boats in Austria.
We have the engineering expertise to do the marine conversion. Although new BMW engine blocks are not yet available to us, low mileage blocks from 'Totalled wrecks in Germany are ! Can we build a 'Pair' for you ?
DRIVEN - Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World $ 27.95
David Kiley ISBN # 0-471-26920-4
BMW is arguably the most admired carmaker in the world. It's financial performance is the envy of its competitors, and BMW products inspire near-fanatical loyalty. While many carmakers struggle with falling sales, profits and market share, demand for BMWs continues to grow, frequently outpacing production. Now, David Kiley-Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today and author of Getting the Bugs Out, which covered Volkswagen's demise and rebirth, goes inside the fabled German automaker to see how it does what it does so well. With unprecedented access to BMW executives, Kiley goes behind the walls of BMW's famed "Four Cylinders" headquarters in Munich at a time when the company is in its most aggressive, and some say riskiest, expansion in its history and when some of the company's new products, like the 7 Series sedan and Z4 roadster, are for the first time drawing as many barbs from critics as bouquets. Kiley covers intimate details of the boardroom drama surrounding the company's nearly disastrous acquisition and subsequent sale of the British Rover Group and its expansion into selling MINI and Rolls Royce cars. Besides being a world-class carmaker, BMW is also considered one of the smartest consumer marketing companies and Kiley explores the extraordinary value and management of the BMW brand mystique. He also takes a revealing look at the mysterious and ultra-private Quandt family of Bad Homburg Germany, which owns a controlling stake in BMW: Johanna and Susanne Quandt, two of the wealthiest women in Europe and Stefan Quandt, one of the wealthiest bachelors on the continent.
David Kiley (Ann Arbor, MI) is the Detroit Bureau Chief at USA Today who has covered the auto industry for 17 years. He has been featured on Nightline, CNBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR and the Today show. He is also the author of Getting the Bugs Out: The Rise, Fall, and Comeback of Volkswagen in America (0-471-26304-4), also available from Wiley.
 Investment Biker Investment Biker - by Jim Rogers
I read this several years ago and, always interested in currencies and BMW motorcylcles and having been to the Russian Far East, this was interesting. So if international economics winds your crank, Mr. Rogers has a great perspective. Would I read it again ? Yes.
BLOOD KNOT
ISBN 0-671-67046-8 : Sam Llewellyn : Publisher - Pocket Books 'FICTION'
I stumbled across this in the local library, and surprise, it's Sailboat Murder Mystery.
The cover is 'Very Cheesy' but then, you know the expression.The Story takes place sailing about the Baltic out of England.
So, can anyone tell me where the 'Solent' is ? I come across 'Solent' often. Books ! I've read a lot worse'.
Louisville Kentucky just sent this. I recall the winter scenes Christmas Card [ electronic ] sent to us by Albert Santucci on Malta. A white Medditeranean Cjrismas ?
Here you go. I hope this brightens someones day. Thanks 'Donna in Kentucky'.
TRAIN PICTURE HERE
IN CLOSING
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• Telephone or Fax us.
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V12 Engineering
P.O. Box 50
Keewatin, Ontario Canada
P0X 1C0
Tel 1.807.543.3003
Fax 1.807.543.2528
Email: rich@bmwmarine.net
Commercial site: www.bmwmarine.net
Non-Commercial site: www.bmwmarine.org
V12 Engineering is pleased to provide information herein that we believe may be of value and interest to our friends and customers, however, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of information submitted to us by other parties. Unless specified to the contrary, the fact that we pass along information does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. We suggest that you do your own 'due diligence' before purchasing a product or service. Please check dates for accuracy. We are not perfect.
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