St Paddy's Day 2017 - 16th Anniversary! O'Fishel Thread

[MicahO]

Many thanks to our hosts and other folks in the West Coast Contingent. This was an outstanding weekend of meeting people face-to-face, talking cars and other random shit, and of course great food, beer, drinks, and food! One other trick I learned (just now!) is to wait for Adam to post first. He's much more socially adept than I and did a far better job of remembering people and listing names!

It is great to put faces to names, even if it does mean that my illusion of Jay as a 30's Mexican cowboy-gangster is forever shattered. Adam (W) - it was great to have some time to talk last night over dinner, and I'm glad I didn't put that Mustang over a curb while you were in the car. Adam (ldsbeaker) it was likewise great to have time to talk over dinner and after. Craig (clangpap), I'm glad we got to talk over the Touring a bit - fun cars; we'll see if I run mine up to TedFest this year for a North-of-the-Border visit. Chris, I am really glad we finally met in the real world and I look forward to seeing you again. Charlie - having read your notes since the very early aughts (e34 stuff then) it is great to actually talk to and meet both you and Julie. Ray! Great to spend some time with you running around Friday, and I look forward to doing it again. Charles, Darrin, Chef Burger on the grill, - I cannot thank you guys enough and I do hope to return the hospitality some time in the future should you venture this far east. There's good roads here to drive, and it's close enough to the city that you can venture in for a show and still sleep with the sounds and smells of a working dairy community. That's good shit - come and see.

Many other reprobates I am forgetting and I do apologize. It sounds like a healthy group of folks are making it East for Vintage - I look forward to seeing you there!

A few pictures, none of which do the event or the people or the cars any justice. Great people, great time - that really is what the event is about.

[Karl Grau]

[tig]

that really is what the event is about.

Yep, you called it; for sure.

Great getting to know you Micah!

[Ray in Phoenix]

I just want to say thank you to Charles and Darin.....
I know this event is alot of work, and try to help out where I can.
There are many that also help, with things that go on behind the scenes.
If I started to mention names, I would miss someone, so I hope you all know who you are. I would like to say thank you to all that put money
in the boxes at Charles and Darin's house.
Thank all who donated to the raffle, and all that bought tickets. It is always amazing what is donated. ( I really do not know how I got put in charge of that....)
It was great to meet many new people, and see old friends. You guys are the best!
I think Devinder said it best, it starts with the cars, but it is the people that make this event.
Ray in Phoenix

[leadphut]

...and a real photographer would awesome! you guys suck.

i swear i'm coming just to take photos for the rest of the community to live through.


now that i think of it, maybe these are all the photos you guys are willing to show?

[tig]

i swear i'm coming just to take photos for the rest of the community to live through.

I double-dog-dare you.

Here's some potato photos for you.

First, we have meat. Mike's meat. Note the Sturmwaffels.




And veggies. The burgers were FANTASTIC.


Mr Gray's ruined grill. Thank god we had a professional fire-fighter in Devinder there.


Peeps seemed to get over the emergency pretty quick.


Jeff calling bullshit on Eric. Or something.


Andy swiping right.


Jay's not Mexican. Who knew?


There's a LOT going on this picture.


Ivo on his knees in front of Doug. Again.


Show up and Charles will ensure there's a flag for your state. Even if you're from Tennessee.


Yar was such the diplomat. Thank God for Yar. That's what I say. Just don't let him get the guitar out.


Kohler's E12 M535i was even more amazing than you'd think.


But this car stole the show.


That's right. 40k.


See you all next year!

[leadphut]

thank you Sir!

it's just not the same as being there.

[wkohler]

Made it back last night around 10pm. Was a bit of an adventure I guess but it worked out.

Had a good time this weekend and it was great to see everyone again. Thank you to Darin and Charles for opening up their homes to us yet again and thanks to all of you who supported the event with raffle donations and donations for the food and hospitality. Thanks to Mike for the great food on Friday night and Ray for all of the work he does to help as well. I'm looking forward to next year.

[Mike W.]

Oh what a trip. First off, thanks again to the gracious hosts, Charles and Darrin. A couple of single guys who not only clean up the place beforehand, but then let 30+ guys wander around beer in hand in their home. Good seeing old friends like Charles, Darrin, Devinder, John SCB, Eric, Jay3, Chris, Craig, Charlie, Jeff, Mike B, and meeting many new friends, the guys from Holland (who's names escape me as usual) Ahab, Ralph, Kim, Mike Burroughs (sp?) and many more both old and new. I'm not good with names.

Hopefully I'll be able to make it again next year, assuming our hosts are willing once again.

[knunger]

My first e28 meet also.

Unbelievable.

There was a time when I thought I was a pretty good baseball player. Then I made a team with REAL baseball players. End of that dream.
There was a time when I was a scratch golfer and thought I could play golf. Then I made the U of A team as a walkon freshman and started playing with REAL golfers. End of that dream.
I have been a member here for 10 years now, and, have known for a long time that I'm no where near qualified to be a REAL wrencher like the dozen or so of you guys I met this past weekend.

But...

All of the REAL ballplayers and REAL golfers I've known were a bunch of asshats compared to the really genuine people I met in San Diego. Didn't matter to anybody that I converted a bronzitbeige to Zinnoberot, just because I wanted a ZInno bimmer...

So after a 6 hr drive from Tucson, I pulled into some store 3 blocks from Charles' place, called to see if anyone was home, got back into my car to find that I had no connection between my shift lever and the tranny selector rod! It was still in second gear so I limped it to Charles house. 15 minutes later, the photo below was taken. Of course, Charles had a jack and ramps and the needed yellow shim and circlip in his parts bin. I tried for 15 minutes to get the circlip on, failed, and crawled out from under to drink a beer and regroup when Kyle grabbed the circlip, slid under my car, and 10 seconds later (I'm serious - it took him all of 10 seconds!), my car was roadworthy again.

Again, thanks for welcoming the newbie from Tucson with open arms. Charles and Darrin: thank you sincerely for your generosity and spirit. I will have to re-think my perceptions about Californians.

See ya next year!

Kim








[/quote]

[tn535i]

That post just above seems to ring true to me, not that I was ever good enough at anything to think about playing with pros but that I think some of the guys with these beautiful cars (BMW Pro's) that would put mine to shame are also genuinely nice people based on what I follow here. Wish I could join one of these events but at least I get to enjoy the pictures and comments.

Best to ALL of you,

[Brian in TN]

That post just above seems to ring true to me, not that I was ever good enough at anything to think about playing with pros but that I think some of the guys with these beautiful cars (BMW Pro's) that would put mine to shame are also genuinely nice people based on what I follow here. Wish I could join one of these events but at least I get to enjoy the pictures and comments.

Best to ALL of you,

Come to VINTAGE in May.

[jhh925]

Relative newbie, first St Paddy's day get together, and first time on the road with my car going more than a couple miles away from my house. The drive, and the risk of breaking down somewhere on the grapevine, were all well worth it. I had a great time, met a bunch of great car guys, learned a crap-ton, got a bunch of great ideas to add to the "I ought to do that" list, and finally figured out how to get rid of all my spare junk parts (*cough* raffle *cough*) that no one will pay me for.

Thanks also to our incredibly generous hosts, Charles & Darrin ... can't believe the work you both must put into this every year.

Charlie, tellin it like it is ...

[ElGuappo]

I realized I'd forgotten to post HERE, despite texting all the important parties.
As usual, this is an awesome event, and it's all about seeing friends for that once a year opportunity.
I continue to amaze people with my non-Hispanicness, gives me a chuckle every time (at least 3 times this weekend)
Great to meet some of the guys who I've 'known' for years thru the board like Adam Wilson & Aaron/ahab, as good in person as you could hope for.

Charles & Darin are pretty damn awesome for doing this every year-like they have a choice as we will just show up anyway-but the good grace they show while we mess up their homes and piss of their neighbors never ceases to amaze.

All the pictures have cracked me up, especially the propane inferno that didn't seem to phase anyone, they just stood around like 'yeah its on fire, and...?'

Cheers guys!

[rochareels]

This is my 4th year coming and it always amazes me how truly special this event is! It just keeps getting better! Good company, good beers, good 'crack' chicken, and even Santa Ivo who always brings cool stuff from the North Pole - Its like Christmas and St. Paddy's day all wrapped up in one! But seriously, I really do enjoy talking to all you guys, especially anything to do about my trusty "oil burner", Betsy. Thanks Francis for indulging me with all the Diesel speak.. I can never remember everyone's name except Ivo because he brings the goodies, but you all are a great bunch of guys. Can't wait till next year!

Of course special thanks to Darin and Charles for hosting and putting up with everyone, you guys are the best! Now as soon as I figure out how to post a pic or two, I'll do that...

[Nebraska_e28]

I'd like to say thanks to our hosts especially for going out of their way to accommodate!

Thanks to Ivo & crew for looking at a basketcase e23 for me. I'm so happy you decided not to de-friend me.

I'm sorry I didn't get to spend time with Andy Wong & Johnny e23. This truly would've been icing on the cake picking your brains!

[Kenny Blankenship]

Burp. Fart. LOVED IT. Plop. I got to hump Darin twice.

I promise to improve my golf game even more...

Pam got to meet even more of the turds I hang with.

[clangpap]

Catherine and I arrived home yesterday late afternoon after a 5000 km round trip. After reviewing the weather forecasts, and confirming no snow on the Siskiyou we did the direct run up I5.

Charles, thank you for hosting Friday evening, and yes retirement is great! Friday night was a great introduction to the people I've never met in person. Jay, how you recognized me instantly after nine years is remarkable, but thanks for the cheery hello on arrival.

Darin, thank you for Saturday and your warm invitation to just "show up" if we're passing through. Too bad we'll miss you in Portland, but understandable given your recent efforts on the Touring and Jeepster.

It was clear that Charles and Darin have a team of helpers, and I know I'll miss a few, but Chris K, Ray in Phoenix, Mike Burger, Davinder and Jay were everywhere lending a hand.

Ivo (with Andre and Francis), Eric and Pam (good Sunday night road advice), Vince, Charlie and Julie (the Deluxe Caravan Safari was awesome), Noelle and Doug, Kyle, Mike W and Edie, Yar, Saliya, Micah (I know I'm missing so many names so I'm sorry) thanks for the welcoming attitude to the Canadian first-timers.

I'd particularly like to thank the large crowd, led by Ivo, Chris K, Vince and Saliya who put down their beers Saturday afternoon and searched for the elusive Becker receiver by dismantling the entire touring from the rear seats to the tailgate. At least we know where it isn't!

I can only echo what others have said, it's about the people and you're all awesome. The measure of your approachability is when Catherine didn't ask to go sightseeing Saturday afternoon and is already talking about 2018. Wow!

For those that asked about the B38 in real life here goes. Although the Touring is jokingly described as the "world's fastest grocery getter" it isn't, it doesn't even seem ready to face the day until the oil temp hits 70C and that takes about 5km. We tried to drive 120-130 kph (75-80 mph) unless road conditions, traffic, weather or speed zones did not allow, although our actual average was 93.6 kph (58 mph, thanks LA and Portland). Fuel consumption averaged 11 l / 100 km (21.5 US mpg). Ambient temperatures ranged from 7C-36C (45-99F) and coolant stayed between one and two needle widths left of 12 o'clock. Oil temp ranged from 70C to 80C, which was remarkably low to me as modern Porsches run about 100C.

Once again, thanks everyone for a very memorable weekend.

[tig]

At least we know where it isn't!

Glad you posted this. I didn't believe it was back there from the start.

[rochareels]

A few St. Paddy's Day 2017 snaps...

https://flic.kr/s/aHskWfDEuW

I hope this works...

peace

[Kenny Blankenship]

21.5 mpg for an S38b38. 15 mpg for an M30b32. Life isn't fair.

[ElGuappo]

Ivo posing oh so happily in front of my e23.
DSCN0646 by rochareels, on Flickr

[clangpap]

21.5 mpg for an S38b38. 15 mpg for an M30b32. Life isn't fair.

I think you need to empty your trunk.

[clangpap]

At least we know where it isn't!

Glad you posted this. I didn't believe it was back there from the start.

I'm open to theories, Ted Kalman thinks it's attached to a bracket behind the head unit. I didn't see it before, but I'll look with an inspection mirror and light.

[MicahO]

It's tight back there in the dash. I think you have the same dual-zone AC that's in my car? The sword for that system is 2-sided and there's a shit-ton of wiring. Even if you've got the 1-sided sword, it's still quite tight in there. I don't know how something as large as the replacement unit you had could get into that area of the dash...... Possibly shifted over towards the glove box or down in a kick panel?

At one point Mr. Kohler was looking to dis-assemble the area near the passenger door sill to trace wiring. I tend to think that's the best bet. Start at the back of the head unit with a wiring diagram, see which direction the likely wires take, and then start digging through the interior panels to see where they go.... What comes out of that second unit? Maybe trace back from the speaker wiring or the changer in the cargo bay?

Separately, another B38 mileage point of reference. My notes from the May '16 trip to Vintage show 1360 miles total, 22.5mpg average. I had a bit less traffic than it sounds like you hit on your trip. Love that big tank and the car's long legs!

[clangpap]

It's tight back there in the dash. I think you have the same dual-zone AC that's in my car? The sword for that system is 2-sided and there's a shit-ton of wiring. Even if you've got the 1-sided sword, it's still quite tight in there. I don't know how something as large as the replacement unit you had could get into that area of the dash...... Possibly shifted over towards the glove box or down in a kick panel?

At one point Mr. Kohler was looking to dis-assemble the area near the passenger door sill to trace wiring. I tend to think that's the best bet. Start at the back of the head unit with a wiring diagram, see which direction the likely wires take, and then start digging through the interior panels to see where they go.... What comes out of that second unit? Maybe trace back from the speaker wiring or the changer in the cargo bay?

Separately, another B38 mileage point of reference. My notes from the May '16 trip to Vintage show 1360 miles total, 22.5mpg average. I had a bit less traffic than it sounds like you hit on your trip. Love that big tank and the car's long legs!

Thanks for the suggestion Micah.

[clangpap]

Several people expressed an interest in traveling up to Victoria BC for a visit. Make your plans. We have lots of room, and I have a driveway that ensures you won't be parked on the street. We love cooking and drinking wine. Speed limits on the island are lower than they should be, but there are many great places to drive with exceptional natural beauty.

[oldskool]

Several people expressed an interest in traveling up to Victoria BC for a visit. Make your plans. We have lots of room, and I have a driveway that ensures you won't be parked on the street. We love cooking and drinking wine. Speed limits on the island are lower than they should be, but there are many great places to drive with exceptional natural beauty.

Aye. Sounds lovely. See ya sooon.

[Kenny Blankenship]

21.5 mpg for an S38b38. 15 mpg for an M30b32. Life isn't fair.

I think you need to empty your trunk.

It doesn't matter. Believe me.

I did average about 20 mpg with the M7 (4.10 rear end) and Kumho Victorracer tires when I used to drive to Infineon averaging 75 mph.

[clangpap]

21.5 mpg for an S38b38. 15 mpg for an M30b32. Life isn't fair.

I think you need to empty your trunk.

It doesn't matter. Believe me.

I did average about 20 mpg with the M7 (4.10 rear end) and Kumho Victorracer tires when I used to drive to Infineon averaging 75 mph.

I'm surprised, as I don't think I've ever done so poorly with 533i, and it's now a 3.5 l hc with a 3.73. Maybe I'll get the nerve to drive to TedFest and do a long range test...