A message to all regarding bad advice...

[BillWilliams]

Michael, I would throw Toby and John? in that lot too. There are so many other experts that just cruise around here and offer assistance by email if they know the poster's e-mail.

They have left for one reason or another and that is all of out losses.

I guess if we have a different opinion on the answer given, we should offer our opinion to that post for balance and correction.

[c.d.iesel]

KC .....is a " Schmutzfänger " worse than an " EINSPRITZ " ?

maybe I need to wash my mouth out with soap?!

[esty]

free advice on the internet is always worth price paid

you have to be smart enough as the recipient, to weed out the bad from the good

the smartest response so far....

[jgerock]

K.C. - I re-read your original post and agree with you. I am guilty of posting some incorrect advice on the heater box wiring (tested fan direction several times out of car - installed it and fan ran backwards for some reason). Mea Culpa.

Pop me an e-mail if I have been on your "must refrain before posting advice" list.

On a lighter note, maybe someone could market and sell in the FAQ store the "Jump to Conclusions" board game from the movie Office Space. The board spaces could have the different trouble-spots of the 2002 series and the person rolling the dice would have to pick the multiple-choice advice on a card.

[Guest Anonymous]

KC .....is a " Schmutzfänger " worse than an " EINSPRITZ " ?

maybe I need to wash my mouth out with soap?!

While were on the subject of advice, you were right!

Marvel Mystery Oil flows much better than the lard I tried using in my window wasser reservoir! Wipers no longer chatter, glass is completely rust frei and the whole car smells minty fresh! You are also spot on about the tube of bosch point lube. It is much easier to wipe the excess off on the headliner than the visors. I still can't figure out how to use a torque wrench on my trip odometer reset though.

That's not rough idle. That's me shiverrin!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

[dubois]

Michael, I would throw Toby and John? in that lot too. There are so many other experts that just cruise around here and offer assistance by email if they know the poster's e-mail.

They have left for one reason or another and that is all of out losses.

I guess if we have a different opinion on the answer given, we should offer our opinion to that post for balance and correction.

Bill, I would like to turn this post around and make it a constructive post. I think the intention was that in the first place. Let's not kill the messenger but rather build on the message.

I don't want to discourage participation, the times I was wrong, I truly believe I was right, until someone corrected me, which I appreciated. That's how knowledge is expanded, by openess and sharing. I gave it my best shot, that's all.

I believe, what we need, it's not to stop people from posting, but actually encourage everybody, including those that might know, to post and guide us. Like you said, many have left, for a variate of reason, I just don't want this one to be another one, because if you are going to be judged on the accuracy of your answers, you will certainly refrain from typing - even if you are 99% sure.

Most of the replies usually start with "my guess is", "or it might be", or "check this", almost never have I seen one "it is this".

I think the board has worked fine since 2002. It has helped many and serves many purposes. It is not a boring board. Yeah, it is a good idea to be in the ballpark, but let everybody play!

[Otis]

Whether the subject is cars or rocket science, some sources of information are better than others.

Personally, I count my blessings that I live close to Bill W and Bill R and KC, etc. (There you go, guys. Did I just kiss up enough to have you help me yank out Otis' engine, so Kenny can paint the engine bay?)

[BillWilliams]

Michael, my intention was not to be negative, I apologize. Better said, IF being wrong on an answer or diagnosis is wrong - not offering a better suggestion or diagnosis when you feel you have one is worse. That is the self leveling/correction this message board needs.

Otis, I already said I would help! You do not make a pretty sycophant. I do not have a photo library of ugly sycophants or I would add one, for Uncle CDs benefit.

[skipsfcr]

This is a shit post. Probably less constructive than the alleged "bad advice".

[robspeed]

i think the free-advice-is-worth-what-you-pay approach is pretty accurate, although sometimes you get excellent advice for free. It comes down to Buyer Beware. It seems an essential aspect of human nature to comment or advise on things one doesnt really know about, or has heard about elsewhere and partially understands enough to the point to repeat it somewhat accurately, if you are lucky. Its up to the consumer to check things out, especially regarding things you read on the internet.

-Rob (who spent 3.5 hours following some bad e30 advice last week, doing something that should have taken 20 minutes)...

[Lee]

I am very curious to hear from any specific case of bad advice. Per exemple, 5 engine builders will use 5 different ways to achieve different results. I think there is always some level of smooth self-correction by more experienced owner after a bad recommendation was expressed. Newbies should perhaps use less self-assurance if they are not 100% sure of their recommendation, learned from the interwebz. Let's not forget it is also to the OP to check how well founded the advice is. I'd tend to trust more Mike Self or Double Willy over a 17 year old kid who purchased a 2002 a week ago because it was cool.

[NickVyse]

Caveat emptor, or whatever the latin is for when you've not even paid for said advice.

What I love about the 02 community is that even the experts are learning and everyone can chime in freely with their experience - there are other non-02 BMW boards I frequent but rarely post on due to the likelihood of getting sixteen paragraphs back explaining why one small point you made was slightly wrong.

[conkitchen]

INSERT SOAP BOX HERE:

Can we also adress when posting an image in support of your post; it at least be somehow related to BMW's. Or at least photo enhance it so it relates to BMW I.E. a roundel or other icon of the sport.

Although I do enjoy gratuitice soft porn, little kittens holding signs, Rap stars, and other pop culture icons, etc... it's just rarley they tie into the thread.

STEPPING DOWN NOW.

**disclaimer** standard blanket statement of non responsibility apllies.

[Guest Anonymous]

That's why I'll only do one post a night.

Do you allow for daylight savings time? lol

Nick, you wished to avoid getting 16 paragraphs of explanation. How about the one liner three posts above yours? My personal favorite so far. It may not agree with you, and manners be damned, but it is . . . short, concise, well constructed, and to the point. lol

[BillWilliams]

Lee - we owe a debt of gratitude to the parts you provide, your research and contribution. Nick, if that was Bimmerforums, I jumped over there once and just got scolded because I did not agree with some cat that seemed to rule the roost. I have had my fare share of scoldings in my life, but none of need scolding like that when we are trying to contribute and help. That was laughable, have not been back since.

I hope we maintain the level of correction, civility, humor, and most of all, help in this forum that we have over the past several years. There are some real good Joes and Josies here.