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G87 / G42
BMW M2 and 2-Series Coupe
| 01-20-2009, 05:39 AM | #23 | |
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130 kmh, yeah right.
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what happened to the days when we just drank a good cup of coffee? Now you need to learn an entirely new vocabulary.
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2009 135i Montego, black leatherette, gray poplar trim, sports package, CA, Ipod/USB, premiun stereo,Assist, took delivery nov 14, 2 weeks early. :thumbup:
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| 01-20-2009, 05:41 AM | #24 | |
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130 kmh, yeah right.
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It's a good thing you're a woman.A good looking one at that.
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2009 135i Montego, black leatherette, gray poplar trim, sports package, CA, Ipod/USB, premiun stereo,Assist, took delivery nov 14, 2 weeks early. :thumbup:
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| 01-21-2009, 12:10 AM | #26 | |
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good espresso
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It all depends on what your standards are and your credit card limit. Good espresso has crema, that golden foamy stuff on top of your demitasse that reminds you of a fresh pint of Guinness draft. Creating and keeping crema requires carefully controlled pressure and temperature. That's where your credit card comes in. Most machines capable of that level of control cost somewhere from about $800 to tens of thousands. The latter often being works of art that involve lots of brass and copper and little statues of eagles and such. One of the main things that distinguish a good model from the rest is the "group" cluster that controls the pressure coming from the boiler. The E61 group is considered the modern golden standard. The portofilter that holds the grinds is also important. A good one is usually very heavy and made of solid brass and keeps the liquor hot as it's extruded from the machine. It also serves as a great weapon in case someone breaks in and tries to steal your machine or your 1er. The Expobar machine I mentioned in my previous post goes for about $1200 and is kind of a 135i of espresso machines: a beautiful balance of design, quality, price, and performance. If you don't want to spend that much and are willing to live with a passable brew, you can buy a machine for about $100 that boils water and forces it through the grinds at high pressure. The difference is that there is no control over the heat and pressure and the espresso is kind of over-cooked with any crema produced quickly dissipating. You can also buy a variety of stove top espresso pots that produce espresso-like brews for about $30. The grind is also important. If you're going to plunk down serious money on a good espresso machine, you should also invest in good dark-roast beans and fresh grind them with a burr-mill grinder. The little blade grinders that go for about $20 are OK for drip coffee or a French press, but can't get the very fine and even grind required for good espresso. They can also burn the bean with too much friction. A good burr-mill grinder can cost about $500 or more. There is a whole community into this stuff on the web that can fill you in better than I can and are as opinionated about coffee as anyone on 1addicts is about 1ers. One site worth checking out is www.wholelattelove.com . They sell a lot of different types of equipment for your coffee addiction. |
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| 01-21-2009, 02:54 AM | #28 | |
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Private First Class
 
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 2008 128i Convertible Crimson Red - Black Top - Savannah Beige Boston Leather - Gray Poplar Trim Step - Premium - Sport - Cold Weather - Navigation - Comfort Access - Xenon - iPod/USB |
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| 01-21-2009, 01:44 PM | #29 | |
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You might want to consider the following ROI analysis: http://alexbarnett.net/blog/archive/...e-at-home.aspx This was with a fairly inexpensive machine and there was still an $1800 difference in the first year between making espresso drinks at home versus buying them every day from Starbucks. Use that $1800 and upgrade to something that will last and make you smile every time you use it. It will pay for itself in the first year. |
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| 01-21-2009, 02:04 PM | #30 |
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Best advice...
If you can't afford a good machine you have really few choices... Stove Top Espresso (much better than cheap wannabe machines) If you are going this route, buy good beans. The best I have used that are pre-ground is Illy. Grinding yourself is also good. When camping I pre-boil my water, pour to the correct level. (speeds up the wait) I also "tamp" with my fingers. The secret it to push the coffee in to slow the water/steam from going through too fast. But also over tamp and you end up with a mess. (The brand/grind of bean changes the pressure to use.) I do not wait for all the water to go through either. I even add a bit of cold milk in to stop the coffee from burning if the stove is too hot. Then when enough coffee is through I pour it out. Anyway, here is lots of ways to prepare coffee here a a good wikipedia link. I have actually brought my little stove top with me on trips as it's not always possible to get a good cup of Joe... The other is go to cafe where they take their coffee very seriously. I do agree that sbux is better than a typical donut shop, but there is so much more to it. In my humble opinion, sbux missed out on a great journey the day they decided to listen to their board, and dropped what I consider the ultimate Espresso Machine... La Marzocco While in Firenze (birthplace of Renaissance, DaVinci, Michelangelo..and...La Marzocco!), I only had time for 1. Guess which 1 I stopped in? I just might have been their last visit before they move to another mountain. I was told I got the last espresso cups of the old design too! *smile* But even with the correct machine... correct coffee... the Barista need to know a thing or 2... Even then it's still possible to have a dud... it happens to all of us, so I am told... When it all comes together... ohhhhhh baby! Make it a double for me please! EspressoBoy PS I do agree with what has been said by other posters... I am just posting if you want to keep with the KISS principle. *smirk* Now ya got me started.... |
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| 01-21-2009, 02:29 PM | #31 | |
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| 01-21-2009, 04:08 PM | #32 |
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I was a barrista at a Mediterranean coffee shop through HS and College, we used nothing but LavAzza. Big fan of illy though. Budget machines aren't worth it...either go big or stick with the stove top. Stove top illy is my choice...but that doesn't fit into a busy morning rush. For drip...self home roasting is the the best option, but rarely time for that either...so we brought back a few months supply of this cheap dutch coffee. :thumbup:
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| 01-21-2009, 06:39 PM | #34 |
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BMW 135i...affordable? Hmmm
USB Sport miss anything? Oh now that gas is cheap you can drive forever! Guess you were not talking about cars eh... Chewyjr15 Like cars, much depends on your own tastes... How important is your Joe? How much will you spend? 10k for a home setup? For me, I set my sights on what I "want/need" then go get the best deal. And sometimes that means not paying the cheapest price. Sometimes it means buying from "Costco" type stores, other times it is the commercial dealer who imports the hand made machine from Italy. Why cause if you want the warranty, you have to have them install it. Ahhh!!! But that is how it works. I could say a few brands but it would not be what I know. Best thing is to use google and search forums, and talk to people who own those machines you are interested in. That is how I did it. It's kind of funny cause I did get a very nice design Saeco but after a month I returned it hoping to get one that was not defective (leaked water) I did find a last in stock second hand one at a sbux but in the end that too went back cause the coffee just got worse and worse. I was not worried the second time about electric shock though, it was another problem; coffee sucked. I am not saying all are defective but the 2 I used sure were. After owning the sub 2k version I started to understand why one needs to spend some serious bucks for a good unit. Chewy...if you read what is already posted, singular has told you of his unit. If he says the Joe is good, I would not doubt him. If you are unsure, but still interested and serious, the very best way is test the coffee. Find a user in your area, or a store that will demo it. Start there. There are a whole bunch of units in the 2k price, up to 3k. If you want the very best of the 1 group head home unit that runs on 120v I would have to say it's the La Marzocco GS3...aka the Lite Professional. EspressoBoy |
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| 01-22-2009, 12:12 AM | #35 |
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1 addict and proud!
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http://www.wholelattelove.com/Expobar/officecontrol.cfm im liking this tough to decide a new suspension for my 1 or this bad boy! with this grinder.
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| 01-22-2009, 01:08 AM | #36 |
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エアーマンが倒せない
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Kopi luwak
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| 01-22-2009, 09:47 AM | #38 |
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Eibach Sports springs, Evole Remap, Quafe LSD, AR Downpipes, Forge FMIC, Hart'ge Quads, BMS Intake.
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| 01-22-2009, 10:07 AM | #39 |
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Ok ok... I give ya some good coffee links ...
sites to do some serious research... www.coffeegeek.com reviews,forum, guides www.coffeecrew.com articles, forum, blog www.coffeekid.com good coffe talk www.home-barista.com faqs, forum, reviews www.wholelattelove.com retail... I won't mention the others, by using the above will link you to some really great online retailers, including this one! FYI, the first serious home unit that most started with after some research is the Rancilio Silvia... Guess what??? You can mod it!!! I kid you not! ROFL I never thought I would be talking about coffee here! BTW After going to Europe 2 times.... I think we still have a lot to learn here in CAD/USD countries about coffee. In Italy, Espresso is known as Coffee! How cool is that? Thats like saying I'll rent a car, and they automatically give you a 128/135! BTW if you are serious about the machine, you still have more to do... You have to understand the importance of the grinder Then the bean... where to buy? Roast your own? Then where to setup your new love? Do you use filtered water (triple filter revers omosis)? Do you provide a direct line to your new machine? You will need a new sink too. Maybe a Barista table? A room for your new passion? Hmmm so many things to think about. Next holiday to Indonesia to try the worlds best coffee? Smuggle some home? EspressoBoy PS I wonder in Jakarta.... What do headhunters do? Nahhh... Note: I see dead ppl all the time. |
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| 01-22-2009, 11:42 AM | #41 | |
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 EspressoBoy PS I have more info at http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?p=324358 The two threads are coming together in a weird way.. Coffee that binds the world...hmmm I like that idea |
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