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Understanding and Maintaining Your Wheels

19 June 2017

Here on the Motorwerkes blog, we’ve spoken about your tires a number of times, whether in the context of seasonal changes or general maintenance. However, don’t forget that the wheels that they are installed on are very much their own part that dictate their own maintenance needs!

Wheel 101

A wheel is made up of a few key structural components. The spokes, plate, dish, bolt circle, and centre bore comprise a wheel rim. It is the primary element that is encompassed by and supports the tire. How you select your rims comes down to a combination of the requirements of your car and your personal taste, as a wide variety of types are available. Meanwhile, at the core of a wheel is its hub, which serves the critical function of integrating the wheel with the axle and the parts necessary to make braking possible. A safe, smooth drive relies heavily on the cleanliness and integrity of both your rims and hubs.

Knowing the Types

One major wheel type is the steel wheel, which, due to its weight and the nature of its manufacturing process, is not as universal as it used to be. Steel wheels possess a resilience to damage that might make them favourable if you need a heavy-duty set of winter tires to fall back on, but they lack the kind of maneuverability that lighter materials provide. Alloy rims, on the other hand, are more standard fare for the performance vehicle driver. Often made of an alloy of aluminum, magnesium, or both, their lower unsprung mass and flexible manufacturing methods allow for swift movement and acceleration as well as stylistic variety.

Cleaning and Upkeep

Regardless of the material, manufacturing approach, or level of complexity your wheels, routine care is essential for a good look and reliable function. Keep an eye on buildup that can accumulate on your rims, from dirt to tar and bugs. Wash them frequently with quality, dedicated BMW cleaning products. If your wheels are alloy, avoid cleaning with abrasive materials and be sure to take care of their finish, even waxing if necessary. Keep an eye out for brake dust, and when washing it away, wait for your wheels to cool before rinsing them and using an appropriate wheel cleaner. As with any part, proper wheel care means more value from your purchase!

There’s no part of your BMW that should go forgotten. Attention to detail is essential to providing a long life for your car, and few understand this better than a BMW specialist. From repairs and upgrades to maintenance, call (403) 768-3169 to connect with our team!

BMW Car Care Essentials

12 June 2017

There are many different products that are carefully designed to keep your exterior in great shape. For instance, a quality car shampoo and plenty of microfibre towels are staples for cleanliness. A good water repellent can certainly come in handy during rainier times of year, whether you want to improve the visibility of your windshield or protect your soft-top. During summer, all kinds of stuff can accumulate on bumpers and other surfaces, including insects, sap, and tar. It’s wise to seek out specialized products that can remove this buildup without causing damage to your paint job, like BMW tree sap remover and tar remover.

Interior Care

Depending on your upholstery and other factors, selecting the right interior car care products involves plenty of variables. As demonstrated by a prior blog, leather requires the right soap, conditioner, and other materials to clean without leaving abrasions or other forms of wear and damage. BMW leather cleaning wipes and BMW interior cleaner are excellent items to consider. If you want to freshen up your interior air, a natural air starter kit can easily be installed on your air vents to provide a pleasant range of scents. After all, it’s not just about cleanliness, but about the overall feel and comfort.

Professional Maintenance

Of course, beyond the basic cleaning or detailing you can do at home, a solid relationship with a local BMW expert is one thing you simply can’t do without. Home care and professional care aren’t substitutes for one another, they’re most powerful when combined in all the right ways. You have a passion for taking care of and enjoying your BMW, and your certified technician should have a passion for getting into the deeper mechanical issues that are too time consuming for you to contend with on your own. If you can secure both of these, you’ll get the longevity from you vehicle that less attentive drivers don’t!

The teamwork between you and your trusted BMW technician is a powerful alliance that can keep your BMW running and looking great. If you need recommendations for official high-quality BMW car care products, call (403) 768-3169 and we’d be happy to help!

Summer and Your BMW’s Windshield

10 June 2017

The integrity of a windshield is critical if you want your drive to be a safe one. Whether it’s dirt and plant debris or cracks from pebbles, your windshield is subjected to a number of unfriendly conditions during summer. All the more reason to make sure you take care of it!

Keeping It Clean

Naturally, a big part of optimizing visibility during your drive, as well as the all-around condition of your windshield, is to clean it regularly and properly. When summer is in full effect, you should always be aware that the of accumulation of dust and abrasive particles can have an unfortunate effect on both the glass and the integrity of your wipers. This goes double for larger chunks of other seasonal material. Visually inspect your windshield often. Use a high-quality microfibre towel and glass cleaner to wipe it down as necessary. Don’t forget to lift your wipers when you do this, and finish up by buffing in a circular motion with a dry towel of the same material.

Mind the Heat

A simple wash isn’t the only thing necessary to keep a windshield in good condition. During summer, when the temperatures go up and the sun beats down on all the surfaces of your BMW, there are many things to bear in mind. If your windshield has been exposed to high temperatures and you suddenly douse it with cold water when washing your car, the ensuing rapid temperature change could land you with a crack or two. For the same reason, suddenly blasting your A/C at its coldest setting when you get in the car after it’s been parked in the sun isn’t a great idea either!

The Importance of Repairs

If your windshield has sustained some cracks, whatever the cause, it’s critical to have them addressed as soon as possible. In the heat of summer and in the process of scrubbing to maintain cleanliness, a crack is only bound to get worse. Whether it’s a small chip or a larger fracture, you’re better off taking your BMW to an expert to have it looked at, especially if you’re planning on going for a summer road trip. All that vibration during an extended drive will only make things worse and can potentially lead to a more costly repair.

Interior or exterior, a BMW deserves the best care from both its driver and a certified BMW technician. You’ve got that first thing covered, and you can count on us for the second! We have all the right software, hardware, and experience, so call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3169 today.

Keeping Your Leather Interior in Great Shape

1 June 2017

One of the best feelings a driver can experience is stepping into a BMW with well-maintained leather upholstery. This is a big factor in everything from the comfort of your drive to the resale value of the vehicle. A mistake can compromise your interior, so let’s find out how to get it right.

Being Mindful

As with most aspects of car care, it’s always a good idea to check with the owner’s manual of your BMW before you do anything else. It may recommend or rule out certain techniques and products that are prone to cause damage to your upholstery. Interior leather surfaces can vary more widely than you think, from soft, smooth aniline to velvety nubuck and vinyl-like pigmented types. Does your upholstery contain any perforations? This will also affect your cleaning technique, as you want to avoid letting any fluids or gunk get trapped in these small holes. In short, know your interior well if you want to give it a proper detailing!

Technique and Materials

Regardless of what kind of leather your interior is comprised of, cleaning and conditioning it will almost always involve a few fundamental steps. Think of it as a layered process. You’ll first want to clear the surfaces of any abrasive materials such as grit and dirt in a way that doesn’t wear anything down. This can be done with careful vacuuming, clearing out small nooks using compressed air, and using microfibre towels to smoothly wipe unfriendly material away. A deep clean with the right saddle soap followed by proper conditioning and wipedown is often what follows, but the exact products will vary based on your particular interior.

The Summer Sun

Of course, the process of cleaning itself isn’t the only thing contributing to healthy leather upholstery. You also need to be attentive to everyday conditions. Obviously, avoiding things like contact with shoes and accumulation of dirt and debris is essential. However, many drivers neglect to properly protect their leather from the sun, particularly during summer. This is one element that can take a significant toll over time, especially when it comes to your steering wheel, dashboard, centre console, and even driver and front passenger seats. Be careful of where you park and be sure to use a high-quality sun shade on your windshield!

How is your BMW looking these days? If you want to keep your favourite vehicle in top condition, call (403) 768-3169 to make an appointment!

Dealer Service vs. Independent BMW Specialists

22 May 2017

Whether you need exterior repairs, engine diagnostics, or a part replacement, the decision of who you go to will boil down to two major options: a BMW dealership or an independent BMW certified technician. To determine the wiser choice, we’ll look at some of the most important factors.

Cost

When it comes to the price paid, which option wins out? That depends on your situation. If you’ve run into an issue that is completely covered by warranty, some say you should get it done at the dealer. This is up to each driver to decide, but it’s important to consider what you’re getting with that service. The dealership might give you the bare minimum, while an independent service shop will go above and beyond to give your BMW the treatment it really needs. When it comes to things not covered by warranty, however, opting for an independent team of qualified technicians will consistently save you money and give you better value for the work performed.

Variety of Service

When it comes down to it, there’s only so much you can get out of dealer service when you compare it to what is offered by a good independent shop. Service and maintenance are a given, but don’t forget about upgrades and extensive knowledge of both OEM and approved aftermarket parts. If you’ve taken your BMW to get a pricey repair at the dealer and have been thinking about a powerful performance upgrade, you won’t get the kind of expertise on the subject that you will from a certified technician who has explored the possibilities of BMW ownership well beyond the standard offerings.

Quality of Service

This is one of the most important factors contributing to a superior experience at an independent shop. Let’s say you’ve chosen a team of technicians who are truly dedicated to a friendly and more than satisfactory, community-driven client experience. When you arrive for your service, no matter what you need, you’ll benefit from a personal touch and down-to-earth relatability that dealer service often lacks. You’re not just entrusting your prized BMW to a mechanic, you’re working with a fellow BMW lover to keep that vehicle in the best shape possible and enjoying the process!

There’s nothing quite like working with a team of certified BMW technicians who are dedicated to you and your vehicle. The best service is informed not only by technical expertise, but a solid customer service philosophy. Call us at (403) 768-3163 to find out what we’re all about!