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Run-Flat Tires: Things to Consider

15 February 2016

Using run-flat tires for your BMW offers plenty of advantages when it comes to safety and convenience. That being said, there are a few things that are important to consider. This list of run-flat do’s and don’ts should give you the right idea.

Don’t: Use on Cars Without Tire Pressure Monitoring

Because run-flat tires are designed to let you drive for a certain distance after a puncture has occurred, it’s a bit more difficult to tell when one has happened. If your vehicle doesn’t have a monitoring system that will tell you when something’s up, you may not know until it’s too late!

Do: Think Ahead

If you’re planning on a long trip on a stretch of road that is remote and poorly maintained, you should avoid depending too much on your run-flats. They can only last so long after damage has occurred, and their functionality won’t do you much good if you’re too far out to make it safely to a service station. In these cases, you might want to keep a spare.

Don’t: Underestimate the Weather

Run-flats are a highly clever and practical technology, but they have their compromises when it comes to certain driving conditions. During winter or on wet roads, for instance, run-flats may not perform as well as regular tires in the traction department. Always bear this in mind!

Do: Consider Your Budget

In most cases, you can’t repair run-flats after a puncture. Instead, you’ll have to replace the affected tire more or less every time. With this in mind, expect a bit of a financial disadvantage compared to regular tires, which are less expensive to replace.

Don’t: Forget About Your Rim

The common assumption with run-flats is that you don’t need to carry a spare. This is true in some ways, but don’t forget your rims! They will actually be more susceptible to damage due to the low profile of this type of tire. Even if you catch the damage early and can repair a mild puncture, there’s no getting around a bent rim.

Do: Stay Safe!

No matter how sophisticated and convenient your dealer made those run-flats out to be, never underestimate the factors that can lead to an accident. Blowouts are still possible, so as always, drive safe and stay smart!

At Motorwerkes, your safety, the integrity of your vehicle, and your customer experience are our top priorities. To learn more about our services, give us a call at (403) 768-3166 today!

Frequent Short Trips and Their Effect on Your BMW

15 February 2016

There several different kinds of stress out there that BMWs are commonly subjected to by drivers. You may have heard that frequent brief trips are a good example. So why is this and what can you do to curb the effects if necessary?

Why it Should Be Avoided

Firstly, let’s define “too brief” and “too frequent.” As an example, if you’re driving 5-10 kms several times a week, you might want to reconsider. One of the main concerns this raises for your BMW is the health of your battery. These trips drain power without allowing enough time for a proper charge. In addition to this, as you learned from our blog on operating temperature, brief trips prevent your system from warming up adequately. If things aren’t lubricating the way they should and condensation doesn’t have a chance to burn off, you’re only putting more stress on your vehicle, especially during this time of year!

Don’t Have a Choice?

If, however, you find yourself in situations where you don’t have a choice and need to make a few brief trips in succession, there are measures you can take to mitigate the effects that it could have over time. As mentioned, be careful about cold starts. The typical battery doesn’t have a chance to begin accepting charge until after about 15 minutes, so a warm-up of this duration is advisable. It’s also critical to keep an eye on your oil change frequency. Staying within our recommended interval of 5,000-8,000 kms will keep you in good shape, but going earlier can serve to ease the consequences.

Taking Care of That Battery

Unfortunately, it’s pretty common for us to see customers come in to get their battery charged every two weeks. This is a sign that better measures need to be taken to make your battery last longer and do its job efficiently. During winter, you should be particularly vigilant. Inspect your battery frequently to check for corrosion, small parts in need of replacing, and other signs of wear. A trickle charger may also be necessary if you find that short trips are completely unavoidable.

Still having trouble with your battery? This time of year can be hard on your BMW, so don’t hesitate to call us at (403) 768-3166 to set an appointment. It’ll be our pleasure to help you keep it in top condition year-round!

Upgrades from Active Autowerke

1 February 2016

If our earlier blog on performance upgrades got you thinking about how you can amp up the power of your BMW, you might be wondering where your upgrades will be coming from when you get them done at Motorwerkes. For this week’s blog, we’d like to fill you in on how it all works.

An Authorized Active Autowerke Dealer

Motorwerkes is proud to be an authorized dealer for Active Autowerke, a BMW performance parts manufacturer with over three decades of experience. It means that we can provide you with some of the highest quality performance and tuning technology available, combining the sophistication of their manufacturing with the expertise of our certified team. Whether it’s a software tune or a custom build like the example M3s listed on our site, their the reliability of their engineering help us deliver the results you need.

What Do You Have in Mind?

You might already have a general sense of what kind of upgrade you’re looking at for your BMW. The trick is choosing the one that’s just right for you and your model. Browsing Active Autowerke’s site to familiarize yourself with the possibilities is a great way to do this. One aspect of upgrade work that they’ve really made a name for themselves in is software. ACTIVE-8, for instance, combines the convenience of the piggyback tuning approach with a highly competitive 64-bit processor that stands up to TUV testing standards like no other module out there. And with just one look at their shop, you’ll see that software isn’t the half of it!

Upgrade Policy

While Active is our go-to supplier for the parts and software that will amp up the power of your BMW, Motorwerkes understands that the world of upgrade manufacturing is a big one! If you have an upgrade or project in mind that requires parts not supplied by Active, we’d be happy to provide our signature quality of service and make that installation happen. However, our commitment to Active Autowerke means that you’ll need to source and bring in the parts yourself. In either case, your BMW will be in the right hands when it’s with us!

Looking for advice on how to get the power you need and where to get the necessary parts? We’re more than happy to advise you on this and many more services! Get in touch with us at (403) 768-3166 today and find out why we’re still Calgary’s favorite BMW specialists.

A Few Things You Didn’t Know about the BMW

25 January 2016

In addition to all the technical help, you’re probably aware that we love to dig into BMW history and trivia. Excluding the facts covered in our previous blogs, here’s some fun assorted info that you may not already know!

The Signature Grill

The “kidney” grill that BMW’s vehicles have become known for was first introduced in 1933 on the BMW 303. It has changed slightly in appearance since then, and was one of the company’s many early efforts in pioneering aerodynamic vehicle design.

The Headquarters Building

You may know that the headquarters building located in Munich was modeled after a four-cylinder engine, or even that it was finished in time for the 1972 Olympic games. However, few aficionados are aware that the branding of the building had to be removed during the games to comply with the International Olympic Committee’s rules on product placement.

The April Fool’s Day M3 Pickup

One of BMW’s most impressive April Fool’s Day jokes was the infamous M3 pickup. The fusion between pickup truck and classic M3 structure may have been a prank, but the vehicle is in fact fully operational and boasts a number of impressive specs. Along with horsepower matching its M-series relatives, these include a 450 kg load capacity and even a drag coefficient in league with the M Coupe.

The Development Codes

One particularly unique feature of BMW’s approach to manufacturing is their development code system. For much of the company’s history, every model has been designated a codename consisting of a letter (E, F, or G) followed by consecutive numbers. “E” was the first letter used for these codes and stands for “entwicklung,” the German word for “development.”

The Mercedes Rivalry

BMW was quite close to bankruptcy in the late ‘50s due to a number of factors, including the postwar vehicle market and difficulty adhering to design trends. Mercedes attempted an aggressive takeover of BMW at its most vulnerable moment, before they were saved by collaborative investment from a wide range of sources including its workforce. Things were really back on track by 1959 when a majority share was purchased by German businessman Herbert Quandt.

There will always be more to learn about BMW, whether it’s about the vehicles themselves or the company that creates them! To learn about the needs of your vehicle, give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 768-3163 today!

A Guide to Purchasing the Right Winter Tires

18 January 2016

Here in Alberta, purchasing winter tires for your BMW is one of the most important components to responsible driving on icy and snowy roads. Combine the tips in our previous blogs on winter maintenance and winter driving with this brief guide to winter tires!

The Importance of Winter Tires

Winter tires can sometimes be a bit of an investment. However, if you choose the right ones, it’s an investment in your safety and the safety of others. It also goes without saying that a set of winter tires is likely cheaper than the repairs that you’ll need after a collision. Overall, driving in cold conditions is at its safest when all of the proper steps have added up. Winter tires are the upgrade that will complement your smart driving and knowledge of your vehicle to make for great driving even on the coldest days.

How They Work

There are a few clever approaches to engineering that make good winter tires as effective as they are. Generally speaking, they are optimized for a greater degree of grip in low-traction environments as well as resilience in lower temperatures. Because the rubber compound is a bit softer, you’re getting better traction because the material can remain flexible in response to the road. Put this together with greater tread depth and careful design of the siping and you have a considerable improvement in winter handling. Don’t use them year-round though, as they’re not designed for higher temperatures!

Things to Keep in Mind

It’s a good rule of thumb to stick with the original equipment specs and, more specifically, avoid undersizing the tires and overwhelming them with the weight of your vehicle. The loss of tire pressure with dropping temperatures should also be kept in mind. When it comes to the decision between run-flat or regulars, we see that run-flats come standard on most BMWs because much of the engineering of the vehicle is designed specifically for their use. They’re also good for avoiding the pain of changing tires in the snow. Some may find, however, that they do not offer the longevity or traction of regulars. This and other considerations will vary widely, so getting a personalized opinion from a specialist is always a good move.

Need more help optimizing your BMW for the best and safest winter performance? Motorwerkes is a trusted team in Calgary that can help you with your BMW motor vehicle. Get in touch with us at 403-768-3168 to see what we can do for you!