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A Brief History of the BMW

2 November 2015

You may have read our blog recounting the history of the famous BMW roundel. There is, however, always more to a company than its logo. As experts on the work of such a time-tested brand, we’re always eager to dig into its past and find out more. Here’s how it all started.

Early Origins

For much of World War I, German mechanical engineer Karl Rapp operated Rapp Motorenwerke, one of the central military aircraft engine manufacturers in the German state of Bavaria. With the arrival of a new engineer named Max Friz, Rapp Motorenwerke designed the groundbreaking IVa engine that would radically change the shape and reputation of the company. Rapp resigned in 1916 and the manufacturer was eventually restructured and merged with two others to form Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works).

Branching Out

The end of World War I had a significant effect on the newly-formed BMW company. A clause in the Treaty of Versailles restricting German aircraft engineering meant that the design of other technologies was necessary. After further restructuring and a change of logo in the early ‘20s, BMW built its first complete vehicle: the R32 motorcycle, establishing the boxer-twin shaft-drive powertrain layout that BMW still uses today. In 1928, they produced their first automobile, the Dixi, and less than a decade later introduced the famous 328. This model redefined the sports car and made automotive history. BMW grew to become a global-scale company in the early ‘70s, founded its Research and Innovation Centre in 1990, and has remained at the forefront of vehicle design and engineering since.

Toward the Future

With nearly a century of production to their name, the future of automotive design holds interesting prospects for BMW. Demand for electric mobility and other sustainable technologies is creating a complex new chapter in the company’s history. Focus these days is on increased efficiency and decreased carbon footprint in the product lifecycle, including recycled materials, lightweight construction, and the continued development of bivalent hydrogen/gasoline engines. From the innovative IVa aircraft engine to the hydrogen-based car of the future, things have certainly come a long way.

Whether it’s a simple repair or an impressive performance upgrade, we at MotorWerkes believe your BMW should be in the hands of a team that loves it as much as you do! To find out what we can do for your vehicle, feel free to get in touch with us at (403) 453-0269.

The Origins of the BMW Logo

19 October 2015

One of the most recognizable features on any BMW vehicle is its logo. This timeless insignia has come to represent one of the most respected names in vehicle design and manufacturing, but how did it come about? Let’s dig into the history of our favorite make and find out.

Out With the Old

The BMW logo — or “roundel” to be more precise — has its origins in the logo used for the Rapp Motorenwerke company, the aircraft manufacturer from which Bayerische Motorenwerke as we know it today would eventually evolve. This early logo consisted of a circle containing the figure of a black horse. The words “Rapp Motor” were curved along the top and bottom portions of the circle, not unlike the letters “BMW” on the current symbol. After the expansion and renaming of the company, it was decided to create a new logo based somewhat on the black horse design.

In With the New

Ultimately, it was decided to replace the black horse silhouette with four quadrants of alternating blue and white. This pattern and its colours were taken from the flag of Bavaria, the southeastern German state where Rapp Motorenwerke originated. This is characteristic of the sense of patriotism surrounding the company’s emblem and its historical context, as Rapp Motorenwerke was one of the most important German aircraft engine manufacturers during World War I. The fact that the logo is in the style of an aircraft roundel is in keeping with the company’s roots as a proud and significant contributor to the war effort.

The Propellor Myth

This origin is a bit different from the common myth. Many assume that the alternating blue and white pattern is meant to represent a rotating airplane propellor. This arose from a 1929 BMW technical magazine, the cover of which featured an illustration portraying the front ends of two airplanes. The features of the roundel were drawn into their rotating airscrews, including the BMW text. The illustration is therefore mistakenly credited for the genesis of the roundel, despite the fact that it was published long after the new logo had been established. Decades later, it represents a household name and unparalleled legacy in vehicle engineering and design.

We at Motorwerkes aren’t just experts in BMW trivia, we’re also fully certified and ticketed technicians with the latest hardware and software tools. For Calgary’s best service and performance centre specializing in BMW, give us a call at (403) 768-3167 today!

Managing an Effective Maintenance Schedule for Your BMW

5 October 2015

Ensuring a long life and stable operation for your BMW means knowing what components to service and how often. How you should approach your maintenance schedule in detail will depend on your particular model, but we’ve put together a few guidelines to make sure you’re on the right track.

Oil Service

There’s a lot of heat and friction going on when you use your vehicle and nothing can stop your oil from losing its efficiency as a lubricant over time. Some dealers will recommend intervals that save money in the short term, but we recommend a change every 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers. This type of frequency will work wonders for the longevity of your vehicle, not to mention saving you money and stress in the long run, offering your engine and all of its potentially pricey components a much longer life.

Transmission

In the same way that your oil is critical for curbing the friction that happens between all your engine components, your transmission won’t operate properly without adequate lubrication and cooling. Regular and professional transmission service will get the dirty fluid out and the new fluid in, preventing transmission failure, problems accelerating or shifting, and long-term damage. Our general recommendation for maintaining a robust transmission is by having it serviced every 70,000 kilometers. Depending on your vehicle and the overall condition of its transmission, this could mean a fluid change, flush, filter replacement, or combination thereof.

Other Components

Like anything else, your spark plugs will also give in to age over time, which means they’ll produce a less adequate charge than when when they were new. For these we recommend an inspection and potential replacement every 100,000 kilometers. The same interval can be applied to your front and rear differential fluid, as well as your transfer case fluid if your car has all-wheel drive. Never underestimate the power of staying on schedule and trusting your vehicle with the most skilled technicians. It’s for the sake of your vehicle itself as well as the safety of its driver and passengers!

At Motorwerkes, our team of dedicated BMW experts is here to provide your vehicle with the treatment it needs. For a customer experience of the highest standard, give us a call at (403) 768-3167 and ask about available repair, collision, and paint services, as well as our performance centre!

The Importance of Using Supreme Fuel

21 September 2015

Depending on your vehicle, you may or may not already be using supreme fuel. Some require it, some only recommend it, but in general it holds a number of benefits for the condition of your engine. Let’s have a look at how exactly it works and why it’s important to give your vehicle the best fuel it can get.

When Combustion Goes Wrong

The engine in your vehicle relies on a smooth cycle of combustion to keep its crankshafts moving and the wheels turning. In order for this to work, the air/fuel mixture in each cylinder must be ignited by its corresponding spark plug at precisely the right moment during every cycle. If the mixture ignites prematurely, you’ve got pre-ignition, which leads to “knocking” or “pinging.” This is an aggressive, audible change in pressure that the cylinder was not designed to handle. With thousands of cycles happening every minute, knocking can take a disastrous toll on the integrity of your engine.

Where Supreme Fuel Comes In

Compared with regular fuel, the high octane rating of supreme fuel indicates that a higher temperature is needed for combustion. Supreme is therefore more resistant to pre-ignition. This is particularly important if you have a love for high-performance vehicles, as the cylinders of these engines are designed with higher compression ratios. This means that your combustion chamber and cylinder can get a more efficient degree of mechanical energy out of a given cycle. With a high ratio comes greater risk of knocking, so the use of supreme fuel is critical.

What About Regular Engines?

While high performance engines absolutely require supreme fuel, many people argue that it is useless for lower-ratio engines that don’t need it. This isn’t necessarily true, especially if your car is a bit older. Over time, carbon deposits accumulate on the inside of your cylinders, and this affects your compression ratio. You may have found that as your vehicle has aged, you’ve begun to hear that dreaded knocking sound. Using supreme fuel could be a great way to keep up with the aging of your engine and stop pre-ignition at the source. This will ensure a much longer life!

If you’re looking for an excellent service or performance centre specializing in BMWs, Motorwerkes is here for you. Our dedication to providing the best possible customer experience is second to none, so give us a call at (403) 768-3162 today!

Why You Should Let Your Vehicle Get to the Operating Temperature Before Driving

14 September 2015

The question of whether or not to warm up your car before driving is a hotly contested issue. This is particularly true in Canada or other places where ambient temperature can get pretty low. Arguments are often made against it, but many of these fail to take a number of important things into account. Let’s have a look at a few reasons why your vehicle should be at operating temperature before you get moving.

Running Smoothly

Most of the internal mechanics in your car rely on one common thing to run smoothly: fluids. Whether it’s your oil, brake fluid, or transmission, if your fluids aren’t flowing properly, the wear on their corresponding parts over time is far more significant. The viscosity of your oil is a particularly critical factor, so it’s imperative to avoid putting stress on all those moving parts by giving things a chance to get to normal operating temperature. And don’t forget: your oil is often a more useful indicator of proper operating temperature than your coolant.

Longevity & Safety

Ensuring a long life for your vehicle should be your top priority, especially if you make frequent brief trips in cold weather. With a little warm-up time, you could be improving the life of your battery by allowing it a healthy recharge or avoiding premature rusting of the exhaust system by letting that moisture evaporate. Driving cold can also become a safety concern. Stalling becomes more likely in older vehicles if you are forced to slow down or speed up suddenly in winter weather.

Understanding the Logic

Many arguments against warming up will mention fuel economy and environmental impact. While it’s true that idling for excessive periods of time does lead to both of these issues, keep in mind that your engine runs at its most efficient when at operating temperature. A vehicle that runs the way it was designed to will provide better fuel economy and will need fewer part replacements in the long term. The disposal and replacement of parts is a form of environmental impact that many fail to consider when thinking only in terms of fuel emissions!

At Motorwerkes, we combine our expertise with the latest tools and software to provide you with the highest standard of service for your BMW motor vehicle. To book an appointment with our repair services or performance centre, give us a call at (403) 768-3162 today!