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Plant Oxford: The Birthplace of MINI

15 March 2018

Every vehicle comes from somewhere, and the geographical origins of a marque are essential to its heritage. The first BMW sprang to life in Munich, but what about the MINI? That would be Oxford, at the plant that still serves as the heart of MINI today. Let’s take a look at its history.

Early Days

Just southeast of central Oxford is a neighborhood called Cowley, where a small car plant was established by cyclist William Morris in 1913. After the World War II and a merger between the Morris and Austin companies, increased consumer demand for automobiles gave way to one of Great Britain’s most iconic cars: the Mini. It was finalized at the Oxford production plant in the spring of 1959, filling an important segment of the market that demanded a fuel-efficient vehicle in light of the recent gas crisis. It was compact, affordable, functional, and wouldn’t have been possible without the Morris plant and the team that made it great.

Changing Hands

Fast-forward to 1994 and we see the Plant Oxford move into the highly capable hands of BMW during their Rover Group acquisition. This wasn’t a simple change of management—it was a full-scale revamping of Plant Oxford’s facilities in multiple departments. BMW invested nearly £300 million to turn the plant from a great site of vehicle manufacturing to a truly legendary one, from its vehicle prep and logistics centres to its modernized body construction and final assembly areas. It was the innovation that took place in this core facility that would help to make the MINI relaunch in 2001 such a success.

The Plant Today

With over a hundred years of vehicle manufacturing under its belt, Plant Oxford is one of the most accomplished car factories in the U.K., helping to pave the way for numerous other BMW-operated facilities in the country. Its team is comprised of over 4,000 employees, it utilizes over a thousand spot-welding robots, and hundreds of vehicle checks are carried out on each unit to ensure proper assembly. With hundreds of finished MINIs leaving the plant each day, this is pretty impressive. If you own a MINI Hatch, 5 door Hatch, Roadster, Convertible, or Coupé, it’s made its way to your home from Plant Oxford!

MINI is as much a part of the Motorwerkes family of services as any BMW flagship vehicle. Don’t forget that you can bring us an estimate from a local competitor for any service on your MINI and, if it qualifies, we’ll beat it by 10%. Call (403) 453-0269 and we’ll get the job done!

Understanding Out of Province Inspections

12 March 2018

Alberta has a fast-growing population, thanks in part to a steady flow of new residents from outside the province. One thing that many new Albertans will bring with them is their vehicles. Now that Motorwerkes offers out of province vehicle inspections, let’s look at what this entails.

Vehicle Registration Law

The process of becoming an Alberta resident involves many ins and outs, and your vehicle is one aspect of settling in the province that is important to bear in mind. Any car originating from outside the province will need to be registered so that you can get an Alberta license plate, and this registration typically requires a specific inspection. There are a few exemptions for this, including brand new vehicles with an Alberta-based insurance policy and all the right paperwork. However, if your vehicle is used and you did not acquire it in Alberta, you’ll need to have it looked at and approved so that you can complete the registration process.

Getting Approved

Let’s say that you’ve brought your beloved BMW with you during your move to Alberta, you went outside the province to purchase one, or you’ve restored a classic model that was not previously Alberta-registered. The registration inspection will need to take place to ascertain a few things regarding its condition and functionality. It will be a complete examination of just about every element you can think of, from the engine to the electrical system and beyond. Structural fitness, accordance with safety standards, and many other factors will determine whether or not your BMW is ready and suitable for registration.

Who’s Doing Your Inspection?

Out of province vehicle inspection isn’t provided by the provincial government, but instead carried out by private technicians licensed by Alberta’s Vehicle Inspection Program. Who you choose for your BMW’s inspection is an important decision. You don’t want to sit around all day while it gets done, you don’t want to pay an outrageous price, and you don’t want to leave such an important procedure to someone who isn’t thorough or familiar with your model. This is why OOP inspection of a BMW should be carried out by an experienced BMW-certified technician. You and your BMW deserve nothing less!

Whether you’ve chosen Calgary or the surrounding area as your new home or you’ve purchased a used vehicle outside the province, Motorwerkes will be happy to welcome you or your BMW to Alberta with a top-notch inspection. Give us a call at (403) 453-0269 to find out more today!

Brake Noise: Common Types and What They Mean for Your BMW

1 March 2018

The sounds that a vehicle makes can tell you a lot about its condition. Cold temperatures make mechanical noise even more common than usual, especially when it comes to your brakes. There are a few different things to listen for, and it’s important to know what they could mean.

Screeching and Scraping

Out of all the forms of brake noise you’re likely to experience, these are probably the most common. They tend to be characterized by either high-pitched squealing or long, dragging scratches. Screeching and squealing can be caused by a wide range of culprits, from accumulation of residue to a worn brake pad. Scraping could be the sound of a chunk of debris obstructing the space between the pad and the drum or rotor. However, you could be hearing the wear indicator, a piece of metal which grinds against the rotor to warn you when your pads have reached their demise. In this case a replacement is necessary as soon as possible.

Thumping

This can sometimes be a tricky one to figure out. It’s not nearly as common as screeching and scraping, but it’s still very much worth your attention. It’s characterized by a more rhythmic vibration or thud rather than a long, piercing squeal. It often comes from the rear, but this can vary depending on your vehicle. More likely than not, it’s due to a warped rotor or drum. When this part becomes misshapen over time due to excessive braking and accumulation of heat, its surface becomes more irregular, preventing it from rotating smoothly. When you hear that thumping, you should have your brakes checked out right away.

Grinding

Grinding is perhaps the most worthy of concern. As opposed to the thumping and high-pitched sounds mentioned above, it’s more of a slow, low-pitched growl. If you hear this, you need to stop driving and take your vehicle to a BMW-certified technician immediately. Your brake pads aren’t simply worn down to the end of their life span—there’s no pad left at all. If this isn’t addressed quickly, highly expensive damage to the drum or rotor could result, not to mention an accident. Ideally, no driver should have to hear this sound, as it means that the health of their brakes has gone totally neglected. Always have them serviced on time!

Need someone to take a look at your BMW’s brakes? We’re now proud to offer a price match guarantee on this and any of our services. Bring us an estimate from a local competitor within 30 days and we’ll beat that price by 10%. Call us at (403) 453-0269 to find out more!

A Few Ways to Upgrade Your MINI

22 February 2018

Last week we talked about driving gloves as a great way to enhance your driving experience. However, many of us know that the real fun begins when it’s time to upgrade your vehicle. Luckily, there’s a wide range of performance-focused work you can have done on your MINI!

Enhance Your Engine

So much of the performance of your MINI comes down to the engine, and this type of upgrade can address many different components. The right performance exhaust kit, for instance, can considerably optimize the power, speed, and efficiency of flow from your combustion chambers and out through the exhaust. A turbocharger can really pump up the strength of combustion, providing an upgrade to your horsepower and overall engine efficiency. If you want a more substantial flow of air into your MINI’s engine, an intake upgrade is a great way to go. Even the engine’s software can benefit from a performance treatment.

Soup Up Your Suspension

Of course, upgrades can cover a lot more ground than just the engine. MINIs are well known for their tight handling and excellent control, but what if you could take it even further? Upgrades to your suspension can make it happen. For a more neutral turn and a higher cornering speed, getting a larger rear sway bar is something to consider. You could also bring the centre of gravity on your MINI a bit lower for flatter cornering by getting set up with some performance-oriented springs. Factory shocks are designed to offer a smoother ride, but if you really want to feel the road and enhance your performance, these can also be upgraded.

Deck Out Your Drivetrain

One thing to keep in mind is that if you upgrade one aspect of your MINI, you’ll need to upgrade others that are affected by it. Certain components of your drivetrain are good examples. If you turbocharge your engine, you’ll need a clutch that can manage that horsepower, and your factory clutch won’t be able to avoid slipping. When choosing a performance clutch upgrade, you may want to go with one that also has an integrated flywheel upgrade. Any upgrade you seek out for your MINI, regardless of the part, depends a lot on your individual needs and driving habits. It’s always wise to get personalized upgrade advice from your local technician!

When it comes to classy performance, a factory-fresh MINI has all the fundamentals covered. If you want to go beyond the fundamentals and take things to the next level, a certified technician is all you need to get started. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 453-0269 to meet one of ours today!

What’s up with Driving Gloves?

15 February 2018

It’s difficult for any car lover to resist the urge to accessorize, but this is especially true for any devoted BMW owner. Not all accessories are for your vehicle, however. Driving gloves stand out as an example, but are they merely a stylistic choice or do they have some utility? Let’s find out.

A Bit of Background

Driving gloves have been around for about as long as driving has. Early automobiles in the late 1800s didn’t have internal heating systems, so wool and fur-lined gloves were pretty much essential in areas that had cold winters. During that time, the primitive steering mechanisms in the average car wouldn’t have benefitted from glove-improved grip on the steering wheel. This didn’t become a factor until car heating became widespread. This gave way to thin, tight-fit materials with perforations, strategically designed padding, and other features we see today.

Key Benefits

Modern driving gloves offer plenty of advantages to the serious motorist. A high-quality leather pair designed with utility in mind will provide optimized grip on the wheel. This can make for a more satisfying tactile experience and significantly improve your sense of handling. Most Calgarians know the unpleasant feeling of an ice-cold steering wheel during a winter commute. A lined pair of driving gloves are perfect for addressing this problem without compromising grip like a pair of mittens would. Finally, of course, you can’t deny that they look pretty darn cool.

Should You Get a Pair?

For some, driving gloves are a great-looking and practical accessory that adds to the overall driving experience, while others may find them unnecessary. However, if you do choose to pick up a pair, don’t forget the importance of quality. There’s not much sense in acquiring any type of driving accessory unless you’re willing to go all in and invest in something that will really pay off. In this regard, it’s just like parts and maintenance. The last thing you want to do is be spotted by a fellow BMW aficionado who can tell that you’ve skimped out and gone for the cheap stuff!

Whether it’s a matter of safety, essential car care, or just a bit of fun, BMW offers a truly formidable range of options to elevate your driving experience. The Motorwerkes team is proud to provide all of it to BMW and MINI owners across Calgary, so call us at (403) 453-0269 today!