bmw calgary - Motorwerkes

Considering a Remote Car Starter?

8 July 2017

Today’s automotive industry is full of simple but effective technologies that can offer solutions to common inconveniences and make a driver’s life much easier. Remote car starters are a perfect example. Let’s take a look at a few reasons why you might consider having one installed.

Summer Heat

Now that summer is in full swing, you’re probably experiencing what all drivers experience when getting into their car after parking outside on a hot day. The inside feels like an oven, the upholstery feels like you’ve had the seat warmers on full blast, and you’re avoiding the searing hot metal of that seat belt buckle at all costs. This is one of the main reasons why some drivers opt to have a remote car starter installed. It allows them to start their car from a distance so that the A/C can run for a bit and cool down the interior before you have to get in. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?

Winter Cold

Getting into your car at the height of winter can be an equally unpleasant experience. It can take what seems like an eternity for your BMW to warm up and get the head going to a tolerable level. The main difference between this and the summer heat is that it’s not significantly alleviated if you’ve parked indoors or in your garage at home.With the right remote car starter package, you’ll have enough control from a distance that you can let your BMW warm up while you finish that morning routine so that it won’t feel like a meat freezer when you finally get inside.

A Few Tips

When choosing a remote car starter package, it’s of the utmost importance to have it professionally installed. It is definitely not a DIY project and the last thing you want to do is void your warranty. Taking your BMW or MINI to the right specialists gets you an accurate assessment of your particular vehicle and its requirements so that a high-quality installation is ensured. Choose a starter with substantial range and high-quality components. You could even consider one that includes a security system or keyless entry for maximum protection and convenience!

In addition to all our other excellent services and upgrades, the Motorwerkes team now offers remote car starter packages for all E90 BMWs from 2006 and up, as well as for select MINI models. Give us a call at (403) 768-3161 to find out which package is right for your vehicle!

Protecting Your BMW Against Dents, Dings, and Scratches

1 July 2017

Beauty may be on the inside (and for a BMW this is certainly true), but a big part of enjoying your vehicle is knowing that it looks great. Sooner or later you’ll encounter damage of one kind or another, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of ways to avoid it as much as possible!

Strategic Parking

One of the most likely ways your BMW will sustain exterior damage is when parked among other vehicles. This might occur when a driver next to you opens their door and dents or scratches yours. When it comes to street parking or exterior lots, nearly anything can happen. This is why being strategic about your parking can make a big difference in reducing the likelihood of damage. Park inside whenever you can and take advantage of corner spots that give you a little distance between your vehicle and others. If you’re going to the grocery store, park on a far end of the lot to avoid runaway carts.

Smart Waxing and Washing

Another source of damage comes from poor detailing technique. We know that failing to regularly wash your vehicle can lead to buildup of harmful and corrosive materials like bird droppings, but you can also end up with scratches if you don’t wash the surfaces properly. Use appropriate materials like microfibre and rinse the exterior frequently while you wash, otherwise you could end up grinding abrasive residue like grit into your topcoat. Always make sure your exterior is dry before waxing, and if you feel any grainy material left over after washing, wash it again! Otherwise, your wax coat will just adhere these things to the surface.

Responsible Maintenance

Whether it’s a scratch, a chip, or a dent, avoiding damage to your BMW is also a matter of addressing the small stuff before it gets worse. Many forms of damage lead to others when not taken care of. Responsible maintenance also goes hand-in-hand with responsible detailing. If you don’t have time to carefully and thoroughly clean your BMW and take care of the exterior on your own, a professional detailing is the best way to get the job done without worrying about making anything worse. Be mindful of your driving and your car care while also seeking a hand from a qualified BMW specialist!

Does your BMW look as good as you’d like it to? Whether it’s due to sudden damage, weather-related wear, or other factors, the best way to revitalize the appearance of your vehicle is to seek out the right technicians. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3161 to meet with ours!

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.