BMW has released many iconic vehicle lines throughout its history, but the 3 Series is among the most well-loved and quintessential. From sedans to hatchbacks, it epitomizes the inspiring intersection of performance and luxury. Let’s look at the history of BMW’s best selling series.

Origins

Between 1962 and 1977, BMW’s New Class helped bring the brand out of a near financial collapse and solidify its reputation as a creator of powerful and stylish sports sedans. After achieving a new level of global success, BMW needed a fresh and modern flagship series to sustain this momentum as a key player in the industry. Enter the E21 2-door in 1975, available as both a sedan and coupe. Being the first in their new 3 Series and boasting a look that was at once classy and dynamic, the E21 would set the tone for the style and philosophy of this historic new range of BMWs.

Tracing the Generations

Thus far, BMW has released six generations of the 3 Series. Things really got into gear with the second generation, the E30, which was produced between 1982 and 1991 and was the first 3 Series BMW to offer a diesel engine. Then came the E36 in 1990, the first in the series to offer a hatchback. It was also notable for its multi-link rear suspension. Modernization came into full force in 1998 with the E46, outfitted with satellite navigation, rain-sensitive automatic wipers, and other utilities. Six years later was the fifth generation, with a notable model being the 335i, first in the 3 Series to house a turbocharged engine.

What’s New?

All these years on, the E90 set a high standard for the 3 Series, at it sold better than any luxury sedan in North America between 2006 and 2010. Fast forward to today, the 3 Series continues to produce its sixth generation, comprised of the F30 sedan, F31 Touring, and F34 Gran Turismo. Responding to drivers’ desires for more space and more luxury-oriented feature sets, these models have catered to today’s demands. Despite this, they have not necessarily compromised on power, as the M3 F30 is fitted with a turbocharged straight-6 engine. With a seventh generation expected to be unveiled in 2018, we’re eager to see what’s next!

Are you the owner of a 3 Series BMW? It’s just one among many BMW and MINI vehicles that the Motorwerkes team diligently cares for every day. Establishing a good dynamic with a BMW-certified expert is key to getting the best value out of yours, so call (403) 453-0269 today!

An accident can be brought on by many different things, but some of the most common causes are related to the condition and treatment of the tires on your BMW. Some factors are less obvious than others, so it’s always worth it to make sure you’re taking proper precautions!

Tire Type

Even if you’re good about switching to winter tires when the temperatures drop, some drivers aren’t so proactive when it comes to switching back to warmer weather tires once winter is over. If you keep your winter tires on in hot weather, you’re asking for trouble. Winter tires are carefully engineered to stay soft when cold, which means that in high temperatures they’ll become dangerously soft and present a high risk of disintegration. Further, it’s important to be mindful of what type of tire you switch to. Invest in high-quality all-season (also known as 3-season) or summer tires to stay safe, and don’t use all-season tires during winter!

Their Condition

Despite how important tires are for performance and safety, they’re often overlooked by drivers when it comes to day-to-day car care and maintenance. This means that their condition can sometimes sink below safe standards before you know it. Be mindful of how worn the tread has become and check your pressure about once a month. Rotate your tires at an interval recommended by your BMW-certified specialist to ensure even wear. You should also stay informed on tire longevity whenever you purchase a pair so that you don’t use them past their safe lifespan.

Driving Habits

How you drive your BMW has a more significant effect on the safety of your tires than you might think. It may be tempting to experience the full power of that BMW engine, but excessive speeds can accelerate the aging and wear of your tires, therefore detracting from your investment and compromising your safety. The same can be said for hard cornering and starting hard from a dead stop. Of course, you may need to make a panic stop or other drastic maneuver in a defensive driving situation, but don’t forget that safer driving habits minimize the chances of this significantly.

Peace of mind always makes for the best summer drives, and tire care is just one aspect of maintenance that is critical for this. Whether you need a routine checkup or want to have a specific issue checked out, call Motorwerkes at (403) 453-0269 to set up an appointment!

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!

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!