bmw maintenance - Motorwerkes

A Few of BMW’s Best Concept Cars

15 September 2017

Last week we looked at the history of the X5 to get excited about the new model. However, BMW has a rich history of thinking big even when it hasn’t resulted in a mass-production vehicle. As a result, there are plenty of BMW concepts to admire, both new and old.

E25 Turbo

When the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich came around, BMW was eager to showcase some new technologies and futuristic design motifs. With the unveiling of the E25 Turbo concept car, they did exactly that. Complete with gullwing doors and built from a modified New Class 2002 chassis, Paul Bracq’s design really turned heads. It boasted a high-tech radar system for close-range collision prevention and went from zero to 62 MPH in 6.6 seconds. After building only two, BMW carried over numerous design elements from the Turbo into the famous M1 Supercar, 8 Series grand tourer, and Z1 roadster.

328 Hommage

Any true BMW history buff will feel like a kid on Christmas when looking at the 328 Hommage concept car. Between 1936 and 1940, BMW produced what would go down as one of the greatest and most handsome sports cars of all time, the 328. After a long and rich history of class wins and and stellar average speeds, the 328 was paid tribute by the instantly popular 328 Hommage concept car in 2011. Its 3.0 litre straight six engine and lightweight body of carbon fibre reinforced plastic were accompanied by a high-tech interior and beautiful overall design, combining classic motifs with modern flare.

Vision Next 100

Much of the time, concept car design is a means to showcase and try out design strategies and technologies that soon find their way into mass-production models. Sometimes, however, it’s about going all in and dreaming big. BMW’s efforts under the Vision Next 100 banner allows them to express visions for the coming century of vehicle design. Their Vision Next 100 concept car proposes an entirely self-driving AI automobile with an “Alive Geometry” that reshapes the contours of the vehicle dynamically in response to driving motion. A high-concept car indeed!

It’s hard not to be swept away by forward-thinking speculative designs and futuristic ingenuity, but when it comes down to it, priority one is to take care of your own BMW. The Motorwerkes team can offer you Calgary’s best BMW certified service, so call us at (403) 453-0269 today!

Smart BMW Maintenance: Getting the Facts Straight

8 September 2017

Even if you’re a responsible driver and care deeply about the condition and performance of your BMW, things aren’t always what they seem. You could be making car care decisions that appear to be the right ones, but are actually misinformed and even harmful. Here are some examples.

Relying on Your Own Diagnostics

Today’s BMWs are outfitted with plenty of high-tech systems that allow drivers to keep the condition of their vehicle in check. This is one of the best things about owning one today, but it comes with a catch or two. Onboard diagnostics aren’t bottom-line indications of everything that’s going on with your vehicle. They are helpful in keeping you on schedule with your maintenance and alerting you when something needs attention, but that’s only half the battle. Detailed diagnostics carried out by a BMW certified technician should be the final word on how things are doing and what work is necessary.

Going With the Wrong Recommendations

The maintenance recommendations you get from a BMW dealer, an independent BMW certified technician, and word-of-mouth sources don’t always line up. This means it can be hard to tell which advice to trust and which advice to be skeptical of. With an independent BMW certified technician, you get recommendations that avoid the high costs you’re likely to get at the dealership, but without cutting corners and compromising on thoroughness just to save a few bucks. This is the kind of balance a good team of technicians should strive for, and one that you should seek out.

Waiting Just a Bit Longer to Take it In

We all know how it feels to be aware of a problem and put it off until later. Whether it’s rattling in your engine, the smell of smoke from your AC, your alignment leaning to one side, or a cracked windshield, anything can go ignored if you’re busy enough. Even routine maintenance like oil changes and brake checks are easy to set to the side because of how inconsequential they seem. Make no mistake, however. That one extra day you wait could mean that damage takes a turn for the worse and the cost of repair gets bumped up higher than it needed to be!

Proper maintenance of your BMW requires more than just the skill and experience of a local certified technician. It requires that you as a driver take all the necessary steps to stay diligent and well-informed about the state of your vehicle. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 453-0269 today!

A Few BMW Repairs You Should Never Attempt Yourself

13 February 2017

A good vehicle is a long-term investment, and the better you take care of it, the more you’re getting for your money. Many drivers assume that saving in the short-term by attempting DIY repairs is usually a good call. Let’s look at some situations where this is definitely not the case.

Engine and Diagnostics

BMW drivers like us have a strong enthusiasm for automotive engineering and learning more about what makes a vehicle go. It can therefore be understandably tempting to try and diagnose an engine problem yourself. While the desire to get your hands dirty is admirable, engine diagnostics are best left to a BMW certified mechanic. This isn’t just a matter of being equipped with the latest approved tools and software, it’s a matter of preventing costly damage that can make your problem worse. So before you dig in to determine a potentially complex issue, go with a professional check-up instead!

Timing Belt

This may seem like a rather unassuming and nonthreatening item to replace, but it actually poses significant risk if attempted by an untrained hand. Naturally, it will need replacement at an interval recommended by your local BMW expert, and the replacement should take place in a timely manner so as to prevent further damage. However, don’t let this motivate you to do it yourself. As a procedure, it involves a lot of engine disassembly and reassembly. If you’re not experienced in the process, you could end up making a mistake that increases the cost of repair and replacement by a considerable amount.

Transmission and Suspension

Transmission repair is one of the most significant and also essential procedures that a vehicle can undergo. Since it requires expert handling of many different parts, not to mention the costs of the damage that a DIY procedure can lead to, this is one best left to a trained technician. The same goes for suspension repair, which can be dangerous both in the process (crawling under a heavy car) and in the aftermath (an unskilled repair could mean a very hazardous drive). Remember that the most experienced hand is always worth it in the end!

There are plenty of BMW maintenance procedures that are best left to a certified technician, not only for the sake of preventing costly damage, but also for the sake of safety. When in doubt, you can always give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 768-3165 to find out what your best options are!

How Does Winter Affect Your BMW’s Fuel Economy?

6 February 2017

As we’ve discussed in a number of different contexts, winter weather affects many aspects of owning and operating your BMW. Aside from maintenance and driving technique, there’s also the issue of fuel economy. So how does this time of year affect your milage and what can you do?

Atmospheric Conditions

When temperatures drop, they take a toll on your transmission, the viscosity of engine oil and other fluids, the time it takes your BMW to get to operating temperature, your alternator’s ability to charge your battery, and more. The system is further stressed by the power it requires to produce warm air, heat your seats, and other functions commonly used during this season. As if that weren’t bad enough, lower temperatures mean denser air, leading to increased aerodynamic drag. All this adds up to more fuel used and less overall efficiency.

Road Conditions

A vehicle’s fuel efficiency is also significantly dependent on the conditions of the surfaces it travels on. Build-up of snow, slush, ice, and road salt as well as weather damage to asphalt all mean irregular surfaces, a considerable increase in resistance, and a decrease in speed relative to fuel consumption. Understandably, slower and more cautious driving takes place once winter is underway, as it very well should. The side-effect of this caution is, however, lower fuel efficiency. And don’t forget, your tires lose pressure with every decrease in ambient temperature!

Addressing the Problem

As you can see, there is a pretty wide range of things working against your BMW on cold days as far as mileage is concerned. Fortunately, there are also ways of compensating for their effects. As is often the case, it’s attentiveness and all the little things that come together over time. Keep your BMW parked in a garage when possible to avoid a chilled engine, avoid using your heat, defrosters, and seat warmers more than you need, don’t take frequent short trips, and keep an eye on that tire pressure. If you need more specific milage tips according to your vehicle, feel free to ask a certified BMW technician!

Boosting fuel economy may seem like a slow endeavour, but good habits can add up to a big difference for your BMW and your wallet over time. If you’d like to improve performance while saving on costs, get in touch with Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3165 and we’ll be happy to help!

Winter Driving Technique: Myths and Misconceptions

1 February 2017

Taking care of a vehicle during winter involves a lot of attention and care. However, it’s not just about how your BMW runs or looks, it’s also about how you operate it. Unfortunately, there are quite a few winter driving myths out there to address! Here are just a few.

Cruise Control

While it may be convenient to use cruise control during that long winter trip to see family during the holidays, handing over this amount of control to your vehicle is very unwise in low traction situations. If an obstacle presents itself and you need to brake and make a sudden adjustment to your course, having the cruise control engaged means you’ll likely be unable to regain control in time. What’s more, your BMW’s cruise control could apply automatic acceleration at a hazardous moment, such as during a skid, leading you to hydroplane. The bottom line? During winter, cruise control means you lose control!

The Superiority of SUVs

Many drivers are led to believe that SUVs provide the absolute best in safety and performance everywhere you drive them. BMW SUVs are indeed outfitted with plenty of excellent features that improve stability and control when navigating irregular terrain off-road. However, it’s a mistake to assume that an SUV will give you optimum safety on paved roads that have been overcome with ice during winter. In this regard, they’re not necessarily better than a well-engineered sedan. Never assume that the type of vehicle you use is a replacement for smart, attentive driving at this time of year.

Skidding and Braking

There are few things more nerve-racking than the moment you realize you’re starting to lose control of your vehicle on a slick road. Drivers will deal with this situation differently depending on what source they’ve gotten their information from. As expected, there are plenty of misconceptions. For one thing, it’s often recommended not to engage the emergency brake, or to brake at all, as this can make the situation much worse. Turn into the skid, gently accelerate, and keep your eyes on where you want your vehicle to go. Drive with attention and care so that you can keep your vehicle, yourself, and your passengers safe!

Whether you’re maintaining your BMW or getting better at driving it, owning a performance vehicle is an adventure we’re just as inspired by as you. That’s why the Motorwerkes team will always provide the best BMW-certified maintenance. Call us at (403) 768-3165 today!