A Few of BMW’s Best Concept Cars

A Few of BMW’s Best Concept Cars - Motorwerkes - BMW Maintenance Experts

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

Smart BMW Maintenance: Getting the Facts Straight - Motorwerkes - BMW Maintenance Experts

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!

Listen to Your MINI: Knowing When It’s Time for Service

Listen to Your MINI: Knowing When It’s Time for Service - Motorwerkes - BMW Specialists Canada

Differences in maintenance scheduling between models are bound to arise, whether they’re big ones or subtle ones. Thankfully, many modern vehicles are good at telling their drivers what they need and when. Let’s take a look at MINI’s condition-based maintenance system.

How Does It All Work?

In last week’s blog you learned a bit about how pre-CBS BMWs are distinguished from more recent models, as well as how this contributes to differences in maintenance requirements. A similar dynamic exists with MINIs. While all models will come with a certain recommended factory maintenance schedule (which varies based on which MINI you have), newer ones also boast a sophisticated CBS system that will give you detailed information on what aspects of your MINI need service. It analyzes wear on components, factors in your mileage, and streamlines servicing for your local technician.

Indication Examples

As a basic example any MINI that is equipped with a CBS system will tell you when you are in need of oil service, or when your brake fluid needs to be replaced. Sensors near the front and rear axles also collect data on the wear that has accumulated on your front and rear brake pads. It can even evaluate more comprehensive factors so that you can determine when a full vehicle inspection is necessary. All these and more are carefully monitored by the system to make things easier for you so that you can be as diligent about maintenance as possible.

Following the Schedule

It’s important to bear in mind that factory scheduled maintenance and condition-based service are not the same and don’t address all the same aspects of your MINI. This means that it’s key to stay on top of both. It also means that, considering the differences that exist between models, it’s as important as ever to know your individual vehicle as well as you can and understand its needs. Even better, team up with a MINI specialist who knows your vehicle even better than you do! If you can get a good handle on the CBS indications and stay on top of scheduled maintenance, your MINI will always be in great shape.

BMWs may be the pride and joy of the Motorwerkes team, but the services we offer on MINIs carry the same signature mark of excellence we’re known for. From repairs and maintenance to upgrades and detailing, call (403) 768-3161 to find out what we can do for your MINI today!

Inspection 2 Service for Your Pre-CBS BMW

Inspection 2 Service for Your Pre-CBS BMW - Motorwerkes - BMW Specialists Canada

BMW has a long history of producing excellent vehicles. Maintenance practices can often differ depending on whether you own a sophisticated modern model or a prized classic. If you’re in the latter category, it’s wise to bear in mind the importance of BMW’s Inspection 2 service.

What Does “Pre-CBS” Mean?

When the 2002 7 Series was released in 2002, BMW introduced the Condition-Based Service system. This was a sophisticated new way of monitoring the condition of your model and knowing which services were needed at what time. Prior to the introduction of this feature was the service interval indicator system. While CBS isn’t a part of every BMW’s feature set, it is standard on all E60, E65, E90, and E70 models. BMWs manufactured before 2002, however, are considered to be pre-CBS. This means that their needs and scheduling requirements in terms of maintenance and repairs are a bit different from newer models.

Understanding Inspection 2

While Inspection 1 service satisfies a pretty thorough set of maintenance requirements for recent BMW models, one of the most important considerations for pre-CBS vehicles is Inspection 2 service. It provides you not only with what is included in Inspection 1, but with the addition of services that can make a big difference for the longevity of an older model. These include replacement of spark plugs and air filters, inspection of the body of your vehicle for rust, and more. It’s an excellent way to revitalize your pre-CBS BMW so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible.

Seeking Out the Best Service

For one thing, Inspection 2 should be performed every four years or every 100,000 kms, whichever comes first. You should also bear in mind that while the processes included in Inspection 2 are standardized, the value and quality of your service will vary depending on where you go. Dealer prices can be a bit intimidating, so taking your classic BMW to an independent specialist will give you high-quality results at the best possible value. Your BMW, no matter how old it is, is an investment worth caring for!

There’s nothing quite like driving a classic BMW whose exterior, interior, and mechanical functions are all in top working order. The Motorwerkes team is fully dedicated to caring for BMWs both new and old, so call us at (403) 768-3161 or an excellent Inspection 2 experience!

What Makes a BMW?

What Makes a BMW? - Motorwerkes - BMW Maintenance Experts

Even if you’re dedicated to taking care of your BMW, do you know what exactly it is you love about it? Whether you’ve got a classic or one of the latest models, it’s hard not to wonder what exactly makes a BMW so unique. Here are a few key characteristics that are iconic to the name.

The Design

Even without owning one, the first thing a person is going to notice about a BMW is likely how it looks. The designers at BMW don’t take aesthetics lightly. It’s not just about obvious features like the iconic kidney grille or the BMW roundel, it’s about the subtle details that only a true aficionado might recognize. The Hofmeister kink, for instance, is a trait of the vehicle’s C-pillar that lends to the body’s dynamic appearance, even symbolically reinforcing BMW’s dedication to rear-wheel drive. Overall, the body structure of a BMW displays a calculated balance between classy elegance and technical versatility.

The Engineering

Of course, as good as your BMW may look, its sharp appearances aren’t all it has to offer. As mentioned above, BMW has built a tradition around engineering their cars with rear-wheel drive or rear-focused all-wheel drive. This, in combination with a front engine, is a critical factor in maintaining optimal weight distribution and providing a drive that feels both smooth and powerful. While there are plenty of exceptions, the straight-6 engine and manual transition have also historically been hallmarks of BMW’s engineering approach. Regardless of the specifics of your model, it’s all about enjoying the utmost power and precision of control.

The Experience

The experience of owning and driving a BMW can be described in a number of different terms. It can relate to the interior of the vehicle itself, for instance. BMW designers tend to place ergonomics and interior comfort very high on their priority list in order to meet the standards of the modern driver. There’s also the philosophy of BMW ownership and the experience that BMW experts provide for their clients. You can always expect that a BMW-certified technician will not only know their stuff, but they’ll also own and love a BMW of their own. For them, all of their work is a personal endeavour, and this means better service for you!

Whatever you love most about your BMW, there’s no denying that it deserves the best maintenance available. The Motorwerkes team has the experience, training, and dedication that the BMW philosophy calls for. Give us a call at (403) 768-3165 to make an appointment today!