bmw repair costs - Motorwerkes

Three Ways You Can Become a Better Driver

10 January 2018

Most drivers develop their driving abilities just enough to pass the tests and get a license, but we all know that doesn’t necessarily make you a model motorist. Skillful driving is about both safety and caring for your BMW, so you might want to consider a few upgrades to your habits.

Sharpen Your Defensive Driving Skills

The process of becoming a licensed driver teaches a lot of essentials when it comes to navigating the road safely. However, there’s another level of driving technique and proficiency that you don’t really get unless you pursue the right instruction. The right defensive driving course offers the chance to develop skills in evasion, braking, and preventative technique which can prove to be lifesaving in extreme circumstances. These skills are especially powerful when combined with the sharp handling and safety features of your BMW, which should not be relied upon to prevent accidents on their own.

Be Alert, Be Aware

A lot of us spend a significant portion of our lives driving. Because of this, we tend to tune out from what we’re doing when we’re at the wheel and pay attention to other things. However, one of the best ways you can become a better driver is by breaking this habit and remaining alert. This applies to how we pay attention to our surroundings as well as how we pay attention to even the smallest aspects of our driving technique. How much distance are you leaving between you and the vehicle in front of you? Do you stay conscious of your input and avoid abrupt movements or decisions? These are all important to bear in mind.

Stay Educated

Remember last week when we talked about the importance of staying informed about the maintenance needs of your BMW? The exact same principle applies in the department of driving techniques. One of the greatest things about having an experienced BMW certified technician to take your vehicle to is that they don’t just offer mechanical help. A good BMW expert is also a good driver and understands the importance of combining a great car with great driving habits. Ask your technician for tips that apply to your specific model and follow them closely, it’s a great way to stay smart as a driver!

The certified technicians at Motorwerkes may not be able to make you a better driver beyond offering some friendly advice, but when it comes to taking care of your BMW, we can do a lot more than that! Our team does it all, so call (403) 453-0269 to make an appointment today!

Keeping Your Leather Interior in Great Shape

1 June 2017

One of the best feelings a driver can experience is stepping into a BMW with well-maintained leather upholstery. This is a big factor in everything from the comfort of your drive to the resale value of the vehicle. A mistake can compromise your interior, so let’s find out how to get it right.

Being Mindful

As with most aspects of car care, it’s always a good idea to check with the owner’s manual of your BMW before you do anything else. It may recommend or rule out certain techniques and products that are prone to cause damage to your upholstery. Interior leather surfaces can vary more widely than you think, from soft, smooth aniline to velvety nubuck and vinyl-like pigmented types. Does your upholstery contain any perforations? This will also affect your cleaning technique, as you want to avoid letting any fluids or gunk get trapped in these small holes. In short, know your interior well if you want to give it a proper detailing!

Technique and Materials

Regardless of what kind of leather your interior is comprised of, cleaning and conditioning it will almost always involve a few fundamental steps. Think of it as a layered process. You’ll first want to clear the surfaces of any abrasive materials such as grit and dirt in a way that doesn’t wear anything down. This can be done with careful vacuuming, clearing out small nooks using compressed air, and using microfibre towels to smoothly wipe unfriendly material away. A deep clean with the right saddle soap followed by proper conditioning and wipedown is often what follows, but the exact products will vary based on your particular interior.

The Summer Sun

Of course, the process of cleaning itself isn’t the only thing contributing to healthy leather upholstery. You also need to be attentive to everyday conditions. Obviously, avoiding things like contact with shoes and accumulation of dirt and debris is essential. However, many drivers neglect to properly protect their leather from the sun, particularly during summer. This is one element that can take a significant toll over time, especially when it comes to your steering wheel, dashboard, centre console, and even driver and front passenger seats. Be careful of where you park and be sure to use a high-quality sun shade on your windshield!

How is your BMW looking these days? If you want to keep your favourite vehicle in top condition, call (403) 768-3169 to make an appointment!

Taking Care of Your Tires During Spring

15 April 2016

In previous blogs, we’ve spoken more generally about how the seasons affect your tires, particularly when winter car care is needed. This week, we’d like to refresh and expand on this a bit. Now that spring is here, a tire switch or rotating might be needed!

Switching Types

Did you drive your BMW frequently during winter or did you store it? If you drove it, you probably had a set of winter tires installed. As mentioned in our blog on spring car care, you should switch these out for summer times once winter is over. If the temperature outside has started to exceed 7 degrees, this is generally a good time to make the exchange. Ensuring that you are equipped with the appropriate tires for the season will optimize your traction and safety as well as reduce the likelihood of tire failure.

Wear & Rotation

If a vehicle you stored during the winter was not fitted with winter tires, have a look at the tires that it’s currently equipped with. How is the condition of the treads and siping? When was the last time you had them rotated? Signs can take many forms, including vibration during your ride and visible wear such as cupping and feathering. Having your tires rotated at the proper interval will maintain even wear between front and rear and extend the overall life of your set, not to mention improve your mileage over time. How often you rotate will depend on your vehicle, so asking your technician for a personalized recommendation is a great idea.

Pressure

As you may know, a change of season can mean a few different things when it comes to tire pressure. If you’ve stored a vehicle, you should check to make sure flat spots have not developed due to low temperatures and extended periods in a stationary position. If you drove your BMW during winter and are switching tire types, don’t forget that it can be easy to over-inflate in warm weather if you’ve become accustomed to the low pressures experienced in the cold. As long as you know what to keep an eye on, your tires will stay in great shape!

Taking your BMW for a drive on a clear day is what many of us look forward to once spring gets going. To keep everything running smoothly so that you can have best ride possible, get in touch with the Motorwerkes team at (403) 768-3163 today!

5 Things Nobody Tells You About Owning a Luxury Car

10 April 2016

While the word “luxury” may seem intimidating for some, a top-notch vehicle could be more within reach than you think. Here are 5 insights that might surprise you.

The Entry-Level Model is Your Friend

These days, the leaders in luxury vehicle production are catching on to the fact that expanding their consumer base is good for business. Both BMW and other companies offer a number of entry-level models that make their standard of quality more accessible, allowing new consumers to enter their markets. BMW’s 3 Series Sedan and 4 Series Gran Coupe are perfect examples.

Your Investment Has Sustainable Value

When you’re considering the purchase of a home, one of the top factors on your mind might be resale value. The same can be said when looking for a quality car! The great thing about luxury vehicles is that, as an investment, they retain their value much better over time. The cost/benefit aspect of this is particularly true of entry-level models.

Well-Made Means Cost-Efficient

While it may be tempting to stay as under-budget as possible in the short term, things change a bit once you look at the bigger picture. If your vehicle of choice was relatively inexpensive upon purchase, its structural integrity and quality may not be so great. A vehicle that has been carefully constructed using only the highest quality parts is usually less likely to fail you in a costly way later on. As they say, you get what you pay for!

Safety Is Priceless

One thing that manufacturers like BMW are particularly renowned for is the amount of research and engineering that they invest into safety for many of their models. A luxury vehicle will likely be equipped with advanced airbag systems, stability and traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. At the end of the day, you can’t put a price on safety and peace of mind for you and your passengers.

You’ll Have Specialized, Dedicated Support

What many of us specializing in BMWs know about top-quality vehicle design is that it has a way of attracting truly passionate experts. With a high standard of engineering comes a high standard of maintenance and care. Your vehicle will get more than just run-of-the-mill maintenance, it will get a personal touch that money can’t buy!

Have more questions about the perks of owning a vehicle with the mark of true quality? Motorwerkes is here to provide you with answers and more. Give us a call at (403) 453-0269 today!