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BMWs on the Big Screen

15 January 2018

There are few automakers in the world as enduring and iconic as BMW. As such an important part of vehicle history, it has established an unforgettable presence for itself across various forms of media, even movies. Let’s look at a few memorable moments in the brand’s film career.

Memorable Moments

There’s no better place to look first than the James Bond films of the 1990s. While the Aston Martin may live on as the signature Bond car, the BMW Z8 driven by Pierce Brosnan’s Bond in The World Is Not Enough is simply too classy to be ignored. In the 1998 thriller Ronin starring Robert De Niro, audiences got a taste of the speed and power of the 5 Series during a climactic chase that featured the E34 535i. Six years later in The Bourne Supremacy, Matt Damon’s character Jason Bourne evaded capture in a 1985 E28 5 Series. Not a bad choice when you’re on the run!

BMW Films

In 2001 and 2002, BMW embarked on their own film production project in order to boost PR during a quiet period in their launch schedule. BMW Films produced a series of eight short films called The Hire, boasting legendary directors such as Ang Lee and Guy Ritchie, not to mention Clive Owen in the lead role. While the internet-released series was more of a “small screen” appearance than a big screen one, it nonetheless went on to become of of the most memorable BMW campaigns in history. It was even revived last year to promote the 2017 5 Series with a film called The Escape, once again starring Clive Owen in the lead.

The Cinematic Feeling

BMW has always strived to develop a visual identity for the brand. Striking TV ads, dramatic photoshoots, memorable motor show presentations, and BMW Films are all examples of how they have built an internal world for their vehicles, and this is has distinguished the company from other automakers as the king of automotive marketing. This edgy cinematic flare has communicated to car lovers everywhere just how commanding the presence of a BMW can be, not only on the road, but also within stories and powerful images. These are the makings of a true icon!

With a BMW in excellent shape, whether it’s a classic model or a new release, who wouldn’t feel like they’re in a movie? Give your vehicle the certified service it deserves and you’ll always get the most out of it. Call (403) 453-0269 to find out what the Motorwerkes team can do for you!

Cold Weather and Your Spark Plugs

22 December 2017

Every type of car under the sun depends on heat and combustion to stay moving, even if the sun doesn’t seem to show up! In the cold of winter, many key components are working extra hard to do their job, and your spark plugs are no exception. Here are some things to consider.

Why They’re Affected

Each spark plug in your engine is responsible for igniting the air/fuel mixture in its respective combustion chamber, forcing the cylinder to rotate its corresponding crankshaft. This is the motion that keeps your vehicle moving, but it’s also the exchange of heat that keep the combustion chamber the right temperature. Everything in this system is about balance in heat, energy, and movement. When in the grip of plummeting winter temperatures, spark plugs that are in poor condition can’t do their job properly. For successful ignition events to occur, a narrow list of parameters must be met, and damaged spark plugs just can’t compensate for the cold weather. This can leave you stranded.

Warning Signs

One of the key red flags to look out for when it comes to winter spark plug health is how smoothly you’re able to start your BMW. A rough or failed start can be indicative of many different things, such as a compromised battery, but if you haven’t replaced your plugs in preparation for winter, there’s a decent chance that this is the culprit. Poor spark plug health can take a toll on your fuel efficiency and increase your emissions, as it contributes significantly to overall poor performance, particularly during winter when your BMW’s engine is under other simultaneous forms of stress.

Preventing Problems

Drivers who don’t replace their spark plugs often enough will typically rush to replace them during winter at the last minute, as this is when they tend to fail most often. However, it’s not as though winter weather is some unstoppable force that will inevitably lead to the death of this or any other car part. Issues arise only if you’ve fallen behind on routine maintenance. Always follow the recommendations of a local BMW-certified technician when it comes to the frequency of spark plug replacement so that you can go into winter without worrying about it!

Do your spark plugs need replacing? It’s best to do it right away before these winter temperatures really take a dive and make things worse. Give Motorwerkes a call at (403) 453-0269, and it will be our pleasure to take care of this and any other maintenance essential!

Three of the Best MINIs for Winter

15 December 2017

Your average MINI might seem like a fairly unassuming vehicle, with its compact frame and playful aesthetic. Don’t be fooled, however. Some MINIs are known to hold up impressively well to harsh conditions like those we experience during winter. Let’s look at three standout models.

The Countryman

The MINI Crossover concept revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 2008 was a significant break from the approach to vehicle design that had been associated with MINI for decades. Despite this, it would go on to become the Countryman, a subcompact crossover that has won the hearts of millions of drivers. Despite its small stature relative to full-size SUVs, the Countryman can really hold its own in winter weather. MINIs are already known for their excellent handling, but the new Countryman’s ALL4 option and turbocharged 3 cylinder engine takes ruggedness and command of the road to another level. There’s now even a plug-in hybrid edition!

Clubman All4

As legendary as the Countryman has become as MINI’s first crossover, one should never forget the prowess of the brand’s flagship supermini: the Clubman. For the first time, the Clubman has recently inherited the Countryman’s ALL4 system, a marvel of modern stability control that instantaneously redistributes power between axles based on precise grip detection. Being a small family car, the standard Clubman isn’t as suitably outfitted for off-road or harsh weather duties as the Countryman in terms of its suspension and body paneling, but the newest ALL4 edition is nonetheless as perfect for wintery urban and suburban road conditions as a family-sized MINI can be.

MINI Hardtop

In pointing out MINI’s more utility-focused ambitions, one can’t help but feel that the more standard models are left on the bench. These days many of them are more suitable for slushy and ice surfaces that one might think. Take a look at the recent MINI Hardtop models, for instance. The frame is more rigid than ever, slight increases in size have taken place, and BMW’s expert engineering of stability control systems complement that legendary MINI agility beautifully. That TwinPower Turbo engine and 207 lb-ft of torque on the Hardtop Cooper S are nothing to sneeze at either. With a high quality set of winter tires, you’re really in business!

Ever since our team began to offer full repair, maintenance, and upgrade service on MINIs, we’ve worked on many different models under the marque. You can expect the same level of excellence as on any BMW, so call (403) 453-0269 to book an appointment for your MINI today!

Understanding Your Heated Seats

8 December 2017

For any Calgarian BMW owner, a model that features heated seats can be a godsend for a sizable portion of the year. No one wants a vehicle that’s uncomfortable to drive, and this is one technology that maximizes comfort. So how do they work and what kind of care do they need?

A Brief History

General Motors played a key role in the emergence of this concept, as a patent was filed for the technology by one of their engineers as early as 1951. They could even have been tested for military vehicle applications earlier than that. However, heated seats really came into popular consciousness when they hit the mass-produced market as an optional feature in the 1966 Cadillac de Ville series. They’d show up again, this time standard, in the Saab 99, 95, and 96 models of the early ‘70s. An automatic thermostat would activate them in response to temperatures below 14°C. Not bad, though it was only available for the driver’s seat. Sorry, passengers!

How They Work

Today, this feature is of course made more widely available and at a lower cost than its earliest appearances, but despite how much time has passed since then, the technology itself is quite simple. Embedded just beneath the surface of the upholstery is what’s called a heating element. In electronics terms, this system of metal wire functions as a resistor. Rather than allowing current to easily pass through, it resists the current and produces friction that translates into heat. It receives the necessary current by means of a magnetic relay which is activated either in response to a switch pressed by the driver or passenger, or a thermostat.

Things to Watch Out For

If your seat heaters are taking too long to heat up or aren’t activating at all, this could be indicative of a couple different problems. On one hand, a fuse may have blown, which is a simple and low-cost issue for your BMW technician to remedy. However, if the element itself has failed, it will need to be extracted from the upholstery and replaced. Either way, these are jobs that should be carried out by a BMW-certified technician. A repair done right will make your winter drives warm and cozy again in no time!

Does your BMW feature heated seats? All of the bells and whistles that we love so much about our vehicles need to be taken care of. At Motorwerkes, we understand this better than anyone, so call (403) 453-0269 to have your repair, maintenance, and upgrade needs taken care of!

Winter Is No Time to Slack on Maintenance!

1 December 2017

It’s never a pretty sight when a BMW goes neglected and runs into expensive maintenance issues as a result. Just like any vehicle, the more consistent and professional your care, the better your overall investment. During winter, this is possibly more true than any other season.

Getting Started Right

So many things are simply a matter of getting started on the right foot and staying prepared. This is what preventative maintenance is all about. Fortunately, help is never far when it comes to being savvy about the requirements of your vehicle during this season. If you speak to a local BMW expert on what your vehicle needs and how often it should be looked at or worked on, you’ll know what to expect. Everything from cosmetic issues like the effects of dirt, slush, and road salt on your exterior to more functional considerations like battery life will be well understood by a certified technician.

The Essentials

As far as “winterizing” your vehicle goes, some things are less urgent than others, but there is a core set of fundamentals that should be paid particular attention to. Switching to a high-quality pair of winter tires, for instance, is one. Looking out for corrosion on your battery and using oil with the right viscosity if needed are also important. Pay attention to your tire pressure, the condition and functionality of your wiper blades, and keep your car equipped with the appropriate emergency supplies. This can be a real lifesaver if you end up on the side of the road waiting for assistance.

Extra Touches

There are also a number of things that aren’t exactly life-or-death but can make a huge difference in how you experience winter as a driver and car owner. For example, it really pays to know a BMW-certified technician who can provide great washing and detailing service so that you can keep your vehicle clean and in great shape despite the weather. Starting your days comfortably is important too, so a remote car starter package can work wonders if you hate having to sit in a car that feels like a refrigerator while you wait for it to warm up!

Are you giving your BMW the best winter treatment in town? We can promise you that if you leave it in the hands of the Motorwerkes team, it will run at its best no matter what time of year it is. Get in touch with us at (403) 453-0269 or visit our new location at 5122 3 Street SE today!