calgary bmw inventory

Upgrades from Active Autowerke

1 February 2016

If our earlier blog on performance upgrades got you thinking about how you can amp up the power of your BMW, you might be wondering where your upgrades will be coming from when you get them done at Motorwerkes. For this week’s blog, we’d like to fill you in on how it all works.

An Authorized Active Autowerke Dealer

Motorwerkes is proud to be an authorized dealer for Active Autowerke, a BMW performance parts manufacturer with over three decades of experience. It means that we can provide you with some of the highest quality performance and tuning technology available, combining the sophistication of their manufacturing with the expertise of our certified team. Whether it’s a software tune or a custom build like the example M3s listed on our site, their the reliability of their engineering help us deliver the results you need.

What Do You Have in Mind?

You might already have a general sense of what kind of upgrade you’re looking at for your BMW. The trick is choosing the one that’s just right for you and your model. Browsing Active Autowerke’s site to familiarize yourself with the possibilities is a great way to do this. One aspect of upgrade work that they’ve really made a name for themselves in is software. ACTIVE-8, for instance, combines the convenience of the piggyback tuning approach with a highly competitive 64-bit processor that stands up to TUV testing standards like no other module out there. And with just one look at their shop, you’ll see that software isn’t the half of it!

Upgrade Policy

While Active is our go-to supplier for the parts and software that will amp up the power of your BMW, Motorwerkes understands that the world of upgrade manufacturing is a big one! If you have an upgrade or project in mind that requires parts not supplied by Active, we’d be happy to provide our signature quality of service and make that installation happen. However, our commitment to Active Autowerke means that you’ll need to source and bring in the parts yourself. In either case, your BMW will be in the right hands when it’s with us!

Looking for advice on how to get the power you need and where to get the necessary parts? We’re more than happy to advise you on this and many more services! Get in touch with us at (403) 768-3166 today and find out why we’re still Calgary’s favorite BMW specialists.

A Guide to Purchasing the Right Winter Tires

18 January 2016

Here in Alberta, purchasing winter tires for your BMW is one of the most important components to responsible driving on icy and snowy roads. Combine the tips in our previous blogs on winter maintenance and winter driving with this brief guide to winter tires!

The Importance of Winter Tires

Winter tires can sometimes be a bit of an investment. However, if you choose the right ones, it’s an investment in your safety and the safety of others. It also goes without saying that a set of winter tires is likely cheaper than the repairs that you’ll need after a collision. Overall, driving in cold conditions is at its safest when all of the proper steps have added up. Winter tires are the upgrade that will complement your smart driving and knowledge of your vehicle to make for great driving even on the coldest days.

How They Work

There are a few clever approaches to engineering that make good winter tires as effective as they are. Generally speaking, they are optimized for a greater degree of grip in low-traction environments as well as resilience in lower temperatures. Because the rubber compound is a bit softer, you’re getting better traction because the material can remain flexible in response to the road. Put this together with greater tread depth and careful design of the siping and you have a considerable improvement in winter handling. Don’t use them year-round though, as they’re not designed for higher temperatures!

Things to Keep in Mind

It’s a good rule of thumb to stick with the original equipment specs and, more specifically, avoid undersizing the tires and overwhelming them with the weight of your vehicle. The loss of tire pressure with dropping temperatures should also be kept in mind. When it comes to the decision between run-flat or regulars, we see that run-flats come standard on most BMWs because much of the engineering of the vehicle is designed specifically for their use. They’re also good for avoiding the pain of changing tires in the snow. Some may find, however, that they do not offer the longevity or traction of regulars. This and other considerations will vary widely, so getting a personalized opinion from a specialist is always a good move.

Need more help optimizing your BMW for the best and safest winter performance? Motorwerkes is a trusted team in Calgary that can help you with your BMW motor vehicle. Get in touch with us at 403-768-3168 to see what we can do for you!

Your V8-Powered X5: Why Is It Smoking from the Exhaust?

18 January 2016

Despite the ingenuity of our favorite BMW vehicles, we can’t forget that they are complex pieces of machinery which are mass-produced at a rapid pace. As such, small mechanical flaws are bound to appear. The subject of this week’s blog is a particularly common one you may have experienced yourself.

The Problem

If you own an X5 powered by an N62 or N63 engine, you may have noticed smoke emitting from the tailpipe in greater thickness than is normal. It may be white or blue in hue, and may show up most often as a puff during acceleration after a long idle. Keep in mind that different thicknesses and colors of smoke emission may occur in a variety of vehicles, so if you’re not sure how closely your issue fits this profile, further research or a professional smoke test may be in order. These symptoms aren’t necessarily unique to the N62 and N63 engines, but BMW owners and mechanics have found it to occur very consistently among them.

What Causes It

The causes of the issue are related primarily to your oil and your crankcase vent valve. More specifically, it is due to a manufacturing flaw in the quality of the valve seals. When engine temperature rises, the valve seals harden. This causes oil to get by and eventually burn, producing the smoke. In addition to the more obvious symptoms, this leads to a significant problem in oil consumption which can lead to further complications down the line if things aren’t taken care of promptly.

How to Solve It

Depending on how long the problem has gone untreated, the fix may be quite simple or involve a few extra steps and considerations. In general, however, a valve repair is necessary as your immediate action. Then you’ll need to consider the frequency of your oil servicing. Keep your interval at about 5,000 to 8,000 kilometers between each oil change. Make sure you let the specialist know of any other issues that have cropped up and describe the symptoms with as much detail as possible. This will ensure better service and a longer life for your engine!

Motorwerkes is dedicated to keeping you informed on the most current and noteworthy info regarding your BMW, not to mention providing the utmost in repairs, upgrades, and more! You can get details on our services by calling us at (403) 768-3163 today.

A Brief History of the BMW

2 November 2015

You may have read our blog recounting the history of the famous BMW roundel. There is, however, always more to a company than its logo. As experts on the work of such a time-tested brand, we’re always eager to dig into its past and find out more. Here’s how it all started.

Early Origins

For much of World War I, German mechanical engineer Karl Rapp operated Rapp Motorenwerke, one of the central military aircraft engine manufacturers in the German state of Bavaria. With the arrival of a new engineer named Max Friz, Rapp Motorenwerke designed the groundbreaking IVa engine that would radically change the shape and reputation of the company. Rapp resigned in 1916 and the manufacturer was eventually restructured and merged with two others to form Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works).

Branching Out

The end of World War I had a significant effect on the newly-formed BMW company. A clause in the Treaty of Versailles restricting German aircraft engineering meant that the design of other technologies was necessary. After further restructuring and a change of logo in the early ‘20s, BMW built its first complete vehicle: the R32 motorcycle, establishing the boxer-twin shaft-drive powertrain layout that BMW still uses today. In 1928, they produced their first automobile, the Dixi, and less than a decade later introduced the famous 328. This model redefined the sports car and made automotive history. BMW grew to become a global-scale company in the early ‘70s, founded its Research and Innovation Centre in 1990, and has remained at the forefront of vehicle design and engineering since.

Toward the Future

With nearly a century of production to their name, the future of automotive design holds interesting prospects for BMW. Demand for electric mobility and other sustainable technologies is creating a complex new chapter in the company’s history. Focus these days is on increased efficiency and decreased carbon footprint in the product lifecycle, including recycled materials, lightweight construction, and the continued development of bivalent hydrogen/gasoline engines. From the innovative IVa aircraft engine to the hydrogen-based car of the future, things have certainly come a long way.

Whether it’s a simple repair or an impressive performance upgrade, we at MotorWerkes believe your BMW should be in the hands of a team that loves it as much as you do! To find out what we can do for your vehicle, feel free to get in touch with us at (403) 453-0269.