calgary bmw service - Motorwerkes

Plant Oxford: The Birthplace of MINI

15 March 2018

Every vehicle comes from somewhere, and the geographical origins of a marque are essential to its heritage. The first BMW sprang to life in Munich, but what about the MINI? That would be Oxford, at the plant that still serves as the heart of MINI today. Let’s take a look at its history.

Early Days

Just southeast of central Oxford is a neighborhood called Cowley, where a small car plant was established by cyclist William Morris in 1913. After the World War II and a merger between the Morris and Austin companies, increased consumer demand for automobiles gave way to one of Great Britain’s most iconic cars: the Mini. It was finalized at the Oxford production plant in the spring of 1959, filling an important segment of the market that demanded a fuel-efficient vehicle in light of the recent gas crisis. It was compact, affordable, functional, and wouldn’t have been possible without the Morris plant and the team that made it great.

Changing Hands

Fast-forward to 1994 and we see the Plant Oxford move into the highly capable hands of BMW during their Rover Group acquisition. This wasn’t a simple change of management—it was a full-scale revamping of Plant Oxford’s facilities in multiple departments. BMW invested nearly £300 million to turn the plant from a great site of vehicle manufacturing to a truly legendary one, from its vehicle prep and logistics centres to its modernized body construction and final assembly areas. It was the innovation that took place in this core facility that would help to make the MINI relaunch in 2001 such a success.

The Plant Today

With over a hundred years of vehicle manufacturing under its belt, Plant Oxford is one of the most accomplished car factories in the U.K., helping to pave the way for numerous other BMW-operated facilities in the country. Its team is comprised of over 4,000 employees, it utilizes over a thousand spot-welding robots, and hundreds of vehicle checks are carried out on each unit to ensure proper assembly. With hundreds of finished MINIs leaving the plant each day, this is pretty impressive. If you own a MINI Hatch, 5 door Hatch, Roadster, Convertible, or Coupé, it’s made its way to your home from Plant Oxford!

MINI is as much a part of the Motorwerkes family of services as any BMW flagship vehicle. Don’t forget that you can bring us an estimate from a local competitor for any service on your MINI and, if it qualifies, we’ll beat it by 10%. Call (403) 453-0269 and we’ll get the job done!

Understanding Out of Province Inspections

12 March 2018

Alberta has a fast-growing population, thanks in part to a steady flow of new residents from outside the province. One thing that many new Albertans will bring with them is their vehicles. Now that Motorwerkes offers out of province vehicle inspections, let’s look at what this entails.

Vehicle Registration Law

The process of becoming an Alberta resident involves many ins and outs, and your vehicle is one aspect of settling in the province that is important to bear in mind. Any car originating from outside the province will need to be registered so that you can get an Alberta license plate, and this registration typically requires a specific inspection. There are a few exemptions for this, including brand new vehicles with an Alberta-based insurance policy and all the right paperwork. However, if your vehicle is used and you did not acquire it in Alberta, you’ll need to have it looked at and approved so that you can complete the registration process.

Getting Approved

Let’s say that you’ve brought your beloved BMW with you during your move to Alberta, you went outside the province to purchase one, or you’ve restored a classic model that was not previously Alberta-registered. The registration inspection will need to take place to ascertain a few things regarding its condition and functionality. It will be a complete examination of just about every element you can think of, from the engine to the electrical system and beyond. Structural fitness, accordance with safety standards, and many other factors will determine whether or not your BMW is ready and suitable for registration.

Who’s Doing Your Inspection?

Out of province vehicle inspection isn’t provided by the provincial government, but instead carried out by private technicians licensed by Alberta’s Vehicle Inspection Program. Who you choose for your BMW’s inspection is an important decision. You don’t want to sit around all day while it gets done, you don’t want to pay an outrageous price, and you don’t want to leave such an important procedure to someone who isn’t thorough or familiar with your model. This is why OOP inspection of a BMW should be carried out by an experienced BMW-certified technician. You and your BMW deserve nothing less!

Whether you’ve chosen Calgary or the surrounding area as your new home or you’ve purchased a used vehicle outside the province, Motorwerkes will be happy to welcome you or your BMW to Alberta with a top-notch inspection. Give us a call at (403) 453-0269 to find out more today!

Brake Noise: Common Types and What They Mean for Your BMW

1 March 2018

The sounds that a vehicle makes can tell you a lot about its condition. Cold temperatures make mechanical noise even more common than usual, especially when it comes to your brakes. There are a few different things to listen for, and it’s important to know what they could mean.

Screeching and Scraping

Out of all the forms of brake noise you’re likely to experience, these are probably the most common. They tend to be characterized by either high-pitched squealing or long, dragging scratches. Screeching and squealing can be caused by a wide range of culprits, from accumulation of residue to a worn brake pad. Scraping could be the sound of a chunk of debris obstructing the space between the pad and the drum or rotor. However, you could be hearing the wear indicator, a piece of metal which grinds against the rotor to warn you when your pads have reached their demise. In this case a replacement is necessary as soon as possible.

Thumping

This can sometimes be a tricky one to figure out. It’s not nearly as common as screeching and scraping, but it’s still very much worth your attention. It’s characterized by a more rhythmic vibration or thud rather than a long, piercing squeal. It often comes from the rear, but this can vary depending on your vehicle. More likely than not, it’s due to a warped rotor or drum. When this part becomes misshapen over time due to excessive braking and accumulation of heat, its surface becomes more irregular, preventing it from rotating smoothly. When you hear that thumping, you should have your brakes checked out right away.

Grinding

Grinding is perhaps the most worthy of concern. As opposed to the thumping and high-pitched sounds mentioned above, it’s more of a slow, low-pitched growl. If you hear this, you need to stop driving and take your vehicle to a BMW-certified technician immediately. Your brake pads aren’t simply worn down to the end of their life span—there’s no pad left at all. If this isn’t addressed quickly, highly expensive damage to the drum or rotor could result, not to mention an accident. Ideally, no driver should have to hear this sound, as it means that the health of their brakes has gone totally neglected. Always have them serviced on time!

Need someone to take a look at your BMW’s brakes? We’re now proud to offer a price match guarantee on this and any of our services. Bring us an estimate from a local competitor within 30 days and we’ll beat that price by 10%. Call us at (403) 453-0269 to find out more!

A History of the BMW X5

1 September 2017

BMW has a distinctive history of both pushing the boundaries with new models and developing excellent improvements and revisions on time-tested classics. For instance, BMW fans have eagerly awaited the latest incarnation of the X5, so how about a look back at its history?

The Spirit of the X5

As with any BMW vehicle, the X5 was carefully designed to meet a specific demand. In this case, it was to enter the SUV market, as the X5 was BMW’s first production foray into luxury utility vehicle design. Instead of simply calling it an SUV, the company branded it as a Sports Activity Vehicle, highlighting the importance of its design as a crossover vehicle, boasting a balance between on-road elegance and off-road versatility. The E53 was released as its first generation in 1999, and unlike the first generation of the competing Mercedes-Benz M-Class, it utilized a unibody chassis and independent suspension.

Further Developments

After manufacturing the E53 from 1999 to 2006, BMW released the X5’s second generation, the E70. It was bigger and more technologically advanced than its predecessor, enhanced by an optional third row of seating as well as their new iDrive system. When 2009 came around, BMW upped their game. They expanded the X5’s market reach by rolling out a diesel variant and kicked performance power up a notch with the 555 HP X5 M. With the launch of the F15 in 2013, the X5 had entered its third generation, newly equipped with rear wheel drive and improved fuel efficiency.

The Next Step

The third generation has taken the X5 into even more modernized territory in recent years, including 2015’s plug-in hybrid. But what’s new for “The Boss” in 2018? Over the course of this year, the occasional glimpse has appeared from time to time, teasing subtle new design changes to the grille and hood as well as an increase in size and a more spacious interior. It will also boast a new automatic transition and a backup camera, not to mention a host of other high-tech features. BMW’s timeless crossover has definitely still got it!

What new BMWs are you excited about? We all love staying up to date on the latest BMW developments, but don’t forget that keeping your scheduled maintenance in line is one of the key responsibilities of any car lover. Give us a call at (403) 453-0269 to make an appointment!

A Brief History of the BMW 3 Series

8 August 2017

BMW has released many iconic vehicle lines throughout its history, but the 3 Series is among the most well-loved and quintessential. From sedans to hatchbacks, it epitomizes the inspiring intersection of performance and luxury. Let’s look at the history of BMW’s best selling series.

Origins

Between 1962 and 1977, BMW’s New Class helped bring the brand out of a near financial collapse and solidify its reputation as a creator of powerful and stylish sports sedans. After achieving a new level of global success, BMW needed a fresh and modern flagship series to sustain this momentum as a key player in the industry. Enter the E21 2-door in 1975, available as both a sedan and coupe. Being the first in their new 3 Series and boasting a look that was at once classy and dynamic, the E21 would set the tone for the style and philosophy of this historic new range of BMWs.

Tracing the Generations

Thus far, BMW has released six generations of the 3 Series. Things really got into gear with the second generation, the E30, which was produced between 1982 and 1991 and was the first 3 Series BMW to offer a diesel engine. Then came the E36 in 1990, the first in the series to offer a hatchback. It was also notable for its multi-link rear suspension. Modernization came into full force in 1998 with the E46, outfitted with satellite navigation, rain-sensitive automatic wipers, and other utilities. Six years later was the fifth generation, with a notable model being the 335i, first in the 3 Series to house a turbocharged engine.

What’s New?

All these years on, the E90 set a high standard for the 3 Series, at it sold better than any luxury sedan in North America between 2006 and 2010. Fast forward to today, the 3 Series continues to produce its sixth generation, comprised of the F30 sedan, F31 Touring, and F34 Gran Turismo. Responding to drivers’ desires for more space and more luxury-oriented feature sets, these models have catered to today’s demands. Despite this, they have not necessarily compromised on power, as the M3 F30 is fitted with a turbocharged straight-6 engine. With a seventh generation expected to be unveiled in 2018, we’re eager to see what’s next!

Are you the owner of a 3 Series BMW? It’s just one among many BMW and MINI vehicles that the Motorwerkes team diligently cares for every day. Establishing a good dynamic with a BMW-certified expert is key to getting the best value out of yours, so call (403) 453-0269 today!