Blog - Motorwerkes

Spring Cleaning: The Importance of a Clean BMW After Winter

1 April 2017

As we’ve discussed in previous blogs, weather and road conditions aren’t exactly kind to a vehicle during winter. After all that moisture, dirty slush, and road salt have had a chance to give your BMW a run for its money, a proper spring cleaning should get things back to normal!

Taking Care of the Exterior

By the end of winter, even if you’ve taken it to be cleaned once or twice, your BMW is bound to have fallen prey to many different kinds of build-up. When temperatures go up and the roads get wet and slushy, dirty puddles dent to splash up onto the exterior and dry into an abrasive film. If not washed properly, it can cloud your headlights and windows, not to mention wreak havoc on your paint job. Likewise, letting moisture and salt accumulation on the underside of your BMW go unaddressed can lead to corrosion and other issues.

Shaping Up the Interior

You may not think that winter can have as big an impact on the interior of your BMW as on the exterior, but things like plant debris, road salt, moisture, and dirt are all carried into your vehicle each time you step inside, and the same occurs with each of your passengers. You’d be surprised by how many places they all end up! Take some time in the early spring season to assess the condition of your upholstery and floors as well as surfaces like your dashboard, vacuuming and cleaning with the appropriate cleaning products.

A Post-Winter Detailing

During the transition between winter and spring, it becomes clear that keeping the body, interior, and inner workings of your BMW clean is an important maintenance issue in and of itself. This is why it’s important to make a thorough inspection of the vehicle so that you can determine if a professional detailing is necessary. Taking your BMW to a specialist will give you the best possible results and spare you a significant amount of time. It can be a great feeling to return to the shop and find your vehicle freshly cleaned, ready for those summer drives!

Getting off to a good start during spring will keep things in great shape for the sunny days and road trips ahead. As well as maintenance and repairs, Motorwerkes offers extensive washing and detailing services, so give us a call at (403) 768-3161 to get your BMW looking great again!

What Are the Advantages of Owning a MINI?

22 March 2017

Much like any model under BMW’s other vehicle lines, the MINI has an unmistakeable look, feel, and philosophy. Now that Motorwerkes offers comprehensive service for MINIs, we feel it’s right to take a look at what makes them a distinctive and appropriate choice for so many drivers.

Economy and Efficiency

One thing that the MINI is best known for is its excellent economy. This is made possible through both smart engineering and its compact size. The 1.5L base engine of a 2016 2-door Mini Cooper hardtop, for instance, boasts an EPA MPG of around 32 combined city/highway, and some models and configurations can get you upwards of 40. They’re not just economical in terms of fuel consumption, they’re also pretty efficient investments, as they can give you a lot for your money when they’re well-maintained by the right technicians and with certified parts. On the whole, they’re relatively affordable purchases and tend to maintain impressive resale value.

Power, Performance, and Control

Naturally, when you combine a powerful engineering approach with a compact size and low curb weight, you’re going to benefit from excellent speed, handling, and more. MINIs are widely known for their impeccable, go-kart-like steering and brisk acceleration. A 2015 John Cooper Works Mini with a 228 horsepower 4-cylinder 2.0L turbocharged engine can get you from 0 to 60 in 6.1 seconds. Even the more affordable 2016 Mini Cooper S Clubman can reach 60 in 6.6 seconds, despite offering some extra cargo space for those who find other MINIs a bit too tight. Both these and other recent models boast control and stability that more than lives up to the MINI name.

A Personalized Drive

On top of efficiency and performance at a good price, many drivers love MINI for the diverse range of configurations and customizations available. There’s an offering for every personality, and this kind of flexibility is something that is becoming more and more desirable to today’s modern driver. With the right certified factory and aftermarket parts, you can enhance and fine-tune your MINI in a number of ways. Best of all, they benefit from highly personal, dedicated service by certified BMW technicians!

Are you a current or soon-to-be MINI owner? A specialized car deserves specialized repair and maintenance service from properly certified technicians. Motorwerkes is Calgary’s go-to shop for BMWs and MINIs alike, so call us at (403) 768-3168 to make an appointment!

Is Your BMW’s Suspension Damaged?

15 March 2017

While all repairs should be done before the issue gets worse, some forms of damage are more urgent than others. Problems with your suspension can not only lead to very costly damage, they can compromise the safety of your drive. There are a few key red flags to look out for.

Suspension 101

Some drivers might assume that “suspension” only encompasses parts like the shock absorbers, but it’s important to consider your tires and their level of pressure as key components of the overall system, not to mention the frame and steering system. Your suspension determines your handling, braking, ride comfort, and other factors. It ensures that your tires maintain consistent contact with the surfaces it moves across, that the vehicle is insulated from vertical acceleration due to the characteristics of these surfaces, and that you can maintain control over your steering.

The Feel of Your Drive

Because your suspension is largely responsible for drive comfort and control, many of the most common problems are expressed in how things feel. For instance, if you experience a bit of resistance or pull to one side in your steering, or if your ride starts to feel unusually rough or bumpy, your shocks or struts could be in need of maintenance. Your BMW depends on its shocks to remain stable against many different forms of momentum and energy, such as when braking. The feeling that your vehicle sinks forward during a stop is therefore something to watch out for as well.

Looking and Listening

Always listen for unusual noises when turning or moving over rough surfaces. Check the tread of your tires to see if the distribution of wear is normal. If you see concentrated wear on one or two of them, this could mean uneven distribution of weight. Sometimes you can even spot suspension issues by checking to see how evenly the body of your BMW sits above the ground. Take a look at the shock absorbers themselves, as the presence of moisture or oil could mean a leak. Pay close attention and be sure to get the right maintenance as soon as you spot a problem!

Notice anything unusual with your BMW that may indicate a problem with your suspension? Our team of certified technicians is experienced, dedicated, and ready to help you keep everything in top condition. Call (403) 768-3168 to find out what the Motorwerkes experience is all about!

4-Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive: Knowing the Facts

8 March 2017

Today’s BMWs are engineered to offer you the most comfortable, reliable, and safety-conscious drive possible. This comes in the form of many different features, but two of the most well-known are 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. Think they’re the same? Think again!

4-Wheel Drive

As opposed to front-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, a 4-wheel drive system distributes power between both axles and is often a mode that you can switch on or off when driving your vehicle. Both axles are given a fixed and equal divide of torque so that a greater degree of control is possible. Its strength lies in its ability to prevent you from spinning out or losing control in unpaved, uneven, and low-traction conditions, such as heavy slush and snow or off-road areas. As a term, it is sometimes used interchangeably with all-wheel drive, but this is a mistake, as there are many important differences.

All-Wheel Drive

4-wheel and all-wheel drive have many of the same ideas behind them, but they are executed in distinct ways. Firstly, all-wheel drive isn’t really a switchable feature in the same way that 4-wheel drive is, as vehicles equipped with it are specifically designed to provide the advantage of dynamic distribution of power between all four corners of the vehicle. All-wheel drive vehicles do the dirty work for you, changing the behaviour of the drivetrain and differential based on constant input from the wheels so that you don’t have to “activate” it. Unlike 4-wheel drive, this also allows your system to adapt when switching between different conditions and terrains.

Safety and Maintenance

As great as these features can be for giving you a helping hand in adverse conditions in order to stay safe and in control of your vehicle, you should be wary not to depend on them too heavily. Smart driving habits are mandatory no matter what features your BMW comes with, and the same goes for smart maintenance. Routine preventative checkups are the best way to make sure that your drivetrain, axles, and other components are in good shape. Don’t delay your repairs, otherwise you’ll pay a hefty price later on, both in terms of your budget and your safety!

The better you know the inner workings of your BMW, the better you’ll be able to spot a problem before it gets worse. Always be conscious of your vehicle and seek out quality BMW-certified maintenance. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 768-3168 to find out what we can do for you!

When Should You Remove Your Winter Tires?

1 March 2017

Driving safe and taking good care of your BMW during winter is all about preparedness. One of the most important elements of this is a quality set of winter tires. However, once the end of winter comes near, you may be wondering when it’s safe to switch them out.

The Right Tire for the Right Season

Unfortunately, it’s still quite common for drivers to opt out of using winter tires during winter, and many people mistakenly assume that all-season tires are adequate for snowy, slushy, and icy conditions. The truth is that switching to winter tires when necessary is very important for your safety and the condition of your BMW, not to mention gas milage and the longevity of the tires themselves. Removing them at the right time is crucial, as the tread on winter tires will wear down considerably faster in warm weather.

Temperature Is Everything

The main environmental factor determining the performance of any type of seasonal tire is temperature. Each kind is specifically designed to do their job within an optimal temperature range in order to give you the best control relative to road conditions. It is sometimes recommended to remove your winter tires when temperatures start to exceed 7 degrees, but the exact figure will often depend on your tires. The weather will vary from year to year, but a more general rule to follow would be to make the switch at the beginning of April.

Things to Consider

Switching out your winter tires at the right time is just one component of keeping them in good condition for as long as possible. Storage is another. Keep them in individual tire storage bags and store them in a space that isn’t too hot or humid. They shouldn’t be exposed to direct sunlight either. Avoid stacking other objects on top of them, as it’s important to eliminate any stress from their surface so that they stay in good shape. Most importantly, choose the right set! A local BMW-certified technician will be able to make a recommendation just for your vehicle.

Making a smooth transition between winter and spring is important for the cleanliness and mechanical health of your BMW. Motorwerkes is here to help you with any aspect, from repairs to a post-winter inspection or detailing. Call us at (403) 768-3168 to schedule an appointment!