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The Many Futures of MINI

22 September 2017

There’s a lot to love about BMW’s approach to concept design, but the MINI brand has displayed its own knack for exploring high-tech ideas and showing off a futuristic design philosophy. Let’s run through some of their most ambitious forays into concept developments.

ACV30

Back when MINI was still owned by Rover Group, there was still plenty of innovative spirit behind the brand, and in 1997 there was more need than ever for a truly modern incarnation of the classic vehicle. Thirty years prior, MINI had secured a win at the Monte Carlo Rally, and an anniversary celebration was in order. Thus they unveiled the MINI ACV30 (standing for Anniversary Concept Vehicle), whose design foreshadowed the transfer of the MINI brand to BMW in many ways. Its black A-pillars, white roof, and wheel arch design would find their way onto the relaunched MINI in 2001, and the ACV30 was even conceived by two BMW designers.

Beachcomber

The focus of MINI’s design and engineering philosophy has always been about combining tight control and compact size with a signature, classy sense of style. However, there are always ideas that push the boundaries of routine to keep things fresh. The MINI Beachcomber concept, revealed in 2010, may not have looked like most MINIs, but its open top, utility-oriented design actually harkened back to 1964’s MINI Moke. With all-wheel-drive and a super-durable structure, it served as a preview to MINI’s first crossover, the Countryman.

Vision Next 100

Remember the BMW Vision Next 100 we mentioned in last week’s blog? The ideas behind its MINI counterpart may be presented in a smaller package, but they’re big in their own right! Autonomous driving once again plays a key role, as the Vision MINI is programmed to drive itself to cleaning and recharge stations when you aren’t driving it. However, the key concept behind this classic-yet-futuristic vehicle is that it’s shared between drivers, rather than owned by a single one. It enables you to set and reload personalized preferences to ensure that each time you use one, it feels like your very own. Bold ideas indeed.

Which MINI concept car do you find most inspiring? There’s a lot to admire about the spirit that they represent, and your MINI was born out of that same ingenuity. It’s only right to give it the best service in Calgary! Call (403) 453-0269 to find out what Motorwerkes can do for yours.

A Few of BMW’s Best Concept Cars

15 September 2017

Last week we looked at the history of the X5 to get excited about the new model. However, BMW has a rich history of thinking big even when it hasn’t resulted in a mass-production vehicle. As a result, there are plenty of BMW concepts to admire, both new and old.

E25 Turbo

When the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich came around, BMW was eager to showcase some new technologies and futuristic design motifs. With the unveiling of the E25 Turbo concept car, they did exactly that. Complete with gullwing doors and built from a modified New Class 2002 chassis, Paul Bracq’s design really turned heads. It boasted a high-tech radar system for close-range collision prevention and went from zero to 62 MPH in 6.6 seconds. After building only two, BMW carried over numerous design elements from the Turbo into the famous M1 Supercar, 8 Series grand tourer, and Z1 roadster.

328 Hommage

Any true BMW history buff will feel like a kid on Christmas when looking at the 328 Hommage concept car. Between 1936 and 1940, BMW produced what would go down as one of the greatest and most handsome sports cars of all time, the 328. After a long and rich history of class wins and and stellar average speeds, the 328 was paid tribute by the instantly popular 328 Hommage concept car in 2011. Its 3.0 litre straight six engine and lightweight body of carbon fibre reinforced plastic were accompanied by a high-tech interior and beautiful overall design, combining classic motifs with modern flare.

Vision Next 100

Much of the time, concept car design is a means to showcase and try out design strategies and technologies that soon find their way into mass-production models. Sometimes, however, it’s about going all in and dreaming big. BMW’s efforts under the Vision Next 100 banner allows them to express visions for the coming century of vehicle design. Their Vision Next 100 concept car proposes an entirely self-driving AI automobile with an “Alive Geometry” that reshapes the contours of the vehicle dynamically in response to driving motion. A high-concept car indeed!

It’s hard not to be swept away by forward-thinking speculative designs and futuristic ingenuity, but when it comes down to it, priority one is to take care of your own BMW. The Motorwerkes team can offer you Calgary’s best BMW certified service, so call us at (403) 453-0269 today!

Smart BMW Maintenance: Getting the Facts Straight

8 September 2017

Even if you’re a responsible driver and care deeply about the condition and performance of your BMW, things aren’t always what they seem. You could be making car care decisions that appear to be the right ones, but are actually misinformed and even harmful. Here are some examples.

Relying on Your Own Diagnostics

Today’s BMWs are outfitted with plenty of high-tech systems that allow drivers to keep the condition of their vehicle in check. This is one of the best things about owning one today, but it comes with a catch or two. Onboard diagnostics aren’t bottom-line indications of everything that’s going on with your vehicle. They are helpful in keeping you on schedule with your maintenance and alerting you when something needs attention, but that’s only half the battle. Detailed diagnostics carried out by a BMW certified technician should be the final word on how things are doing and what work is necessary.

Going With the Wrong Recommendations

The maintenance recommendations you get from a BMW dealer, an independent BMW certified technician, and word-of-mouth sources don’t always line up. This means it can be hard to tell which advice to trust and which advice to be skeptical of. With an independent BMW certified technician, you get recommendations that avoid the high costs you’re likely to get at the dealership, but without cutting corners and compromising on thoroughness just to save a few bucks. This is the kind of balance a good team of technicians should strive for, and one that you should seek out.

Waiting Just a Bit Longer to Take it In

We all know how it feels to be aware of a problem and put it off until later. Whether it’s rattling in your engine, the smell of smoke from your AC, your alignment leaning to one side, or a cracked windshield, anything can go ignored if you’re busy enough. Even routine maintenance like oil changes and brake checks are easy to set to the side because of how inconsequential they seem. Make no mistake, however. That one extra day you wait could mean that damage takes a turn for the worse and the cost of repair gets bumped up higher than it needed to be!

Proper maintenance of your BMW requires more than just the skill and experience of a local certified technician. It requires that you as a driver take all the necessary steps to stay diligent and well-informed about the state of your vehicle. Call Motorwerkes at (403) 453-0269 today!

BMW & MINI: What’s the Connection?

21 August 2017

Our commitment to offering service for both BMWs and MINIs is made possible by the powerful relationship that the two brands have developed for over fifteen years. With so much stylistic distinction between them, what exactly unites them and why does it work so well?

How It Happened

From 1988 to the early nineties, MINI was the property of state-owned British car manufacturer Rover Group. In 1994, Rover Group was acquired by BMW before breaking up into several more properties acquired by other corporations. Most notable among these was Ford’s acquisition of Rover Group’s Land Rover property. Ultimately, the rights to produce the MINI stayed in BMW’s hands, and they relaunched the brand in 2000 with the MINI Hatch R50/53, also known as the MINI Hardtop or MINI One. It was the turn of the millennium, and drivers were up for something fresh and bold. The MINI relaunch met this need and exceeded expectations.

How It Works

Today’s MINIs exhibit classic design elements and philosophies that are hallmarks of the brand’s history while combining them with German engineering and powerful BMW-designed engines. Between the two brands, there is a mutual dedication to ensuring that the MINI maintains its identity as a distinct and independent vehicle. This is reflected in loyalty to MINI drivers as a specific buyer market with its own trends, quirks, and preferences. It’s also evident in the logistics of manufacturing. With the exception of the Austrian-made Paceman and Countryman, all MINIs are produced at the British MINI plant in Oxford.

Why It’s So Powerful

The seventeen-year union between MINI and BMW is a highly unique and inarguably successful one, as the British classic has enjoyed worldwide success and revitalization since the relaunch. Thanks to its compact design, the MINI’s famous go-kart-like handling and tight control pair well with the strength and sportiness of BMW’s approach to providing classy, powerful vehicles for the discerning driver. Its affordability and fun factor also allow BMW to access a buyer segment that serves to complement their historical focus on stately luxury. The combination has been and continues to be a formidable presence in today’s modern automotive world.

Whether you drive a BMW or a MINI, Motorwerkes has you covered with the highest-quality repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Check out our homepage to see what’s new with us or give us a call at (403) 453-0269 to find out why we’re Calgary’s favourite one-stop shop!

Common Electrical Problems to Watch Out For

14 August 2017

Your windshield wipers, lights, and even your BMW’s ability to start are just a few things that depend on the vehicle’s electrical system. Without that system functioning properly, a variety of issues can arise. As always, good care is a matter of knowing what to keep an eye on!

Battery and Ignition

Depending on the age of your BMW and how well you’ve taken care of it, some of the most common electrical problems that you may experience will be related to your alternator, starter, or your battery. Ignition failure, for instance, is perhaps most prominent among these. Pay close attention to whether any electrical components activate when you turn your key, including your interior lights. If they don’t, you could have a dead battery. On the other hand, active lights and indicators but no ignition could point to an alternator problem. Be sure to listen for a repeated clicking sound, which is a clear sign of an issue with your starter.

Interior and Exterior Lights

Light bulbs will inevitably fail, but problems with lights and indicators aren’t always caused by a simple expired bulb. Firstly, if a light goes out and stays that way even when you replace it, your problem could be with a fuse rather than the bulb itself, or even a faulty or disconnected wire. Some problems are a bit more subtle and easy to overlook, such as dim indicators throughout your dashboard. If they decrease in brightness once you start your car or move up to higher speeds, your voltage regulator may need attention or your battery could be near the end of its lifespan.

Other Signs and What to Do

Your battery is one part that you should be especially mindful of. Corrosion and leakage are not to be dismissed, so take good care of it to avoid further issues. If you experience bad acceleration or any lurching with your transmission, check your spark plugs. Everything we’ve mentioned may be common with vehicles on a general scale, but as always, you can easily prevent significant issues by following the maintenance recommendations of your BMW-certified technician and promptly treating the problems that do arise.

The number-one rule when it comes to vehicle maintenance is to never let a malfunction or suspicious symptom go ignored. The sooner you get an issue checked out, the sooner your BMW will be back to normal. Get in touch with us at (403) 453-0269 to make an appointment!