The V8, M3 BMW has been exciting news in the automotive world for many months now. Those beautiful pictures, details and test drive experiences have been popping up in most of the BMW enthusiast magazines. Great reads can be found in Bimmers and also the Roundel, which is the BMW Car Club publication.

For most of us, reading about this great new M3 V8 will have to do. One can dream!

Just a reminder, if you are looking at buying a pre-owned M3, be sure that the BMW recommended service schedules have been followed. Especially important is that first valve adjustment that may be recommended. This specific operation is important to insure that the valves are seated properly. Failure to follow BMW recommendations and specifications in this case, could result in loss of compression or (in a worst case scenario), could damage that beautiful engine.

So, don’t be shy when it comes to asking for service records of a previously owned BMW that you are buying. The last thing that most of us would want, is to buy a car that may have been taken care of on the exterior and looks fantastic, but, neglected on the mechanical side.

Who, (with the exception of perhaps, Jay Leno), wants to find out that the awesome looking, babe of a car, is sadly in need of major engine work!

Due to the collaborative effort of everyone here at The Driving Machine, we are being honored by the Santa Clara County Green Business Program tonight. We are the only automotive shop in the City of Cupertino to currently have the Bay Area Green Business designation. The ceremony this evening will include other businesses throughout Santa Clara County.

When it comes to running a clean shop, we want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. We are alway trying our best to use resources responsibly, as well as properly disposing or recycling potential pollutants. You should also know that regular inspections by the appropriate County and City agencies have been routine, since the doors opened 26 years ago.

So, if you are looking for a shop to take your “other car”, (and it’s not a BMW or Mini), you may want to look at whether or not it’s a Bay Area Green Business. It’s just another qualifier for you as a consumer to use. For example another qualifier would be ASE for training and education, and ASCCA for a shop that is operated under a strict Code of Ethics.

Your shop should also have a certification from the Environmental Health Department, and it is mandatory that each repair location, (or smog station), be licensed not just by the local city, but by The State of California, Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Happy Motoring!

It’s a wonderful feeling being cosseted in luxury, quality, and feeling very safe at the same time. You are in your BMW and Ahhh….we love our BMW’s. Today, there are so many new safety features that some of the old ones may be neglected, (judging by what I witnessed today).

Please, replace your brake lights/bulbs when necessary. Just today, while driving only an 8 mile stretch of our freeway, I noticed 6 vehicles with brake or tail light “issues”. This is not a good thing.

Brake lights, headlights, tail lights are all safety related items. No, they are not as “sexy” as ABS, DSC, (or for that matter, those scrumptious seat warmers). But, they are items that need to be checked out and replaced or repaired, if they are not working.

When you have to apply those brakes, you want to be sure that person behind you knows that you are “braking”, (for lattes, or whatever)! Let’s hope it’s just lattes and all of your lights are working, brilliantly.

The San Francisco museum of Modern Art aka SFMOMA is currently running an exhibit through January 13, 2008, that includes the first public presentation and only U.S. exhibition of ,”Your Mobile Expectations, BMW H2R Project 2007″. This is part of the BMW Art Car Program.

Featuring such artists as Warhol, Lichtenstein, Stella, Hockney, and others, the BMW Art Car Program was established in 1975. In the early 1970′s a French racing driver, Herve Poulain, had commissioned his friend, Alexander Calder, to paint his BMW race car. It is my understanding that Calder’s transformation of the BMW was the inspiration for the subsequent development of the BMW Art Car Program.

The BMW H2R is a hydrogen powered racing vehicle. In my opinion, the extreme body design is absolutely breathtaking. It has established at least 9 racing records for hydrogen powered vehicles featuring the combustion engine.

Having seen the various BMW Art Cars displayed in years past, my expectations for this exhibit are high. It will be like no other Art Car display that I am aware of. The contemporary artist, Olafur Eliasson is the creator of this “experience” and transformation. We cannot wait to check it out!

Keep in mind, (especially on those V8′s), that BMW’s have a lot of hoses. You may need to replace 10-15 vs. only 4 on an American made V8. This is something to remember when it’s time to start replacing those, and the time will come. There is usually some brownish discoloration on the hoses, but keep in mind that they actually deteriorate from the inside. So, sometimes, you may be looking for cracks or striations and not see much on the exterior of the hose. We rarely see hoses look brittle on a car that is still being driven, (they have already popped off or blown apart by then)! However, they can feel spongy, depending on the age of the hose and where it’s located in the system.

If your coolant mixture is old or not the correct composition, your hoses will be breaking down prematurely. Your shop should be using specific testing methods to determine if it’s time for your system to be flushed.

So, for the good health of your hoses, be sure that you are following the recommendations for the cooling system flush and getting your coolant checked properly. Following proper maintenance procedures will extend the useful life of your car’s components. But, then you knew that already!

Sometimes you may have a very small coolant leak and not realize it. For example, you don’t see drops of “anything” under your car, but now, your coolant level light will turn on. You decide to check the level and then add a bit of water, coolant, (or mixture) to “top off” and go on your merry way. From your perspective all looks OK.

Now, if this happens again, and indeed your coolant is low, you really should get your cooling system, hoses, etc..checked by a professional who knows your BMW. Why?

Under the stresses of driving, a very small leak that is not noticeable, can become a big leak at any time, (usually a tiny stress crack that has now grown larger). It could be in the radiator, the hoses, or the plastic expansion tank could just “blow”, to name a few items. This would result in a loss of coolant that would render your vehicle inoperable. (Oh, no! I need my BMW)

No matter how much you enjoy so many of the cool, techno and safety gadgets that enhance your later model BMW, be aware that in some instances, what used to be a simple situation, can become a little more challenging for you as a consumer.

Take your keys, for example. Due to the rolling security code feature, you cannot just go to your local locksmith, and get a key re-made. Of course, one never wants to lose a key, (or worse yet, both keys), however, if that becomes the case your specialty shop or dealership will take extra steps to be sure that the key is being remade for the registered owner of the vehicle. (Great news)! But, the entire process of getting those keys, could take a few days minimum, (Not so good news). The cost….well, that depends on whether the glass is half full or half empty. Maybe we should say the wallet is half full or half empty?

Hold on to those keys!

A very recent survey that was conducted by manufacturers of rubber products, determined that only about 15 percent of people had their tire pressure checked on a monthly basis, while 70% of cars are being washed once a month, (according to the survey).

In California the legislation that was signed by the Governor to reduce carbon emissions, is proposing that your tire pressure be checked every time your auto is in for maintenance. Not sure how this is going to be monitored, but, we are probably going to have some new paperwork! The good thing, is that correct tire pressure, (in case you are not aware), is one of the things that you can do to get better gas mileage.

Some of the above information may have been posted previously, but, you can’t get too much of a good thing, can you! Happy Motoring!

It’s Labor Day and we hope that everyone will be safe on the road. Of course, you can always do your part by using defensive driving skills and keeping your BMW in proper driving condition. Remember to follow your service schedule that is appropriate for your driving situation. Happy Motoring!