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Excerpt: Tire rotation should be done by a professional who knows your BMW or MINI. Do you have a sport package with staggered fitment? That means that your front and rear tires are different sizes. So don’t even try a front to back tire rotation! If those staggered fitment tires are also directional, you cannot rotate those from side to side, either. Just another tip to consider when you are craving a sport package on your next BMW. How much do you really know about your tires? Leave it to a pro when it comes to…

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Excerpt: Unfortunately, the wet weather that has descended on the Bay Area has brought not just rain, but a lot of fender benders. Keep in mind that you DO have choice of where to take your BMW for body work and repairs. We are hearing frustrated consumers complain that their insurance companies are trying to get them to go somewhere other than a qualified BMW specialty shop after their BMW has been damaged in an accident. This is the kind of thing that you want to check out when you are purchasing your insurance. Read, and understand…

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Excerpt: How did your wipers perform during this last series of rain storms? Experts have cited that 90% of your driving decisions are based on an unobstructed and clear view of the road. If your wipers are dried out, cracked and not working properly, you are taking a chance that clear windshield visibility may be reduced to zero. Who wants to put themselves, others and your beautiful BMW at risk? Windshields are increasingly sloped model after model, to increase that ever important aerodynamics. Your wipers should be hugging the windshield properly on each and every sweep….

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Excerpt: It may come to a surprise to many people who purchased diesels that they will need a smog test every two years. Beginning with model year 1998 to current. This is a new law that became effective January 2010 and there is no 6 year exemption as is the case with gasoline vehicles. So if you just purchased your new BMW X5d, don’t be surprised when you receive a smog requirement with that CA state registration notice about 21 months from now. We would not be surprised if the hybrids such as the Prius could be…

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Excerpt: Ooops. For those of you living in our area, this last week it was almost impossible not to get some dampness in your BMW or MINI, just by entering and exiting your vehicle. We experienced some of the heaviest rain and strong winds in some time here in the Bay Area. Did you leave your window partially open, just a 1/4 inch or so? Do you have some seals that need to be replaced? What ever the case may be, you will want to dry the mats as soon as possible and any interior areas…

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Excerpt: If you should be in need of tail light bulbs for your BMW or MINI, be sure that you are buying the correct bulbs that will not interfere with your check control system.  You will want the German/European bulbs that have a stainless steel base, (socket base).  These can be purchased at an experienced BMW independent shop or your local dealer.  Do not go to the closest big box parts place and pick up the American brass socketed bulbs.  You will probably get the same warning indicator light because the resistance value is not compatible.Also, worth noting; the xenon headlight…

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Excerpt: At NAIAS in Detroit, BMW has announced the continued effort to expand the MINI presence in the U.S. by adding 17 new MINI dealerships. The MINI E program has expanded into the UK and also France. The info that BMW has gathered in the last 6 months from MINI E users in both Germany and the U.S. has been positive. Now they will have input from the Brits and French as they continue to explore new opportunities regarding the fully electric vehicles.BMW also introduced a MINI Crossover, with all wheel drive, 4 doors, and 4 full sized…

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Excerpt: The ranks of people trying to work on their own BMW or taking their BMW to unqualified shops seems to be growing! In the past few weeks alone, we have seen another Nav system fried, a power steering pump motor taken out, turn signal switch installed and not working, and a window rain sensor inoperable due to incorrect installation.There is no such thing as a simple battery swap out/in anymore when it comes to your modern BMW or MINI. We cannot emphasize this enough.It’s not a good deal if you go to a shop that does not have…

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Excerpt: Happy New Year! The holidays are behind us and so many are looking forward to a great 2010. In fact many of our clients are vowing to take better care of their BMW and MINI in the new year. One of our clients remarked that he was forced to use a car rental company over the holidays, as his family was out of town. Driving a brand new car, (though not a BMW) was enough to remind him that his 9 year old BMW is still a much, much better car than many of the brand…

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Excerpt: The Frankfurt Motor Show was the site of many new and exciting innovations related to energy and fuel savings. A German company introduced a plastics- based solar panel module than can be used on the dashboard and rear window shelves, and perhaps the roof or trunk top. One downside of the glass based solar panels for vehicles currently, has been the weight. The company,Proof Design and Innovation Management, claims a 50% weight reduction vs. standard solar panels.New composite plastics are being researched, developed and will be a part of the quest to lighten vehicle weight, whether we…