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. You are looking for full, clean contact from the wiper to windshield. Over time, (not necessarily use), your wipers are exposed not just to the elements, but road grime and bug “stuff”. The abrasive action on rubber will basically eat away at that blade edge, causing uneven action across the window. Another factor is the tension of the wiper arm. After months of driving at highway speeds, the wipers arms are taking the force of the wind. A good quality wiper blade arm will be designed to withstand this tension. If your wipers become really worn out and the clips or “claws” are coming in contact with your windshield, you run the risk of permanently damaging your windshield. If you hear some scratching noise, it may be to late!

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 next to lose the 6 year exemption. How can that be? Well, in our opinion, the powers that be are apt to determine that those hybrid gasoline engines are not getting much maintenance attention, and spewing some unwanted gases out the pipe when they are running on gasoline vs. battery power. That may be another surprise.

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 that may have gotten a bit of moisture. Another idea is to try using something such as “Dri Z Air”, which is a granular product that absorbs excess moisture. It is usually contained in a cylinder that can be set on the interior floor while your BMW or MINI is not in motion. Follow the directions and instructions on the package and of course, keep away from the kids, pets. Products such as this can be found at your local home supply store.

Stay dry!

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 bulbs are excellent at giving the BMW driver outstanding visibility.  They should give you many, many years of reliable performance, but they are expensive when it comes time to replace. Once again, go to an experienced BMW independent or dealership for these replacements.

First of all, you have to be sure that you actually need bulbs, and that the problem is not something else.  That is another good reason why it is always best to trust your BMW or MINI to someone who has been working ONLY with BMW for decades.  They will be the ones who have serviced and repaired thousands of BMW’s, not just a couple a week.

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 seats! This model will be available in the U.S. in early 2011.

Sounds like fun!

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 the electronic tools or the information to re-program after a part is replaced. Yes, the price quoted was cheaper, but the fix is not really complete or component not operable without the programming!

We are also getting alot of requests for labor quotes. That is someone wanting us to finish a job they started, finish what another shop could not, or they want to bring us parts to install. You may find it difficult to get a qualified shop to do any of those scenarios, and take on the liability of a part that they did not even sell to begin with.

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 new car models that are out there! We couldn’t agree more.

Routine maintenance is the best way to keep your BMW or MINI operating at it’s best. See you soon!

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 like it or not. These plastic-based solar panels,(with a silicon based gel layer), can be integrated into various materials, too, such as metal or carbon fiber. They actually look pretty cool, too.

AAA has recently completed a study that contends that this holiday season there will be more than 4 million people on the road driving on tires that need to be replaced. Today, as a major winter storm has hit the greater Bay Area, the number of auto accidents will probably be at least double the usual. Many of these will be directly related to factors of excessive speed, (for conditions)and worn tires.

Most auto repair shops will be glad to check your tires for you as a courtesy. Yes, these are the guys/gals who will be happy to come out into the cold rain or snow, and check them for you.

Buy new tires at TireRack, ship them to us and we will install them for you.

One of the challenges facing automakers around the world, is whether to use gasoline or diesel motors in their hybrids. As R & D budgets shrink throughout the car world, are there budgets to fully research new innovations?

BMW at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this month, revealed their M sports car concept that features plug-in-full hybrid technology powered by a total of 3 sources. A 3 cylinder turbodiesel rear engine, along with a hybrid synchronous motor at the front, and a full hybrid motor at the rear, (positioned between the turbo diesel and the double clutch transmission). Advanced Brake Energy Regeneration is stored in 98 lithium polymer cells. A plug-in connection is used with a conventional power source, charging the lithium polymer cells in 2.5 hours at 200V, 16A. A higher power source will reduce the time to as little as 44 minutes. The underside of the concept is completely closed to to avoid drag that can increase fuel consumption, (especially important at 155 mph). This is BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, combining the performance of a BMW M, and the emissions and economy of a smaller car. BMW brilliant!