The Views From The Driving Machine

Smog Check – Get Test Results Before You Buy

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:43:52 +0000

We call it “BMW Fever”. First glance and your eyes glaze over. It’s when all rationality and sense fly out the window when you see the “perfect” BMW. You are overcome with an emotional connection that totally defies logic and then you hand over your hard earned money to anyone who says to you, “No problem. Of course, this BMW will pass the smog check, just hand me the cash and I’ll hand you the pink slip”.

Seriously, buyer beware. In California, the SELLER is responsible for the BMW or MINI passing the Smog Test. The test is valid, (to you for registration) if they sell it to you within 90 days of passing.

Please don’t fall into a potential DMV/BAR and repair nightmare! If an ad or someone selling a BMW tells you that it only needs…”a thingamabob, really, and then it will pass smog”….Run and run fast. If the seller says something like, “we think it only needs an oxygen sensor to pass”, run faster because it could be more than just one oxygen sensor. If it’s so simple, why didn’t they get it smogged?

But, if BMW fever has overtaken you, and you decide to buy it, “as is”, if it turns out the BMW or MINI needs emission repair, (because it did not pass the smog test within the last 90 days), you are going to be responsible for those repairs before you can get that baby registered! At that point, what recourse do you have?

We feel so bad for that person who bought a beautiful BMW on Craigslist only to find out that they have been totally scammed. Now, it can’t be registered until it passes smog and in this particular case, a lot of repairs to the emission system. Of course, most of the time that was unexpected to the buyer.

The good news is that the South Bay is like BMW heaven! They are everywhere. You will find the right BMW or MINI that has been well loved and taken care of. Find one that’s passed the smog test, BEFORE you buy it.

Spare the headaches. . . Cure the fever. We can always do a pre-purchase check on the BMW or MINI, too. All you need to do is make an appointment.

After Market Parts for BMW – Are They Safe?

admin — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 23:32:34 +0000

If you have a teen or young adult at home who loves to spiff up his/her BMW, MINI, (even the Nissan, Mazda or whatever) you might want to share this. If you are thinking about doing some on-line part shopping for your BMW this is for you, too.

For critical safety items for your BMW such as wheels, always use a trusted site that is operated by an established company with a good reputation. For example, you can pretty much trust that the wheels you might order on-line from a major company such as a TireRack are being sourced from suppliers that they check out for reliability.

Wheels are something that can look fabulous when chromed or finished. The question is the engineering and metallurgy such that those babies will take the ambitious cornering that we all enjoy in our BMWs? What if I hit a large curb? (Accidentally, of course) How are they going to perform over the long term during aggressive braking and driving? Are they going to hold up, or am I going to have a leak or a flat?

Believe it or not, there are many after market parts available in the U.S. that can be used on your BMW or MINI that don’t necessarily have to adhere to safety specs or any specs. The word here is they “CAN” be used, but that is not the same as “safe or reliable”. We have seen the national business reports that cheaply made parts have become a huge business all around the globe. The same can be said for “knock-off’s”. They look like the real thing, but they aren’t. There is a “good deal” or there is just plain “cheap”. You don’t want to confuse those two words.

It’s impossible for NHTSA to regulate and over see everything safety related to your daily driver, (which just happens to be your beautiful BMW). Just remember, BMW Original Equipment Manufactured or a trusted and proven source especially for those critical safety items such as your cool looking wheels.

Diagnostic Codes: Tech Diagnostics vs. Self Diagnostics

admin — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 17:10:04 +0000

You have probably heard of the term “pulling codes”, or “reading codes”. The codes are initiated by your BMW or MINI by it’s very own “self diagnostics”.

There is a fallacy out there in the general public; that all a tech has to do is to “plug something into” your BMW or MINI and that a computer will easily tell the tech what is wrong. Part of this misconception may be from the tons of commercials from big box automotive places advertising their pulling codes for free, with some guy holding the little scan tool and making it look simple and easy. But, let’s look at the bigger picture.

For example; OK, so your ABS light is on. Yeah, you will have code that shows it’s an ABS fault. But, you don’t want to replace the entire ABS control unit, if the unit is fine and it’s a problem is a wheel speed sensor! First of all, even replacing the ABS control unit won’t make that light turn off if the RELATED problem is not repaired! There are about a dozen things to check and test prior to even beginning to ascertain that you need the BMW or MINI ABS control unit. (Thats where the real diagnostics comes in) Codes, trouble codes, fault codes, errors, whatever you call them are a product of the the “self” diagnostics of your BMW or MINI. In the ABS, each time you cycle your ignition, your ABS control unit is doing a self check and reporting the findings. Problem = the light!

Other control units and sensors are checked and monitored through a drive cycle. Self diagnosis by your BMW or MINI is awesome. But, it’s a long way away from being the complete answer in most cases. That is why you need a trusted, trained and educated BMW or MINI specific place to retrieve the codes and then get to the root of the issue.

Diagnostics – Why do I need it and why do I have to pay for it?

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:10:45 +0000

Yes, it’s an internal combustion engine, (except MINI e) but the main vehicle functions are being performed and monitored electronically with dozens of control modules. Seeing one of those warning lights in the instrument cluster of your BMW, MINI, or any car can be a bit unnerving, but keep in mind, that may be the only indication that there is an unsafe condition or something may not be working correctly.

Performing a diagnosis involving the various BMW control modules, (aka on-board computers) may be necessary to get to the root of a problem if a warning light does come on. In some cases the manufacturer will also require an update to any or all of the dozens of control units, too. These may be required for performance or other issues, just like your PC. Even if a battery is replaced, it has to be “registered” (in BMW speak) so that the battery resources will work with all of those 50-60 or 70 ECU’s. Diagnostics for your BMW or MINI should include the use of professional grade equipment that is BMW specific.

A good work shop will invest in the skilled employees and the premium equipment necessary to actually fix your BMW or MINI’s problem. They are also paying for re-programming software and valuable current BMW and MINI manufacturer information so that you receive the correct resolution. In most cases the proficient work shop will have to pass these fees to the client by charging for the diagnostic service. The complexity of virtually all vehicles, BMW, MINI or whatever has exponentially grown and in actuality, you may be getting the best deal of all. You don’t have to figure it out or fix it yourself!

Important Note: If you are taking your BMW or MINI to a repair shop that does not have the proper equipment, they may have to take your BMW to another shop for re-programming, re-coding, etc..basically to finish the job. In that case, it should be listed as “sublet” on your invoice to be compliant with B.A.R. regs. and to be honest with you, the customer.

Diagnostics can range from the simple, to the complex. It might only be your TPMS light is on and you only need to check your tires and pressures! But, then again, it may not be a quick fix and go. For your own safety read your manual and know what the lights and all indicators are associated with, such as your ABS or SRS. The warning lights may be letting you know about an unsafe condition, so it’s never a good idea to ignore any of them.

When your light comes on, your BMW may be also be giving you the opportunity to take care of something that can be potentially damaging your engine or other expensive components. For example, ignoring the emission related check engine light or MIL can lead to more costly repairs, due to premature failure of oxygen sensors and catalytic converters. And then comes time for the smog test…..ooops.

A trusted BMW or MINI specialist should also provide to you a wealth of BMW product knowledge along with their services. The advantage to you is that you will make educated decisions when it comes to your diagnostic and repair. BMW and MINI service is just that, a service. It is not a commodity that can be compared like toilet paper at Costco.

It’s going to be a stellar weekend for driving one of the BMW’s. Hug those curves!

BMW Group to Sponsor the US Olympics

admin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:52:45 +0000

Well the big news today is that BMW Group will sponsor the United States Olympics for the next 6 years. Of course this announcement comes will all of the joy and excitement that is always BMW. U.S. Olympiad, Apolo Anton Ohno, (also a BMW driver) was on hand for the festivities this morning.

This appears to be a natural marketing marriage that will reach millions in the U.S. and around the globe. BMWs, MINIs and BMW Motorrad vehicles will be the “official” transportation for the U.S. Olympics, but besides that, BMW is offering engineering expertise in some of the technical areas of the Olympics.

We do expect to be hearing more about this as the months unfold. We also expect the news to be about the joy of your BMW.

Happy Motoring!

ABS Diagnostics: Self and Pro

admin — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:45:41 +0000

Your BMW or MINI is doing a self diagnostic every time you turn on the ignition. Of course you see those lights illuminate on the instrument cluster/panel upon start up and bulb check. Then the “self checking” begins and if all is OK, the lights turn off.

The units such as your ABS (which basically has a computer processor) are all going through a dynamic circuit check for you! It is monitoring the input circuits for any incorrect voltages and is also checking the output controls or messages. If there is a problem the computer will activate the warning light to you. If all of the hundreds of tests are passed, the indicator goes out.

If you do have an error or fault in one of the systems, the light stays illuminated. For example, the (ABS warning) is an indicator to the driver that the ABS is not working properly. At that point you need a trusted, independent BMW or MINI specialist, or a BMW dealership. The function of the ABS is safety related, as it is designed to slow down your BMW as fast as possible by maintaining traction between tires and the road. Anyone who has ever had one of those dreaded “close calls” in your BMW understand that this ABS is awesome. But, then again, because it is BMW, you may not have noticed it exactly, because it is so subtle, but spot on and you get used to the unparalleled driving experience of your BMW. . . .ahhh we could go on and on.

Of course, you want your ABS to work as it is designed and at its optimum. The diagnosis may be complex depending upon the problem. It could be a wheel speed sensor failure, a brake switch, a solenoid, a ABS Brake Hydraulic pump, the ABS control unit or a wiring issue to name a few possibilities. All of these items and additional components may or may not vary by year and model of your BMW or MINI, also.

If a warning light becomes illuminated, get it checked, get it fixed, and enjoy the road!

Netherlands – Taxing With GPS

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:26:12 +0000

In the Netherlands, the government has proposed an 8 cents per mile tax. They are wanting to use GPS technology to track drivers use and tax accordingly.

Love that GPS technology! They could use this tracking to vary the tax by specific high traffic areas or times. They could also use it for advertising! (Just kidding – that was my U.S. America heritage coming out). But…the creepy possibilities are pretty endless aren’t they?

Happy Motoring!

Taking Guesswork Out Of Diagnostics

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:10:24 +0000

Diagnostics is a system of tests and analysis to either rule out or determine a specific problem with your BMW or MINI. Because a diagnostic is best performed hands-on with your BMW or MINI, it is usually not done successfully over the phone or over the front counter.

The good part is that because we are BMW and MINI specific we can usually troubleshoot and get to an issue in a more timely manner. Even though we are very experienced and specialized, it is not in your best interest for us to “guess” what is going on with your BMW over the phone or via e-mail. When your BMW, (and most cars for that matter) were not as complex, it was tempting, and usually easy for a good mechanic to tell you what was wrong just by listening to your engine. After all, isn’t that what engineers do? Find that fix just by instinct – they know what to do.

Don’t misunderstand, there are still those times when a good ear comes in handy to determine a potential failure, etc.. But, what if what we are hearing doesn’t match your description? What if we guess (over the phone) that you need a part because we have seen a pattern of failures, but your problem is different and breaks the trend. What if the description of what was happening to your BMW was not accurate, and we based our “guess” on your inaccurate information. We could change out a part that we only “guessed” based on what? … that it’s one thing and it turns out to be another? See how this can all go terribly wrong for you?

All of above and the fact that most diagnostic work today has to do with electrical emission related issues. There can be no “guesswork”. Fed and State regulations have taken any chance of guesswork out of this equation, even if a shop wanted to! This is another reason why the tests must be done. We need to have failed part before we suggest a replacement.

As BMW and MINI continue to evolve and more electric vehicles and hybrids reach the market, we know that more (if not all) of the diagnostics will eventually be remote. But, we are not quite there – yet!

Maintaining Belts For Uninterrupted Driving

admin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:15:31 +0000

You may not think about the health of your BMW or MINI belts, but they play a very important part in the operation of your BMW.

The older models used V belts, but the modern BMWs and MINIs have the serpentine style belts that basically weave around the components they drive. Your belts have to have the sufficient grip on the mechanical parts such as the water pump, alternator, and AC compressor. If one of your belts should break while you are doing some highway driving, it can cause severe engine damage. That is just another reason why it is so very important to have your BMW or MINI on a regular scheduled inspection and maintenance program.

Your belts will be inspected for age, wear, and cracking. If your belts are due for replacement, you should replace them with the appropriate high quality belts for the best performance of your BMW. In some cases the tensioner pulley that controls that very important grip may need to be replaced, also. Your BMW or MINI specialist will check the tensioners for any binding that may be taking place.

Think about it, your driving is taking your from zero RPM’s to thousands of RPM’s. The belts are just a small part of what is making that happen. But, without them, forgettaboutit!

Quick Repair Still Takes Time

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 04:45:29 +0000

I guess if you only had one or two pair of pants that needed to go to the dry cleaners, it would be very important that they are finished and returned the same day. Dry cleaning takes forever, like 5 days to a week! I don’t always get it, but I see alot of pants there besides mine. OK. But, it’s only a pair of pants and it’s taking a week to get dry cleaned?

It’s not a BMW or a MINI that has thousands of parts and hundreds of miles of wires. Everyone needs their BMW or MINI fixed NOW. Even, if they have put off doing some “stuff” that probably should have been taken care of thousands of miles ago. If the BMW has some special part that is not available in the U.S. and needs to be shipped asap from Germany? Now! You heard the noise how many months ago? Now, right away I need it fixed! We totally understand, even if it’s not always rational. Maybe it seems rational, because you probably only have 1 BMW, but more than 1 pair of pants?

We all have the same goal. It’s not beneficial to either of us to keep a BMW in a service bay longer than necessary. It is not only in your best interest to get that repair done as soon as possible, but that is probably one of the main goals at your local BMW or MINI specialist. We need to get paid for the service we have provided, and get the Master techs working for our next BMW or MINI client.

It’s the wheel of life in the service business.