Metal will expand when it is heated, and aluminum expands at 2x the rate of cast iron. In some cases the aluminum head with the cast iron engine block actually undergo 2 different expansion rates. There will be a normal amount of expansion no matter what the engine configuration, but if the specs are exceeded, then it is probable that you have now damaged the cylinder head. Minuscule or larger cracks may be found between valve seats, between the spark plug cavity, between combustion chambers and sometimes even on the top of the head. (An overheat condition can also result in a warping of the metal, where the metal has deformed, but a crack is not yet evident).

The best way to prevent this from happening, is to always heed your warning lights. But, even before you get to that point, have your BMW, MINI or Mercedes checked out by a pro to determine if you have the correct coolant in your engine and whether or not it is still working at it’s optimum. Follow, at minimum the manufacturers maintenance schedule, and keep in mind that your intervals may be closer together if your car is an older or a high mileage vehicle.

Sometimes, clients mistakenly think that “coolant” is something that keeps their AC cold. Not! The coolant is what is used to keep the temperature of your engine from overheating. The critical systems need coolant to perform properly, and to prevent damage such as a cracked cylinder head. Your coolant becomes old and useless after time. Yes, it is still a liquid, but it will become “watered down” from condensation in your hoses, etc, after thousands of miles of usage, and the chemicals become less effective.

We test your coolant and determine whether or not it is time for a coolant exchange. No guessing, just the science! If necessary, the old coolant is replaced with the new, fresh and correct fluid for your beautiful BMW, MINI or Mercedes. Unfortunately, a cracked head or a warped head is an expensive proposition. Preventative maintenance and paying attention to those warning lights will go a long way in helping to avoid severe engine damage.

Happy Motoring!

Have you really thought about the safety issues involved in stopping your BMW, your Mercedes or your MINI, (or any car)? Stopping may the the most important safety factor when it comes to getting you and your family safely from A to B, without an accident.

So why do you want to buy the cheapest brakes when you are putting what you value most, (yourself or your loved ones) into your car? Doesn’t make much sense does it? This is a question we wonder every day.

It is virtually impossible to give an accurate price for brakes over the phone, unless the car’s brake system has been inspected. Accurate is the word! A guess is just a guess, and with out an inspection, it is only a guess. That doesn’t help anyone. Best practices will entail brake measurements, and inspection.

Possibly due to better manufacturing processes, most of the European vehicles will no longer need to have the rotors “turned” or “machined”. They are actually wearing out together, and machining these new rotors does not leave enough material to be within the demanding specifications of the manufacturer. So, do not be surprised if your old BMW could have the rotors turned successfully, and your new one, does not! It is just another change in the modern vehicle that one who either drives a car, or performs repairs will see on a daily basis.

For example, the price to machine the rotors is now about the cost of one new rotor. So, in most cases on your modern European car, your pads and rotors will be replaced completely at the same time. Pads are measured, too. The brake calipers will be inspected for proper function and parts will be cleaned and lubricated where applicable. Calipers may need to be rebuilt or replaced, if they are no longer working as designed.

So, if you are getting a “cheap” brake quote for your BMW, Mercedes or MINI, it may not include the correct procedures or it may include some really cheap products that may not meet specs to stop your car as it should. Yes, those cheap products are everywhere, and they don’t last too long either. We have seen cases on BMW’s where the rotors are turned, and then they begin warping, (shortly thereafter), adding the concern of brake pulsations. Not good, but it was “cheap”. Same with pad material thickness.

Brake fluid is another integral part of your BMW, MINI and Mercedes braking system and your brake fluid should be changed minimum every 2 years, according to BMW. Fresh brake fluid vs. deteriorated brake fluid does affect stopping distance as was tested and reported a few years ago by Brembo. Yes, brake fluid efficacy does deteriorate over time. We are happy to test that for you, too.

How did the “Cheap Brake Job” became famous? (It must be famous because everyone is talking about it -like it’s a Kardashian or something). Cheap brake jobs are WAY overrated, in our opinion.

We continue to celebrate our 30th year of business in the South Bay, helping thousands of fine vehicle owners over those decades. We are so grateful that you have chosen our team of professionals to help you. If you are happy with us, (and we know that you are from your surveys and reviews) we always appreciate your referral to friends and family. We are adding more services throughout the next year due to requests from our clients. So, if you have another European car at your home besides the BMW and Mercedes, our Master Techs will be glad to help! Just give us a call or send an email.

Thanks also to our wonderful vendors who supply the BMW and other fine quality German parts to us, so that we can help you in the best way possible. Thanks also to our partners on the web, Netsprinter and the Acosta Agency, helping us with our Newsletter and our web presence. Our goal this next year is to provide more videos and blogs that you, our client, will find valuable.

We contact our clients by phone, or email to confirm appointments and to assure quality control after a repair or service.

If you prefer not to have us contact you, please let us know! If you prefer a text, an email, or phone call, please let us know. ***Please note: we do not sell, rent, or loan our client list to anyone***Never have and never will.

Friendly Reminder: Cell phone number “go public” this month. All cell numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you may begin to receive sales calls, (not from us)! You may be charged for these calls, also.

If you wish to prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:
888-382-1222

It is the National “Do NOT Call” list and it will only take a minute of your time. Just call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.

THANK YOU! We wish you a healthy and very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Jim, Mary, Bill, Dave, Rick, Daniel and William

What that means is that you may want to check your tire pressures a bit more often, due to the fluctuations in the weather. Tire pressure drops because air just seeps through the tire on a regular basis, but the pressure also drops as the ambient temperature drop. Tire pressure loss is exacerbated by cooling trends, and the increase in condensation in the tire contributes to that loss also.

It is always best to check your tire pressure in the morning before the car is driven;

Why? Because after the car is driven, or in the afternoon, it can be easy to under inflate of 6 or 8 psi. Under inflation of your tires can be dangerous. The rubber is subject to “elastic hysteresis”. In layman terms that basically means the rubber can become misshapen under the load and speed of your BMW, your MINI or Mercedes, (or any car). The tragedies of under inflated tires and the SUV’s in the 1990′s sent a very strong message to the industry and the public of the importance of proper tire inflation. The tires became misshapen and basically came off of the wheels with catastrophic results.

But, how often do you check your tire pressures? Optimum would be to check them once a week using a good ANSI grade “B” or above pressure gauge. The door pillar sticker will show the manufacturer recommendations for tire pressures based on the tires being “cold”, as in “not driven”. Keep in mind, that even driving a short distance will heat up the tire and affect the readings.

Perhaps pick one day a week, before you begin your driving day and check those tire pressures. If you can get a regular schedule going that is great. Happy Motoring!

For probably 80 years or so, the servicing on cars was referred to as a “tune up”. That was when spark plugs were changed anywhere from 3-6K miles! In the old days, there would be ads for “points and plugs”, a combined service that involved ignition points and condensers and spark plugs.

Obviously, times have changed and the term “tune up” can mean different things to different people. There can also be widely varying price differences, because of those variations. “Tune up” in the current arena of car repair is not relevant. Relevance is what everyone wants these days, and “tune up” is not it!

One of the big differences in current model vehicles besides the electronics, is how often they need to be inspected. How often fluids are changed and of course, how often do you change the spark plugs? Remember the fluids are the life blood of any car.

The plugs in BMW’s are supposed to last to 100K miles. But, realistically they should be inspected at 60K. At that point some people decide to change them out for optimum results. We had an X5 in here last week that had almost zero maintenance and the BMW was now at 135K miles. It had no chance of passing the smog test in the current condition. Plugs had not been changed, nor oxygen sensors at 100K miles as is recommended by BMW. Now what? It has to pass smog to get registered or even to transfer title. Now you are looking at a higher bill because everything is being done at the same time, plus there is a chance that the delayed maintenance has created more problems.

That is just another reason to keep your BMW, MINI and Mercedes maintained as recommended by BMW at a very minimum. Delayed maintenance is almost always going to cost more than regular maintenance. Sorry, but true.

Check your BMW, Mercedes or MINI owners manual for detailed information regarding your maintenance schedules. Or, call us and we can help!

By Aleene Althouse

I was no more than eight, still okay with holding my mom’s hand when we went to Fisherman’s Wharf for a day trip. Busy sorting through souvenirs and snapping pictures, something caught my eye glinting from the corner of a shop. There she was, bathed in shards of fog-sliced sunlight – my first mini. Covered in gold coins from roof to fender as a showpiece of the odd at the Guinness World Record Museum, I fell for her diminutive stature. My eyes danced over her cheerful lines and racy good looks. Then, tugged away for a clam chowder lunch, I swore I’d own her some day.

It would be years before I’d see another MINI, but her memory barely faded as the years grew between us. Then suddenly, like an old flame reconnecting through Facebook after time apart, the MINI landed back in the US and became a real possibility for me. It was an obsession to own one, and I finally purchased a used, bright red MINI Cooper S in the fall of 2004.

Originally intended to be a second car, I had mistakenly believed my MINI would be cramped, sluggish and cute but unrealistic for everyday driving. It immediately delivered in the feel-good department, becoming became an extension of my personality, with friends and fellow MINI drivers giving me a friendly wave everywhere I drove. But, I also got more than I’d bargained for with its agile handling, space-efficient interior and dashboard that resembles cockpit controls. Being a private pilot, this was icing on the cake.

Even the basic model offers generous features and the signature MINI styling, but my S series also boasts the handling of a luxury car thanks to its BMW engineered suspension, brakes and 181 hp engine. I live in the mountains and log a lot of miles, but the MINI’s superb handling chews up windy roads, steep grades and blind curves with its sporty, low to the ground chassis. In town the tight turning radius and approximate 5 foot by 12 foot size also make quick errands a joy.

My extended family consists of many four-legged creatures as well as two, and I’ve been surprised by the amount of space the passenger and cargo areas provides for toting my precious cargo, far surpassing the comfort level of my other car, a Honda Prelude. Seating is enduring high-quality leather with an attention to detail, and the rest of the retro-inspired interior pays homage to the original British-born design of the sixties, allowing easy cleaning and access to tight areas without trouble.

This isn’t the car for the budget-minded or eco-conscious consumer. Although MINI-USA recently introduced a carfun offset program for owners, this automobile is not a gas sipper if your wallet is thin or you are comparing it to a Toyota Prius in terms of eco-consciousness. My mileage averages 21 mpg city which is lower than one would expect for such a small vehicle. If you live in a remote area, it would also be wise to determine if there are reputable repair shops within distance, as many won’t touch the MINI’s sophisticated systems. I’d wasted countless hours and dollars on repairs and misdiagnosis before finding peace of mind at The Driving Machine, and would recommend you check in with them before you purchase. This could make or break your success with owning your MINI.

Oil changes are less frequent than other vehicles (averaging every 7000 miles) but require synthetic oil, and just like other fine German automobiles, when something goes wrong, you’ll pay the going price for repairs, which is no bargain. I’ve been diligent about scheduled maintenance, which works well when working with a knowledgeable shop. Not a great car for careless college students or new families starting out, the MINI is something you’ll want to set your sights on when you are ready.

Owning a MINI often begins with a tug of the heartstrings, but unlike the siren song of other niche cars, this one always pays off. It makes me smile when I think of it, offering more than just looks and reliability. My MINI Cooper S is my signature pocket-sized car, and other MINI owners will share the same sentiments. If you are considering one as an addition to your family, first consider your lifestyle, budget and long-term needs, but in the end I’m sure your heart will win out like mine did.

In 1886 Karl Benz obtained a patent for a three-wheeled vehicle with a 984 cc, single cylinder engine. In that same year, Benz invented the spark plug, while Gottlieb Daimler built a four-wheeled carriage with a 46 cc, single cylinder gas engine that he’d patented three years earlier. Amazingly, considering that the two men would turn out their motorcars in the same region of Germany, they were never destined to meet.

The Daimler gasoline engine provided power for a motorcycle and motorboat even before it went into the four-wheeled vehicle of late 1886. That one was a horseless carriage with an engine (not a vehicle built for the engine). The vehicle created for an engine was called the Stahlradwagen (steel-wheeled car) that was powered by a V-type two-cylinder engine and it was displayed at the 1889 World’s Fair in Paris.

In 1894 a Peugeot with a Daimler engine won the Paris-Rouen race. Late in the 1890s, Daimler and Maybach developed a Phoenix automobile with a front engine and a chain drive, along with a four-cylinder model.

The Benz camp was busy producing the first production vehicle called the Benz Velo in 1894. Nine years later in 1903, Karl Benz built a four-cylinder engine that remained in production up to the 1914 outbreak of World War I.

Mercedes was the name of the daughter of Emil Jellinek, the Austro-Hungarian Consul at Nice, France. In the late 1890s he became a selling agent for Daimler in southern France. By 1990 Jellinek suggested that Daimler develop a more modern motorcar, one that was lower in profile, faster and more powerful. He agreed to accept the first three dozen, provided that he be granted rights to sell in France, Austro-Hungary, Belgium and the

U.S. and that the new car is named after his daughter. Thus appeared the 1901 Mercedes, designed by Wilhelm Maybach and Paul Daimler (Gottlieb died in 1900).

That first Mercedes sported a honeycomb radiator and angled steering column with a 5,913 cc T-head four-cylinder engine and gated four-speed transmission driving the rear wheels. By 1902, Daimler registered the Mercedes name as a trademark and it went onto all passenger cars.

According to the World Guide to Automobile Manufacturers, companies as diverse as Fiat (Italy), Ariel (England), and Locomobile (U.S.) based their 1904-5 models on the Mercedes patterns. Steinway in the U.S. also turned out Mercedes cars from 1904-07.

The three-pointed star also came from Daimler. It was said to represent the triple use possibilities of his engine on land, sea and air. First registered in 1909, it appeared on Daimler’s motorcars by about 1911.

Wow, even back then the world was quite small for the automobile world. Hope you enjoyed the information.

Your Recall information can be found at NHTSA.gov, but usually you will receive a letter from the manufacturer. There will be a campaign number associated with the specific recall of your year and model. At that time you will want to take it back to the dealer for the fix. Assuming you did receive the letter, be sure to have it with you at the time you make your appointment.

It is important to keep all of your BMW, MINI or Mercedes records of repairs or recalls in a safe place. We know of cases where clients missed out on a huge recalls that had to do with emissions. That can result in thousands of dollars spent because one did not read or understand the notice received. There should be a phone number on the recall notice, and by calling that someone will explain the process in detail to you. It is your responsibility to know and understand your rights when it comes to your safety recall.

You wouldn’t try to run a marathon in a pair of high heels would you? Or would you mountain climb wearing slippers? That would be crazy! Your car is no different.

1. It is critical that you use tires that are the correct size and meet or exceed the load and speed ratings from the manufacturer for a particular vehicle, year and model. So, the first question is; does this Mercedes have the correct tires for this year and model?

   Most of the European cars on the road today are using low profile tires, which means the sidewall is not as deep as let’s say tires on older SUV. Check out a few cars on a parking lot and you might notice that some tires some are looking more “squat” than others. The “squat” tires are usually a low profile tire. The tread part of the tire is wider, bringing down the amount of sidewall. The less sidewall, there is less sidewall to flex under optimal conditions.

   If you want to deviate from the original tires that came on your BMW, Mercedes, or MINI, and if price is your main concern, please ask a professional tire dealer such as Tire Rack or a reputable independent BMW or MINI shop. It is most important that your car be equipped with the correct tire for your vehicle for safety reasons. If this Mercedes does not have the proper tires, that could explain the squishy feel, (side wall flex).

2. Is there enough air in the tires on this Mercedes? Always check the door pillar on the driver side of the car and have the tires inflated to the recommended pressure(s). Improper tire pressure could also cause the squishy feel during turns.

   It is not uncommon to have different PSI settings from front to back. That is why it is important to read and use the recommended tire pressures on the door pillar from BMW, MINI, Mercedes or other manufacturer.

Side wall flexing of your tires can be a hazard, especially at freeway speeds. Do not guess when it comes to your tires. Always purchase from a reputable, trusted tire dealer or independent shop that has the experience and the correct information for you.

The Tire Rack has a unbelievable amount of tire information on their site. They are a great source for research and for tires at good prices. Note that most tires come with warranties, too. The warranty that is offered may be another consideration for you when you are comparing your appropriate options.

Remember your tires are a very important safety feature of your car whether it be a BMW, MINI or a Mercedes. Enjoy the road!

According to his statement he believes that great days are ahead for Apple. We thank him for his contributions to Cupertino, the world and to our success in the community. We wish him peace as he transitions to another phase of his life. Bless you, Steve.

Apple makes Cupertino tick and it has for decades now. So much of what we love about this community is a direct result of the success of Apple. We expect that Tim Cook will be a wonderful CEO. He has taken Steve’s place throughout the medical leaves of absence and has been groomed if you will, as the successor.

Steve became the innovator of beautiful, elegant, intuitive products that changed the way hundreds of millions of us communicate and the way we live. He kept the customer, the user in mind and great things happened. Being a lover of good design in all forms, I still remember the excitement of opening that perfectly beautiful little box enveloping my perfectly beautiful 3GS like it was yesterday. (My gadget buddies may have difficulty imagining this, but it is true!) Of course, who can resist the Apple Stores and their great product displays and service. It’s time for a 4, another iPad,etc., the list goes on and on…ahhh.

Thanks Steve.