by Chris Keefer | Feb 27, 2011 | Independent Motorcars
When it comes to cars, my jaw doesn’t drop that often, but this 1974 2002 turbo will make the jaw drop and the drool flow. Â I’ve seen a fair amount of turbos, but I’ve never worked on one nor driven one — I got to do both, thanks to this immaculate car that had been impressively restored by Casey Motorsports in Petaluma, CA. Â The turbo rolled into the shop for the usual stuff 2002’s need – new spark plugs, a valve adjust, some fluid changes and you’re pretty square for another few years. Â But when an example like this is in the service bay, the cameras come out and the car stays a bit longer. Â This car has everything going for it. Â Looks great, mechanicals are even better, and a few special touches in the right places. Â I took over 300 pictures in super high resolution, so here’s a few shots: (more…)
by Chris Keefer | Mar 29, 2010 | Independent Motorcars
My hope is that you’ve found this posting before AAA, or other form of assistance, has come to rescue your BMW with a dead battery. Â I know you only have one hour to leave work, grab the kids from practice, and pick-up dinner, but stop and just have your BMW towed. Â DO NOT jump-start the car and DO NOT let any roadside assistance service install a new battery in your BMW. Â It can be the most expensive battery or jump start of your life.
BMW’s built from 1999 through about 2003 do not respond well to a jump start, and pretty much every BMW built after 2004 needs to follow an exact procedure in order to change the battery properly. Â While we’ve been aware of this for quite some time, a recent customer’s troubles has exemplified what can occur if someone tries to change a battery when they are ill informed.
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by Chris Keefer | Jul 9, 2009 | Shop Talk and BMW Advice
Before you start dumping gobs of horsepower into your BMW or installing the latest and greatest coil-over kit, learn how to drive it first! It’ll cost you a heck of a lot less money, you’ll have tons of fun, and in the end you’ll actually know a lot more about your car and your limitations as a driver.
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by Chris Keefer | Mar 24, 2009 | Independent Motorcars
This weekend saw over 60 5 series cars at the Annual St. Patrick’s Day gathering for a bunch of guys and girls who feel much like I do – the best BMW Series over the years has been the 5 series. It has great lines, is available in various formats and power ranges, and is the most versatile of the BMWs. It was a great event organized by one of my customers and I got to see some great cars and to show off my latest project . . .
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by Chris Keefer | Nov 12, 2008 | Shop Talk and BMW Advice
Cup holders on BMWs are usually downright junk. If you have an e39 5-series you probably know exactly what I’m talking about — they’re flimsy, they don’t really hold much more than a can of soda, and if you blow on them too hard they snap in half. What’s the point??
It wasn’t until the late ’90s that BMW finally made them standard equipment on most models while other manufacturers had been implementing them for years. The main reason for this is probably a cultural one.  Germans, as a whole, do not bring food into their cars. Most wouldn’t even fathom it.  The only thing that Germans typically would do while driving in their car is smoke.  Which is why all BMWs seem to have an adequate ashtray and lighter that is reachable and convenient. (more…)
