by Chris Keefer | Jun 15, 2008 | Shop Talk and BMW Advice
The aftermarket BMW parts business has been steadily growing over the past 10 years with more and more products available to the public, at cheaper and cheaper prices. In California especially, many people love to do things to their BMW that sets them apart from the rest. From wheels to stereos to cold air intakes, I’ve seen just about everything imaginable on a BMW — some of it good, some bad, and some indifferent. Unfortunately, the aftermarket parts industry is not based on what is good for your car, it’s based on what will sell, and the margins said product will produce. Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge on those 20″ wheels and a new set of tires.
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by Chris Keefer | Jun 10, 2008 | BMW Service, Shop Talk and BMW Advice
If you are inclined to change your own spark plugs on your BMW there are some things you need to know before heading out to the local auto parts store . . . just cause it’ll fit, doesn’t mean that it’s correct. There are many areas of the auto parts industry where quality and sound advice has taken a back seat to marketing and profit margins. One of these areas is the good old spark plug. I’m going to attempt to keep this simple and not too technical, which basically means you’ll have to trust me. (trust me, now that’s mechanic line if I’ve ever heard one.)
When you go to the auto parts store and order spark plugs for your 1985 535i they will have a neat little diplay that has about 5 different spark plugs ranging from what looks like a normal plug to one that looks like a space probe on the end. The guy behind the counter will tell you your options, all of them with code numbers that make no sense and he’ll eventually tell you how great the platinum ones are with the 4 prongs at the top. STOP! You need to go in there knowing exactly what you need, and getting only that item. Most people will get the platinum spark plugs by the way.
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by Chris Keefer | Jun 9, 2008 | BMW Restorations
In recent years the restoration market has gone through the roof, especially in the American Muscle car category. Personally, aside from a 1965 Mustang fastback, I really am a die-hard BMW fan with a few old Ferrari cars mixed in. With all the hoopla on TV, the auctions, the car shows, etc, many people get into this world of ownership without having the proper knowledge about the car, or about the restoration process in general. If you are looking at an older BMW with the hopes of restoring it to a fine example of a car, this is what you need to know before buying that ‘candidate’ that needs everything.
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by Chris Keefer | Jun 5, 2008 | Independent Motorcars
One thing that I consistently witness is people buying used cars that they can afford the payments on, but cannot afford to maintain. The main problem is depreciation, and how it applies to BMW’s on a whole. Within 5 years, a 750Li will be purchased for nearly $90,000 only to be sold for a mere $25,000. The guy or girl that suffers is not the original owner — they obviously had plenty of money to be able to drive it off the lot and the loss won’t kill them. The big loser in all of this is the guy who saw the car at the San Diego Auto Show five years ago, and has wanted it ever since. It never fails. A customer will come to the shop extremely excited about their new acquisition and I have the unpleasant duty to inform them that the car, while it looks shiny and new, needs over $3000 in repairs/maintenance. Hard pill to swallow.
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by Chris Keefer | Jun 4, 2008 | BMW Service, Shop Talk and BMW Advice
Right around the late 90’s BMW decided, for some reason, to change the ‘Check Engine’ light to read ‘Service Engine Soon’. One problem I have found on the consumer level is that most people see ‘Service Engine Soon’ and feel as though it is time for an oil change, which makes sense. Check Engine has been the standard for years throughout the automobile industry, so I’m not quite sure why they changed it, and I’m not going to call and ask.
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