Transmission Flush

Archive for March, 2010

When you hear the word BMW car, the next thing that comes to your mind is luxury, status and strength to drive the world. BMW is one of the most flourishing companies producing awesome cars in the world. With precesion and brilliance in every part of BMW cars, it is in fact the owners pride to own such an amazing vehicle. You might generally think that being a faultless car with excellence in every part and each design of this brand, why is the need felt to give your BMW car a new look. It goes without saying that BMW is excellent when it comes to designs and ined}superiority as compared to other world class cars, then too there is a need to give your BMW an exceptional appearance. The feeling to posses a car which can be only dreamt by a lot of the people can not be expressed in words moreover the new look actually adds worth to your precious model of BMW car. The new look is priceless as your BMW looks far more superior than what it was earlier, certainly we will only enhance its external appearance. You can put in your own imaginations to create a special BMW car. There are different methods by which you can give your BMW car a new look, one of the best way is to use the BMW body kits. These kits contain various tools which add up to charm of your BMW car, like accessories, mirrors, facia panels or plates, headlights, rear lights, grilles, exhaust pipes, emblems, spoilers, HID lights and much more to enhance your BMW car. This will immensely help you to give your BMW car a fresh and a different look, which will be envied by your friends and colleagues. BMW body kits are very useful to enhance the appearance of your BMW and also enhances its performance. All the accessories do enhance the appearance of your existing BMW car, but facia panels or facia plates immensely improve its compartment. Though the BMW car purchased by you might have a facia plate which is generally company made, but still you feel the necessity to enhance it as you might not be satisfied with it. Furthermore, if you have been using your BMW car for years together, the facia plates might be worn out, bent, scratched or broken, so you might need to change it which further changes the appearance of your BMW car, and you like it! Luckily there is a range of facia plates offered in the market now-a-days. You will easily get it in your local car accessories shop, orelse the excellent alternative is to see for the latest and most compatible facia plates offered online. However, you need to choose one that is compatible to your BMW model. This is the most common mistake committed by BMW car owners they just choose one that looks awesome but it is of no use if the facia panel purchased by you is not well-matched with the model of BMW car you own. Here is a list that might help you to see some of the recent facia plates offered in the market today, Autoleads FP 06 04 – for the BMW 3 Series 1998 · Autoleads FP 06 00 – for the BMW 5 Series 1995 · Autoleads FP 06 06 – for the BMW 1 & 3 Series · 281020 06 Facia plate X5 slim black – for the BMW 5 (E39) · 281020-01 car radio bay X5 radio – for the BMW 5 (E39) You will find a wide range of facia plates for various models of BMW car. Make a small search on the Internet and pick one that is compatible to the model of BMW car you own. Give a brand new look to your BMW car by choosing the right type of facia plates offered in the car market.

Electric cars look like conventional cars aesthetically, both when it comes to exterior and interior. The same great and pretty designs are available, and friends and family will hardly be able to tell the difference. Electric cars and hybrid electric cars offer the lowest emissions available, with hybrid vehicles being the most practical. If emissions performance are an important environmental consideration, reconsider one of the hybrid cars. Electric- powered cars have many negatives and hydrogen- powered cars will take some time to hit our markets and so the best option we have today, to play a part in controlling greenhouse gas emissions, is to choose a hybrid car over other cars in future.
Electric and hybrid cars are becoming more popular given the cost of a tank of gas. Work by nanotech companies such as Altair Nanotechnologies and A123Systems to improve the performance of lithium ion batteries may make electric cars even more appealing.
Toyota’s experimental hybrids will simply add a second nickel metal battery. Even the shops that are converting hybrids to plug-in hybrids welcomed the news about Toyota’s new test cars. Toyota began selling the Prius in the United States, in limited numbers, two years ago, and there are now about 39,000 on American roads. Worldwide, the company hopes to sell 300,000 hybrids annually within five years.
Honda also makes a hybrid Civic? regular car.”. Honda was the first automaker in the world to market a fuel-cell-powered car. Its latest development is the FCX Concept, a next-generation vehicle that boasts a small yet highly efficient FC system. Honda has not be able to compete with the Big T in hybrid sales. One of the mistakes that Honda made with its hybrid cars is making them look just like their traditional car models.
Honda hybrid cars are also making waves with its Honda Civic hybrids. Hybrid Civic cars are georgeous yet efficient, too. Honda only sold 55,300 hybrid cars (globally) last year (Toyota managed 429,000). The most common hybrid car is the Toyota Prius with worldwide sales of around 1.25 million in total.
Currently, GM is finalizing its own hybrid technology, as is Nissan. Nonetheless, Nissan will lease hybrid technology from Toyota for its upcoming Altima hybrid . Currently nearly ever major manufacturer in the world has serious plans to release new lines of hybrid cars. Whilst not all of them are betting their future on hybrid technology, most realise that in these days of increased fuel prices and better environmental knowledge consumers are looking for alternatives to gas-guzzling petrol vehicles.
After all, the question is still stands, should you have a Toyota, Honda, GM, or some other type of hybrid cars?

The factory steel BMW rims available in the US are manufactured and marketed there. All the BMW rims are top quality as they are manufactured by companies who consider good quality their highest priority. The rims are specially designed to fit all the BMWs, just as they manufacture rims for any car that belongs to the luxury wheels industry.

Manufacturers

The BMW rims are manufactured to all standards which exist in Germany as well as in the US. The manufacturers are generally experts in fitment, and are ready to make BMW rims of any specifications for you by taking the exact requirements for the make, model and year of the vehicle. The manufacturers have very good marketing teams and sales teams, which guarantee you efficiency and quality.

Chrome Rims

Today chrome rims are very popular. The new BMW rims can be put on an older model, as some like to modify the existing car. Sometimes, when you are buying the car, you can get the option of putting BMW rims on your model, if it does not have it. Nowadays, many people are choosing to add chrome rims to their vehicles just to give it the luxury look.

The BMW rims are definitely one of the additions or upgrade to your BMW, new or used. This is how you make people notice your BMW, because by adding the rims you just customize your car. These wheels are highly polished and are plated with a chrome mirror finish which shines in sunlight or streetlight. Many BMW lovers who take part in contests, rallies and shows, elect to install special chrome BMW rims on their vehicles, as it makes the car look sharper, faster and even more expensive.

When you shop for your BMW rims, make sure to note the exact model number of your BMW, the size of the rims and the width. With every model the measurements vary and so you must have all the specifications of the model, before you go shopping for the rims. Various Types

There are chrome BMW rims and alloy rims available. The alloy wheel is silver is color and has ten spokes. Some have five double spokes in front. You have to select the desired style or color, as the pictures on the web are in black and white. The center caps and lug nuts have generally to be bought extra and are not included in the price, especially if the price is discounted. Most of the BMW rims come with a lifetime warranty.

Having BMW rims is all about styling and elegance, because all BMW accessories like BMW replica wheels belong to a class of their own. You have to trust the resourceful expert, because you need reliability and aesthetic features for your wheel and the right fit and quality mounting can make all the difference.

BMW is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of quality cars and motorbikes and is the parent company of the MINI and Rolls-Royce car brands. The acronym BMW stands for “Bayerische Motoren Werke” – or “Bavarian Motor Works” in English.

BMW models are categorised based on what “Series” the car model is, for example, the 3 Series. BMW has a long history in motor racing, having been involved in motorsport since the creation of the first BMW motorcycle.

 

BMW HISTORY

BMW was founded in 1913 to make aircraft engines, shifting to motorbike production in 1923 and cars in 1929. Its factories were damaged during WWII and machine tools were confiscated by the Allies. BMW gradually recovered and in 1967 bought company Hans Glas GmbH, one of whose plants was to become the largest BMW factory.

BMW bought the Rover Group in 1994, selling MG, Rover & Land Rover in 2000 but retaining the rights to build the new MINI, launched in 2001.

 

BMW FACTS

Type: Public company Founded: 1913 Headquarters: Munich, Germany Key People: Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman Industry: Automotive Products: Automobiles, Motorcycles Subsidiaries: MINI, Rolls-Royce

 

FEATURED MODELS

BMW 3 SERIES - a compact executive car made since 1975, the BMW 3 Series has been produced over five different generations and many different bodystyles. It is BMW’s best selling car BMW 5 SERIES – a mid-size luxury car made since 1972, the BMW 5 Series is now in its fifth generation and is made in both saloon and touring body styles BMW M3 - a high performance version of the compact BMW 3-Series BMW M5 – a high-performance version of the BMW 5-Series made by BMW Motorsport BMW X3 – a compact luxury SUV advertised by BMW as an SAV, or ‘Sport Activity Vehicle’ based on the BMW 3-Series platform BMW X5 - a mid-sized luxury SUV sold by BMW since 1999, featuring four-wheel

 

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1956, the BMW 507 sports car was introduced but only a total of 252 were built. Most of the work was carried out by hand and the cars were individually customised to meet each buyer’s wishes The BMW Z3 was introduced in 1996 shortly after being featured in the James Bond film “GoldenEye” In the 1990s BMW returned to making aircraft engines in a joint venture with Rolls Royce PLC In 1992, BMW outsold Mercedes for the first time in Europe In 2001, BMW introduced a BMW Films website, showing its sporty models being driven to extremes, but took the website offline in October 2005. The short films were directed by the likes of Guy Ritchie

 

 

 

 

To buy or not to buy — that is the question on many peoples mind these days when it comes to purchasing a new car. With gas prices being as astronomically high as they are, a great many people are looking at hybrid cars to solve the “grump at the pump syndrome.” Hybrid cars may be money-saving for drivers and a grand “pollution-solution;” however, there are things you may not know that might influence your choice. The following represents examples you should seriously consider as some of the “bad news” about hybrid cars:

1. Hybrid cars incorporate new technology. When technology is new and minimally tested, there always exists the “reboot” scenario. As an example, until all the glitches are resolved, a hybrid car “vehicular reboot” in the middle of rush hour traffic could be a nightmare. Another hard-to-imagine example is being alone and losing power late at night;

2. Hybrid cars are lightweight. Hybrid cars have to accommodate large battery packs making the lighter materials necessary. There may never be “just a fender-bender” in a hybrid car. You should consider that what was once just a minor collision in an ordinary car may be much worse in a hybrid car;

3. Hybrid cars are small. If you have a long Christmas list and wait until the last minute, don’t try to take the kids with you in a hybrid car to the mall. Hybrid cars, at the present time, have very limited cargo and seating space;

4. Hybrid cars are too quiet. Taking a silently golden ride down a country road in your hybrid car sounds lovely. BUT – hybrid cars run so silently that a child getting ready to dash across that county road may not hear you coming. While driving any vehicle demands great attention, it is even more important in the quiet hybrid car for the safety of all pedestrians and surrounding traffic; and,

5. Hybrid cars are slow on the “take off.” Forget about gunning the engine to beat a train in a hybrid car. Entering onto a freeway or merging may not be as easy with a hybrid car. This issue alone has had many drivers wondering about safety problems.

The above examples were, or could have been, said about conventional automobiles at one time. Skepticism about anything new is common. However, skepticism is important to any decision regarding all large investments. It was probably more daunting to decide to buy an automobile in 1920 than deciding on buying a hybrid car today.

You probably have heard all the catch phrases touting the hybrid car. The “good news” is that hybrid cars are very fuel-efficient, truly environmentally-friendly, and, technologically cutting-edge—not to mention really cool. Before you write the check, though, take your time; do more research; talk to hybrid car owners; take a hide-and-watch stance. When, and if, you decide to buy, know your decision is based on information you have gathered. You wouldn’t want buyers’ remorse over a hybrid car.

BMW – a reputation built on quality without compromise

 As an experienced driver, you know the importance of keeping your BMW in tip-top condition. Regular servicing will extend your car’s life and identify defects before they become catastrophic.

When you consider the history of BMW and how the Company has built its global reputation for prestige and performance excellence, booking a BMW service that is conducted with care and precision is vitally important in retaining the characteristics of this prestige car.

BMW facts you may not know

BMW has its roots in pre-First World War German aviation.

Gustav Otto, son of the inventor of the four-stroke internal combustion engine, set up an aircraft factory and training school in 1910. However, after persistent quality problems with production, his business was bought by a consortium in 1916. The company became known as Bayerische Flugzeugwerke AG (BFW) and began manufacturing aircraft under licence from Albatros Werke. It soon became the largest aircraft manufacturer in Bavaria, but at the end of the First World War demand collapsed.

Meanwhile, in 1913 an engine designer Karl Rapp had set up an aircraft engine manufacturing company, but vibration problems with their own engines meant that they switched production to Austro-Daimler V12 engines, under licence. A man called Franz Josef Popp was put in to supervise the manufacturing. He managed to persuade Karl Rapp to employ a talented design engineer from Daimler, Max Friz. Friz quickly designed a new engine and made such an impact with the investors, that Karl Rapp was ousted from the business in 1917. At this point the company name was changed from Rapp Motorenwerke GmbH to Bayerische Motorenwerke BmbH (BMW).

However, in December 1918, BMW was forced to close down by the government at the end of the First World War. However, in less than three months BMW was allowed to reopen and began designing a new array of engines, although the company was forced to cease aircraft engine production. At this point, an Austrian financier, Camillo Castiglioni, had become the majority shareholder in BMW.

In the summer of 1919, BMW began building brake assemblies under licence from Knorr-Bremse AG, and around a year later Castiglioni sold his shares in BMW to Knorr-Bremse.

Following the sale of his stake in BMW, Castiglioni became interested in purchasing BFW which he completed in 1922. On the back of this, he moved to purchase back the BMW name and engine building division from Knorr-Bremse. He was successful, and with the merger of BFW and BMW, under the BMW name, he also secured the design and management skills of Max Friz and Franz Josef Popp, plus valuable engine drawings and patents.

BMW began production of replacement engines, whilst Castiglioni did a lucrative deal with the Czechs to licence the production of BMW aircraft engines for use by their military.

During the 1920s, BMW supplied Russia with aircraft engines and Castiglioni, as well as being the majority shareholder, siphoned off a brokerage fee on every transaction to his ‘private’ companies.

Along with military engines, BMW began to successfully manufacture small agricultural engines and motorcycles, starting with the R 32 in 1923. These formed the basis of the project to design a BMW production car in 1925. Then in 1928 the company expanded into full car production with the purchase of the Eisenach Car Factory that made the Dixi (or Austin Seven manufactured under license). The car became known as the BMW 3/15 and it was not long before BMW was producing its own designs.

However, Castiglioni’s business dealings got himself and BMW into trouble. After selling a majority shareholding to Deutsche Bank in 1926, to raise personal funds, his irregular commission payments were duly revealed. He settled out of court with a large payment back to BMW and stepped down from the board. In 1929, he sold the remainder of his shared to Deutsche Bank to prop up his finances.

The Castiglioni affair had also cost BMW. The Russian government became aware of the ‘commission’ payments and demanded compensation. BMW handed over a licence to produce the BMW VI engine for free and relations with the Russians came to an end in the early 1930s.

After successful expansion of the motorcycle and car businesses in the 1930s, BMW was forced to abandon civilian production by the National Socialist Party during the Second World War and focus on the production of aircraft engines. This included the use of forced labour.

Towards the end of the war, BMW was hit hard by allied bombing and when the war ended, the sites in eastern Germany were seized by the Russians. Meanwhile, whilst BMW survived in the West, they were banned from manufacturing engines for three years and BMW car plans and their chief designer Fritz Fiedler were taken to England to begin Bristol Cars. And so it was not until 1948 that production of BMW motorcycles recommenced and not until 1952 that car production was started again.

The initial post-war car models, such as the 507 and 503, were not highly profitable and in 1959, BMW discussed selling the business to Daimler-Benz. This was an unpopular move with the workforce, and fortunately Chairman Kurt Golda increased his stake in the company to secure BMW’s independence.

During the 1960s the release of more sporty models spelt success for BMW. The BMW 1500 (that followed the BMW 700) led to the BMW 1600 and BMW 1800 models and in 1967 two door and convertible models that became known as the BMW 02 series. These developments eventually led to the creation of the famous BMW 3 series.

The company expanded, with new production facilities and a new headquarters in Munich.

Going into the 1970s, the BMW 5 series replaced the sedans, the coupes were replaced with the BMW 3 series and a new BMW 7 series was launched, thereby giving BMW three distinct sports sedan ranges that continued into the 1990s.

BMW became a global brand in prestige car manufacturing and sales increased 18 times. Production expanded from Germany and has spread to across continents, including facilities in the UK, America, South Africa and India. The company has also formed partnerships over time with Russian and Chinese producers.

In the mid 1990s, BMW bought Rover from British Aerospace. However, the company struggled to find a role for the English brands and make a profit. In 2000 it disposed of Rover to Phoenix Venture Holdings and sold the Land Rover brand to Ford. However, BMW retained the Mini, Triumph and other brands. BMW has since successfully rekindled the Mini brand and also gone on to secure full use of the Rolls Royce brand (in 2003).

From its humble origins as pre-First World War makers of aircraft and aircraft engines, BMW has survived as a result of post-war entrepreneurial spirit and grown rapidly to become a major global player in the prestige car market.

Book your BMW service with confidence

So when you book your next BMW service, you can be confident that Service A Car understands the heritage of BMW and conducts BMW servicing with the passion and precision your prestige car deserves.

Happy motoring,

Howard.

Chairman Service A Car

Lauderdale BMW of Ft. Lauderdale, a leading BMW car dealer Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, is proud to inform you of yet another innovation from BMW. If a customer is driving his BMW and would like to measure the car’s acceleration, he can do so through a new application called BMW M Power which can be used through an iPhone and iPod Touch. The application will also work in non-BMW cars.

BMW M Power can report the vehicle’s current speed, acceleration in Gs, elapsed time taken to reach a certain speed, or time taken to cover a certain distance. The software uses the device’s built-in accelerometer to measure acceleration and thus calculate speed. The M Power application and three custom “skins” can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store or through BMW’s website.

The icing on the cake is that M Power can be downloaded absolutely free of cost. BMW has always been a pioneer in innovative technologies and has once again, proved their utmost commitment to customer satisfaction with another addition to their features kitty. Please contact Lauderdale BMW of Ft. Lauderdale, a leading BMW car dealer Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, to learn more about BMW M power or about new BMW cars or to schedule a test drive

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