Boston Motor Werks encourages and even amplifies regular factory maintenance for every BMW, regardless of year. We strongly believe that maintenance is the key for a reliable vehicle. Maintenance is not simply an act of keeping a car in good running shape. Maintenance and preventative maintenance is the single largest deterrent of large repair bills. So many issues on today’s modern cars are easily avoided by following the proper maintenance on the vehicle. Ignoring maintenance on your vehicle is like investing in future problems you will have. You are almost guaranteeing that those issues will happen. Such a wide variety of issues that we see on a daily basis could easily have been avoided with the proper maintenance. There is not enough that can be said about this topic. We encourage all our customers to take pre-emptive action towards their vehicle to avoid issues due to neglect. Spending a little money now can save you a fortune down the road.
From our experience at the dealer as well as independent repair shops, we have learned that despite advances in part and fluid technology that are supposed to extend service intervals, there is no replacement for the “old school” maintenance program. We highly recommend synthetic oil changes at no more than 5,000 miles regardless of the model year and mineral oil-era cars at no more than 3,000 mile intervals. The dealer-recommended 15,000 mile oil change leaves a large margin for potential engine wear and damage, especially with the high technology on BMW engines (Vanos, Valvetronic, semi-dry sump oil systems, etc.). Combined with New England traffic and weather conditions, we see pre-mature failures of everything from valvetronic eccentric shafts and levers to crankcase vent valves to standard engine seals simply due to not changing the oil enough. The effects worsen as the mileage builds, especially over 100,000 miles, but the vehicles are conveniently out of factory warranty and it is left up to the owner to pay the full repair costs. BMW engines are designed to easily see over 300,000 miles with simple maintenance complimenting the appropriate repairs. Visit any sizeable BMW car show and you will regularly see BMW vehicles with 300-400,000 miles on them and sometimes more without any major engine rebuilds. This is not only a testament to the ultimate driving machine but also to the importance of the proper maintenance for the vehicle, regardless of age or mileage.
We recommend spark plug replacement every 60,000 miles on non-M engines, which is usually done every Inspection II service. Inspection I service, usually every 30,000 miles, consists of an oil change, cabin filter, and if needed (usually recommended) an engine air filter. Inspection II service, usually every 60,000 miles, consists of spark plugs, oil change, engine air filter, cabin filter, fuel filter, and differential fluid flush. At Boston Motor Werks, an Inspection II consists of the above plus brake flush, coolant flush, transmission flush, and if applicable, a transfer case flush. BMW recommend a brake flush every 2 years and a coolant flush every 4 years. The Inspection II service is a perfect time to do that. To us, there is no replacement for changing all the necessary fluids in your vehicle.
Starting with the 2002 7 series, BMW started going way from the inspection I and II intervals and introduced CBS, or condition-based service, into its maintenance programs. Where previous service intervals were calculated only by mileage and fuel consumption, Condition-based service used more advanced sensors and algorithms to calculate service intervals on everything from brakes, spark plugs, and oil to cabin filters and brake fluid.
A vehicle’s transmission is a complex assembly that takes the power generated by the engine and transfers it to the wheels. Your transmission selects different gears to transfer that power differently. Lower gears for more low-end torque or higher gears for higher speeds. Over time, regular use causes small particles of the transmission’s metal to wear off and integrate into the transmission fluid. Clean transmission fluid allows smooth shifting and overall transmission operation. While the shifting action itself, and the role transmission fluid plays, differs between automatic and manual transmissions, the impact of dirty transmission fluid is the same: poor performance, and increased wear on the mechanical parts, contributing to earlier transmission failure.
Routine Transmission Service:
Our team at Boston Motor Werks highly recommends regular transmission service at every second service appointment (no later than every 60,000 miles), or at any sign of transmission grinding, slippage, or fluid leak. The reasoning is simple: fluid is cheaper than metal. Replacing the transmission fluid, even “lifetime” fluid, is far more affordable cheaper than replacing or repairing your transmission (or parts thereof). Proactive maintenance will keep your BMW’s transmission performing at its best, and protect against unexpected failure.
- Draining the current transmission fluid.
- (Automatic only) Install new pan gasket and filter (if replaceable).
- Add the proper type and quantity of oil/fluid for your transmission.
- Check for leaks.
- Test drive the vehicle.
BMW Transmission Service
BMW transmissions are known for being very well built, requiring minimal maintenance for optimal performance. In recent years, BMW began using “lifetime” transmission fluid, which is supposed to be good for 100,000 miles– or the expected life of the transmission. This has reduced required transmission maintenance in late model BMWs. However, older models still require regular transmission service, and even newer models are not immune to transmission issues that require service. Even “lifetime” fluid wears down and can start to negatively influence performance starting around 80,000 miles.
Mercedes Transmission Service
Mercedes has a reputation for building snappy and responsive transmissions for high performance vehicles. Through the years their automatic transmissions have continued to improve, and experts have praised both the 722.6 from the earlier 2000s, as well as the 722.9 in more recent years. While the 722.6 is a 6 speed automatic transmission with 2 internal sensors, the 722.9 is a 7 speed automatic with 3 internal sensors. Sensors are an extremely important part of any transmission as they ensure optimal performance and help experts diagnose any issues. On the 722.9, the sensors are actually included in the valve body rather than an external module, which helps provide more accurate readings.
Contact Boston Motor Werks
Contact us for more information on BMW transmission service, and keep your vehicle’s transmission in top shape. Call us today at 617-489-0291, or email us at rob@bostonmotorwerks.com.
As technology advances, auto manufacturers are turning to electronics for more and more components of their vehicles. These complex electronic computer systems vary quite a bit from one manufacturer to another, especially when it comes to German Vehicles. In addition to the highest levels of performance and comfort, luxury vehicles are often loaded up with the most advanced electronic systems. What you might not realize is that this can lead to problems that are more difficult to diagnose and fix for the average mechanic. Because digital electronics account for increasingly more functions within modern vehicles, not only are they more complex than ever, but they also cause more problems than they have in the past.
Electronic System Diagnostics for German Cars
At Boston Motor Werks, not only do we have factory level BMW and Audi training to diagnose and fix these issues, but we also have years of experience servicing all kinds of foreign vehicles and their electronic systems. We use the factory standard diagnostic software which gives us a competitive edge when it comes to diagnostics. With the introduction of CAN-Bus systems running on a complicated electrical and fiber-optic network of modules and systems, electrical diagnosis is not as straightforward as it once used to be. How does a passenger door handle cause a DSC light on a 2009 750li? How can a wheel speed sensor cause a Check Engine Light on a 2002 325xi?
Common Electrical Problems in German Vehicles
German vehicles have a fantastic reputation for reliability and performance, but electrical issues are still common and shouldn’t go ignored. Some of the most common problems include sensor issues on the braking, transmission and fuel systems, as well as issues with navigation systems, entertainment features, and issues with the lighting systems. The complex wiring in these vehicles helps these systems work their best, but they can also become a liability if not checked up on from time to time.
Preventive Electronic Maintenance
As with anything else in the automotive industry, these issues are best handled with routine preventive maintenance. Always check with your auto manufacturer for your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. You should also take both the average annual miles and the driving conditions into account when planning your regular maintenance. For those of us that drive a little harder, more frequent maintenance should be expected to ensure that your vehicle’s performance level remains intact.. Make sure your regular maintenance routine includes checking in on the electronic system in your vehicle, and always be aware of check engine lights and the like.
Contact Us
We are experts in servicing foreign vehicles of all makes. For all your maintenance questions, both electronic and mechanical, give us a call at 617-489-0291 or contact us here.
Boston Motor Werks is proud to provide Fuel System Maintenance services to BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, and Porsche vehicles in the Belmont, and greater Boston area.
The evolution of modern BMWs, as well as the environmental concerns for emissions, has seen more precise and calculated fuel mixtures. Fuel systems thus there have become more complicated and increasingly sensitive, especially considering the poor quality of many of our fuels, both high in sulfur and ethanol. Direct fuel injection systems have been stressed the most from the combination of these factors, but we are seeing more and more standard non-direct systems experience fuel pump and fuel injector failure due to poor fuel quality. Carbon builds up is one of the combustion engine’s worst enemies, causing poor running characteristics, decreased performance, and increased fuel consumption. While there are many fuel system treatments available to put in your fuel tank, often the cleaning of the fuel injectors is very limited by the time the diluted cleaner makes it to the fuel rail. BMW offers a fuel injection system that plugs directly in the fuel rail and cleans the fuel injectors right away. This is the most efficient and direct way to clean the injectors without removal. Very noticeable differences are made, especially on higher mileage automobiles. This service provides increased power and performance with improved fuel efficiency and is available on almost any recent model.
BMW Fuel Injection Cleaning and Inspection
Bring your car in for a thorough and detailed inspection and cleaning of your fuel injectors. We offer this service on any BMW model to help improve performance, efficiency, and longevity of the entire fuel system. Basic inspections include: flow testing of the injectors to make sure they are spraying at factory spec (fuel pressure within .5 – 3 psi), visual inspection to check for leaks or damage, missing components such as seals and gaskets, bad vacuum lines/tubes, timing chain rattle (if applicable), overall cleanliness of the engine bay (dirt build up), etcetera. We want our customers to be informed and educated about their car’s maintenance, so when you bring your car in for a service we will also sit down and go over the results with you and detail what is recommended (if anything), and why. Every mileage interval or vehicle condition may vary. We carefully examine each individual vehicle to determine if any additional services are needed, or if all required maintenance has been completed.
BMW Check Engine Light Diagnosis
BMW check engine lights come on for various reasons. Sometimes these reasons are not even engine related. Whatever the cause of them might be, they can be one of the main factors standing in the way between you and an inspection sticker. We are well qualified to diagnose the source of the problem using our specialized software. Boston Motor Werks can also repair the issue but can perform test plans for each individual OBD-test criteria in order to obtain the inspection sticker faster. Once the repair is complete and the test criteria have been run, obtaining the inspection sticker can usually be done at the same time, without driving the vehicle for a week to get it to pass.
Audi Check Engine Light Diagnosis
Check engine lights in your Audi serve as a warning to let you know that there’s an issue somewhere in the vehicle. Your car has sensors all around it that are constantly keeping track of the status of each component. These issues can be extremely mild and simple fixes, or they can be more severe, especially when left completely unattended. Using a specialized computer system we can diagnose which sensor is going off and where in the vehicle the problem is originating. From there we will be able to tell you if it’s a minor inconvenience that can likely be repaired in a few minutes, or if it’s something slightly more serious such as an actual issue in the engine. Any time the check-engine light comes on it’s your best bet to have an Audi specialist diagnose your vehicle to ensure your safety.
Mercedes Check Engine Light Diagnosis
It’s happened to all of us, you’re driving along minding your own business and you have a light come up on your dashboard. It can be stressful in that moment when you don’t know what the cause is, but have no fear. There’s no need to stop driving immediately but your best course of action is to find a mercedes specialist at your earliest convenience. We can use our advanced computer systems to diagnose your Mercedes check engine lights, and pinpoint the cause of the problem. While it could be the sign of a larger issue, there’s a good chance that it’s minor and it won’t be expensive.
Check Engine Light Causes
- Spark plug or ignition coil failure or wear
- Catalytic converter issues
- Aftermarket alarm
- Oxygen sensor failure or malfunction
- Mass Airflow Sensor
- Basic fuel system error
- Loose/broken gas cap
Using OEM parts for your BMW repairs is highly recommended by both the manufacturer and experienced service technicians alike. BMWs are built with quality in mind, so when it comes to making repairs, don’t settle for parts that don’t uphold this same standard. Not only are these parts going to be of much higher quality and built to last, but they will end up saving you money in the long run. Don’t allow your vehicle to be maintained with components that won’t stand up to the test of time.
High Quality OEM Parts
When you use original manufactured parts from BMW, you know that you’re continuing to get the most out of your luxury vehicle. If you want the highest performance your vehicle has to offer, then sticking with OEM parts is the way to go. While some people are often drawn to the use of aftermarket parts for their lower price point, the age-old mantra of “you get what you pay for” definitely applies in this situation. It’s bad enough that these parts most likely won’t perform at the same level as the original, but most of the time they will also need to be replaced much sooner than an original part due to their lesser durability.
Avoid Unnecessary Repairs
When these parts fail prematurely, you will have to bring your car to the shop again and will be paying for labor to replace the item again, thus spending more money, time, and effort than if the job was done right the first time. And that is if that poor quality part did not leave you stranded on the side of the road. They are counter-intuitive. Ultimately you will end up spending more money to do the job again, which defeats the purpose of buying the cheaper part, to begin with. We believe in doing the job right the first time.
Custom Order BMW Parts
If your vehicle’s repair requires a specific part, we would be happy to check the availability for you and place an order for the part you need if we don’t currently have it. Feel free to give us a call at 617-489-0291 or contact us online to check with us about the availability. We want to help make your repair as quick and easy as possible. Our express ordered OEM parts arrive quickly so that your car can get out of the shop and you can get back to driving.
Brakes are a vital part of the safety, function, and reliability of any vehicles. They not only protect you and your vehicle from harm’s way, but everyone else who is on the road with you as well. When it comes to taking care of your brakes, there’s simply no need to compromise the integrity with aftermarket components or less than perfect workmanship or mechanical knowledge.
Brake Service for Performance & Sport Vehicles
We strictly use the respective OEM brake pads and rotors for all of our BMW, Audi and Mercedes repairs. On the request of the customer, we also utilize Brembo brakes, a highly respected and extremely reliable brake manufacturer for a variety of performance vehicles. We refuse to compromise quality when it comes to brakes. We have sampled scores of brake pads and have found nothing matches the reliability, bite, noise suppression, and performance of OEM pads and rotors from BMW, Audi and Mercedes. These brake rotors are made with the highest quality steels and alloys and provide extra resistance to brake warping, scoring, and rust. Savings found with other aftermarket brands never legitimize the poorer braking and shorter functional lifespans of aftermarket rotors and pads. The safety of you and your loved ones depends greatly on this vital component.
Brake Fluid
Most cars utilize a hydraulic system to power the brakes and create the stopping force. Brake fluid is the liquid of this system that moves the necessary components into place when you need to stop. Fresh brake fluid isn’t talked about nearly as much as new brake pads, but it can actually dramatically increase your braking power and should be changed often. If you aren’t sure, you can always check your vehicle’s maintenance manual for more detailed information on maintenance intervals.
Rotors / Brake Drums
We’ve found that the average brake rotor needs to be replaced every 60,000 miles, but they may wear out faster depending on how you drive, as well as what conditions you typically drive in. You can always bring your vehicle in for a quick brake check-in to see how many miles you have left on your current rotors.
Brake Hoses
Like any hydraulic system, your brakes use hoses to transport the brake fluid to all the right places. Cracks, clogs, or other issues with these hoses can negatively impact the amount of pressure your brakes apply and should definitely be checked if you notice you have any issues stopping.
BMW Suspension Repair Service
BMW suspension systems are designed and built for the perfect balance of performance, comfort, and safety over a wide variety of road surfaces and conditions. They are largely responsible for what makes BMW the ultimate driving machine. Therefore servicing your suspension is essential to the performance and safety of your BMW. New England roads are very taxing on vehicles in general, and your Bavarian machine is no exception. Potholes, cold temperatures, and stop & go traffic provide an extra strain on vehicles, especially the suspension. For this reason, we use BMW Original parts for any bushings, control arms, springs, struts, and shocks as they provide the compromise of balanced handling, ride comfort, and grip while providing maximum longevity. For those looking for a non-factory performance suspension upgrade, we recommend and supply Bilstein sports shocks, H&R springs, Eibach springs, and several other performance suspension items. Please consult one our technicians before purchasing so we may best find components that suit your BMW and driving needs.
Audi Suspension Repair Service
Is your ride not quite as smooth as you remembered it when you first drove your Audi off the lot? Over time, normal use, potholes, and speed bumps can start to cause wear and tear on your suspension. If you’re noticing an extra bumpy ride, a pull to one side, or unusual noises in your suspension, we can help you find the source of the issues and help you bring your Audi back up to snuff. We will closely examine the axles, bearings, bushings, struts, and the power steering components for any damage, looseness or misalignment. All of these components act together to keep your vehicle sturdy and reduce unwanted vibrations. If any work needs to be done we will go over the exact repairs and costs before proceeding with any work. Suspension work is always important because it impacts the level of control and handling you have as a driver, especially the shocks and struts.
Porsche Suspension Repair Service
Porsche drivers are big fans of the superior road feel that these vehicles offer. When tuning and repairing a suspension, it’s all about balancing a responsive and “real” road feel with a comfortable and sturdy ride. Depending on what kind of driving you’re doing in your Porsche, you’ll want a different tuning adjustment. Additionally over time, traffic, cold weather, potholes and even speed bumps can begin to wear and tear on your suspension and cause issues that simply require routine maintenance every now and then. We are well versed in the Porsche suspension systems and can easily diagnose the problems and pinpoint what needs to be repaired.
Boston Motor Werks is proud to offer high quality Air Conditioning Maintenance & Repair services to BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, and Porsche vehicles in Belmont and the greater Boston area. Whatever the weather outside, you need to know that your air conditioning system works without fail. Whether blasting cold air into the cabin on warm summer day, or running the compressor to absorb humidity out of the cabin on a cold morning, you need to know that you’re A/C system is as reliable as the rest of your vehicle. Boston Motor Werks offers full A/C service, including charging, leak testing, and repair. Does your A/C stop blowing cold air after being on for 10 minutes? Does the A/C compressor cycles on and off when you have it set to auto? Give us a call today for service you can rely on!
While the owner’s manual typically recommends service every 12k-15k miles, we recommend you check your service history for the last time your A/C was serviced. If it has been awhile, or if you are unsure of when the last time your A/C system was serviced, give Boston Motor Werks a call to schedule an appointment!
In addition to routine maintenance, your vehicle may require an AC recharge from time to time. The good news is this service is easier than you may think! Just schedule an appointment with Boston Motor Werks today and let us handle the rest. Our service includes:
• Testing for leaks and worn parts that might need to be replaced and repairing any leaks found before recharging.
• Flushing and replacing the old coolant (refrigerant) with new, clean R-134a refrigerant approved by your car manufacturer. This service will improve the environmental impact as well as keeping your A/C running at peak performance!
• Checking all components of the air conditioning system and make sure they are working properly (compressor, evaporator and fans).
Air conditioners work hard during hot summer months to maintain comfort in your vehicle. When your air conditioning is not blowing cold or cool air, there may be one or more underlying causes that need to be corrected: The A/C compressor may have seized up due to lack of proper maintenance. – Low refrigerant levels may cause low airflow. – Dirt and debris may prevent proper airflow through your condenser. – Leaks may be present in the system due to a damaged evaporator or other components. We know summer is hot, but you can trust Boston Motor Werks as your local Air Conditioning Maintenance & Repair center to keep you cool all year round. Air Conditioning Maintenance & Repair from Boston Motor Werks is available at your convenience! We serve the greater Boston area, including Belmont MA and surrounding towns. Whether we’re helping you recharge system or doing a full AC service , we’re committed to making certain your A/C works whenever it’s needed most. To schedule an appointment today, give us a call at 617-489-0291
