BMW Water Pump Replacement. BMW carries electric water pumps on the N51, N52, N54, N55, engines that need to be replaced every 50,000-75,000 miles.  A few advantages of the BMW’s electric driven water pump are equal distribution of coolant (since the pump is not belt driven) and increased power. Water pumps play a critical role in keeping your BMW’s engine within proper operating temperature.  Without a properly working water pump and thermostat your BMW will soon overheat and breakdown.     When replacing the water pump we recommend changing the thermostat as well.  It’s important to take your car to a BMW specialist when replacing the water pump since there are special installation procedures as well as bleeding procedures that will need to be carried out after installation.  Some common DME codes associated with a failed or failing water pump are  2E81- Electric coolant pump speed deviation, speed outside specified range ... read more

What is a BMW VANOS? Put simply, a VANOS is a mechanism that allows for the adjustment of the camshafts for the intake and exhaust valves. This allows for better gas mileage, smoother idling increased power/torque. Vanos solenoids control the flow of oil to the VANOS. When oil flow is restricted to the VANOS problems will occur i.e check engine light, reduced power, low gas mileage, rough idling.   It is common for the solenoids to clog up and fail. This can may be due to Electrical failure of VANOS Solenoid Dirty Oil Low oil pressure Clogged up solenoid/solenoid screen Aftermarket/defective oil filter An experienced BMW Technician will properly assess the condition of the VANOS solenoid on your BMW first to ensure they are in proper working order and the oil is in good condition as a first step in addressing any VANOS engine codes on your BMW. Common symptoms of VANOS issues are Check Engine Light Loss of Power Rough Idle, engine hesitation Engine fa ... read more

Which one is the right oil for my car? 5W-30, 0W-30 what does it all mean?Viscosity Viscosity Viscosity The title of the oil is meant to communicate the type & thickness of the oil at different temperatures (having the correct thickness a.k.a. viscosity is what this article will be mostly about). The W in the name 5W-30 standards for Winter and simply means this oil has been tested at colder temperatures.  (Oils without the W in their name i.e. SAE 30 have not been tested for cold weather performance. At normal operating temperatures (210°F)  5W-30 and 10W-30 will both flow at a SAE viscosity of 30, but under much colder temperatures 5W-30 will flow at an SAE viscosity of 5.   10W-30 will flow at an SAE viscosity of 10.  0-W30 will flow with a viscosity of zero in cold t ... read more

So you’ve gotten the news. Your BMW is leaking from the oil filter housing gasket.   O MAN!!!!! Your first thoughts. What is an oil filter housing gasket? What will this repair cost? Is this part of normal maintenance? Can I do anything to keep this from happening again? The oil filter housing is simply the part that the oil filter sits in within your engine compartment.  The housing allows oil to flow through and around the oil filter. On BMW’s the oil filter housing is mounted to the engine.  A gasket is required where these parts interface.  The gasket becomes brittle and cracks over time allowing oil to leak or seep out. There are actually two gaskets that start leaking over time on your BMW.  One is the oil filter cap gasket (which is changed alongside the filter when you do an oil change).  It’s the gasket that mates the oil filter housing with the engine block which is the more costly oil leak. The cost of this re ... read more

When it's time to service or maintain your BMW, you probably take it to a qualified BMW repair facility to have brakes serviced, tires rotated, and fluids and filters changed. However, if you are handy with a wrench, you may ask yourself questions like, “Can I Replace a BMW battery myself?” and “Why do I need to have my BMW battery changed by an expert?” The answer to the first question is easy. Yes, you probably can, but you shouldn’t. You’ve made a significant investment in your vehicle. It’s unwise to cut corners for the sake of saving a few dollars. Read on for the answer to the second question. The Battery is the Heart of Your Vehicle: It Deserves Professional BMW Battery Replacement While it's possible for many people to buy a car battery at an auto-repair shop, remove their old battery, and hook up the new one, it is far wiser to entrust this job to an expert BMW repair and maintenance facility. One reason is that a professional BMW service center wil ... read more

Regardless of the make, model, age, and odometer reading of your BMW, the key to keeping it running reliably, safely, and smoothly now and well in the future is having it scheduled for maintenance according to factory recommendations. A handful of BMW owners have the expertise and tools to perform some jobs, such as oil changes. That’s not the case for the vast majority of BMW owners. When the perform-maintenance reminder illuminates, most BMW owners ask themselves a critical question: “Do I have to head to the dealership or can I look for an independent shop for BMW maintenance and service near me?” Misconceptions Can Cost YouIt’s a fallacy that in order to keep your warranty valid you must have your BMW serviced at a dealership. Of course, most dealerships aren’t quick to point this out. It’s in their best interest to allow BMW owners to believe pursuing independent BMW scheduled maintenance will void their warranty. The fact is, it’s simply not true. Whether you ... read more

If your BMW is due for maintenance services, you may have reservations about taking it to an independent repair shop instead of an official BMW or import car dealership. However,the benefits of choosing an independent BMW repair shop versus the dealership should resolve any concerns you may have about this option. It is true that foreign cars require varied maintenance and different care than those manufactured in the U.S. This is why many owners of import vehicles think that the only place to receive proper service from correctly trained professionals is at the specific import car’s dealership. To all BMW owners facing the question,“Do I have to take my BMW to the dealership to be serviced?” allow us to answer your question and debunk some myths to make your life much easier. The Customer Service Factor Unlike branded dealerships, independent auto repair shops are specifically dedicated to providing repairs and maintenance, which leads to greater indiv ... read more

Regular service and maintenance is key to keeping your BMW at top performance. When it comes to maintaining a foreign and luxury vehicle, choosing a repair shop to provide these services can be a confusing and difficult decision-making process. BMW is a pioneer brand in the luxury car category and designed for top-level performance, luxury and comfort. A prized possession to any owner, a BMW is expensive to purchase and maintain. This is especially the case if you use a dealership over an independent repair shop for repair and maintenance. Many BMW owners are skeptical about trusting an independent repair shop with their cars or are unsure about how they’re different from dealerships. If you own a BMW or other foreign vehicle and are looking for BMW auto service and repair in Brooklyn, NY, read on to learn more about your options. Dealerships and Lower Quality Shops Dealerships typically only use the manufacturer service schedule when addressing your vehicle’s needs. Deal ... read more

Winter BMW maintenance is an important aspect of prepping for the change to colder temperatures. Just like any other time of the year, your vehicle can experience issues during winter that might require immediate attention. With these five possible concerns and their solutions, you can be better prepared for potential season specific pitfalls and pick up tips on how to take care of your BMW during the winter. 1. Your BMW Battery Could Fail Often, a battery and cold weather do not go well together. Low temperatures and harsh winter conditions, such as ice, can negatively affect the performance of your vehicles battery. Though batteries are prone to failing regardless of the season, cold weather adds additional strain. 2. Cooling System It’s important to make sure checking your cooling system is on your winter BMW preparedness checklist. You’ll need antifreeze that will protect your BMW at the temperatures your area experiences each winter season. Antifreeze also helps to ... read more