Buying Rims for BMW

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Bimmex

AC Schnitzer RimsIn Canada, people are required to have both summer and winter tires for their cars. It is common to have winter tires mounted on the original factory rims, which allows the owner to purchase custom rims for summer tires. While having custom rims is a good idea, they are not the best to use in the winter due to the amount of salt that covers the roadways. Plus, custom rims are more noticeable in the Spring and Summer months when everyone is enjoying the outdoors. Although it is possible to change just the tires between winter and summer seasons, having tires mounted on separate rims makes tire changing quicker and more efficient, prolonging the life of both your tires and rims.

BIMMEX offers BMW owners the option to customize their car with a set of rims through AC Schnitzer who specialises in European car accessories and parts. AC Schnitzer has been part of motor sport racing for four decades and has focused its fine racing tuning of BMWs both on the road and on the track. The sale of wheels by AC Schnitzer stands at 49% of the total parts and accessories, they are serious about the business of racing.

AC Schnitzer has been committed to improving vehicle technologies since the beginning. All parts and accessories are made to the highest standard and quality; that is German engineered and manufactured. Teaming with Willi Kohl, both Schnitzer and Kohl began AC Schnitzer dedicated to serving BMW owners in upgrading parts and accessories including custom rims. BIMMEX carries a full line of AC Schnitzer parts and accessories in partnership with the Claus Ettensberger Corporation.

Since 1987, AC Schnitzer has developed custom rims for 14 inch tires, known as the Type I and offer wheels up to 22 inches. Types II to IV are made of light alloy for racing wheels. Type V is lightweight forged wheels. AC Schnitzer offers rims for all models of BMWs. The type of rim depends on the wheel size for the model, plus a selection of forged alloy in silver or black, or bi-colour.

The specialists at BIMMEX will offer advice about fine tuning your BMW to ensure that you get the perfect rims for your car. From the 1-Series to the 7-Series and other BMW models, there are rims to match each customer’s car. Some of the options include rims larger than the factory originals to give the car a sportier and elegant look to compliment the wheel arches. After purchasing rims for your BMW, performance tires are recommended such as the Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 Ultra-High Performance summer tires. With a new set of rims, the original factory rims can be outfitted with winter tires so your car will be set for both seasons.

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BMW Auto Repair in Toronto

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Bimmex

Car MaintenanceBIMMEX is an accredited member of the Worldwide Association of Independent BMW and Mini Service Providers. This accreditation shows that we have the necessary qualifications to diagnose and service BMWs according factory specifications. All of our technicians are fully trained on a regular basis to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest servicing information by BMW. Unlike many independent repair facilities, BIMMEX uses Original Equipment Manufacturer parts and a limited two year warranty for parts and labor.

In addition to repairing BMWs, BIMMEX also offers many service maintenances to keep your car running and prevent major engine problems in the future. Some of the maintenance services include oil changes, transmission and differential fluid changes, and other fluid flushes. Vehicle checks and inspections are offered to keep the car from needing costly repairs in the future. Wheel alignment, electrical, and programming is offered as well as installing other electrical products such as iPods, rear view camera, satellite radio and many other electrical products.

Customer service is very important to us and we like to develop a personal relationship with you, our customer. Technicians will recommend services such as preventive and regular maintenance for your car as well as an explanation for all repair services – nothing hidden here. In addition to repairing BMWs, BIMMEX also maintains service records for your vehicle. Your car will always have the care and attention it deserves. Plus, repair estimates are always offered.

While most schedule an appointment for services and repairs, “Walk In-Convenience Service” is offered for those with busy schedules for evening and weekend hours. For BMWs that need body work, we use the best auto body shops in Toronto for all collision and body repair needs, and the repair quality is guaranteed.

When cars are in the shop for repairs, BIMMEX offers courtesy services for customers to keep you on the road. There are two types of discounts offered: rental credit of $20 or $35 per day depending on the total cost of repairs, or a maximum $10 credit for taxi service for service exceeding $100 and a drop off location within 5 kilometers from the facility location.

As a BMW authorised repair facility, BIMMEX will ensure that your car is taken care of to ensure your safety and the reliability of your BMW. Emergency service is offered without appointment to get you back on the road sooner and at both repair facilities in the Greater Toronto Area.

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Avoid the Emergency Repair Horror

Posted on April 9, 2013 by Bimmex

Bimmex Markham & WoodbridgeThere is a common misconception that a new car should always be taken to the car dealership for repairs. But why spend the money and time going to the dealership when you can use an independent repair shop that is just as qualified to work on your car?

Finding an independent repair shop can be tricky – many of them do car repairs in general rather than specialize. In these shops, the mechanics are familiar with general diagnosis and repair but don’t have mechanics that specialise in a specific make or makes such as European cars, Japanese cars, or other special rare cars. It is up to the customer to find a shop that will repair the car.

For your BMW it’s wise to seek out a repair facility that specialises in them. Taking a BMW to a shop that does not specialise in them is a big risk as the mechanics may not understand the complexity of the motor, thus misdiagnosing a problem.

Many people have had bad experiences in dealing with repair shops; excessive repair rates, shoddy repair work, and use of poor quality parts are common problem. Even repair shops that are recommended by friends and family may not be the best place for you to take your car for repairs. Dealerships may or may not be the best place as well since they tend to have the highest rate to repair cars, but they mainly use original equipment manufactured parts. On the other hand, independent repair facilities usually have better rates, may or may not use original equipment manufactured parts, and will likely repair the car without problems.

There are two independent repair shops authorised to repair BMW and Mini in Ontario, Bimmex in Markham and Woodbridge. In addition to specialising only in BMW and Mini, Bimmex is accredited by the Worldwide Association of Independent BMW Service Providers. With this in mind, the accreditation allows Bimmex to ensure that their mechanics are up-to-date with regular training classes from the manufacturer, using original equipment manufactured parts, two year limited guarantee on parts and labor, and offering customers a taxi service or rental car discounts. With all this, Bimmex only makes needed repairs – we never sell unneeded services.  Bimmex’s main goal is customer satisfaction.

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Useful BMW/Mini Tips 1

Posted on March 16, 2011 by admin
  1. Engine cooling system. Many components are now made from plastic which degrade with time. We recommend replacing all components, hoses, radiator, water pump, and thermostat at the 5-6 year mark.
  2. Belts, replace every 2-3 years.
  3. Tires, replace when worn to 2/32 inch at the most worn point on the tread, flats and blow-outs are bad news.
  4. Battery, replace every three years whether it indicates a problem or not;why wait until the starter just “clicks” and ruins your day or weekend.*see below for storage instructions on batteries!
  5. Still receiving BMW’s Free Maintenance? BMW’s free maintenance program is a wonderful benefit of owning a newer BMW. However, do you really want to drive 25,000 Km between oil changes? BIMMEX highly recommends changing the oil every 12500Km or half the mileage shown in your Central Display.  BMW themselves print in the “Service Book”(attached in your Owner Manual” folder) that additional oil & filter changes are recommended.

Following pictures will prove that 25000Km is far too long for even BMW’s long life oil:

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Proper Vehicle Storage

Posted on March 16, 2011 by admin

Preparation for Storage

Have your repair shop that works according to BMW guidelines with appropriately trained personnel perform the following procedures:

  • Clean and apply a rustproofing agent or other treatment to engine compartment undercarriage. Wash the outside and clean the interior, than wax the finish and apply chrome protectant, apply rubber seal on hoods and doors seals.
  • Change engine oil and filter  (just before storage)
  • Check coolant level and concentration
  • Check windshield washer level and its antifreeze concentration.
  • Fill the fuel tank completely to prevent the formation of condensation.
  • Increase the tire pressure to 51psi/35bar but do not exceed the maximum inflation value.

Before Parking

  • Apply parking and service brakes to dry them thoroughly to prevent corrosion forming on rotors and drums.
  • Park vehicle covered in a dry frost free well-ventilated space in 1-st gear securing it with chocks. Do not engage the parking brake!
  • Have the battery removed, charge it completely and store in a cold but frost-free room.
  • Recharge the battery every three months as otherwise will not be    serviceable. Every time the battery is drained over extended periods of time its service life is reduced or even ended.

Removing the vehicle from storage

During the power interruption the use of some equipment looses its initialization. In the same way individual settings are lost and must be updated again. Refer to owners manual:

  • Seat, mirror and steering wheel memory
  • Time and date
  • Radio
  • Navigation
  • Glass roof electric require initialization(owners manual)
  • Active steering must be initialized.(owners manual)
  • 3-series convertible anti-traping mechanism for power windows must be     initialized.(owner manual)
  • Have Inspection I and brake fluid change performed by your repair shop that works according to BMW guidelines with appropriately trained personnel.
  • CBS-vehicles (i-drive and Control display) does not register any time that elapses while the battery is disconnected. Your your repair shop that works according to BMW guidelines with appropriately trained personnel should perform the scheduled maintenance such as checking the level of fluids change engine oil if necessary and check all filters and CBS required replacement intervals *calculate adding the storage period! Make sure the date is set up correctly via the Control Display.
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AC Schnitzer’s 3 Series E90

Posted on February 28, 2011 by admin

AC Schnitzer’s vision for the new E90 3 Series is remarkable. The tuning program involves aerodynamics, an agile sport suspension, high-performance sport exhaust, powerful braking and striking alloy wheels up to 20″. AC Schnitzer upgrades the interior as well with spectacular silver carbon fiber and brushed aluminum, serving to further improve upon perfection.

Photo Gallery

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