Tag Archives: maintenance

Maintenance

3 Kinds of Storage Options for Vintage BMWs

Collecting classic cars can be an expensive hobby. Owning a vintage BMW is an enjoyable investment that you have to take care of. You have to know how and where to properly store these vehicles to ensure they stay in as pristine a condition as possible. Taking care of them is more than half of the investment, in truth.

No matter what option you choose to go with, there are a few basic rules for storing a vintage BMW. First, you’ll have to choose a dry, dark place that’s indoors to protect your car from the elements.

If a place offers controlled temperature or stores your car on concrete instead of dirt or stone, then that one should be made a priority. Otherwise, the options come down to cost, security and how long you’re planning on storing the vehicle.

1. Your Own Garage

When it comes to a really expensive car, you probably didn’t consider storing it on your own property for very long. The truth is, a car in your own garage is going to be a lot cheaper to store than in someone else’s.

If this garage is on land you live on, then you’ll have the luxury of checking in on the vehicle whenever you like, keeping an eye on pests, changing the temperature when needed and constantly keeping an eye out for criminals.

The only real drawback is that the car will be taking up space on your own land, meaning other things will probably be displaced. Most home garages don’t even have climate control, so that might be a problem, too.

Keeping your vehicle on your own property is probably the best option all around but your residential garage doesn’t have to be the only option.

2. Private Buildings

If you don’t have the space to keep your BMW in your own garage, maybe you have the option of putting in another. A separate building on your land, particularly one built specifically for storing classic cars, is another fantastic option.

This one will likely be further away from your house than your own residential garage, but that doesn’t mean to security has to be lax.

In fact, if you have the money to pour into building your own storage building, you can get as many features put in as you want. Of course, the money put into the garage is all going towards protecting your investment, so you may not want to spend too much.

Jerry Seinfeld, for example, has an extensive car collection housed in his specially built $1.4 million garage that a lot of people probably couldn’t afford. (Don’t forget that Seinfeld earned several million dollars per episode of his show, Seinfeld. He has money to spare.)

3. Storage Facilities

Storage units made for vintage cars are probably the best place to store your vintage BMW. They’re designed to house your car, making it as simple as just driving in.

Some of them come with climate control that could be invaluable to your car, depending on its condition. Not to mention that this option is a lot cheaper than putting up your own private building and takes up less space than your personal garage.

The Best Option for You

There are several factors you have to consider when you choosing how to store your vehicle. You need to know how much space you need, how much your own or several vintage cars cost, how much they mean to you and what your budget looks like.

All of these options are going to protect your vehicles for the long-term, there’s no doubt about that, but you want the option that’s best for you in the end. If you have the money, a private building is probably the ideal option. Otherwise, a storage facility may be the way to go. The choice is yours.

Car Care, Maintenance

Four Car Issues Every BMW Owner Should Know

BMWs might be known for being some of the most reliable luxury cars on the market, but like everything designed by human minds and built by human hands, problems can crop up. Some of these issues are minor, while others can leave you stranded on the side of the road if you don’t address them quickly.

Addressing these problems can help you optimize your Bimmer for the most ideal drive no matter where you take it. Let’s look at four of the most common BMW problems and how to prevent them — or repair them when they do occur.

1. Power Window Failure

One of the best parts of owning a modern car is the convenience of power windows — at least, until they fail and end up stuck open or closed. Any BMW equipped with the E46 window motor and regulator might experience problems.

The regulator clips can break, which means your windows will move slowly — or not at all. These problems are easy to fix, but they do require taking apart the entire affected door to access the window regulator.

2. Oil Leaks

Oil only works if it’s able to stay in the engine compartment. BMW’s have a habit of developing oil leaks once you pass the 55,000-mile mark. Some are easy to repair — the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket being two of the most accessible oil leak related repairs — while others, like the rear main seal, may require the assistance of a professional.

You can repair some small leaks without disassembling the engine by using products that act as stop-leaks. However, while being a temporary mechanic might be convenient, it won’t work for larger or more complicated leaks.

3. Cracked Rims

Many BMW models come equipped with 19-inch run-flat alloy rims. While these rims look amazing, they are prone to cracking — and a poorly placed crack can puncture your tire, leaving you stranded.

It is important to note that this is only a problem for Class Series vehicles sold between 2009 and 2012 — BMW settled a class action suit in 2015. Although there’s not much you can do to prevent this other than driving safely, it is something to be on the lookout for if you’ve got a Bimmer from those years with the original rims.

4. Coolant Leaks

This BMW problem is specific to the BMW 3 series, but that is a great variety of cars to choose from. Regardless of the year, coolant leaks always manage to crop up. These can have many different causes, from a cracked radiator cap to a blown head gasket to a hole in the radiator itself.

No matter what the reason is, it is something you need to repair quickly. A lack of coolant could cause the engine to overheat — plus, the coolant is toxic to animals and the environment.

BMWs are, by far, one of the most reliable brands on their market — but that doesn’t mean that they don’t have their share of problems. Being aware of these four common problems can help keep your car running and prevent you from ending up stranded on the side of the road.

DIY

So You Want to Start an Auto Repair Business: Six Things to Know First

If you’ve spent endless summers or weekends turning wrenches in your garage, it might seem like the next logical step to turn your hobby into a business where you can earn money. While this can be a worthwhile endeavor, here are six things you should be aware of before you sign the lease on your shop and turn on the lights.

1. Licensing and Regulations

Anytime you open a business, you will need to obtain a business license and a tax identification number (TIN). You also have to familiarize yourself with some regulations, from employee safety to the disposable of hazardous materials, before you can open your doors. Not dotting your I’s and crossing your T’s can lead to costly fines that may even shut down your business before you get it off the ground.

2. Certifications

While Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications aren’t a requirement to open a shop or even work in one, customers feel a lot better about leaving their car in your hands if they see that blue gear logo on your wall or the lapel of your shop clothes. You can take a few different tests depending on your shop’s specialization, from general automobile repair to heavy engine repair on trucks or busses.

3. Start-Up Costs

In 2013, the start-up cost for an automotive repair shop was roughly $48,000. This includes things like renting a shop, purchasing equipment and paying for insurance, to name a few. It’s hard to repair cars with no tools and nowhere to do it, after all. Keep those start-up costs in mind, especially if you’re planning to secure a business loan to cover them.

4. Specializations

Are you planning to open your doors to all makes and models, or are you planning on specializing in a single brand of car, such as BMWs? You might lose out on some business opportunities if you choose the latter, but it can be lucrative depending on the types of vehicles people in your area own.

If you do want a specific brand to work on, make sure you look into any specializations you will need to acquire to become a certified specialist.

5. Contractors

They say that no man is an island — and no auto repair shop is either. You will need some help from outside contractors that might include but aren’t limited to:

· Lawyer: To help you dot all those I’s and cross all those T’s that we mentioned earlier

· Accountant: To help you keep track of the books

· Certified Garage Door Repair Technician: Because there’s no point in having a garage if the door won’t open — choose a certified technician to make sure that the job is done right the first time

· Equipment Repair Technician: Since you probably won’t have a hydraulic lift or compressor specialist on staff

The services these individuals provide will cost money, so make sure you include that in your initial calculations, so you’re not caught flat-footed.

6. Marketing

No one likes thinking about marketing, but word-of-mouth will only carry you so far when you’re opening a new business. If you don’t have any marketing skills, invest in the assistance of a professional to help customers can find you. Providing excellent service can encourage word of mouth, but you only get the chance to repair cars if drivers can find you in the first place.

Opening an auto repair shop isn’t as complicated as it sounds, but it does take some preparation to make sure everything is done right. Taking that time to prepare will mean the difference between a shop that is successful and one that closes it’s door before its first year is over.