Uncategorized | BMW - Mercedes - Mini - Porsche, Service & Repair

Brakes replacement on BMW, Mercedes

Brake replacement on BMW, Mercedes and most European automobiles is a special procedure. Unlike most ordinary cars Europeans leads in designing and making high performance braking systems. Germany has such a high speed limits, it’s absolutely essential to have an effective braking system to haul your 2 ton car to a stop in a hurry, if needed and do so without brake fade, or you may have a serious problem.

This is the very reason you should never compromise your braking system with some cheap third party imitations. The industry leaders are in order as Brembo is known as being the best there is which has been honed on the Formula one cars just for instance. Brembo is the leading supplier to most Motor Sport events around the world.

Than there are some serious brake manufacturers in Germany as well like Textar, Pagid of TMD friction and TRW as well which ones are the leading original brake component manufacturers to the leading German auto makers.

There is also well known around the world is Ferrodo, Jurid and Akebono as well. You’re safe to choose any of the above brands since they pay particular attention to the friction coefficient of the brake pads of the modern high performance automobiles.

We recognize the fact that lots of clients hate to clean their designer wheels from the black brake dust. This the reason, why we offer state of the art Brembo ceramic (with enhanced friction coefficient) or Akebono ceramic brake pads which produces 80 percent less brake dust in all European applications. Please inquire within availability is subject to individual applications.

Worth to note Akebono is also a leading brake component supplier, you may never heard of them but they are the second supplier to the F1 circuit cars in particular Mclaren F1 and street cars are outfitted with as a sole supplier by Akebono braking systems.

Clients sometimes think brakes are brakes, not a big deal, we think otherwise, nothing is more important to function at peak performance than your brakes not your engine or anything else.

Suffice to say your brakes can save lives which includes yours as well remember that when you get behind the wheels enjoy the ride.

Wish you all the best from your brake experts at Techmax Auto R. Inc.

Akebono Brake System

More Brembo Brakes info

Brake job on BMW 3 series

Great tire debate about winter tires

The great tire debate about winter tires or all weather tires. May be all season tires? How should you choose? They all black and round what’s the difference?

I get this questions quiet often from my clients. What do you think of the Nokian all weather tires? Most people would like to avoid to install winter tires if they could. The Nokian could do the job on my BMW, Mercedes and or Porsche? Theoretically it could (Than it begs the question why did you invest in a high tech high performance car?) practically it will not suffice, your car’s manufacturer of the above brands spend hundreds of millions of dollars (Euros) to make your car handle behave like intended a performance oriented finely honed machine.

Yokohama iceGuard Winter Tire

Winter Traction: Interlocking and adaptive 3D sipes work in tandem to enhance stability and grip on icy surfaces.

Wet Traction: Dual-action shoulder grooves are straight at the bottom to evacuate water.

Resistance to Wear: A high-density reinforced compound allows for a more stable tread block, providing longer more even wear.

What could be the difference between all weather and winter tires?

The easy way to make a comparison, like your seasonal shoes, you definitely don’t want to wonder outside in flip flops in the snow and ice. How about running shoes? They would be your all weather tire equivalent so this is why we wear winter boots to keep you on your feet securely in any inclement weather.

Your winter tires, like your winter boots are purpose built for the cold slippery road and severe conditions.

We hope this helps to make your tire decision somewhat easier in the coming winter.

Drive safely, think before you drive and have a safe and secure driving winter season from all of us at Techmax, your tire experts.

More Yokohama Winter Tires related info

Do you really need winter tires? Read More…

Our advice for winter driving

The season is upon us again to have our cars in order before the snow flies. The question is what should we do as the mornings are getting colder? How can we keep our cars in great shape as we heading towards to the winter?

How should you prepare a European import car for driving under Canadian winter conditions?

First and foremost have your car checked by a professional?

Yokohama Winter Tire

We can advise you what work your car will need in the near future as you can carry on with your daily business without interruptions.

Try to build a relationship with your chosen technician, it should be just as important as is your doctor or dentist and the others whom there to make sure you can carry on with your daily life.

The most important is to check your tires and if you do have winters (need less to say everyone should have them in Ontario) have them inspected, pressures checked and brakes suspension and the heating /cooling system perform at their best.

Remember your car is like a fine orchestra, when all is well and every system performs great the whole thing is a pleasure to live with. It’s a cliche to say, all works like a well oiled machinery when you turn the key comes alive and it’s ready for your command.

We are here to help you, stay on the road, it’s our sole business.

Please keep it safe, drive well, stay in touch with your automobile, know your car.

We at Techmax wish you all the best thru the seasons.

Do you really need winter tires?

BMW of Today

Do you like BMW cars? Are you aspiring to buy a new or a used one? May be you know someone whom owns a BMW, the question is what makes them so special, why are they so popular you may ask?

Well, I may be able to answer some of your questions since I own some and working on them for decades and really like some of them (I own 4 BMW’s).

To explain it in a few words and describe the myth surrounds the BMW cars is, their way of design and build their cars, which is nearly the perfect blend of luxury and dynamics. They are the trade mark of the brands popularity over the years.

BMW cars have one thing in common, they have amazing handling characteristics due to deliberate designs which makes them one of the most dynamic handling German cars. You can use a BMW as a family car or as a sport car, the choice is yours and it can depend on your driving style or even on your mood.

Whenever you have a chance and can see all the German autobahn burners in one place at one time, I can show you what makes them so special.

BMW i8

For instance, stand back and look at any BMW of today or from yesterday and you will see the suspension is pushed all the way forward front and rear. The engine is pushed back far as could have been to give your car a mid engine configuration, this brings amazing handling characteristics.

Naturally all BMW’s have wickedly well sorted suspension geometry, to enhance the dynamics even further, a precision tuned suspension with proper damping and spring rates that makes a very dynamic package. This suspension can be further enhanced with the M sport package to take dynamics to the near extreme ?level of street legal dynamic performance.

It’s safe to say BMW engineers created most BMW cars with near perfect balance of performance ?and precise handling with excellent feedback from the chassis dynamics as being their ultimate goal ?all along. The weight distribution between the front and rear axles makes BMW superbly agile.

You might ask, why other car manufacturers not use the same or similar design?

I do have answers for you, there are several reasons… But there is not just the suspension and weight distribution makes a BMW a popular car. There are many other things.

If you’re interested to discuss this subject in more elaborate details ?I’m happy to oblige at your convenience in person.

Have fun and happy motoring.

Related: Read more about BMW i8 and BMW i3 electric car.

The big Diesel emission scandal in the world of cars

The important things to know if you’re curious about the Diesel scandal of the decade.

First thing first, what is Diesel and how does it work?

Diesel engine was discovered by? Rudolph Diesel hence the name of the engine type. Diesel engine works like compressing the air to a very small space by the piston which super heats the air and injecting the fuel at a very fine mist at the right moment which creates a bang (explosion) and drives the piston downwards.Because of the way it works, it is on average 30 percent more efficient than a gasoline piston engine, which means it produces way less CO2, on the other hand it produces way more NOX (nitrogen oxides) than a gasoline engine.

The Diesel engine is a work horse, due to its efficiency and high torque and robust design, it’s the favorite of frugal drivers and 18 wheelers, trains and ocean liners.

Most people don’t realize the air which is used to create combustion in a piston engine is 78 percent nitrogen 20.8 percent oxygen the remaining gases are irrelevant in the combustion process. Nitrogen is a inert gas which only converts to nitrous oxides if put under high heat and pressure.

The question is; What went wrong with the NOX treatment on the Diesel engines which threw the entire car industry into a nosedive around the world?

Today on modern Diesel engines we have selective catalyst systems which reduces the allowable limit of NOX to 0.07 gram/kilometers on average, and from 2017 it ned to be maximum 0.03 gram /kilometer.

There are cars with SCR reduction urea injection, from 09 on certain most makes and models (except very small diesels, due to their small displacement), they were not required to have the SCR system. It is mandatory from 2015 onward.

The problem was with the tested cars, the manufacturer had manipulated the engine software to have a dual operating system and those cars had no SCR system yet.

Keep in mind the regulations in North America way more stringent than Europe where NOX reduction and treatment way more lenient towards the Diesel engines. All modern diesels have from 2015 on an SCR system which uses a particulate filter to a ammonia based (urea) liquid injection into the exhaust stream to reduce NOX to a very low level at the tailpipe emission.

This is quiet an elaborate system with various sensors to detect unburned oxygen to NOX sensor and temperature and pressure sensors to all work together, to cut and reduce tail pipe emissions to a very very low level.

The scandal broke out when a small independent firm tried to prove the fact that small diesel engines are clean from a well known German car manufacturer. Their diesel cars being sold in America had a program in its computer, that could detect when they were being tested, changing the performance accordingly to improve results.

During normal driving condition, the vehicles dual operating system enhanced the engine performance, which raised the emissions to a high level of NOX content. NOX reacting with sunlight could create an irritant, especially critical in a hot climate like California for instance.

Most manufacturers Diesel equipped cars meets or exceeds the government mandated stringent emission standards. In this case the whole dual system was a deliberate act on behalf of the largest German car manufacturer whom build their reputation on the fiction of having build clean Diesels.

Their deception hurt the entire car industry which will have to prove it to the world they can be trusted when it comes to building efficient clean Diesel powered automobiles.

There are some lessons to be learned from this fiasco. Draw your own conclusions and enjoy the ride.

AdBlue Diesel Cleansing Agent

Our services

BMW Alignment

Hoffmann (German) Computerized 3D Alignment Machine

You can’t do a proper alignment on a state of the art automobile without a state of the art alignment machine. Our choice in equipment is the Hoffman 3D imaging alignment machine.

Hoffman 3D Alignment Machine

We have just invested in a new German ( Hoffmann) top of the line scissor lift and the best alignment machine with the dual auto tracking camera system equipped wheel aligner.

Worth to note: As you can see on the photos the Hoffman 3D imaging alignment machine clamps on the tire not on the rim, preventing any rim or paint damage on the rim.

Also we balance our customer’s wheels on a Hoffman laser wheel balancer. This German made wheel balancer measures the wheel and tire with a laser beam, and calculates the weights needed for a smooth ride.

Our Hoffman laser wheel balancer also detects any rim and tire damage, if there is any.

More info on Hoffmann 3D computerized alignment machine & German import cars alignment diagnostic, repairs, adjustment. Continue reading…

2016 BMW 750Li xDrive

While the BMW M3 that steals the limelight in the new Mission Impossible film, we should say few words about the the new BMW’s new 7-Series.

2016 BMW 750Li xDrive

BMW’s new 7-Series has finally landed, bringing with it more space than ever, loads of technology and powerful yet frugal engines.

The car will arrive to North America very soon, as a 2016 model, initially in 740i and 750i xDrive variants and with the long-wheelbase body style only.

This is the sixth generation of the luxury icon, and while it may look a lot like its predecessor there’s an impressive number of innovations that have taken place under the skin. At its core is a new modular platform codenamed the 35up. This platform will form the basis of most of BMW’s models going forward and includes carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) in its construction.

The 7-series new platform contains some major changes. What BMW is calling its “Carbon Core”, it is a mix of carbon-reinforced plastic, aluminum, and high-strength steel.

It also allows for a number of other technological advances including electrified drive-trains. Than beneath the conservative BMW exterior, there are some major changes.

2016 BMW 750Li xDrive

An impressive new thing is, the driver standing outside the vehicle while the new 7-series parks itself. Unfortunately this feature will not be available in Canada at this time, instead, we’ll have to be satisfied with the parking-assist system. This system can maneuver into any parking spaces.

The search for pioneering innovations is the driving force for the BMW engineers. BMW’s new 7-Series comes with functions such as BMW Gesture Control, BMW Laser head light or the above mentioned Remote Control Parking.

These features set further future orientated standards in the BMW 7 Series. In addition, with BMW Touch Command, a tablet for controlling key functions has been integrated into a BMW vehicle for the first time.

BMW has said that all its core model lines will offer a plug-in hybrid, and so it will be for the 7-series too. A diesel 7-series also a possibility at some point. A new plug-in will carry the hybrid banner.

BMW with water injection system

In car or motor racing series they don’t pick up the safety car by random or based on their color. The car that sets the speed at the front of the racers, the safety car, provided by the sponsor. For example in Formula one it is a Mercedes, in MotoGp it is a BMW.

In fact it is BMW’s M division who provide safety car for MotoGP since 1999.

MotoGp Safety Car

There are few things on the above safety car that we never see on factory produced BMW before. For example the matte black color, the upgraded aero kit, the re-designed sporty interior and emergency equipment.

And there is one thing, that we never heard before, that thing is under the hood. This BMW M4 coupe comes with a new injection system. This system instead of injecting only gasoline into the combustion chamber it also injects water too. Water is not combustible except in this case, it will reduce the combustion temperature to be able to increase the boost pressure safely without self igniting the mixture. Water vapor always present in the combustion process (HC – fuel when burns with O2 some the spent gases will be H2O).

Basically what the system does, is spray highly pressurized water into the combustion chamber at the right time. This cools down the combustion chamber, reducing combustion temperature as well as engine knock. This is especially effective on turbocharged engines, as the high boost pressure creates higher combustion temperatures, creating knock and robbing the engine of potential performance and efficiency. Water Injection can increase efficiency by 3-8 percent in every day driving.

BMW M Power with Water Injection System

Water is stored in a 5 liter tank, from here goes to a filter system and then into the HIGH PRESSURE WATER INJECTION PUMP, where it mixes with the fuel. A sensor monitors engine speed and temperature to determine the correct amount of water for current engine conditions.

At high rpm the fuel will be sprayed direct into the combustion chamber with 30 percent water added, sprayed in the same space into the combustion chamber, this will allow the mixture to be cooled dramatically before the spark ignites the mixture and repeat the same at the next combustion cycle.

There are many more technical details which may be confusing at times, the details are available upon request.

The question is do we need to worry about to have enough water on board to have the system perform at it’s best? BMW claims that owners should very rarely check or maintain the water level in the water injection system.

The system will use the most water under acceleration under heavy load only, so for normal driving it should be sufficient for most drivers. Our understanding is, the condense water will be also collected to replenish the system from the air conditioning system as well.

This technology is alredy being tested on the road. BMW produced a prototype 1 Series Hatchback with the B38 three-cylinder engine with this technology.

We heard the next generation M3 and M4 will have this technology implemented as a performance enhancement on the Motorsport engines .

BMW repair in Mississauga

IMSA Tudor race from Mosport Canada at July. 12. 2015

The IMSA Tudor race from Mosport Canada at July. 15. 2015. The The BMW “dream team” with all their drivers.

The gentleman in white shirt who talks to the RCMP Mountie officer in the car is the part owner of the Mosport Park Canada. He is one of Canada’s most famous race car driver Mr Ron Fellows.

The other gentlemen member of the BMW Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Team form US. Ohio,

They manage their Z4 race cars, under BMW. The team’s short name is: BMW Team RLL. They finished second and fourth.
The Risi Ferrari team has been racing too. Perhaps their Ferrari has been the best sounding race car on the entire track, but unfortunately the Ferrari could not pass the Porsche RSR and or the BMW Z4 race cars. Maybe at next time.

It has been a great race.

Click on the thumbnail to view larger image.

Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada 2015

This year, 2015, the first year of the new deal that insures Formula 1 presentation in Montreal until 2024, under the name: FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DU CANADA.

A second popular grandstand added in the order to satisfy a larger than expected demand from fans. Formula 1 is more popular in Canada than ever been before.

Please take a look at the next few photos.

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