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

German Combustion Engines

The internal combustion engines of German descent are designed differently.

Every country designs their vehicles for their own population or driving characteristics. Let me explain please.

The Germans are very good drivers for multiple reasons.

Reason #1: Driving in Germany is a privilege not a right. To get the privilege you have to get your driver license after finishing a grueling graduated licensing program, it’s a skill you build over years, not in a few hours like in here. Since they are highly educated about driving they’re allowed to drive fast on the autobahn naturally.

The direct relation to fast driving German cars has great brakes, you must have great brakes to bring a vehicle to a stop when you’re doing 200 plus kph. The chassis has to be made stiff and strong.

Reason #2; A loose chassis will kind of wadle at high speed no matter what. Additionally in case you crash at high speed you will have a much better chance to survive the crash, dead people do not buy cars .

The third asset is that if you drive fast especially in a standard transmission equipped car you’re more connected to the machine than an automatic transmission equipped vehicle. The additional benefit is their engines are built to survive the high speed driving therefore they’re built for the purpose.

German Cars’ Drive Ability Issues in North America

When these German Import Cars are shipped over to North America they develop multiple drive ability issues due to our vastly different driving habits. For instance in a manual gearbox equipped vehicle you the driver pick the shift points, so it’s up to you when you pick the next gear. On an automatic transmission equipped vehicle the computer decides to select the next gear.

Cars in North America are forced by the government regulatory agencies like EPA and CAFE standards will prevail to choose the most economical gear possible. Therefore selecting the highest gear at the lowest speed to have the best average fuel economy.

German cars are modified to north American driving standards with automatic transmission.

When you drive those cars as they are modified to North American standards inadvertently, you will end up with multiple engine issues.

German Engine with dirty cappuccino look like motor oil inside. Click on the thumbnail to view bigger image.

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We see a lot of engine issues due to ultra short distance driving. It causes blow by condense water build up in the oil sump, diluting the motor oil with water and fuel. Therefore the cappuccino-like slur will cause premature engine wear, especially at the bottom end of the engine and the cylinder head.

The only cure is to drive your German car as originally intended, spirited if possible, mostly in sport mode if automatic and at least 30 to 40 minutes after starting to elevate the oil temperature. So the engine gets self clean and will perform well for many years to come.

Good Quality 100% Synthetic German Motor Oils

Plus good quality motor oil, preferable 100% synthetic, timely oil changes and good quality oil filter help to extend the lifespan of any German car‘s engine.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Changes to Modern Car Engines. Motor Oils Standard

Synthetic Motor Oil

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Mercedes Benz S450 4matic Differential Repair

Well maintained Mercedes Benz S450 4matic destroyed it’s own differential. The silly lifetime fill of any gearbox, differential and transfer cases has its consequences.

Please let me explain. You can see in the photo down below, a completely destroyed front differential on a well maintained Mercedes Benz S450 4matic. The differential literally locked up and cracked the differential assembly in 3 places.

Mercedes Benz Differential Repair

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According to the client while driving the front wheels locked up momentarily. I assume that was the point when the case cracked from the gears locked up and the vehicle’s momentum made it get to that point. This vehicle destroyed it’s own differential because of a minor axle seal leak, which if caught in time could be resolved with some effort.

Please keep one thing in mind: The front differential is a sealed unit with a lifetime fill supposedly. This would be just fine until all the gear oil leaked out and the gears ate themselves. Unfortunately this differential is so tucked away, the manufacturer deleted the fill and drain plug entirely. This could be still overcome by removing one axle shaft and sucking the oil out and refilling it from the same way, just saying. We find a lot of similar issues with transfer cases as well.

Late model BMW

For instance, late model BMW has no drain hole for the transfer case assembly nor the differentials. Therefore it takes some extra effort to suck the old tired fluid out and refill them the same way, but there is a will there’s a way.

Let’s face it, there is no fluid and no lubricant meant to last forever. Do yourself a favor and get your vehicle serviced every one hundred thousand kilometers at least, so it can last for decades without developing a lack of lubrication related problems.

Remember, we are European Import Car Specialist at Techmax Auto Inc. We fix BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Mini, and have the expertise to fix yours too.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

BMW 535 GT Repair | BMW 535 GT Maintenance

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BMW N20 Engine Repair

2013 BMW X3 with the popular, but troublesome BMW N20 engine.

Well maintained BMW X3 with BMW N20 Engine

Received this well maintained BMW X3 with a no start condition. We were told, it was diagnosed at a Toronto dealership as “may” need a timing chain, and they opted to replace the timing chain tensioner assembly.

We tried to start it after being towed in, we did not succeed, the car did not start. Got the owner permission to remove the valve cover, and oh boy the poor thing lost 80% of it’s timing chain guide. Therefore the timing chain jumped timing naturally, the computer was seeing the timing way out of specified position, and did not allow the engine to fire up. It cranked but did not start.

BMW N20 Engine Timing Chain Failure

Unfortunately we had to confirm a total timing chain failure. Honestly I’m not surprised for one moment as the car odometer had 229860 kms in it, it’s lasted much longer than average.

Timing Chain Replacement on BMW’s N20 Engine

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BMW’s N20 Engine Common Problem

When all said and done, she run like a charm albeit had a low boost fault. Its BMW’s N20 engine common problem. After some further testing we found a turbocharger error. The turbocharger wastegate was severely worn out.

The vehicle owner wanted this car to drive for a few more years, so we got a good quality used turbocharger to keep the costs down.

BMW N20 Engine’s Turbo Charger Replacement

We replaced the turbocharger at the same time updated the pressure feed line with the newer revised version, to ensure proper operation and turbo longevity.

We reset the adaptations and than road tested it multiple times. She is back in business and runs really well, “purring like a kitten”.

Any questions, how may we help? Call us with your question.
Telephone: 905.795.0419

The Famous N20 Engine Timing Chain Issue

BMW N20 engine failure

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BMW 535 GT Repair | BMW 535 GT Maintenance

BMW repair many occasions requires an inside knowledge and decades of experience. Knowing what are the weak spots of the BMW, comes whit knowledge and experience, hence we can prevent an expensive breakdown in the near future.

BMW 535-GT Front Propeller Shaft Failure

Here is a perfect example of a 535-GT front propeller shaft failure which is a typical issue on most BMW with accumulated kilometers on it.

This particular vehicle is maintained by its owner, we only see this vehicle when it’s broken. In this case not performing a preventative maintenance, cost almost an engine replacement, as the seized propeller shaft finally let go and punched a gigantic hole into the oil pan.

When We Service BMW 535 We Remove This Shafts

When we service BMW 535s we remove this shafts on the regular basis to check the U joint condition. In fact we even have replacement universal joint in house to repair this shafts as some of them cost some silly money from the manufacturer.

On this BMW we had a hard time to source a proper exact replacement oil pan and ditto for the front propeller shaft.

The owner got lucky, he managed to shut the engine down in a hurry, which saved his N55 engine. He said when the shaft broke he killed the engine instantly.

Either way we would not know if there is or has been any internal engine damage to the crankshaft or the bottom end bearings.

We had to come up with some clever solutions to test the engine, to be able to confirm the engine did survive the ordeal. Therefore we cleaned the broken oil pan with a de-greaser. Let it dry and remove any oily residue, applied windshield glue to the open area around the hole and glued a heavy plastic sheet over on it, and let it cure overnight .

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BMW N55 Engine Repair

Next day we removed the oil filter and filled up the channel with fresh motor oil quickly. When the engine had proper amount of oil in, we started her up instantly.

The engine run properly without any noise or sign of excessive wear. At this point we knew we can proceed with the proper repair and resurrect this vehicle to it’s former glory.

BMW N55 Engine Connecting Rod Bearings Replacement

Needless to say we will remove and replace the bottom end connecting rod bearings with new performance bearings, just in case. Additionally the new performance bearings are superior design made with improved materials compared to the genuine bearings design.

It just makes perfect sense to replace them while we have the bottom end open. It’s a simple procedure at this occasion.

Any questions, how may we help? Call us with your question.
Telephone: 905.795.0419

Why does my car’s engine burn oil?

BMW or Mercedes Maintenance During COVID.

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BMW Hybrid Repair – Hybrid Maintenance

In case you are wondering, do we repair and maintain BMW hybrids? The simple answer is absolutely yes.

BMW i3s with REX and a BMW i8

Personally I’m a big fan of hybrids as they provide a quick and very efficient transportation, in most cases without the inconvenience of range anxiety. Actually I’m driving (when I’m not riding my bicycle) a hybrid BMW for 7 years plus. Therefore I have first hand experience about BMW hybrids.

I own and drive a BMW i3s with REX and a BMW i8. I love both cars, but they’re built for 2 different purpose.

The BMW i3 is a city car, quick agile and traditionally rear wheel drive, hence you still have the BMW driving dynamics with the weight all at the bottom of the car. It’s like a little go kart if you will.

The BMW i8 is a purpose built performance hybrid to give you an astonishing light agile performance hybrid with the gas mileage of a Prius.

BMW Hybrid Repair | Software Update

We repaired few BMW i8 early 2014’s versions recently. As they accumulate the kilometers over the years, they require some maintenance and repairs. There can be some pattern problems, like the thin aluminum water pipe cracked beside the battery pack, where the owner was quoted some astronomical repair cost elsewhere.

BMW i8 Hybrid Repair

BMW Hybrid Replacement Parts

The replacement parts were back ordered for months, therefore we decided to repair the defective component, instead of replacing it with a new one. We got the pipe repaired, weld and reinforced at a very reasonable cost. More like into the hundreds versus the thousands as it was quoted prior to us.

We also had an A/C compressor replaced on a BMW i8 recently due to noisy compressor. That particular i8 had the entire system flushed out and cleaned and new A/C condenser with dryer installed to ensure reliability for many years to come.

BMW Hybrid Air Conditioning Service

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The pictures are from the i8 ac compressor and condenser replacement. The dark stuff that leaking out is the metal soup from the worn/ broken compressor assembly.

Did you know the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 both use the electronically operated and controlled air conditioning system to aid in the temperature management of the lithium ion battery pack? For that reason the the air conditioning system should be serviced every 3 to 4 years to ensure there is plenty of refrigerant within the system as it carries the lubricant within the refrigerant. It’s absolutely detrimental to have it serviced or it will cause a premature compressor failure due to lack of lubrication within the closed circuit.

BMW Hybrid Software Update

We look after other BMW hybrids as well like a recent E machine replacement on a 2018 530E which was unfortunately out of warranty due to driven distance. In this case we used the factory BMW ISTA diagnostic equipment and software for proper diagnostics with timely software update, re-flash if required, as per the manufacturers recommendations for the best possible results.

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

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Environmentally Friendly Brake Pads

For BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Mini.

Today we live in sensitive times, environmentally sensitive times. Therefore we have numerous areas of the modern car and its components gone through multiple environmental revisions.

Car Tires and Brake Pads Are Going Through a Complete Change.

Two major changes come to mind: tires and brake pads are going through a complete change for a more environmentally friendly revisions. The framework for the copper and heavy metal free (more environmentally friendly) brake pads initiative has been laid down many years ago. In particular 2021 January was an important deadline for the brake pads’ friction material revisions.

Read the related document here. Your web browser going to open the document in a new tab. You need to close that tab to return to this page.

Please note, this is a voluntary agreement by all the major manufacturers but they all signed up and agreed to a binding process initiated by the state of California and Washington. Lately I started monitoring the brake pads environmentally friendly initiative by each respective manufacturer.

We do install a lot of brakes and have been interested in how manufacturers of cars and or the aftermarket brands take charge in this important matter. I mentioned at above, originally it started in California and Washington state, but has been more or less voluntary in Canada.

Aftermarket Break Parts for BMW, Mercedes, Porsche and Mini.

To my surprise the aftermarket break parts manufacturers has been taking the lead so far. We’ll see how it goes later, as I collect more data and keep an eye on the progress.

Please check the next photos out: 1st picture is BMW brake pad with a leaf symbol on. On the second photo is Textar brake pad from Germany, it has 3 leaf symbols on. The 3 is a Brembo Italian brake pad with 2 leaf symbol on. The 4-th brake pad is for Mercedes Benz with only a single leaf symbol on.

Environmentally Friendly Tire Technology – ECO Friendly Green Tires

Additionally the tire manufacturers are also taking charge in making more environmentally friendly tires, by using a blend of raw materials from more natural derivatives like dandelions, by Continental Tire. Orange peel by Yokohama Tire, Guayule by Bridgestone tire, and walnut shell in Toyo tires. It’s quite interesting as these companies are taking the lead to provide a more sustainable product for the better.

I compiled a few interesting links for you if you’re interested in the subject , please enjoy.

https://www.yokohama.com.au/site-resources/news/2018/08/27/00/58/orange-oil-technology-gives-tyres-powerful-performance
https://www.michelin.com/en/press-releases/in-2050-michelin-tires-will-be-100-sustainable/
https://www.bridgestone.com/technology_innovation/natural_rubber/guayule/
https://www.tirebuyer.com/education/eco-friendly-tire-technology-old

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Telephone: 905.795.0419

Winter Tire Replacement

Brake Sets for BMW, Porsche, Mercedes and Mini.

Brake Maintenance – BRAKE Fluid Flush

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Motor Work On BMW

The right tool for the right job. Correct? This sentence apply for motor work on BMW Merced, Porsche, and on MINI to.

Motor work on BMW, Porsche, Audi, Mini.

Having the right tool for the right job is essential in most cases. No shiny toolbox will ever fix any BMW if doesn’t have the right tools within.

The another day we had a persistent tank ventilation system leak on a newly acquired 2011 BMW 3 series. First we had the vent test pump failed and the fault kept returning. After pumping a lot of smoke into the system we found someone hammered on the tightening ring onto the fuel pump assembly.

Unfortunately there was a chunk of the pump housing missing so we had to replace the pump assembly with a new ring and secured it with the proper tool.

Work on BMW 3 Series

Check out the next photos for details.
The first picture is a BMW 3 series fuel sending unit with a missing piece from the housing.

Second picture is the proper tool, that we used during the engine repair on this BMW. The new ring sitting on the tool.

The 3rd photos show the old rusty locking ring.

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BMW X5 N55 Engine Repair

Today, one of our clients BMW with an N55 engine required a special repair. We had to fabricate a special tool to extract the seized, severely corroded fuel injector from the cylinder head.

In this case, the factory injector puller is not adequate to make the injectors budge from their hole. This is a common issue on BMW X5 trucks with the N55 engine. In this case I had to solve the issue by fabricating a custom puller to extract the fused injectors from the cylinder head, without the removal of the cylinder head assembly.

Needless to say we were successful to resolve the issue at hand, and we saved a lot of time and $$$$ for our client.

Custom Made BMW Injector Puller

On the photo is our custom made BMW injector puller, attached to a injector, next to a already extracted BMW’s injector.

The above 2 examples are just a glance of the actual times we need to use our extensive list of specialty tools during motor work on BMW, MINI, Mercedes or Porsche. At times we need to fabricate one to come around complicated problems.

Any questions, how may we help? Call us with your question.
Telephone: 905.795.0419

My car’s engine burns a lot of oil

Engine Work on Porsche Carrera

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BMW repair at home. Should you do it yourself?

The ultimate question is, should you attempt to repair your own BMW? BMW is particularly popular with the young owners modifying them actively.

With the help of YouTube, people think they can tackle literally anything on their beloved car. So why bother taking it to a professional mechanic, right?

Repair your BMW at home. Should you try?

We had recently two actually 3 BMW when their respective owners tried to repair, fix with terrible results.

Owner #1: Young gentleman replaced his BMW’s suspension with fashionable lowering kit. While doing so he decided to replace the corroded steel brake lines and the old flex-lines with braided “race” ready version.

The suspension replacement went relatively well, only the suspension angles and alignment was messed up. But YouTube brake line replacement went absolutely terrible, in fact more like terrifying.

BMW Brake Calipers Mounted to the Wrong Side.

Routing it thru control arms and moving components deleting the flex lines permanently to top it off he managed to mount the rear calipers upside down so they will never bleed the air from the system.

BMW Brake calipers are mounted to the wrong side, upside down, so they will never allow to bleed off the air within the hydraulic system. Brake lines are criss crossing and dangling against the fuel filter on the same BMW.

The question is what will leak first fuel or brake fluid? Flexible brake hose cut off and remnants are left in the mounting secure bracket on the same BMW.

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I’m not here to judge anyone’s job or competence, except this car came in with non existent rear brakes, brake fluid was dripping constantly on the floor. It begs the question: Why would you endanger your life and the life of others getting into a repair which is way beyond your knowledge and or qualifications?!

Oil Change on a Late Model BMW at Home. Was it Worth it?

The second owner performed an oil change on his own late model BMW. Doing the process he removed the top of the air box, while doing so he accidentally left the paper rag in the lower part of the air box.

After the restart the engine lost power. He had it towed to us and we did all the regular system test and kept having low boost and no boost faults from the computer. Naturally we checked wastegate operation and every aspect of related components. Finally we decided on to see the turbocharger impeller face, with our fiber optic camera system .

Long behold we found a paper rag being sucked in by the turbocharger blocking the impeller entirely. Than we had the job to trying to extract the wrapped up paper rag and try to not to damage the fragile turbocharger impeller in the process.

Suffice to say, we managed to do it, but while the rag has been extracted we still had some paper pieces stuck between the impeller and the casing of the same. Finally we managed to remove all the bits and pieces and all is well at the end.

Culprit found, our labor on oil change is $20.00*, to resolve this issue costed him $240.00. You do the math, was it worth?

BMW Turbocharger in Action

BMW Drive-train Malfunction Message on the Dashboard.

The 3rd owner had a drive-train malfunction message on his BMW dashboard when the vehicle was driven in a spirited manner. Owner diagnosed it with his hand held OBD 2 scanner. After the scanning, he decided to replace the low pressure pump, but the problem still reoccurred. Than he decided to replace the high pressure fuel pump as well.

Needless to say the problem still persisted and the amount of money he spent is ludicrous to say at least . All was really required is a proper factory level diagnostics to pin the problem down. Which actually was only a faulty high pressure sensor, reporting wrong data to the engine computer.

While the owner was busy replacing the high pressure fuel pump, he managed to crack the fuel line to the pump, therefore it had to be replaced to. The repair took additional hours, and considerable effort, as it was the low pressure line feeding the high pressure pump, and pretty much wrapped around the engine.

Please note, on BMW, the high pressure pump’s fuel lines must be torqued to the manufacturers specifications or may cause a split flare or a fuel leak onto the hot exhaust system.

Clients try to repair their own BMW.

This is ultimately world wide problem, created by YouTube. Clients try to repair their own BMW without the necessary knowledge base. Doing so at the end they risk their own life and the life of others, which is wrong in so many ways, is a understatement.

Would you allow someone to perform “brain surgery” without any qualifications, on yourself or your loved ones? You wouldn’t. Right?

So why is that people think they can just go in tackle anything on their own without any training or knowledge and see how it will turn out to be only by watching YouTube? This is just wrong so many ways .

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Oil change on BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and Mini. Oil, Lube & Filter Service

Proper Maintenance of European Cars

Ester Core full synthetic motor oils from Motul.

* Our labor on a simple oil change presently on a BMW is $20.00, plus materials (oil, oil filter, air filter cabin filter and what ever else needed to be replaced). This price is a subject to change at anytime with out any given notice!

BMW Rear Defroster on Permanently

People are saying, the right tool for the right job. Its apply for BMW repair to. Correct?!

Late Model 435 GC BMW’s Battery is Flat Dead

One of our customer ran into a problem. His late model 435 GC BMW’s battery is flat dead. The car has been towed in.

The owner said it goes totally dead in a very short period of time. The car’s battery was 6 years old, it saw better times. Winter is comming and a 6 years old battery is old, this one is shorted and toasted. We replaced it.

A 6 Years Old Battery is a Old Battery

With new battery quickly check for excessive current draw. Tony found 15 amps steady draw at all the time, locked or not. When the ignition key is pulled out, it should go to sleep. But not so this one. Apparently something is draining the battery.

Preliminary checks done, no immediate clue which module cause the problem. Which one is acting out from the 50 or so onboard? Which one is staying on and “cooking” the battery in the process?

Failed Module. Which one?

Here comes the right tool that I mentioned in the first sentence. Here comes Flir out to see what the human eye cannot see, which is thermal image.

Flir Thermal Imaging Read More on Our Facebook

Long behold the rear defroster staying on permanently. Bingo, the module is staying on for good, she is locked on permanently as you can see on the above Flir image, it’s very colorful from the heat emanating from the current flowing thru it.

Thermal Imaging To Diagnose BMW’s Electrical Problem

Case closed temporary, we disabled the rear defroster until new module arrives. Client is happy, issue has been resolved, his BMW back on the road.

It is heard of: If the rear defroster on all the time, it can do more then kill the battery. If a defective defrosters heats the rear windshield all the time, it might explode, because the cold and hot combination. So it worth to keep your eye on it…

You can do several things if something like this happens with you, the first one, give us a call, and we will do the rest.

Call us for details: Telephone: 905.795.0419

Battery Maintenance

Midtronics GR8-1200 Electrical System Tester

Proper Maintenance of European Cars

Maintenance is #1 to any machine. Proper maintenance to modern cars is absolutely essential.

Essential Maintenance

Performing the essential maintenance with the right fluids designed for the vehicle is an absolute must.

Naturally we do have a plethora of pictures of vehicles where the wrong fluids were used or maintenance was performed late. The damage is caused by it, could get really expensive to correct.

Here is a partially encrusted AMG engine with too late oil changes and wrong oil has been used to top up the oil level. It will have dire consequences in the long term.

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Engine Oils & Manufacturer’s Recommendations

Let me explain please: If you use an oil in your car other than that specifically recommended by the manufacturer you will cause major damage to very expensive components in your car’s engine.

Today’s engines are designed and engineered with a specific way hence their manufacturer engine specific approvals, which may or may not similar to the oils being sold at retail stores.

The old viscosity and API approvals are long gone. Most manufacturers are very strict in their own special (concoction) a special chemical composition which is by itself is literally a science.

All this effort is being put into the goal to reduce friction, pumping losses and minimize engine wear on today’s super efficient but fragile engines.

On a high performance, AMG engine, one improper oil change can result in thousands of dollars worth of damage.

The other picture is a Mini Cooper S with a major and massive cooling system failure. Wrong fluid used to top the cooling system up, which caused a complete cooling system failure. The entire cooling system needed to be repaired. It took considerable effort to minimize the damage. The water pipe and water pump essentially removed. All the hoses to be cleaned and flushed multiple times.

Modern high tech European cars are designed with very vehicle specific lubricants. Fluids with an exact chemical composition are essential to have your fine car last and perform as intended.

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Ester Core full synthetic motor oils from Motul.

BMW & Mercedes Benz Preventative Maintenance

Information and the key features of our services and programs. Type of service that we offer, specializing on fine European cars .

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