When you think about Volvo, what are the first words that come to mind? You might think safe, mundane, or maybe even dull. But what if I said that's completely wrong—that Volvos can be...
If BMWs weren’t the first thing you thought of when you heard “drift car,” we wouldn’t blame you. However, we have a whole lot to show you to change your mind. Drifters are constantly on the edge of control and chaos while sliding around at considerable speeds in competition. Professional...
Turbochargers have been in use for a lot longer than many seem to realize. Lockheed’s P-38 Lightning used two turbocharged Allison V12s to power it along back in the 1940s. By the 1970s, turbocharging had become a big focus around race tracks after the Porsche 917/10 and 917/30, utilizing two...
Direct ignition coils are a common failure item in a vehicle's ignition system. How do you truly know if your vehicle's misfire is due to ignition coils? An engine misfire can be so many things. Ignition, electrical, mechanical, the list goes on and on. Gareth Foley, our BMW Catalog Manager,shows...
ZF and their transmissions, both automatic and manual, have always been a favorite of European automakers. Their most recent longitudinal automatic transmission offering, the 8HP, continues their success with one of the most talked-about automatic gearboxes in an era full of CVTs and DCTs. From...
As we approach the summer months, air conditioner use becomes a daily ritual; discovering that the A/C functions intermittently could be devastating. When an air conditioner begins to fail, the most common thought is that the A/C needs a refrigerant recharge. However, low refrigerant is not the...
Automatic transmissions are fickle beasts which can be astronomically expensive if not maintained. Throw in the fact that it's a BMW, and the need for regular maintenance becomes quite clear. Unfortunately, a fluid and filter change is not as easy as it used to be. When parts are replaced in a...
Is your cooling fan running at full speed constantly? This is a prevalent fault on Mercedes-Benz W204, W207, and W212 models. Typically, this is a "no code fault," meaning that the check engine light isn't illuminated and there are no codes stored in the ECU. On these models, this is often the...
There is an often-repeated opinion that “real” performance cars are equipped with three pedals and a transmission that requires the driver to handle the shifting. It’s debatable whether this is the case since the ubiquitous spread of direct-shift gearboxes such as Volkswagen’s excellent DSG...
The front-wheel-drive layout is best when looked at in terms of efficiency. Compared to rear or all-wheel-drive vehicles, they use fewer parts, save more space, use less fuel, and offer safety advantages when in the hands of overzealous drivers. Treacherous conditions also favor a FWD vehicle...
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