Protect Your BMW’s Finish

by: Matthew C. Keegan

You just paid a cool $73,000 for your fashionably new BMW and are cruising down the boulevard enjoying the ride. You zig and zag your way around the slow movers, marveling over the responsive steering and handling engineered into your 750i. As you pull into your driveway, park your sedan, and exit your vehicle, you turn around and your eyes feast upon its stunning Kalahari beige metallic finish. Quite frankly it is the most attractive looking vehicle you have ever owned. Unfortunately, many new BMW owners fail to provide the one level of protection that can keep your car????????s expensive finish from permanently losing its luster. What is that? Read on and I will tell you about a product that simply must be part of every luxury car owner????????s inventory.

If you haven????????t guessed it yet, what I am talking about is a custom fitted car cover for your bimmer. Yes, even if you garage your 750i or other fine vehicle, time and the elements will certainly attack your car????????s finish. Sure, you can do regular washes and waxes, but the inevitable will happen: something, somewhere will damage the finish. Besides, do you want to spend every weekend polishing your car? I doubt that!

No, you can????????t drive with a car cover on, but you can certainly have a car cover on hand to keep your parked car safe. Yes, there are enough things out there that can harm an expensive finish, even damaging it to the point where only an expensive repair can remedy the insult. The following are some of the hazards just waiting to happen:

1. Bird excrement ???????? You don????????t need to be parked under a tree for your car to get hit; a single drive-by bombing by a winged creature can do your finish in.

2. Weather ???????? Rain, snow, ice, and especially hail can damage a car in mere moments.

3. Trees ???????? A small branch can scratch any finish.

4. Sun ???????? Harmful solar rays are bad for your skin and your car????????s skin too.

5. Pollution ???????? There is no place on earth that is pollution free. Acid rain and airborne driven particles just love a new car????????s finish.

6. Kids ???????? Try keeping your neighbor????????s kids away from the car. You may succeed, but hit balls can make a beeline for your wheels. Some car covers even offer protection against minor impacts.

All right, so you are cleverly thinking that your garaged vehicle is immune to such petty insults, right? Well, in one word you are incorrect. Indoor air pollution and dust can take its toll on your car????????s finish as can small impacts from anything that falls off of a wall and onto your car.

The solution? Select a car cover that is right for your vehicle. Even if you keep your car garaged most of the time, the best car cover on the market can protect your bimmer from moisture, the sun, dirt, pollution, and small impacts. Choose one that is custom made for your car with side mirror pockets built in and four layers of quick drying polypropylene material to provide the ultimate level of protection. You don????????t want something so thin that it doesn????????t provide all around protection ???????? you just never know when you will have to have your car outside for an extended period of time ???????? and you don????????t want a car cover that entombs your BMW either. Instead, select one that works with your bimmer, not against it.

Best of all, premium car covers can be had for under $200, a worthy investment for any car luxury or not. So, enjoy your new 750i, but give yourself some peace of mind by selecting a car cover that can protect its finish and keep it looking great for many years.

About The Author
Copyright 2006 — Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering automotive topics from car care to new models. You can protect your BMW????????s exterior with a premium car cover and keep it running great for many years by only choosing genuine BMW OEM Parts and accessories: http://www.alloembmwparts.com

Written by admin on April 24th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Articles.

Introducing the Dodge Caliber!

by: Matthew C. Keegan

The auto world is abuzz over a new car just recently released. The Dodge Caliber, a five door hatchback replacement for the popular Neon, has finally hit North American showrooms. The wait has been long especially since the last Neons were built for the 2005 model year. Still, judging by the press hoopla and by what the car has to offer, the pause certainly has been well worth it. Introducing, the 2007 Dodge Caliber!

Part of the buzz surrounding any new car introduction is all the speculation that comes with it. Pictures are released, performance information and specifications supplied, and in some cases the pending model hits the auto show circuit first to fuel additional interest. All of these points have rung true for the Caliber as the pre-release build up was percolating for a number of months. On a personal note, I was able to see a Caliber at a recent car show but I couldn????????t get near it as there were too many people gawking ahead of me — such was the interest in the new model. Nevertheless, there are some things about the Caliber worthy of a mention:

Rakish good looks ???????? Dodge????????s now famous crosshairs grille is the first thing you notice about the Caliber. Take a walk around the car and you will see that some of the same styling cues found in the Magnum were included with the Caliber.

Maximum driveability ???????? Prior to the Caliber, to find an all wheel drive version of a car of this size meant that only a Subaru could deliver on that promise. Parent DaimlerChrysler, anticipating that the car would be a world seller, had the presence of mind to offer front wheel drive as standard with all wheel drive as an option.

New powerplants ???????? For the first time, a new Chrysler product is available with three different engines. All gasoline powered, the engines range in size from a 1.8L fuel efficient model to a sporty 2.4L engine. No diesels are offered for the North American market just yet, but European Calibers will have that option as they hit the market later this year.

Modern sensibilities ???????? The complaint of many new car owners today is that some models are not keeping up with changing times. However, the Caliber adroitly satisfies those issues: a chilled storage bin is available inside of the glove box handy for holding cold drinks and the interior has been designed to have proper capacity for laptops, cell phones, and MP3 players. Additional ???????cubbies??????? as the Dodge sales material calls them, are found throughout the car.

Like the Neon, the Caliber has also been designed to hold five adults. Beyond that, there is absolutely nothing in common between the two models, exactly what DaimlerChrysler had in mind.

Prices for base models are competitive with Toyota????????s Corolla, but fully loaded all wheel drive versions will market in the same price range as a Camry or a Honda Accord. Therein rests a problem that DaimlerChrysler will have to quickly remedy: offer a second cheaper priced entry level model to bring in young buyers. Fortunately, the latest Dodge Buzz has talk of a Mexican built Scion fighter showing up within the next three years.

Yes, the Caliber certainly is a departure from the Neon, a welcome one at that. Should unit sales match all of the hype, then DaimlerChrysler will truly have a winner on its hands. Here????????s betting the good money on the Caliber!

About The Author
Copyright 2006 — Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering new models as well as the classics. For Canada????????s best wholesale supplier of auto parts and accessories, Matt encourages you to visit Auto Parts Canada for the widest inventory and the lowest prices: http://www.autopartsonlinecanada.com

Written by admin on April 24th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Reviews.