BMW Repair Portland
MINI Repair Portland

It’s peak frosted windshield season for us here in the Pacific Northwest and safe driving and peace of mind depend on a clear view forward. Utilizing the defrost button is usually enough to accomplish the job, but sometimes it may not be enough, particularly in colder and/or wetter conditions. Modern cars with integrated climate control, where you can set the cabin temperature at a specific setting, say 72 degrees, utilize both the heat and air conditioning as needed. This makes it easier, and faster, to clear the windshield. One of the reasons for this is the simultaneous use of the air conditioning’s drying feature. Air conditioning removes moisture from the air, as you may have noticed from that puddle of water under your parked car when using it in the summer, or from being dripped on walking under an old window unit hanging out over the sidewalk. You needn’t be concerned with the air ... read more

We are thankful, grateful and appreciative for each and every one of you, now more than ever, this year. The shared experience of “hunkering down” and “being in this together” emphasize to us that we are in a community, and that the more confined our circle gets, the more we miss each other. And when we finally see each other the flicker of recognition in our eyes, head and hearts is often delayed or subdued because one of our primary means of intra-species recognition has been reduced. However, cover we must, for the individual and common good. This, too, shall pass, and we look forward to seeing you all, in your most recognizable form, soon. Best wishes for a safe holiday season and a vastly improved (on every scale imaginable) 2021.  

October is Car Care Awareness Month and all of us at Pacific Motorsports are here, as always, to help you care for your beloved MINI or BMW. “Fall Car Care Month in October is the ideal time to give your car some extra attention before harsh winter weather sets in,” said Rich White, Executive Director, Car Care Council. “taking a little time for auto care now can help you avoid the headaches of a costly emergency breakdown later.”  The courtesy inspections we provide our clients during every service visit go a long way towards helping you prevent the kind of scenario Mr. White alluded to. At Pacific Motorsports we spot potential issues before they can become “tow truck” episodes. In an ideal world, we’d prefer to perform preventive maintenance service for you, rather than breakdown repair, as it is less costly and can be done on your schedule. Let us know what we can do for you to help ensure your peace of mind and reduce the chance(s) ... read more

I had a dream last night, or was it this morning, about people getting arrested for drunk driving after holiday parties. Yeah, it was kinda depressing. Statistics went flying by, but the one I can remember, and I seldom remember my dreams, was $10,000. Ten grand is what people have told me they’ve spent on their DUI odyssey. That’s inclusive of fines, court costs, diversion programs, attorney’s fees, etc. Ten grand is a lot of money. We all know better, we know not to drink and drive, yet people do it daily. As human beings, we have a remarkable capacity for engaging in behaviors that are against our self-interest, and this certainly qualifies as one.  Please think about it before you start drinking this year. What’s the strategy? In a world of ridesharing options, there are a few worth considering. Make a plan, because having that ignition interlock, if you get to have one while retaining your driving privileges, is going to be a big dr ... read more

The season of rain, and sometimes snow, is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest, and with it comes an increase in vehicle crashes. While we cannot control the behavior of others, we can control our own, and utilizing safe driving practices is one. Stopping distances increase on slippery surfaces, so leave more room than you might normally between your car and the one in front of you. Yes, people might (will) cut in front of you into that extra space, it happens to me all of the time. Don’t let those less-than-safe behaviors get to you, and drop back a few more feet after it happens. I’ve spent a bit of time in auto wrecking yards searching for no longer available parts for old BMWs, and with few exceptions, every BMW and MINI I’ve seen had front-end damage. In other words, their career on the road was ended because their driver drove it into something else, often another car. By allowing greater distance between your car and the on ... read more