Category: Auto repair

Minnesota winter does not wait for the first major snowfall to start damaging your car. Road crews may begin applying salt and brine before the roads look fully “wintry,” which means your vehicle’s most vulnerable components can be exposed well before the first deep freeze. For European vehicles, fall is the last practical window to…

A generic OBD-II scanner can be useful. It may tell you that your BMW or Audi has an engine-related fault, provide a basic trouble code, and help you decide whether a warning light needs immediate attention. But it rarely tells you the complete story. Modern BMW and Audi vehicles are built around dozens of interconnected…

Your BMW or Audi may start, idle, and drive every day while slowly losing the sharp response it had when it was newer. The problem may not be a failing turbocharger, worn ignition coil, or clogged fuel injector. In many direct-injection engines, the real issue is hidden inside the intake ports: carbon buildup on the…

There is nothing quite like the feeling of unbuckling your helmet after your first hot lap at Brainerd International Raceway or Dakota County Technical Center. For Porsche owners in the Twin Cities area, taking your sports car out of the daily commute and onto a closed circuit is the ultimate way to experience what German…

There’s nothing quite like the rush of a track day. Whether you’re heading up to Brainerd International Raceway for a full weekend or taking part in a local performance driving event near Minneapolis, your Audi is built to perform. But while your Quattro system is clawing for grip and your turbo is spooling at max…

Owning an exotic car in the Twin Cities is a unique experience. Between the pristine stretches of highway and the vibrant local car scene, there’s nothing quite like taking a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or McLaren out for a weekend drive through the lakes area. However, owning one of these high-performance machines comes with a set of…

If you’ve owned a European performance car for more than a few years, you’re likely familiar with the routine maintenance schedule. You get your oil changed, you keep an eye on your brake pads, and when the steering starts to pull slightly to one side or your tires show uneven wear, you head in for…

Mid-June in the Twin Cities brings a specific kind of magic. The lakes are sparkling, the patios are packed, and the open roads are finally clear of the winter salt and spring potholes. For those of us driving high-performance European machinery: whether it’s a precision-tuned BMW, a visceral Porsche, or a refined Audi: this is…

Owning a European performance car: whether it’s a precision-engineered Porsche, a high-revving BMW M-series, or a refined Audi RS: is a unique experience. There’s a level of connection to the road that few other vehicles can match. However, along with that performance comes a long list of “expert” advice, garage-talk legends, and internet myths that…

When the Minnesota summer humidity finally hits the Twin Cities, there is nothing quite like the relief of sliding into your BMW, Audi, or Porsche and feeling that immediate blast of crisp, cold air. But if you turn that dial and get nothing but a lukewarm breeze, your first instinct might be to solve the…