Archive | May, 2010

20 May 2010 0 Comments

BMW 5-Series Spacious Elegance and Enjoyment

A blend of elegance and enjoyment, the 5 Series is considered by BMW as its mid-range executive offering for the last thirty years. Similarities with the smaller 3 series are obvious with the 5 series, but with a larger platform as the 7 series. It offers a spacious room for four adults, with plenty of space for luggage, a deep load space on the car’s boot, and a good access through the front and rear doors. With clever active steering and rear wheel steer option, it is endorsed as a sporting limousine.

BMW’s i-Drive technology is more sensitive and has control over different car functions including ventilation, audio system, sat-nav and the telephone. The auto gearlevel requires a little familiarization for a more efficient driving, and the main display and equipments are always above standard. It has Bluetooth mobile phone compatibility, a big screen with an optional satellite navigation and digital radio and MP3 music player connectivity.

Its cabin has never been as lush and classy. Similar to the 7 Series, it announces fit and finishing with different wood and leather trim choices. It has just the right amount of chrome to highlight the exterior, and darker fabrics and materials for the interior. Only the sporadic wind noise interrupts the cabin experience because of the reduction of engine and road noise.

Parking sensors with optional active steering function and reverse parking camera displayed on the main screen requires less effort in parking. Depicting a lush and expensive environment due to its cabin and outer design, the 5 Series competes with luxury content and its core values may be tuned to one’s preference. The diesel motors and lower CO2 ratings make the motoring less expensive but at the same time better equipped therefore adding up better value.

The 5 series has a quality alarm and immobiliser package, and a keyless entry and start feature, plus an option of a supplementary tracking device to ensure security of your posh car. It values the lives of its occupants, having a full complement of airbags to a stylish electronic traction and a stability package. All this safety options can help owner save money and get cheap car insurance.

The petrol and diesel engines, together with its executive feel has made way for the sporty driving experience for the executives. As for families, a 5 Series Gran Turismo or X5 is recommended because the 5 Series’ cabin may not be suitable for active kids. An expensive option, the 5 Series is very much recommended for those without budget constraints. Compare car insurance rates for BMW and insure your car before you leave the highway.

19 May 2010 0 Comments

Understanding Car Dealer Terms

When you are on the lookout for a car to purchase, whether you are looking for a new car or a used one, terms such as auto cars used new automotive dealerships dealers and many more will be the terms you see almost every time. These terms, along with several other specific terms directly related to the purchase, must be understood properly in order for you to complete the process seamlessly and swiftly. In this article, we are going to discuss several important terms you need to understand regarding car purchase.

The first term you should get yourself familiar with is cost of ownership. Many dealers advertise their cars, and their prices, based on the basic price of the car. Although this can give you a clear picture of just how much you need to spend to get the car, it is not the actual cost of purchasing the car. Instead of using the basic price of the car, you should always ask for the calculations to be done using total cost of ownership. Cost of ownership includes administrative costs and other possible charges and fees that might occur with the purchase. When buying used cars, total cost of ownership also includes possible repair costs. This way, you will be able to spot just how much money you need to spend to take the car home.

Another important term to understand is rebate. When you buy electronics, the rebates you get are usually calculated directly to the price of purchased items; you only need to pay the amount after rebate to purchase the item. With car purchase, you will get rebates after completing the purchase; the dealer will send some money back to you once the purchase is completed. In this case, it is essentially important to double check just how long it will take for the rebate to kicks in and be returned to you. You also need to separate rebates from discounts; be sure to ask your dealer for discounts outside rebate as well when you are making your purchase.

Don’t hesitate to take your time and understand more terms to make buying a car as hassle-free as possible.

11 May 2010 0 Comments

Tracking Cars, Vans and Lorries Is The Future

There are many good points about GPS vehicle tracking, but there are also some bad points surrounding the technology. This article is being written to help you understand these good and bad points. Whether we like it or not in the future vehicles will be tracked or at least most of them will be.

Many believe that vehicle tracking will become an infringement on our civil rights and personal privacy. Others even say that it is too much control and that it is just not necessary. Other negative points which are brought up regarding vehicle tracking is the increasing reliance on yet more technology. This in its self is proven to cause its own problems.

The fact is though looking on the positive side a vehicle fitted with stolen vehicle tracking is considerably more likely to be found and returned to its owner than a car without tracking installed. This lowers insurance premiums and hassle.

Car crime costs us millions and millions of pounds every year in the UK. Police spend a considerable amount of time every year chasing after car thieves, tracking down stolen cars and organised car crime gangs. This time alone costs the tax payer a fortune. Not to mention all the other added costs associated with criminal investigations.

By making it easier for the Police to catch criminals we make the cost of the whole business much less. To add to this, insurance premiums could come down as a whole. Insurance companies have to make a profit, so if they lose so much money via insurance claims then they have to claw it back via insurance premiums. Therefore we pay indirectly for cars that are stolen. With tracking systems installed we can cut this cost down considerably and have more money in our pockets.

Security is not the only advantage to GPS tracking. Businesses who have company cars, vans and lorries often take up fleet tracking. The reasons for tracking you fleet of vehicles are varied, but mostly surround the area of saving the company money on the running costs of their fleet.

The advantages of tracking your vehicles are that you get to gain greater control over your fleet.

1. No more staff skiving off. These staff will either be caught or put an end to their lazy behaviour.
2. Fewer false over time claims. Now employees will not be able to claim for overtime when they are actually at home.
3. No more false fuel claims. You can know exactly how much fuel is used for business trips and how much is being used for personal use.
4. Monitor driving styles to see who is driving in an uneconomical manner. These problems can then be tackled when drivers have their appraisals.
5. Lower your carbon foot print.
6. If you have refrigerated trailers you can keep tabs on the temperature to make sure it does not get too warm.
7. Get alerts when your vehicle enters certain areas that are defined by you. Very useful for keeping track of where vehicles go and if they go places they should not or when they arrive at certain locations.
8. Congestion zone alerts can be setup so that if a vehicle enters the congestion zone you know about it and can pay the fees and avoid being fined. It cuts down on the reliance on drivers remembering to tell you.
9. By monitoring driving styles such as harsh breaking, harsh accelerating and repeated speeding you can increase road safety.
10. If there is a dispute involving one of your vehicles you can prove its location, speed the direction it was travelling in at any one time with historic reporting.