For those of you who don’t know, the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show took place at the end of October. While it’s not one of the hugest car shows of the year, it’s definitely still an important one. BMW had a great showing at Tokyo, though it wasn’t perhaps exactly what some BMW enthusiasts and fans were expecting. Two new models were introduced at the show, though – the Concept Z4 and the Concept 8 Series, which are awesome and are starting off on their world tour. Tokyo is a show where the main attractions are sporty cars, so BMW brought out a few of their new M series vehicles to show on the floor.

BMW also premiered the 6 Series Gran Turismo – of course, BMW was also playing to the crowd, and they believe that this vehicle will be something exciting for the Japanese market. They also showed the i8 Frozen Yellow Protonic, which is one of the more eco-friendly models.

Keep an eye out for future motor shows – the German ones should be great for BMW as they’re on home turf and it’s a time for the German manufacturer to shine in their home country.

Meanwhile, check out these photos of the vehicles mentioned in this blog!

Concept Z4

Concept 8 Series

6 Series Gran Turismo

i8 Frozen Yellow Protonic

Changing your tires sounds an awful lot like something that is not only a chore but something that takes a million years to do and that you honestly have no idea when you need to do it. But, hey! Here is a blog that takes at least the guesswork out of your tires. It’s still up to you how much you want to belabor the task… but I would say just get ‘er done!

So, the trick for tires is making sure they’re not bald. This is really easy to do if you have one tool: a common penny. Yeah, seriously, a penny. Put the penny into the tread of your tire with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tires are BALD, son!! Get them changed ASAP. If not, you’re still good. If you are still worried, though, use a quarter and do the same thing. If you can see the top of Washington’s head but you couldn’t see the top of Lincoln’s, then you’ll probably be due for a tire change sometime this year (and with winter coming up, you might as well just do it). If you can’t see the top of ol’ George’s noggin, then you’re solid.

Your tires should really be changed about every five years, so it’s important to make sure you’re keeping them in tip-top condition for those five years. Make sure they’re always properly inflated, make sure you change them out for winter tires (if that’s the kind of person you are) when the winter season comes, and just make sure you don’t endanger them by, I don’t know, running over glass or nails or whatever with them. And as always, here at Flemington BMW, we can answer any tire questions you might have, whenever you have them!

The perfect playlist is the best companion for a fall road trip. This is a concrete, legitimate fact about life. But what is that perfect playlist? Well, that is what I am here to tell you. I will give the caveat that this might not be the right playlist for everyone. It might not even be the right playlist for the people who it was originally right for because our tastes change all the time. Okay. Anyway. I am just getting distracted now. Here is the playlist! Let me know if you liked it!

Bruce Springsteen, “Born to Run”

Willie Nelson, “On the Road Again”

Prince, “Little Red Corvette”

Ray Charles, “Hit The Road Jack”

Allman Brothers Band, “Midnight Rider”

Grateful Dead, “Truckin”

Matt & Kim, “Daylight”

Tom Petty, “Runnin’ Down A Dream”

Stone Temple Pilots, “Interstate Love Song”

The Beatles, “Ticket to Ride”

Smashing Pumpkins, “1979”

Sufjan Stevens, “Chicago”

James Taylor, “Carolina In My Mind”

Albert Hammond, Jr., “101”
Cake, “The Distance”

Our October specials are here and they’re better than ever! Let us take you on a journey through these great vehicles – we’re pretty confident that at the end of this blog, you’ll be itching to get behind the wheel of at least one!

So, first, we have the 2017 BMW i3. This is BMW’s electric vehicle and boy, is it attractive. And because you can get a $7,500 BMW lease credit or a $3,000 finance credit, you can lease this vehicle for only $266 a month. That’s an amazing deal – maybe saving the environment isn’t so hard after all?

Next, we have the 2017 BMW X1 xDrive28i. It’s a mouthful, we know, but it’s a beast of a vehicle that’s ready to take you on any adventure you can imagine. Driving up a mountain? No sweat. Driving the family to the apple orchard? Easy peasy. And you can lease this vehicle for only $320 a month, so you’ve got more money in your pocket for a fresh apple pie… or three.

I hope you’re imagining that we are leading you around a showroom – because next up is the 2017 BMW 3 Series 330i xDrive, a sedan that will keep you going for as long as you need, and probably longer. You can lease it for only $357 a month, which is pretty awesome if you ask us.

The 2017 BMW X3 xDrive28i is next up, and if you’re looking for versatility in a vehicle, this is the one for you! And since you can lease it for only $397 a month, you know that you’ll be able to go and do the things you want to without worrying about if you can afford it or not.

We have so many more specials available on our website – check them out online, or come down to Flemington BMW and take one or two for a spin! With our prices and vehicles, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t drive one home today.

*All specials expire on 10/31/2017. See our specials page for details.

5 things I love about my new 2017 BMW X1 xDRIVE28i

Hi, folks! I just got back from Flemington BMW and I bought myself a nice little 2017 BMW X1 xDrive28i (yes, it’s a mouthful, I know) and I am OBSESSED. This car has everything!! It’s big enough to fit everything that I need to bring along with me, including the dog if I want, and it has so many features that make it super luxurious. It’s a big step up from what I used to drive, let me tell you!! And since the tent event is starting this weekend, why not get one for yourself? I highly recommend. Here are my top 10 things that I love about my new car. You will totally love them too!!

1. The key. Sure, this sounds lame and regular, but listen – the key on this vehicle remembers not only how to let me into the car, but it remembers my climate control settings, where my seat was, how loud the radio was…. And more. Yeah. It’s amazing.

2. The iDrive system. I can literally talk to my car!! It’s way easier for me to look at the screen for my navigation and my music and, like, everything else. Cars are getting smarter and I love it!!!! I also have the heads-up display which projects information directly onto my windshield and makes me feel like I am driving a spaceship.

3. The drive. I can go anywhere, in any type of weather, and my BMW will get through it like a champ. Of course, I haven’t had it for very long but it was raining on the way back, and I was like, “this is amazing!”

4. The pure space. There is so much room for activities!! I can put everything I own in this car, probably. There is storage not only in the trunk, but under the seats and with the huge amount of general… space. I don’t know how to say it better. This car is roomy as heck.

5. How it fits my life. I didn’t know this was what I needed, but now that I have it I know it is. With kids and a dog and a lot of stuff and a lot of places to go, this vehicle is literally such a blessing. We can just as easily drive to the mountains in the winter as we could drive to the beach or even just around town. And with all the features, I don’t need to worry about everything working or even how to get there, because the car will just… tell me. Remember how I said it was like a spaceship earlier? I meant it. Get one!!!!

We all know that summer is, like, the ideal road trip time. At least, according to movies and TV, it is… but did you know that fall is also pretty dang awesome for taking road trips? Think about it – changing leaves, blankets in the back seat, stopping in small towns and smelling the smoke from wood stoves and looking at the fall foliage… pretty awesome. So, we’ve put together a list of the essential items that you’ll need in your vehicle for any road trip that you take this season!

This stuff is what you should have in your car at all times as an emergency kit – a good idea is to get a small bag to store these things in and keep it in your trunk or in with your spare tire.

• Flashlight, roadside signal flares or reflective cones/warning signs

• First aid kit.

• Booster cables, vice grips, 3/8ths drive socket set, set of combination wrenches, crescent wrench, multiple tip screwdriver.

• A gallon jug of water.

• Extra washer fluid, oil, transmission oil, brake fluid

• Rags, workshop towels, old blanket.

• Gloves

• Spare belts (alternator, fan and air conditioner belts)

• Candle, warm clothes, heavy blanket (for winter travel)

• Nonperishable food and drinking water

Next are the things you should have for your road trip! Whether you’re taking a simple day trip or a weeklong excursion to visit places you’ve never been (may we suggest taking a trip to visit some National Parks or National Historic Sites?) you should make sure to have at least some of these items with you, because they’ll probably come in handy and probably prove to be lifesavers!

• Blankets and pillows

• Music

• Folding chairs

• Portable table

• Reading material

• Duct tape and WD40

• Camera

• Cash for toll roads

• GPS

• Binoculars

• Wet wipes

• Puzzle books and quiet toys for kids.

• Disposable cameras for the kids.

• Pen, pencil, notepad

• Tissues, toilet tissue, paper towel

• Small bags for garbage

• Maps and directions

• Bird identification book.

Before you go on your trip, make sure that your vehicle is tuned up and ready to handle whatever the trip throws at you. Check your oil and fluids, and if you need a hand or want a professional opinion, come visit us at Flemington BMW! Not only can we help tune up the vehicle you have, but if you’re looking for a new ride that’ll take you anywhere you want to go – well, we can help with that too! Happy trails!

Have you been in the market for a new BMW vehicle? Have you always kind of wanted a BMW but could never really fit buying one into your budget? Now is the time to act! At Flemington BMW, from now until December 31st you can get 1% APR financing on all loaner and executive demo vehicles. That’s kind of a crazy awesome deal. These vehicles, while they might not be brand-spankin’ new, are in amazing condition and are the top of the line when it comes to certified pre-owned BMW’s.

If you’ve ever had a vehicle loaned to you by your dealership while your car’s been being serviced, you’ll know what a service loaner is. That car isn’t driven much and you don’t really have the time to do anything in it because your service is taken care of so efficiently – right? Well, that’s what you’ll get if you choose to purchase a certified pre-owned service loaner vehicle from Flemington BMW! Seriously, these vehicles are a great deal, and even though they’ve been driven a little bit, they’re still top quality. Check out our video about this sales event and then stop into Flemington BMW to check out the vehicles we have on the lot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WLGgYZEu4M

When you find yourself on the road and feeling frustrated, what do you do? If you don’t know the answer to this question, this blog is for you. Defensive driving is an incredibly important part of being a safe driver, which means not only keeping yourself safe, but keeping other drivers safe! Even if you’re angry or annoyed, or if other drivers on the road are driving aggressively, you should still try to set an example and drive the best you can, no matter what.

Road rage is a serious issue that can escalate into super dangerous driving very quickly, so one of the most important things to do is to make sure that you are calm, collected, and know what you’re doing, even in the event that someone else on the road loses their cool. Here are some tips on how to stay in control of yourself and your vehicle!

1. Be safe! Try to avoid driving aggressively, and pay attention to the road and the other vehicles around you. Make sure there’s space between you and the cars around you. Make sure your doors are locked and everyone is wearing a seatbelt.

2. Pay attention! Always look in your mirrors before going anywhere on the road, and keep checking them as you drive and merge lanes. If there’s another aggressive driver on the road, keep an eye on them and try to avoid getting near them if possible. Also keep an eye out for pedestrians, animals, and anything else that can be near the road.

3. Don’t assume everyone else is driving defensively. You should try to be safe without assuming other people on the road will keep you safe. Be ready for anything to happen!

4. Obey the speed limit! If there’s no other traffic on the road, that is. Make sure you’re not speeding, even when it’s just you on an empty road. You never know what could pop out unexpectedly from a driveway or side road. When there’s other traffic around, i.e. on the highway, you should keep up with the flow of traffic so that you don’t cause an incident, but also make sure you’re not speeding or going too slowly.

5. Don’t drive distracted. If you know that music distracts you while you’re driving, then don’t listen to music when driving. This goes for other distractions like texting, phone calls, and even your passengers. You should never text while driving – it’s not only a distraction, but it is illegal in most US states and is incredibly dangerous. Phone calls should be taken over Bluetooth® if your vehicle has that feature, and your passengers should be courteous to you, the driver. Driving requires your full attention at all times, so staying focused is imperative.

We hope these tips have helped! Driving is important and difficult, but it should also be fun! Stay safe on the roads so that you can enjoy driving for many more years, especially in a vehicle you love.

Fall is pretty much here, and with the changing seasons come changing leaves! What better activity is there to do with your family than take a day trip around to peep the leaves? Not only do you get to spend time with your family, but you can eat cider donuts, look at the leaves, smell the crisp air… and of course, enjoy the ride in your awesome BMW! Here are some of the best spots for leaf peeping in New England.

Vermont! Smuggler’s Notch is my personal favorite place to visit. From the great hiking you can find there, to the twisty road clinging to the side of the mountain, the place is fun regularly, but because of the huge amount of deciduous forest, it really comes to life in the fall. The leaves are spectacular, so you won’t be alone on the road, but there’s nothing better than stepping out of the car and smelling the fall air. You can head up to the Ben and Jerry’s factory in Waterbury as well, and there’ll be leaves galore on the way. Stowe is also a wonderful place with great foliage hikes and other fun adventures for your family!

If you’re looking to get away for a weekend, New Hampshire has some amazing historic towns that light up with the changing seasons. North Conway, at the foot of the White Mountains, is both cute and historic and is a wonderful place to spend a day, sipping a hot drink and looking at the leaves. Franconia Notch State Park is a great place to check out as well – just remember boots and a jacket!

Western Massachusetts has that certain je ne sais quoi that comes with small artsy villages and a rural feel. The leaves are spectacular in September and October, and with no shortage of museums and cute towns to check out, you’ll have not just a day but a whole weekend’s worth of things to do and see and explore. Check out Mass MoCa in North Adams – it’s an amazing contemporary art museum that’s a great juxtaposition between the classic image of leaves in New England and avant-garde pieces of art.

These are just some of the best places to check out the leaves – day trips can be awesome times spent with your family, but of course romantic weekend getaways with your sweetheart are never a bad idea, especially with the cold weather coming in, who doesn’t want to curl up in front of the fireplace of a cute New England inn with the person you love? No matter what your plans are this fall, Flemington BMW has the perfect vehicle to take you where you want to go in style.

Blind spots are a real pain in the patella – seriously! Most vehicles have ‘em and when we’ve got ‘em we hate ‘em. I need to stop saying “‘em” so we’ll stick with the more formal “them” for the duration of this blog. So, when you have these blind spots, it might seem like an almost impossible task to get rid of them, or even just ameliorate the situation you’re in. You know, where you’re driving along and a car comes up to you out of NOWHERE just when you have prepared to merge into the next lane over, and then you end up swerving and looking like a fool and feeling like an incredible danger to those on the road. Situations like that. And that’s why I am here! To guide you through understanding and overcoming your blind spots. The great thing about this is that the process involves almost no emotional soul-searching, so you can do all of this very easily from the comfort of your own home!

Now down to brass tacks. Or, the wire. I am not very good at metaphors. To business! The first thing you can do that will pretty much completely eliminate your blind spots is to get two small convex mirrors for your side mirrors. You can find these pretty much everywhere, and they are cheap, and you just take them and stick them on to your mirrors and there you go! No more blind spots, at least in the back. Some cars have blind spots in the front, and the only remedy for those is to peer around them.

You can also get a wide-view rearview mirror clip on thing, which is reasonably useful, but there are several ways to adjust your mirrors to get rid of blind spots. They seem uncomfortable at first, but they really do work! Here’s how:

1. Adjust the rear-view mirror so that it best covers your view straight out the rear window.

2. Set your side mirrors out fifteen degrees on either side.

3. Lean your head over to the center of the car and adjust the right side mirror so that you can barely see the side of your car from this position.

4. Lean your head over to the left so that it is even with the window and adjust the mirror so that you can barely see the sides of your car from this position.

5. You now have full coverage of everything behind and to the side.

If you don’t want to spend any money at all on small mirrors, this is your best bet!

Good luck on the blind spots. Remember that you should always look in your mirrors and behind you; even if you think you’ve eliminated all your blind spots, you can never be too safe on the road!