Abbotsford Auto Repair

For a long time, MINI existed – and existed well – with only two-door models in their stable. But recently they made a splash with the Countryman, a four-door wagon that has transformed the MINI brand, and added a perfect family option to the model list. The Countryman carries the beloved and well known styling that the MINI line has always had, but expands it into a larger and more rugged form; this transformation works well, as the Countryman looks every bit as stylish as its younger brethren. But what separates the Countryman from the traditional Hardtop, Coupe, Convertible, and Roadster? Here’s everything you need to know about the newest model on MINI’s assembly line. The Basics The Countryman comes in four trims, so that buyers can find the absolutely perfect vehicle for them. There’s the base Countryman Cooper model, which comes with 90 kW of power, gets 11.9 city and 14.9 highway km/L, and has a starting price of $22,750 USD. Then ... read more

It’s been well over a decade since MINI first debuted, and took the automotive world by storm. And while MINI started with only one body – a hardtop two-door hatchback – they slowly evolved, and introduced myriad variations of their popular base model. In the years since MINI’s introduction, a coupe, convertible, and roadster have all been introduced, which set the table for MINI’s first four-door iteration, the rugged (yet handsome) Countryman. The result is that drivers who desire a MINI now have a lot of options. Of course, those options go far beyond how many doors are on the vehicle; there’s a lot to love about each unique MINI. But let’s take a look at MINI’s two best-selling vehicles, one big (the Countryman), and one small (the traditional Hardtop), to help you find the best MINI for you. The Hardtop The Hardtop was wildly popular when MINI first started producing vehicles, and it’s still wildly popular now, for good reason: with stu ... read more

The MINI, with its stylish exterior and precise German engineering, can make steal the scene and drives like a dream. All this with an affordable bottom line makes the MINI an accessible option for all drivers. If you’re the owner of one already or looking to buy here’s some helpful hints on keeping your ride in good condition. With regular maintenance, depending on your driving, the MINI is designed to be long lasting. While there are many measures you can take yourself to keep your MINI road ready, regularly tune-ups are an integral part of any preventative care plan. They should be scheduled at set intervals with specialty mechanics that have the proper training, knowledge, and skills to give your MINI the attention it needs. In Abbotsford, BC, Collins Automotive has a set of professionals prepared to deal with any problems or your car may encounter and even prevent them before they happen. Change the Fluids MINI’s som ... read more

The MINI has been called an automotive icon of the 1960s so many times that it has eventually become cliché. Ironically, the aforementioned title is actually too modest. The vehicle’s adoption of the front-wheel-drive layout became revolutionary, and it would become the standard drivetrain in the automotive industry. It has been manufactured uninterrupted for six decades. And the only car The New York Times named as more influential in the 20th century is the Ford Model T. Birthed during an energy crisis, the MINI has since flourished as one of the most popular cars in modern times. THE BEGINNING It all began in Britain, which was reeling from the Suez Crisis of 1956. Britain was in a diplomatic and military confrontation with Egypt, which decided to nationalize the Suez Canal. As this waterway was a major conduit for shipping oil, Britain was hit by the shortage and rising cost of fuel. This created a longing for less reliance on the relatively ... read more

Mercedes-Benz sales in Canada make it one of the leading and popular luxury car lines in the country.Desrosiers Canadian Automotive Reports for June, 2014 showed that Mercedes-Benz sales ranked 11th for the month at 3,556 units, representing a 6 percent increase over last year’s results. Year-to-date, Mercedes-Benz ranks 9th overall at 36,944 units sold, just behind luxury car Infiniti at 51,011 sold to date but ahead of Audi at 36,299 units sold year-to-date for the 6 months ending June 30, 2014. Canadians have many different models from which to choose from, based on their budget and model preference. You have the ability to choose between sedans, coupes, SUVs and wagons, as well as convertibles and roadsters. The company even has a selection hybrids and electric car models for those who are e ... read more

For German automaker and vehicle industry stalwart Mercedes-Benz, making supercars isn’t new. For decades its AMG division has produced vehicles characterized by powerful engines, sport-like performance, and aerodynamic styling. However, with its latest attempt—the Mercedes-AMG GT—Mercedes will attempt to make a more accessible and affordable supercar. BACKGROUND Formerly an independent engineering and manufacturing firm, AMG—an acronym derived from the founder’s surnames (Aufrecht and Melcher) and Aufrecht’s hometown of Großaspach—was founded in 1967. Then known as AMG Engine Production and Development, Ltd., the company began to build a reputation for modifying Mercedes vehicles like the 190E and 300E four-door sedans. Mercedes-Benz was so pleased with the work that it signed a contract of cooperation with AMG in 1993, allowing the latter to customize some of the most popular vehicles in the automaker’s line-up. They included the compact C-Class, the mid-size E-C ... read more

Mercedes-Benz has been in the business of making cars since the turn of the last century. A division of Daimler A.G., a Stuttgart, Germany based global auto maker, this maker of luxury class vehicles has also been involved in the manufacturing of non-traditional vehicles. This includes land racers that have been involved early land speed records, boats, trucks and other types of vehicles. Mercedes-Benz is more than just cars. Here is a look at the history of Mercedes-Benz and the different types of non-automotive vehicles they have produced over the years. Mercedes-Benz 2014 Canadian Sales The Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler A.G. has been a leading maker of luxury vehicles and a top selling brand in Canada. According to Desrosiers Canadian Automotive Reports for May 2014, Mercedes-Benz has sold 14,889 units in Canada yea ... read more

In the car kingdom, the three pointed star of the Mercedes-Benz is undisputedly one of the highest ranking and most sought after symbols when it comes to luxury and style. The brand Mercedes-Benz isn’t just an empty status symbol, it provides owners with the ultimate driving experience that proves all cars are not created equal. So it is even within the world of the Mercedes-Benz, that though they are all equipped with the essentials of luxury vehicles, there are some that are just a cut above the rest. Here are the models that will have you hitting the breaks and spinning right around for a second look. 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K Lets go back in time and meet the supercar of the day. The 1936 Mercedes-Benz 540K, first released at the Paris Motor Show, was tailored specifically to each individual customer and only produced on special order in a range of bodies. Its 5.4 liter inline-8 cylinder could produces speeds up to 170kph leaving the rest of the competitio ... read more

Take a stroll down the line of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and you’ll find nothing but classic luxury and high-powered performance. From the gorgeously designed exteriors to the detailed and technologically tricked out interiors, everything about a Mercedes makes you feel like you’re the master of the world–and that’s before you start driving. However amazing it feels to be behind the wheel, owners of this vehicle should know that, as with any vehicle, especially the luxury lines, there’s no getting around the necessary preventative steps and maintenance involved to keep the car driving like a dream. Routine Servicing The first and most important aspect of maintaining your Mercedes vehicle in top condition is to follow the manufacture’s service schedule. Once a year, or when you’ve reached the specified kilometer interval, bringing the vehicle into a shop specifically licensed for Mercedes care should be top priority. Driver’s in Abbotsford, BC have access to such technica ... read more

Volkswagen is the largest selling European brand in the United States. The car company, based in Wolfsburg, ower Saxony, Germany, was number three in overall global sales for 2013, following General Motors at number two and Toyota Motor Corp. at number one. The company’s year-to-date (YTD) sales between April 2014 and 2013 are down 7.7%, according to sales data reported by Desrosiers of Canada automotive reports. Recent economic losses for Volkswagen places it passenger car and light truck sales in Canada at number 10 YTD, in terms of market share. The company’s market share as of April 30, 2014 fell nearly ... read more