MINI’s motto of “Let’s motor” is being adapted to “Let’s remodel” at MINI of Escondido which will soon get a major facelift that includes several interior enhancements as well.

Work begins in early June on a complete remodel of the dealership, including a new exterior and additional framework, all new interior colors, furnishings and kiosks in the 12,000-squarefoot showroom and completely revamped service bays with the latest high tech equipment to service an ever-growing list of customers.

When the remodel is completed in October, MINI’s parts and Parts and Service Center on Hale Avenue where those departments currently share space with the BMW of Escondido store.

“It’ll be great to have MINI sales, service and parts under one roof,” said Tim Brecht, who along with his brother, Tom, own and operate the MINI and BMW stores in the Escondido Auto Park. The remodel also will help accommodate the growing number of MINI models and cars that are expected, Tim said.

“Tom and I have had a special passion for the MINI brand; that’s why we became the first MINI dealer in San Diego County nine years ago,” he said.

The MINI dealership will remain open during the remodeling

At first glance, getting more out of a car’s performance and preserving the environment may seem to be conflicting goals. However, BMW has been unique in successfully linking “green” and “power” together to become the global leader in sustainable innovation.

For the past six years, the Dow Jones Sustainable Index has ranked BMW as the “world’s most sustainable automobile manufacturer” and the only auto maker to have been listed in the index since it was established in 1999. The index takes into account the total environmental and social impacts of a company’s products and operations. It shows BMW to be above the automobile industry average in every category it rates, including operational eco-efficiency, climate and carbon strategies as well as the environmental requirements BMW imposes on its suppliers.

For BMW, sustainable innovation has resulted in reduced emissions, better fuel economy and alternative vehicle concepts, collectively referred to as EfficientDynamics.

One or more EfficientDynamics technologies are included in every BMW model that is available at BMW of Escondido. For example, BMW’s Advanced Diesel engine, available in the X5 xDrive35d SAV and 335d sedan models, has a 99 percent lower emission rate and far greater fuel economy than past diesels. This environmentally friendly diesel achieves up to 33 miles per gallon while generating more torque than most V8s – without any tell-tale blue smoke. And, the inline twin-turbo diesel engine runs as quiet as any gasoline engine.

EfficientDynamics continues into the gasoline-engine BMWs with the use of lightweight materials, brake regeneration technology, BMW’s Valvetronic and high precision direct injection technologies which reduce fuel consumption and improve performance. Add to that list BMW’s 750Li and X6 ActiveHybrid models. Future plans include the high performance all-electric Concept 1 Series, using BMW’s ActiveE technology and a BMW Hydrogen-fueled 7 Series model.

Today, there are more than 20 BMW models with highway mileage ratings of 25 miles per gallon or higher, including all 1, 3, and 5 Series cars and the Z4 roadster.

BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology reduces fuel consumption and emissions without affecting driving pleasure to give drivers “the best of both worlds.

“The technology’s tagline ‘Less Emissions, More Driving Pleasure’ says it all,” said Tim Brecht, co-owner and general manager of BMW of Escondido.

“BMW has long been branded as the “ultimate driving machine,” noted co-owner Tom Brecht. “Now, it can be rightly said that BMW is the ‘ultimate green machine,’ thanks to the company’s commitment to sustainable innovation at all levels, not just in the cars themselves.” Check out the eco-friendly BMWs today at BMW of Escondido and find out for yourself how being environmentally responsible has never been more exhilarating.

BMW was the “ultimate cruising machine” during the first two “Cruisin’ Grand” events in early April, thanks to the BMW of Escondido sales team members who took them to the popular Friday night attraction. During “Cruisin’ Grand,” downtown Escondido’s Grand Avenue and side streets become the venue for scores of old and fairly old cars of all makes and vintages, attracting several thousand car fans and others each Friday night from April through September.

The Escondido Auto Park Association, which BMW of Escondido belongs to, is a Title Sponsor this year and the BMW dealership was the first among the park’s 14 dealers to exhibit its cars.

BMW of Escondido’s racing arm, Brecht Motorsports, races a fleet of vintage BMWs and a MINI Cooper in club circuit races all over the country.

Don and Teri Lee Heine were driving BMWs long before they joined the dealership more than 25 years ago. Don, a sales manager, and Teri Lee, the business office manager, explain how, when and why.

How many BMWs have you owned or leased?
Teri: I have owned nine BMWs (and a MINI Clubman) over the years. I currently drive a 2011 328i coupe with the M Sport Package.
Don: This is my 11th BMW. I now drive a 2011 335d (turbocharged diesel sedan.)

What was your first BMW?
Teri: A 1983 320i which my parents bought me while in high school.
Don: A 1969 1602 sedan.

What makes BMWs different?
Teri: The “feel,” craftsmanship, materials, design and overall quality. When I am in my BMW, it’s the journey, not the destination.
Don: The way they drive. There’s no truer tagline than “The Ultimate Driving Machine.”

What has been your favorite BMW?
Teri: An X5. It was such a solid, quality, comfortable, spacious, road-hugging, and family-hauling vehicle.
Don: That’s a close one. It’s between a1997 M3 coupe and a 2008 M3 sedan.

Do you typically buy or lease?
Teri: l generally lease because of how BMWs hold their value and because it keeps my payments in a reasonable range.
Don: Lease. I like to change cars often. It makes financial sense, too.

 

What are reasons you tell people to drive a BMW? And why BMW of Escondido?
Teri: Life’s too short; you’re worth it. We provide outstanding and friendly service.
Don: Three reasons: The drive, the drive, and, the drive. And, there’s no better value when it comes to performance and ownership. BMW of Escondido knows how to make your dream of owning a BMW come true.

Tom and Tim Brecht take BMW’s passion and performance to raceways throughout the country through their Brecht Motorsports racing arm. The six-car racing fleet includes two 2005 MINI Cooper S sedans that compete in Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) National races; three BMW 2002 TransAm sedans and a 1960 Classic MINI Cooper S that campaign in vintage car races sponsored by the Vintage Auto Racing Association, the Historic Motor Sports Association, Historic Sportscar Racing, and other club competitions. For more details and Brecht’s racing schedule, visit www.brechtmotorsports.com.

Meet Our Certified Pre-Owned BMWs

BMW of Escondido
1557 Auto Park Way • Escondido, CA 92029
Sales: 760.745.3000

MINI of Escondido
1555 Auto Park Way • Escondido, CA 92029
Sales: 760.520.3000

Monday - Friday: 8:30 am - 9 pm
Saturday: 9 am - 7 pm
Sunday: 10 am - 6 pm

Parts and Service Center
330 S. Hale Ave. • Escondido, CA 92029
760.291.2894

Brecht Collision Center
240 S. Andreasen Dr. • Escondido, CA 92029 760.739.1029
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm
Saturday - Sunday: Closed