Avalon Motorsports announces great financing options for our German automobile service clients in Denver…

Through the years we have been asked many times about financing options for the services we perform on your Audi, BMW, Porsche, Volkswagen and MINI. To date we have had nothing to offer, but we are very excited to announce a new financing option that will provide you with your own Avalon Motorsports credit card.

Because we are one of Denver’s only Bosch Service Centers, we are able to offer this incredible payment option when other shops can’t.

But wait, it gets better. You can expect an approval answer in about 60 seconds, and once approved you’ll be eligible for 6 months interest free financing if balances are paid in full within that time frame.

Benefits of this great financing include:

Competitive APR
No annual fee or prepayment penalty
Generous credit limits
6 month deferred interest terms on purchases of $249 or more
Credit decisions within 30-60 seconds
Financial confidentiality
Immediate purchasing power upon approval

This is just one of the ways Avalon Motorsports offers you more with your German automobile service experience. Please contact us at 303-400-3001 for more information or to book your appointment with Denver’s Audi, BMW, Porsche, VW and MINI repair experts today!

Avalon Motorsports – Denver’s GREEN German auto repair shop!

Did you know that Avalon Motorsports is going green? We are excited to do our part to help promote a cleaner environment and preserve natural supply.

Here are a few of the things that we do to be an environmentally conscious Audi, BMW, Porsche, VW and MINI repair facility.

- We recycle paper, glass, metal and plastic. So much so that our recycle bins fill up about twice as fast as our garbage bins.
- The waste oil we receive is burned in waste oil heaters, rather than having to be processed again at a refinery or elsewhere.
- We use motor oil out of 55 gal drums and reusable containers rather than quart or gallon plastic containers.
- We use windshield washer fluid from a 55 gallon container and use reusable containers rather than 1 gallon plastic containers.
- We use programmable thermostats in the shop to conserve electricity over nights and weekends.
- On many nice weather days the heater and air conditioners are turned off in the shop and doors are opened to save energy.
- By partnering with Xcel energy, our facility has been audited to ensure the most efficient lighting is installed
- All interior lights at Avalon are shut off every night to save energy.
- Technicians use cloth towels that are laundered rather than paper towels or disposable shop towels.

Avalon Motorsports will continue to make efforts to be an environmentally conscious business for all of us in Denver, Colorado and across our globe.

Avalon Motorsports and Audi Club Rocky Mountain partner to bring you Driver’s 101: Your guide to vehicle systems and safety

Driver’s 101: Your Guide to Vehicle Systems and Safety

A special Technical Session brought to you by:

“What do I do if the check engine light is flashing?”
“Should I keep driving if my steering wheel starts to shake?”
“Where is my coolant reservoir?”

Have you ever needed to know the answer to these questions?

Don’t wait until you’re stranded on the side of the road or facing a very expensive repair bill to realize that you could have prevented this headache.

WHO: Men, women and teenagers who desire a better overall understanding of their vehicle and how to safely operate it are invited. Increase your driving confidence in a comfortable and non-invasive learning environment. There is no age limit and you do not need to own an Audi.

WHEN: Saturday, April 28^th. The event will begin at 11:00am and concludes at 2:30pm. A free sandwich lunch and beverages will be provided for each attendee.

WHERE: Avalon Motorsports service facility at 6950 E. Colfax Ave in Denver.

WHAT: A FREE event brought to you by Avalon Motorsports and Audi Club North America – Rocky Mountain Chapter. This Technical Session will give you and your loved ones a more complete understanding of the major systems on your vehicle while promoting proper vehicle safety. Attendees will visit three training stations, each featuring detailed instruction by Avalon Motorsports’ factory-trained technicians. You’ll also receive a brochure covering the training that you can keep in your car and refer to if necessary.

The systems included are:

Drivetrain, wheels & tires and brakes
Engine mechanical and fluid maintenance
Interior safety and dashboard warnings

Please RSVP at info@avalonmotorsports.com before April 18^th to reserve your spot!

Avalon Motorsports’ expert Audi technicians introduce Oil Catch Can kit for Audi FSI engines…

Avalon Motorsports discussed previously in our blog post regarding excessive carbon build up on Audi and VW FSI engines. We wanted to follow up with a solution that our factory trained Audi technicians believe will drastically reduce carbon deposits after the thorough cleaning is performed.

Introducing the Audi FSI Oil Catch Can kit. The carbon deposits on Audi engines are caused by crankcase oil and oil vapors being redirected through the cylinder head back into the combustion chamber to be burned up. That is done on most modern vehicles today, however with a Direct-Injection engine (fuel injector sprays directly into the combustion chamber) there is now fuel entering past the intake valve instead of before it. The fuel normally cleans the valves and keeps carbon from building up. So, the idea of the catch can is that it traps the oil and oil vapors from the crankcase ventilation system so they never get to the intake valve, therefore minimizing the risk of deposits on the intake valves as well as inside the intake manifold. It is recommended that a thorough cleaning be performed in conjunction with the catch can installation because the kit itself will not remove carbon deposits but rather helps prevent further buildup.

Avalon Motorsports is your Denver authority in expert Audi service and repair. Call or email to set an appointment today and let our factory trained specialists perform a thorough carbon cleaning and catch can installation on your Audi RS4, A4, S4, S5, R8 or other FSI engine. 303-400-3001.

Avalon Motorsports bolsters Denver’s first-class Porsche service and repair shop by adding Porsche Master technician…

There is no replacement for factory training when you repair fine German vehicles and Avalon Motorsports knows what it takes to achieve excellence!

Our technicians are so specialized that they will spend nearly half of their lives servicing and learning how to master Audi, BMW and VW automobiles. This requires training from the factory and years of dealership experience which translates to the most thorough understanding of how your car works and what it needs to perform at its best. Avalon Motorsports recently hired a Porsche Master technician to bolster our strong auto repair presence in Denver and give you the service you deserve.

When you spend top-dollar on your Porsche, you want an expert working on it. Avalon Motorsports possesses all of the necessary diagnostic equipment and parts knowledge that enables us to fix your Porsche right the first time, saving you money and time. Call Denver’s Porsche specialists today and let us know how we can help you maintain your Porsche to the highest standards!

Avalon Motorsports in Denver discusses how brakes work on your Audi, BMW, VW or Porsche….

There are many advantages to upgrading your brake system, but most people would be surprised by what they don’t know about how the brake system works. Proper brake system maintenance on your German vehicle is vital, so Avalon Motorsports would like to help you better understand how it works.

Let’s go over some of the components of the brake system and then next time we’ll discuss ways to improve your braking:

Brake pads – these are made with a dense, hard material (typically semi-metallic) molded to a thin metal backing plate and their purpose is to clamp down on the rotor when the brake pedal is applied. There are at least two pads per caliper (per wheel).

Brake rotor – a circular shaped disc that is bolted to the wheel hub. The rotors spin as the axle spins and when the brake pedal is applied, they are slowed down by the clamping force of the brake pads on both sides of the rotor.

Brake caliper – this component is a large arc-shaped part that holds the brake pads in place. When the brake pedal is applied, the pressure in the brake fluid system forces pistons to press the brake pads against the rotors.

Brake line – these hoses, typically made of rubber, attach to the caliper and feed brake fluid to it. Once the brake pedal is pressed, fluid travels through the lines, into the caliper, forcing the pistons inside the caliper to extend and put pressure to the pads against the rotors.

Brake fluid – this is a special hydraulic fluid that is designed to tolerate very high temperatures. Brake fluid is present throughout the system between the brake pedal and the brake pads. When it gets very hot, water content in the fluid will vaporize and decrease the ability to slow down or stop when pressing the pedal, sometimes even while pressing firmly. Changing the brake fluid every 2 years is recommended to avoid excess water content and brake pedal fade.

Brake master cylinder – a hydraulic cylinder that transfers the pedal pressure to hydraulic pressure in the brake system. This component relays your foot’s input on the brake pedal to the caliper pistons, ensuring the desired stopping power is achieved.

Here is a diagram that will visually aid in understanding what each component looks like:

Squealing and grinding noises as well as shaking or shuddering while braking can indicate problems with your brakes. Contact Avalon Motorsports to have our factory trained Audi, BMW, Porsche and VW technicians perform a thorough brake inspection and feel confident that your brakes are performing their best!

Porsche to open ‘Experience Center’ in Western U.S. ….

First Report – Motortrend.com 11/18/11

Driving in Los Angeles isn’t exactly enjoyable — but driving near the busy L.A. streets may become a lot more tolerable in the next couple of years. Porsche plans on opening a new West Coast Experience Center near the junction of Interstates 405 and 110, incorporating an extensive test track.

This exclusive idea — although not the first of its kind — allows for Porsche enthusiasts to put the automaker’s newest production vehicles to the physical test. Based in Carson, CA, it will be one of only five in the world, and one of two in North America (a similar facility is being developed near Atlanta, GA). It makes sense on paper because Southern California is one of Porsche’s largest markets, and while the proposed site is incredibly visible, it also stands near two major traffic highways and is only minutes away from a major international airport. Perhaps we can hope for a high-altitude Porsche Experience Center, near Avalon Motorsports, in the years to come.

Highlighting the proposed 53-acre facility is undoubtedly the lengthy test track. Deemed a “safe, exhilarating environment for experiencing the pleasure of being in the driver’s seat,” the course seemingly offers everything a driver could want. A road course is a naturally an unwritten requirement, but the play land will also include a giant skid pad, special surfaces that replicate wet or frozen roads, and an off-road portion for Cayenne SUVs to demonstrate their encompassing talents. The grounds will be open to anyone enrolled in driving courses, but Porsche hints it will likely allow corporate clients, car clubs, and other groups to rent the facility.

The PEC is more than just a giant test track, however. Other amenities include a showroom, gift shop, café, and conference rooms. Interestingly, the PEC will also serve as home to Porsche’s Human Performance Center, a sports lab catering to dialing in the performance of human, not machine. Similar programs around the globe provide training not only for race drivers, but for endurance athletes as well.

Porsche hasn’t indicated exactly when its latest Experience Center will open its doors, but because groundbreaking is scheduled summer 2012, you can expect a grand opening sometime in 2013.

Avalon Motorsports is your first-class option for Porsche service and repair in Denver, CO. Let our factory-trained Porsche technicians and our friendly staff help you achieve your maintenance needs and performance dreams!

Avalon Motorsports are Denver, Colorado’s MINI service and repair experts!

When you think of MINI, perhaps you think Austin Powers and The Italian Job. Or maybe you picture Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson banging his head on the roof and ranting during his MINI test drive. Whatever memory they conjure up, we believe they’re cool [little] cars and Avalon Motorsports is proud to be Denver’s MINI service and repair experts.

The Mini was Britain’s rendition of the Volkswagen Beetle; originally designed in 1959 by Sir Alec Issigonis to be an economical, space-saving alternative in the British marketplace. Upon being heavily influenced by his friend John Cooper (owner of the Cooper Car Company), Issigonis reluctantly contemplated producing a more performance oriented vehicle. After several appeals by Cooper, the two collaborated in 1961 to create the Mini Cooper – a nimble and inexpensive car with the potential to fair well in rally competition.

The progression of the Cooper included the transition from the Mark I to the Mark II, then to the Clubman and the Mark III. Within these was a series of variations including an estate car, a pick-up truck, a van and the Mini Moke—a jeep-like buggy. Other models would follow, however the Mini Cooper “S” models earned acclaim as sportier versions that were successful as rally cars, ultimately winning the Monte Carlo Rally four times from 1964 through to 1967.

In 1994, BMW took control of the Rover Group, which included Mini, under Bernd Pischetsrieder who a first cousin once removed of Issigonis. By mid-year 2000, Rover was struggling to stay afloat and BMW decided to dispose of most of the company’s fleet. Months later, MG and Rover went to Phoenix, a new British consortium; and Land Rover was sold to Ford Motor Company. BMW retained the Mini name and the planned to launch MINI (also known as BMW MINI or ‘the new Mini’), granting Rover temporary rights to the brand and allowing it to manufacture and sell the run-out model of the old Mini.

Avalon Motorsports features BMW and MINI master technicians, ensuring you receive the most thorough care available in the Denver-Metro area. Whether you require an oil service, diagnosis, maintenance, repair, tires, alignment or any other service on your MINI, Avalon Motorsports is here to help!

Avalon Motorsports voted Denver’s Best German auto repair facility!

Well, don’t seem so surprised – what would you expect from a first class Audi, VW, BMW and Porsche service facility with the finest factory trained technicians and and industry leading parts and labor warranty?

Getting our Ichiban on [#1 in Japan for the lay folk] is our deal; it’s just what we do here. That means making a constant push to provide industry defying benefits for our clients and we’re glad it does not go unnoticed.

Denver’s Channel 7 (ABC) puts on a contest every year to recognize the best the city has to offer, and this year Avalon Motorsports was nominated best auto repair. With the support of our clients, friends, local media and industry professionals we finished as the #1 German auto repair facility in Denver (2nd out of 190 shops overall).

Many thanks go out to our loyal followers for your tremendous support. It is always our goal to let our technical work and client care speak louder than our accreditations!

Avalon Motorsports is your source for Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Porsche service, and performance in Denver. There is no finer choice for repair, parts, performance, tuning and friendly expertise. We look forward to giving you the best!

APR Audi 3.0TFSI engine performance software now available with EMCS switching at Avalon Motorsports…

Avalon Motorsports is pleased to announce the release of APR Audi 3.0 TFSI EMCS Program Switching.

Over the past two years, APR’s engineering teams worked intimately with the new Continental/Siemens Simos 8.4 ECU to deliver the world’s first true ECU upgrade for the 3.0 TFSI. This granted APR unrestricted access to every map, variable and function within the ECU to deliver expertly calibrated performance software as if intended by the OEM. APR recently announced another world’s first: APR’s patented 3.0 TFSI EMCS Program Switching.

APR’s Patented EMCS Program Switching adds extra functionality to the factory ECU giving users the ability to switch programs right from the driver seat without ever purchasing another piece of hardware. Using the factory cruise control stalk, APR’s EMCS offers the following features:

Program Switching:

Programs switching gives the user the ability to switch between the exact same stock calibration originally loaded on the ECU, fuel quality specific APR performance calibrations for various premium and race fuel octanes as well as a reduced output ‘Valet’ mode designed to prevent misuse of the vehicle by unauthorized individuals.

Security Lockout:

Security lockout enables the user to prevent unauthorized individuals from using any APR EMCS functionality without use of a user defined security code. When enabled, APR EMCS is completely invisible. Because no external hardware is required an extra level of security is added by preventing others from obtaining hardware devices to unlock your ECU.

Fault Code Erase:

Fault code erase offers the end user the option to clear fault codes without the need for external hardware such as a laptop computer. If a fault code is thrown while fixing an issue such as a boost leak at the track, fault code erase allows the user to quickly clear the fault code, reset limp mode, clear check engine lights and reset ECU data so the vehicle can be driven again without requiring extra hardware to erase codes.

Anti-Theft

Anti-Theft takes security of your Audi one step further by securing the vehicle in the event the keys are stolen. When enabled, Anti-Theft prevents starting of the engine until a user-defined access code is entered. If one were to leave his or her Audi at home while on vacation, enabling Anti-Theft would prevent the vehicle from being driven away even if the keys were left in the ignition.

Take a tour of the APR EMCS Program Switching features in this video:

Programs switching is now available for all B8 S4 and B8 S5 3.0 TFSI ECUs. All existing APR customers who’ve purchased APR software prior to this release are entitled to a free fully loaded ECU. A fully loaded ECU entails Program Switching, four Program modes, Fault Code Erase, Security Lockout and Anti-Theft. For all other customers here’s the pricing structure:

APR Stage 1 ECU Upgrade including one Program – $1,499

Program Two – $149
Program Three – $70
Program Four – $70
Security Lockout – $59
Fault Code Erase – $59
Anti-Theft System – $199

Please contact Avalon Motorsports to set up your Audi S4 ECU flash today!