The Brandywine Valley- begins along the Brandywine River, in southeastern Pennsylvania, and ends at the point where the Delaware River meets Wilmington.  Take in the rolling landscape and explore an abundance of wine vineyards and local wine tasting.   The Brandywine valley is the perfect romantic week-end getaway. This trip gets 5 stars and was rated the #1 place to go for a short trip in PA.

Niagra-on-the-Lake –Just 90 minutes’ drive from Toronto, this 19th-century village, with its charming inns, upscale restaurants and elegant architecture, is the heart of Ontario’s wine region. Ride along the Niagara escarpment on horseback or book a whitewater adventure at the nearby Niagara Falls makes a great weekend destination but, once you’re there, you should not miss a day trip to Stratford. Both of these English-style towns not only are considered among Canada’s most beautiful, but are also among the top one hundred small arts cities in North America, Close to the famous falls, this is a rich land of orchards and vineyards as the , and  its wine industry produces some very credible table wines.
Jim Thorpe PA (America’s Little Switzerland)- Jim Thorpe resembles a Mary Poppins’ movie set with rows of ornately trimmed Victorian homes and quaint little shops lining the winding, gently sloping streets, a stunning mountain setting, remarkable history, marvelous architecture, a variety of outdoor adventure,  and fascinating culture, Jim Thorpe, PA is a unique place that everyone should experience .

Delaware Water Gap- the Delaware River has outdoor recreational activities such as canoeing and kayaking. boating,  fishing, and swimming.  In addition, the recreation area offers more than 100 miles of hiking trails, including over 27 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Popular outdoor activities also include;  biking, cross country skiing, horseback riding rock climbing, and the quieter pursuits of picnicking and eagle-watching, and of course driving your BMW 3 series through the scenic countryside. Hunting is permitted in most parts of the recreation area.

There are great incentives In December, even on the new 2010 models, but if you are looking to get the very best deals, consider the 2009’s as dealers are particularly anxious to get them sold and will usually accept lower offers on the 09 models, in most cases they are identical to the new 2010 models.

Here is the latest information on rebates, financing, and other special deals available now, models listed are in alphabetical order so you can easily scroll down and find your top make and model choices.  Many of these offers won’t last long, most offers expire  shortly after the first of the year so if you know you will be buying a new car soon, now is the time!

• BMW- offering $1,500 to $2,500 credit which is available on most models until 1-5-10 the incentive is called:  “Holiday Finance Credit”
• Buick, GMC, Cadillac, and Chevrolet-0% APR financing available on selected models until 1-4-10
• Ford, Lincoln, Mercury-$1,000 cash back on most models, or 0% APR financing, expires 1-4-10
• Honda-offering 1.9% APR financing for 36 months on selected models expires 1-4-10
• Mercedes Benz-2.9% financing for 36 months on selected models expires 1-4-10
• Toyota-Deals vary depending on the region, 2.9% APR financing is available on many models and up to $2,000 cash back offers on a few models, expires 1-4-10.

If you are in the market for a great deal on a new BMW, stop by at Otto’s BMW, your Pennsylvania BMW dealer in Exton, and test one of our 2009 models today to get the best value for your money.  Don’t wait, as you can see most incentives expire shortly after the new year, you won’t see deals this great until next years’ models come around.

You can wire your Bluetooth into your existing car stereo, or there are many options for different features offered by several companies that make an aftermarket Bluetooth car kit that wires directly into your stereo.  One model, The Parrott 3200 LS-COLOR, adds not only allows you to listen to your Bluetooth over your car’s audio system, but it also mute’s your music automatically when a call comes in, similar to the factory systems.  The cost for the integrated systems including installation is approximately $300.  If you are planning to spend that much, you may want to consider getting an entirely new stereo head unit with Bluetooth built in which goes for around $400.

A less expensive option would be the speakerphone device that does not get hard wired into your system which is battery powered through your 12 volt plug in or cigarette lighter.  These Bluetooth devices do not use your speaker system in your car, nor do they automatically mute the music.

Of course the best option is to purchase a brand new 2010 BMW from your local Pennsylvania BMW dealer, Otto’s BMW in Exton, and order Bluetooth system already installed by the factory.

If, however, your vehicle is still under factory warranty, you may be required to go to the dealership in order to get the warranty repairs, but you could opt for an independent mechanic for routine maintenance which (according to federal law) will not have any effect on the warranty.

Here are some tips on things that you should look for in locating a reliable independent mechanic;

• Look for a shop that specializes in the brand of car you drive, many garages do provide expertise in one or more particular car brands (like BMW’s) and they are more likely to have the latest equipment and training for your vehicle’s repairs.
• Ask for recommendations from people you know that have had a positive experience with their independent mechanic.
• Search on the following internet sites to find information on local mechanics; Angie’s list, RepairPal, and Cartalk.com, they are all free except for Angie’s List which does require a subscription fee.
• Ask about the credentials when you are interviewing potential mechanics, they should be certified with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

Check the Better Business Bureau to make sure there are not multiple complaints against an auto shop that you are considering, note that auto shops are 12^th on the list of the most common consumer complaints at the Bureau.

Try the new shop before your car needs any big repairs to see how satisfied you are with general maintenance or small repairs.  Be sure to ask in advance if there is any type of warranty that guarantees the service work.  If you still prefer using the dealer’s auto service department, feel free to bring your new or certified BMW to Otto’s BMW in Exton, our service department will be happy to accommodate your needs.

The advantages are endless and much of the technology has already been developed with the hovercraft type cars that have been designed by the government for military use as well as new technology like; electronic stability control and blind-spot detection.
The risks of an accident as a result of human imperfection will be much lower.  The extra time that is required for many drivers daily commute will now be time that can be spent doing office work, reading, paying bills, or balancing your check book while you drive to work.  Who knows, future cars may even be equipped with an alarm that goes off in case of an emergency and when you reach your destination and the driver may even be able to take a nap on the way home from work every day.

Are you thinking “this sounds too good to be true?”  It depends on who you ask.  Some engineers in the research industry believe that this future automation of cars will be mainstream in as little as 20 years from now and that it will be essential in saving the planet from the impact of the carbon footprint that gasoline powered vehicles are leaving behind today.

New technology that is made possible by use of computers, sensors, and radio transmitters is being integrated today will pave the way for the future cars that can drive themselves as the functionality and reception by consumers is slowly tested over time.  After all, if a plane can utilize this technology to fly itself and reduce the fatality risks, why not an automobile?

In the meantime, you can come down to Otto’s BMW, your Pennsylvania BMW dealer in Exton,  and test drive cars that already have some of the new technology of future cars, like cars that use computer sensors to park themselves.

In a comparison of the two companies, which is better?  Both companies pride themselves on top safety features and ratings, even the sporty roadsters do well in crash tests.  In the past Mercedes rivaled over BMW and Volvo for milestones in safety like crumple zones, Mercedes was also one of the first companies to implement anti-lock brakes and airbags in North America.

If Mercedes has paved the way in the safety arena, BMW squashed its rival in total cost of ownership which is calculated by estimating the depreciation plus maintenance, financing, tax and insurance, fuel, and repair costs over a 5 year time span.

In a comparison of engine size and gas mileage between two of the high performance luxury sedan models, Mercedes S550 has an 8 cylinder engine with 5.5 liter which produces 382 horsepower. BMW 760i has a 12 cylinder engine with 6.0 liter producing 438 horsepower. The 760i has a better performance, now lets see which car has better gas mileage. S550 does 14 miles per gallon in the city and on the highway it does 21 miles per gallon. 760i does 15 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. 760i will 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 5 seconds. The S550 will do 0 to 60 miles per hour in about 6 seconds.

Ultimately, it’s hard to lose when choosing either make, a BMW and a Mercedes-Benz. It’s no accident both companies have gained fanatically loyal customers and are among the most highly regarded brands on the market.

If you are in the market for the best luxury with the lowest TCO (total cost of ownership) come and visit us today at Otto’s BMW, your local Pennsylvania BMW dealer in Exton.

Other key performance features help make this an attractive option for anyone who is concerned with getting value from their purchase. The active steering is one of many interesting offerings. The technology allows for a variable steering ratio based on the speed of the vehicle. At low speeds, the steering is nimble. At higher speeds adjustments are made to increase stability. The direct injection technology adds to the fuel efficiency, power, torque, and emissions control to the equation. Rather then injecting fuel before the intake valves, as is the case traditionally, the 325i feeds fuel directly into each cylinder.

Comfort and convenience is important when purchasing a premium automobile. With a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, a driver can operate the devise using steering wheel controls and radio keys. The HD radio will broadcast the station of your choice with crystal clarity, and the iPod/iPhone USB integrated system allows for use of these devices directly.

Safety and security, definitely, were not neglected in the design of the 325i. In the case of an accident, or for a driver in need of roadside assistance, the BMW assist feature was designed should to put one’s mind at ease. With BMW assist, one has constant access to a response center representative with the push of a button. The run flat tires and the enhanced braking system are other excellent safety features that come standard.

To explore potential leasing or the possibility of purchasing the 325i, contact or stop by your local Pennsylvania BMW dealer to experience it for yourself.

A custom fit car cover is an accessory that would allow you to protect your coupe, sedan, or convertible from the elements, when indoor parking is not an option. You can expect to pay around $150-$200 for a quality car cover.

Performance exhaust systems are visually appealing and can add some added horsepower to your ride. They will improve the vehicle’s gas mileage by allowing the car to breathe more freely. The BMW 3 performance exhaust systems provide that deep powerful sound that many people like to hear. There is a wide price range for these components. Certain exhaust systems cost only $500-$600, while others can go for $1200 plus.

A remote starting device is a relatively inexpensive and useful device. The remote starters can be purchased alone, in combination with a keyless entry system, or even in the form of an all-in-one starter, keyless entry, and alarm system. Depending on which option is selected one can pay as little as $60 or packaged with others for closer to $200.

Spoilers can give a vehicle that sporty appearance that you may be missing from the rear portion of your BMW. A traditional rear spoiler runs around $130. A primed lip style primed spoiler is about the same price, while one that is painted goes for approximately $225.

Quicker shifts and a tighter feel will be the result of having a short throw shifter installed. This accessory can cost as little as $35.

A BMW performance air-intake system will boost your vehicle’s output by up to 3 horsepower. It also increases the overall performance by reducing back pressure by 30%.  This accessory can be added to your 3 series BMW for around $1000.

There are many other accessories and options out there to enhance your BMW’s appearance and performance.  If you have the time and the budget to dedicate to the task, you can customize your 3 series with these or any other after-market parts that you feel will compliment your vehicle or you as a driver.  For other tips ask the guys at Otto’s, a Pennsylvania BMW Dealer.

If the options available do not meet your standards, you can make changes yourself, all the interior surfaces can be recovered. Leather is a popular option, but many new fabrics are available with soft finishes.   You can go online and look at show cars to get some ideas on what is possible.

You will spend more time looking at the car’s interior than any other part of the vehicle, it’s wise to spend some time in selecting a nicely finished interior that is pleasant to your eyes.

Keep the overall theme of the car consistent, the interior should match the exterior theme. For example, a motorsport style exterior would not go very well with a luxury interior

Some general considerations when picking selecting interior features are;

• Comfort
• quality of material
• overall functionality
• innovative design
• storage compartments
• technology options

Dashboards & Gauges: Some dash boards are  simple while others are more elaborate such as  plywood, leather, suede,  Gauges can be adjusted for height for a custom fit for the driver. A wide variety of gauge styles are available from chrome and polished housing to carbon fiber and even complete digital dashboards which look incredible at night.  Standard dials can easily be replaced  by removing the instrument panel and covering it with  a pre-printed one. White backgrounds are popular and these have the added advantage of being easily seen at night.  You can purchase complete instrument binnacles, or kits to convert  your standard one.