Friday, May 27, 2011

Video: BMW 1 Series M faces off against Audi TT RS on track

Source:  Autoblog.com via Motor Sport Magazine

The crew from Motor Sport Magazine took the time to pit the BMW 1 Series M Coupe against a fitting rival – the Audi TT RS. The two German sports coupes go fender-to-fender on track, and thanks to a few well-placed video cameras, we get to ride along for the action. There's plenty of tail-wiggling glory from the smallest of the M family, but the TT RS seems more than capable of keeping the pace. With 340 horsepower to the 335 ponies of the TT RS, the 1 Series M Coupe has a slight power edge, but with all four wheels pulling in the Audi, the two are fit rivals.

While the video doesn't actually capture any legitimate competition, it's still fun to watch – and hear – these two pint-sized bruisers frolic around in a semi-controlled, off-street venue. We just wish it was us behind the wheel. 

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Keeler Motor Car - Meet our Employees.

Keeler Motor Car and Keeler BMW is happy to introduce you to our BMW Service Manager BMW, Tom Jess. 

What is that you do at Keeler Motor Car? I am the Service Manager for Keeler BMW and Keeler MINI. For the most part I am an interface between departments and between customers and technicians. 

Do you have a family? I have a huge extended family that are scattered all over the US. My immediate family consists of a wonderful wife, one dog and one cat.. 

Have you always been in the automotive industry? I have always been a “car nut”. I went to tech school right out of high school and have been in the dealership environment ever since. 

What do you love about working at Keeler Motor Car? Keeler is a great work environment. You are not a “number” here and you get to work with some of the most talented individuals in the automotive business. This is probably why Keeler Motor Car has the great reputation that it does.

What are some of your hobbies/favorite activities? Some of my hobbies are fishing, playing drums, and camping. 

What are some of your favorite local restaurants? My favorite local restaurant is The Century House hands down.

What kind of car do you drive? Today I drove a van to work, but I do own a BMW 3 Series.

What's your favorite car at Keeler Motor Car? The new 535xi. BMW really got this car right. The fit and finish of this vehicle is exceptional. I would imagine that this is what we can expect for future new models.

What was your first position when you started at Keeler? I started as a MINI technician.

How did you get started? I have a pretty extensive back ground in automotive repair and technology. I grew up on a farm and most repairs needed to be completed on site. I believe this is what gave me the desire to go to college for automotive repair. Since then I just learned as much as I could about the business. I had a lot of great mentors along the way, and I have a great support system now.

What kind of skills or characteristics does someone need to do this job successfully? I believe that analytical thinking and an automotive back ground are a must. Being able to listen and communicate are big factors. I do believe that being honest is probably the most important characteristic, not just in my position but every position.

What advice can you give to anyone who would be interested in doing what you do? Stay in school. Learn as much as you can from a technical position and take classes that have to do with business management and accounting. Be patient and listen to the technicians that have been doing it longer then yourself.

2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

There is not much out there more luxurious then the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.  It embodies everything that Mercedes-Benz stands for, performance, luxury and safety.  2012 looks to be a big year for Mercedes with the new S-Class as the major highlight.  I'm already looking forward to our annual Customer Appreciation party here at Keeler Mercedes-Benz which is always held in the fall.  I have a pretty good feeling that this gorgeous piece of machinery will be the star of show! 

Check out the article below on carmagazine.co.uk about the all new 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class which looks to be available in four different bodystyles including a convertible! 

The new Mercedes S-class arrives in 2012 – and there will be four versions of the new S codenamed W222.
In an attempt to cover an even wider segment of the luxury car market, the new 2012 S-class will be offered in four different bodystyles: standard wheelbase saloon (2012), extended wheelbase saloon (2013), coupé (2013, replaces the CL), and a four-seater convertible (2014).

Woah! That’s a lot of new S-classes!

All future rear-wheel drive Mercs will be based on a brand new components set known as MRA, short for Mercedes Rear-wheel drive Architecture. MRA is subdivided into 93 different modules which is a good indication of how flexible this matrix can be. The only two fixed points are the front and rear firewalls in relation to the axles and the drivetrain.
The next S-class boasts a brand-new four-link front suspension designed to further decouple the steering, braking and damping forces. In the rear, we should find an evolution of the faithful multilink arrangement. Air springs are standard again, but the clever ABC anti-roll system costs extra. ABC can also be had in combination with MBC, short for Magic Body Control.

Magic Body Control? Is that like a magic carpet?

Sort of. Employing two cameras to scan the road ahead, MBC can compensate surface irregularities milliseconds before the car encounters them. Up to 80mph, this option warrants a ride comfort which is second to none. Also new is Magic Light Control (MLC) which adds dynamic full LED headlamps complete with adaptive free-flow light patterns varying with speed, weather and steering angle.
As far as the next-generation ergonomics are concerned, those in the know predict a much easier-to-use Comand system with radically fewer knobs, buttons and switches. Instead, we can allegedly look forward to a single controller which – in combination with the more elaborate steering-wheel – operate all key features and functions.
Instead of a second screen positioned above the centre stack, MB is looking at a large multiple-imagery TFT display in the driver’s primary field of vision. What makes the new infotainment so unique are the much easier access, the vastly superior memory capacity (music, DVD, maps, internet) and the reprogrammable software.

Enough gadgets… What’s under the bonnet of the new 2012 Merc S-class?

The line-up stretches from the 204bhp four-cylinder to the EU6-rated V12 dyno-tested at 544bhp. Not enough grunt? Then you may have to wait for the spiciest AMG menu which is good for 650bhp, sources say.
New motors include the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 which will be available in 306 and 354bhp form. One rung up, we find two turbocharged V8s promising 435 and 517bhp. Originally, MB intended to offer hybrid options for all new S-class models, but then marketing had a rethink, and now all that’s left are a mix of 204bhp diesel and 109bhp electric motor as well as the 306bhp V6 linked to the same plug-in whispering drivetrain. Mild hybrid is likely to be standard, but the 20bhp e-motor is not quite strong enough to justify an e-mode button.
This won’t change before 2014 when the new nine-speed autobox can accommodate a more potent 45bhp power pack.

How’s the S-class been doing?

Without China, North America and the Middle East, the Mercedes S-class would towards the end of its career be almost dead in the water. In Europe, for instance, sales of the ageing starship fell behind the new Audi A8 and the BMW 7-series in 2010.
A situation Mercedes plans to reverse with W222. It’s all change with the S-class!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Could this be a spy-shot of the new 2012 Honda CR-V sporting a 3rd row seat?

While combing through blogs and internet sites for interesting things to bring you on the Keeler Motor Car blog I came across this on Autoblog.com.  Everyone here at Keeler Honda is super excited to get a look at the newly remodeled 2012 Honda CR-V.  Date of it's arrival is a little up in the air due to the crisis in Japan but we are loving the look so far! 


Source: www.autoblog.com

The 4th Annual Keeler Motor Car Block Party


At Keeler Motor Car Company we love to throw parties for our customers.  We want them to know just how important they are to us and honestly, who doesn't like a good party??  We also plan these events to show our potential customers all the benefits that come along with being a Keeler Motor Car customer.  Well, June 4th is no exception!!  It's the 4th Annual Keeler Motor Car Block Party

  • Check out vintage Mercedes-Benz vehicles when the
    Mercedes-Benz Club rolls into town
  • The Hudson Valley BMW Car Club will be here showing off their classic BMWs
  • A host of shined-up MINIs will be on display courtesy of
    the MINI Car Club
  • See a "brilliant" gathering of smart cars at our 4th Annual
    smarty Party at smart center Latham
  • Live Entertainment from 12:00 - 3:00 by local band The Audiostars
Featuring Mercedes-Benz, BMW, MINI, Honda, smart and Keeler Quality Pre-Owned Center vehicles at Summer Event pricing!
All this and more in one day!
Saturday, June 4th, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Keeler Motor Car Company, Rt. 7, Latham

Monday, May 16, 2011

The Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Co. May Specials

Does this horrible weather in upstate NY got you down?  Well, the Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car Company has the answer for your rainy day blues.  Our Keeler Mercedes-Benz Spring event is here and now through the end of May you can take advantage of these amazing savings!

Stop in to the Mercedes-Benz Center at Keeler Motor Car on Route 7, Latham or visit www.keelermercedesbenz.com to browse our new and used inventory.