Bailey European

Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle can be a roll of the dice. We can help minimize the risks! If you are purchasing a pre-owned vehicle from a private party or dealer, feel free to schedule a time to have us give it an inspection.

Schedule your appointment and make your New Year's Resolution to maintain your vehicle to factory standards!

With Winter finally here, we want to know if your vehicle is prepared. We can handle any repair, large or small. Maybe you want to take advantage of our complimentary inspection. If you are interested, give us a call.

Say hello to the future Mercedes-Benz is looking to the the future with CASE strategy (Connected, Autonomous, Shared & Services and Electric). As a pioneer of the future, they are seeking innovations that provide for pleasant, safe and resource-friendly mobility. The vehicle pictured is an electric, autonomous concept vehicle that drives itself!

A Pre-WWII Luxury Classic Introduced at the 1936 Paris Motor Show, the Friedrich Geiger designed car was a development of the 500K, itself a development of the SSK. Available as a both a two and four seat cabriolet, four seater coupé or seven seater limousine (with armored sides and armored glass), it was one of the largest cars of its time. The straight-8 cylinder engine of the 500K was enlarged in displacement to 5,401 cubic centimeters (329.6 cu in).[2] It was fed by twin ...pressurized updraft carburetors, developing a 115 hp (86 kW). In addition, there was an attached Roots supercharger, which could either be engaged manually for short periods, or automatically when the accelerator was pushed fully to the floor. This increased power to 180 hp (130 kW), enabling a top speed of 170 kilometers per hour (110 mph). Power was sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed or optional five-speed manual gearbox that featured synchromesh on the top three gears. Vacuum-assisted hydraulic brakes kept the car under the driver's control. The 540K had the same chassis layout at the 500K, but it was significantly lightened by replacing the girder-like frame of the 500K with oval-section tubes - an influence of the Silver Arrows racing campaign. To meet individual wishes of customers, three chassis variants were available, as for the 500K: two long versions with a 3,290 mm (130 in) wheelbase, differing in terms of powertrain and bodywork layout; and a short version with 2,980 mm (117 in). The long variant, termed the normal chassis with the radiator directly above the front axle, served as the backbone for the four-seater cabriolets, the 'B' (with four side windows) and 'C' (with two side windows), and for touring cars and saloons. The shorter chassis was for the two-seater cabriolet 'A', set up on a chassis on which radiator, engine, cockpit and all rearward modules[clarification needed] were moved 185 mm (7.3 in) back from the front axle. The Sindelfingen factory employed 1,500 people to create the 540K, and allowed a great deal of owner customization, meaning only 70 chassis were ever bodied by independent builders. Owners included Jack L. Warner of Warner Brothers film studios. With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the proposed further boring-out of the engine to 5,800 cubic centimeters (5.8 l) for a 580K was aborted, probably after only one such car was made. Chassis production ceased in 1940, with the final 2 being completed that year, and earlier chassis were still being bodied at a steady rate during 1940, with smaller numbers being completed in the 19411943 period. Regular replacement bodies were ordered in 1944 for a few cars.

The Super Hybrid The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The i8 is part of BMW's electrified fleet and is marketed under the BMW i sub-brand. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. A roadster variant was launched in May 2018. Production ended in June 2020. The 2015 BMW i8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62... mph) in 4.4 seconds and has an electronic limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The 2015 model year i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 37 km (23 mi) under the New European Driving Cycle. Under the U.S. EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is 24 km (15 mi). The battery capacity of both, BMW i8 Roadster and the i8 Coupé, was increased to 11.6 kWh in 2018, allowing the NEDC electric range to rise to 55 km (34 mi) for the coupé and to 53 km (33 mi) for the roadster. See more

Season's Greetings from the team at Bailey European!

If you have ever wondered just what the model numbers and letters actually mean on a Mercedes-Benz, you aren't alone. Given that the company has been producing vehicles for almost a century, the models started out as a simple way to differentiate the size of the engines and the class. Not much has really changed. For instance, usually the first two numbers indicate the engine size. So a 450SL will have a 4.5 liter, V8 engine. The designation SL derives from the German Super-L...eicht, (English: Super Light). If you see the models ending with a an S - this is the class of cars "S-Klasse" or full size sedans. Prior to 1993 the "E" stood for Einspritzmotor (German for fuel injection engine). 4MATIC? This indicates an all-wheel drive, intelligent system that allows power transfer to the wheels that may lose traction in adverse weather conditions. Of course when you see and AMG things get a little harder to decode. Basically the higher the number (43,45,63,65) the more horsepower. So if you get behind an AMG E63S and can't quite keep up, understand that car is outputting over 600hp.

"/8" The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 were the internal designation Mercedes-Benz used for a generation of front-engine, rear-drive, five-passenger sedans and coupés introduced in 1968, with three-box styling by Paul Bracq succeeding the W110 Fintail models introduced in 1961; and manufactured until model year 1976, when the W123 was released. W114/W115s were distinguished in the marketplace by nameplates relating to their engine size. W114 models featured six-cylinder engin...es and were marketed as the 230, 250, and 280. W115 models featured four-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 200, 220, 230, and 240, with diesel models carrying a D designation, as distinct from gasoline/petrol models. At the time Mercedes introduced the W114/115 in 1968, they marketed sedans in two size classes (W114/W115 and S-Class) and marketed the W114/115 range as New Generation Models,ultimately the only model of the new generation. Mercedes used a '/8' on the W114/115 ID plates, indicating their 1968 launch year, giving rise to their '/8' or 'slash eight' nicknames and the German nickname Strich Acht, loosely translated into English as stroke eight.

The Audi RS5 Turbo DTM is a "Class One" touring car constructed by the German car manufacturer Audi AG for use in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters. The car is an updated version of the previous Audi RS5 DTM that had a naturally aspirated engine. The Audi RS5 Turbo DTM will still be based on the production Audi RS5. The car made its DTM début in the 2019 season under "Class One" regulations and will be used until 2020 season. The RS5 Turbo is the Audi's first-turbo powered DTM... car. With a total of 12 wins, 12 pole positions, 18 podium finishes and a total record of 1,132 manufacturer's championship points in 2019, the RS5 Turbo DTM is statistically the fourth most dominant DTM car in the history of the sport with a win percentage of 66.67% against the sport's most dominant car, the 2003 Mercedes CLK DTM with a record of 90%. The car brought Audi's first year of domination of the sport in a history in 2019. At the end of the 2020 season, Audi Sport will leave the DTM after 31 years of participation (with an exception of 1993-1996) as they will be focusing to Formula E; this will be the last Audi vehicle in the DTM to date.

Scheduling your maintenance mileage intervals can be done during your next visit to Bailey European. Just ask us to provide you with a comprehensive service schedule, and all you have to do is watch your mileage.

Are you and your vehicle ready for winter driving? If you can't remember when you replaced your wiper blades or fluids, give us a call and schedule your next appointment. (559) 492-2271

The 320 represents the image and lines of what many regard as the BMW "look". Originally an import only car, the 320 saw huge popularity in the United States in the late 70's & early 80's, and for good reason. You will see the iconic model within group 5 races from California to Europe. Many teams and drivers have built programs around the 320 favoring it's stance and engine modification options.

Mercedes’ modern F1 revival started with the creation of a works squad for 2010 - the platform for a meteoric rise up the Grand Prix order. The team generated huge excitement from the off with the sensational return of Michael Schumacher, but headlines soon followed on track: three podiums in their debut season, all via Nico Rosberg - who then claimed a breakthrough pole/victory double at China in 2012. The following season he was paired with Lewis Hamilton, the duo going on to stage some epic title battles as the Silver Arrows swept all before them to become one of the most dominant forces of the modern F1 era. And with Hamilton now partnered by steely Finn Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes remain very much the team to beat

What Is Synthetic Oil? Synthetic oil is a lubricant made up of artificially made chemical compounds; these compounds are made by breaking down and then rebuilding petroleum molecules. Full synthetic oils use a synthetic base stock, are uniquely designed molecule by molecule without using petroleum and include additives meant to help the degradation of the oil. A synthetic blend is a mix of conventional motor oil and synthetic base stocks. Adding the synthetic base stock to t...he conventional mineral oil gives you a little bit more protection than just using the conventional oil by itself. There are multiple types of synthetics with distinctly different properties and applications. However, most synthetics used in automotive service are polyalphaolefins (PAO). For simplicity, the primary reference to synthetic oils in this article will relate to PAOs. Synthetic vs. Conventional Oil Most vehicles are capable of using either synthetic or conventional mineral oil that meet the American Petroleum Institute's (API) and International Lubricant Standardization and Advisory Committee (ILSAC) specifications. However, synthetic oils are often marketed as having superior performance when compared with conventional oil. This superior performance may only relate to certain properties but not others. It is possible that some formulations of conventional mineral oils may exhibit superior performance on certain properties. Synthetic oil vs conventional oil There have been numerous studies over the years comparing synthetic oil to conventional mineral oil. Most notably the American Automobile Association (AAA) used certified labs using American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standardized test methods to examine differences in engine oils marketed as conventional versus those marketed as full synthetic. Among other things, AAA found that, on average, synthetic oils outperformed conventional oils by 47 percent in the conducted tests. The selected tests evaluated several important physical, chemical and performance properties including shear stability, deposit formation, volatility, cold-temperature pumpability, oxidation resistance, and oxidation-induced rheological (viscosity) changes. Synthetic oil is quickly becoming the new normal, with nearly 70 percent of new cars in the 2019 model year getting either fully synthetic or a synthetic blend oil, according to Consumer Reports. Even as the number of new cars requiring synthetics continues to increase, it remains important for consumers to follow manufacturer recommendations for their vehicle when it comes to changing their oil. "Semi- or full-synthetic oils are required for most newer cars, but it is vital that the automaker's recommendations be followed, or accelerated engine wear and other problems could result," Michael Calkins, Technical Services Manager for AAA tells Machinery Lubrication.

The première of the Model 180 (W 120) in 1953, today lovingly referred to as the Pontoon Mercedes (or the Roundie), was a technical and aesthetic milestone in the history of the passenger cars from Mercedes-Benz. The intermediate saloon was the first car from the Stuttgart-based brand to feature a unibody and at the same time the first whose bodywork was designed in the form of a pontoon. The W 120 was a trendsetting predecessor of the E-Class, but it also put its mark o...n the styling and technical design of the new luxury class (model series 180/105/128, from 1954). Already the external appearance of the Model 180 presented by Mercedes-Benz in 1953 excited industry professionals and the general public. The so-called three-box design with a rectangular footprint, fully integrated wings and clearly separate sections for engine, passenger compartment and boot, set benchmarks for modern design. The bodywork of the W 120 stood out sharply from the passenger cars Mercedes-Benz presented right after the Second World War. Their design idiom and technical features were still based to a large extent on the traditions of the 1930s. In contrast, the pontoon design developed in North America in the late 1940s and reinterpreted by Mercedes-Benz for the intermediate saloons appeared fresh and clean. This design lowered the aerodynamic drag of the Mercedes-Benz 180 compared with earlier models, reduced wind noise and offered a more spacious passenger compartment. See more

BMW factory scheduled maintenance. If you are unsure exactly when your BMW needs service, feel free to give us a call and schedule an appointment. (559) 492-2271

With Summer behind us, take the opportunity to make sure your vehicle is ready for the cold weather. We can perform everything from oil changes and filter replacements to testing your climate control systems.

First and Second Gen 1st The Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car (designed by Frank Lamberty and Julian Hoenig) first appeared at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show and the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). Initial models included the R8... 4.2 FSI coupé (with a V8 engine) and R8 5.2 FSI coupé (with a V10 engine). Convertible models, called the Spyder by the manufacturer, were introduced in 2008. Followed by the high-performance GT model introduced in 2011. The Motorsport variants of the R8 were also subsequently introduced from 2008 onwards. An all-electric version called the e-Tron started development but would only reach production stage when the second generation model would be introduced. 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today". The car received a facelift in 2012 and a new model called the V10 Plus was now added to the range. Production of the Type 42 ended in August 2015. 2nd The second generation of the R8 (model code: Type 4S) was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and is based on the Modular Sports System platform shared with the Lamborghini Huracan. The development of the Type 4S commenced in late 2013 and was completed in late 2014. Initial models included the all-electric e-Tron and the V10 5.2 FSI along with the V10 plus. Unlike its predecessor, there was no manual transmission available and the entry-level V8 trim was also dropped. In 2016, the convertible (Spyder) variant was added to the line up which was initially available in the base V10 trim. In mid-2017, the high performance V10 plus Spyder was added to the range. A rear-wheel-drive model called the R8 RWS was introduced. In 2018, the R8 received a mid-cycle refresh with mechanical and exterior changes. The newer and more aggressive design language carried over from famous Audi models of the past. Some of the aerodynamic features such as the front aeroblades are shared with the Lamborghini Huracàn. The refreshed model had substantial performance improvements over its predecessor.

24 Hours of Le Mans The clock is ticking down for the start of 24 thrill-filled hours of motorsport. The 24 Hours of Le Mans (French: 24 Heures du Mans) is the world's oldest active sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since 1923 near the town of Le Mans, France. It is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races in the world and has been called the "Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency". The event represents one leg of the Triple Crown of Motorspor...t, other events being the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix. Unlike fixed-distance races whose winner is determined by minimum time, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is won by the car that covers the greatest distance in 24 hours. Racing teams must balance the demands of speed with the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without mechanical failure. In the 2019 race, 47 of the 61 qualifying cars ran the full duration. The next 24 Hours of Le Mans is scheduled for the 19-20 September 2020. BMW and Mercedes-Benz have cars in various classes. See more