2004 BMW 6 Series First Drive Oklahoma

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Introduction

BMW 6 Series -- 2004 First Drive: Ask BMW North America chief Tom Purves why BMW has encouraged the development of a risky design vocabulary that elicits love it or hate it response in the buying public, and he'll reply, "No risk, no reward." The way Purves and the man who penned the lines of the 2004 BMW 6-Series, Adrian von Hooydonk, see it, the well-heeled consumers likely to pay as much as $85,000 for the new 6-Series have probably taken risks of their own to achieve the level of financial success necessary to afford the latest in a storied line of BMW gran turismo coupes. They will understand the importance and rewards of risk.

Modern BMW Design Philosophies

Calling the 2004 BMW 6-Series "a car that you can drive fast and far," von Hooydonk insists that modern luxury philosophies dictate conservative rather than flamboyant design, and yet automotive styling must generate excitement through expressive and emotional lines to attract and keep the interest of consumers who have increasingly short attention spans. Von Hooydonk's theory goes that, given three-year development cycles and a minimum of seven years shelf life, designs must be cutting edge right out of the box. "You cannot be anonymous anymore," he asserts, "even if your (anonymous) design is a good one."

This latter statement, in BMW's opinion, justifies its controversial design language of today and clearly articulates why the perfectly executed yet visually somnolent BMW designs of yesterday are history. Von Hooydonk says that BMW must chart its own course, a modern one, where no two of its products look alike. The 2004 BMW 6-Series is the latest of the German automaker's automobiles to embody this philosophy in sheetmetal.

Truth be told, the hood is aluminum rather than metal, the front fenders are thermoplastic, and the bulging decklid covering a trunk large enough to hold two sets of golf clubs is sheet molded composite. Aiming to achieve a classic GT appearance, it was critical to get the long hood/short deck proportions of the new 6-Series just right. Also critical was the preservation of classic BMW design cues like the Hofmeister kink at the trailing edge of the rear side glass (named after a former head of BMW design), twin circular headlights, twin kidney grilles, distinct side character line and, on the company's coupes and convertibles, the side marker light.

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Sävy Strategic Creative

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.

1.541.359.3068
Service Rd
Bend, OK
http://www.getsavy.com/

The Finest in European Automotive in Bend.
The moment one walks through the doors at German Master Tech in Bend, Oregon, its meticulously kept, white floored shop currently home to an impressive lineup of detail and restoration in progress: the bright silver Porsche spec racer being built in the center of the room, the Porsche 911 S undergoing a full restoration and the variant of others, from BMWs to Ferraris, it is quickly understood why German Master Tech, with some of the finest European auto technicians and restoration specialists in the country, supports some of the finest European cars on the West Coast. This German-apprenticed, master-trained company, that refers to its work as “a craft”, is known to many by the unmatched service and support they provide their racing and restoration clients across the country, to others by the niche expedition preparation service they provide all-terrain vehicles, and still to their most dedicated customer, the fine European car enthusiast, German Master Tech is truly the one to many in this town.
German Master Tech’s President, a BMW Master Technician, Tim Morris, brings with him over 25 years experience in the industry and has been awarded several achievement and master technician status awards though BMW specialized factory schools. Tim has also achieved BMW’s Center of Excellence Award twice and is a seven-time BMW President’s Club Technician. German Master Tech’s co-founder and past partner, Jay Audia, won the 07 SCCA Regional Championships for GT2 in his German Master Tech-prepared Panoz. The company’s third founder is one of Bend’s most passionate Porsche enthusiasts, John Audette.

“Restorations have been a large part of our focus,” said Morris, describing some of his company’s award winning roots. “From our very first restoration, a 58’ BMW Isetta 300, which we took to the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance in 05 and won our class, in addition to taking home the President’s Award, which was judged by Pacific College’s President as “the car the college student would most want to drive,” said Morris. “I drew on my past car show and restoration experience to pull off a surprise win. It was a good deal of timing and the right car, with the right colors. We stole the show with a micro car, it was great!” Morris said standing next to his red Porsche hot rod parked inside his shop. “Car shows and racing are my passions,” he said with a smile.
“Our tuning business is the best around,” continued Morris of the company’s capabilities. “The application of our developed performance packages to already great cars really creates a ‘wow’.” German Master Tech provides full warranty BMW performance upgrades as a Dinan-authorized dealer, and Porsche performance programs that take the 911 to the next level. “Our tuning business has led us to organized racing, which has been a life-long dream of mine.” Included in German Master Tech’s list of champion racing cars are a 64’ BMW 1800 TISA owned by Steve Walker of Salem. The 1800 TISA is BMW’s first post-war racer based on a production car in regional vintage racing. A 911 Porsche racer owned by Bend’s Mark Powell will be racing in one of the West Coast’s fastest growing amateur racing classes, Spec 911. “Mark’s car is special as it ties together the whole business: a restoration with an extreme tuning package.”

“German Master Tech has worked on all my cars, including a Range Rover, BMW, three Ferraris and a Porsche,” said Ervin Richards, a long-time German Master Tech customer. “I bring my cars here because they consistently do it better and because they’ve always gone way beyond the call of duty in their service and support of my vehicles.” “If I can bring it to German Master Tech,” said Richards, “I will.”
To learn more about German Master Tech, contact them directly at 541.322.9647.