Blog

Earth day has passed us on April 22, but that does not mean we have to stop celebrating the Earth we live on! By changing a few simple habits, you can help save our planet. According to CarCare News Service, the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recommends regular vehicle maintenance and better driving habits as two easy-to-implement strategies. Two examples would be to: Keep the engine running at peak performance. A misfiring spark plug can reduce fuel efficiency as much as 30 percent. Replace filters and fluids as recommended in the owner’s manual. Don’t ignore that ‘Service Engine’ light. Today’s vehicles have much cleaner tailpipe emissions that they did 30 years ago, but a poorly running engine or faulty exhaust system will cause your vehicle to pollute much more than it would otherwise. Click here to learn more from CarCare News Service for more ways you can improve your automotive habits. BMW has electric vehicles that include the i3, i8, 530e iPerformance, and the 745e iPerformance. The BMW i3 is a compact, fully-electric BMW that transforms every day into an adventure. Click here to view our BMW i3 inventory! BMW’s legendary 530e iPerformace has a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 4-cylinder gasoline engine that works in perfect harmony with an electric motor that’s powered by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery. Click here to view our BMW 530e iPerformance inventory! Embracing new technology isn’t revolutionary – it’s the way of the future. The 745e xDrive is BMW’s incredible entry into the world of luxury hybrid vehicles. Contact our dealership to find out ways you can order your very own 745e. At Competition BMW of Smithtown, we have a wide range of electric vehicles for you to choose from! If you are interested in purchasing a new BMW, visit us at our Competition BMW of Smithtown showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd. Smithtown NY, 11780 or contact us at 631-265-2208. Whether you’re looking for something new or something pre-owned, our experienced staff can assist you in finding the perfect luxury car!

The Port Jefferson Senior Prom is not like any other! While most other school districts host their proms in outside venues or at a hall, every year, the Prom Committee in Port Jeff works together for months on end, to create the most elaborate design imaginable for the annual senior prom. Every year, the Prom Committee and several towns, come together to completely transform the high school's gymnasium, cafeteria, and bathrooms, all to fit the theme of the prom. This year, Competition BMW of Smithtown is hosting the senior prom committee's annual golf outing on May 6 to help finance the prom. Tickets will be $150 per person for a full day of 18 holes of golf and afterward, a separate dinner will be held at the Harbor Grill at 6 pm. Tickets for the dinner are separate and priced at $50 a head. Tickets are available for village residents and any others who may be interested. To reserve a foursome or for more information, contact Mike Ambrozy at 917-270-7436 or mike@cyrealty.com or contact Jim Desmond at 631-331-6946 or desmondpj@optonline.net. The first person to get a Hold-In-One on the 152 yard 2nd Hole wins the prize! The vehicle on the hole-in-one will be a 2019 BMW 330XI with an MSRP of $47,235. The giveaway will be for a 3-year lease valued at $21,565. The lease is for 10,000 miles per year, subject to winners credit approval. Winner responsible for Tax and DMV fees, as well as any over mileage, end of lease wear and tear obligations, and a Disposition fee of $350 on lease turn in. Click here to read more! Ride to prom in style this year, with your very own Competition BMW vehicle! If you are interested in purchasing a new BMW model, visit us at our Competition BMW of Smithtown showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd, St James, New York 11780 or contact us at 631-265-2208. Whether you're looking for something new or something pre-owned, our experienced staff can assist you in finding the perfect luxury car!

At Competition BMW, we have just gotten in a beautiful M850xi in Carbon Black Metallic with Fiona Red/Black Extended Merin! This stunning M850 is a fully loaded convertible equipped with Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System, Surround-view with a 3D view, rear view camera, wireless charging, and so much more! Call us today at (631) 265-2208 for more information and to schedule a test drive today or visit us at 599 Middle Country Rd. Smithtown NY, 11780. Located just 1.6 miles away from the Smith Haven Mall!

Warmer weather is finally headed our way, and what better way to celebrate than with a Spring picnic in the park? Down below is a list of 10 beautiful parks, perfect for a picnic on a sunny Spring day! Lake Ronkonkoma County Park – 631-854-9699 Lakeside park with baseball fields, basketball & handball courts, plus a fishing pier & picnic area. Lake Shore Rd, Lake Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 Blydenburgh County Park – 631-854-3712 Forested park offering hiking trails, a playground, picnic areas & a pond for rowboats & fishing. Veteran’s Memorial Highway, Smithtown, NY 11788 Robert J. Henke Nature Preserve Passive Park Asphalt path measuring approximately .35 Mile, with trails in the woods and plenty of benches 100 Pond Path, Lake Grove, NY 11755 Hidden Pond Park- 631-232-3222 Nature trails, sports fields & picnicking, plus an Olympic-size pool & ice-skating facility. 660 Terry Rd, Hauppauge, NY 11788 Bethpage State Park – 516-249-0700 Bethpage State Park is a 1,477-acre New York state park on the border of Nassau County and Suffolk County. Visitors flock to the park to use the park’s picnic facilities, playing fields, tennis courts, bridle paths, hiking and biking trails, and cross-country skiing trails. 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd, Farmingdale, NY 11735 Heckscher State Park – 631-581-2100 Heckscher State Park is a 1,657-acre state park on the shore of the Great South Bay at East Islip which includes grills, trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, etc. 1 Heckscher State Parkway, East Islip, NY 11730 Caleb Smith State Park – 631-265-1054 Caleb Smith State Park Preserve is a state park located in Suffolk County that includes a gift shop, museum/visitors center, nature trails, and more! 581 W Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787 Lakeland County Park – 631-853-2727 This 70 acre, fully accessible park facility was designed for the disabled and their families. It includes a nature trail-boardwalk over the Connetquot River and also includes basketball courts, bird watching, hiking, picnic areas, etc. Johnson Ave, Islandia, NY 11749 Connetquot River State Park Preserve – 631-581-1005 Connetquot River State Park Preserve maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish, and animals, you can also take advantage of the bridle path, gift shop, museum/ visitors center, nature trails and more! 3525 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale, NY 11769 Paul T. Given County Park Great for launching rowboats and kayaks, fishing, relaxing. A small little jewel in the heart of busy Smithtown. Paddle along for 5.5 miles of the unspoiled nature of Suffolk County’s north shore. Call in advance for Tidal Information. 631-979-8244 Smithtown, NY 11787 From Montauk to Hempstead, Competition BMW of Smithtown can help find the perfect luxury car for you, suited perfectly to your needs! Stop into our Competition BMW showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd. Smithtown New York, 11780, to see a vehicle in person or contact us at 631-265-2208!

Whether you live on Long Island or you’re just visiting, there are tons of great restaurants to choose from. Luckily for you, there’s no need to break the bank! We’ve compiled a list of Long Island’s top-notch cheap eats, so you can enjoy a worry-free meal! Lazzat – 516-826-6060 Lazzat is a cozy, laid back, family-owned Indian and Pakistani restaurant where they take a warm and homey approach to Indian and Pakistani cuisine. Although this restaurant’s entire idea originated from the meat-eating north, the menu offers a countless amount of meatless options to choose from. 3245 Sunrise Hwy, Wantagh, New York 11793 Aloo Gobhi, a spiced cauliflower stir-fry, is a great choice for vegetarians! The Gourmet Whaler – 631-659-2977 The Gourmet Whaler in Cold Spring Harbor is a casual, homey place to eat, a great place to bring a friend to for a quick bite to eat. 111 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, New York 11724 Fried flounder fish tacos with slaw, chipotle mayo and peach-mango salsa MB Ramen – 631-923-3176 MB Ramen is a classic, fast-paced, energetic ramen counter inspired by early 1990s hip-hop. 335 New York Avenue, Huntington, New York 11743 MB Ramen is a play on a classic Tonkotsu broth with twists including oxtail and beef bones Basil Cafe & Restaurant -631-676-3148 This Persian-Italian restaurant has a cozy, intimate feeling with its lush and comfortable back patio for guests as well. 413 Lake Avenue, St James, New York 11780 Sauteed eggplant topped with crushed caramelized walnuts Wahlburgers – 631-473-8525 Wahlburgers is a cheerful, quick restaurant, where reality television meets reality! The walls are decorated with movie and television posters, as well as album covers of Mark and Donnie Wahlberg. 4837 Nesconset Hwy., Port Jefferson Station, New York 11776 A delicious, classic burger at Wahlburgers Swell Taco – 631-627-6710 Swell Taco is a fun, vividly decorated establishment, filled with beach decor and has a walled-in back patio. 30 E. Main Street, Patchogue, New York 11772 The Succulent Carnitas Taco is a corn tortilla filled with shredded, slow-cooked pork shoulder, pickled onions, cheese, and salsa. If you are in the area of any of these awesome cheap eats, stop into our Competition BMW of Smithtown showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd, St James, New York 11780 or contact us at 631-265-2208 to speak with a Sales Consultant!

All across Long Island, throughout Nassau County and Suffolk County, there are places that many Long Islanders have yet to explore. Here is a list of gems across the Island, that you definitely won’t regret visiting! Lakeland County Park – 631-853-2727(seasonal)/631-854-4949(administration) In Islandia, there is a wooded refuge, offering a winding maze of handicapped accessible trails to explore. Signs will show you the way to isolated benches that overlook a beautiful pond. Johnson Ave, Islandia, NY 11749 Southards Pond in Babylon Southards Pond is 19 acres of pure paradise, just south of Sunrise Highway. Here, you can enjoy fishing and walking or jogging along long trails and footbridges. Babylon, New York 11702 Massapequa Preserve Right along a stream, surrounded by trees and gardens, lies a 432-acre wonderland hidden within the heart of Massapequa. Massapequa Preserve, Oyster Bay, NY Garvies Point Museum Preserve – 516-571-8010 The Garvies Point Preserve consists of 62 acres of masses of glacial rock and sediment, covered by forests and meadows. There are about 5 miles of marked trails for the visually impaired, and tons more wooded areas with a wide variety of plant life, attracting more than 140 species of birds. 50 Barry Dr, Glen Cove, NY 11542 LongHouse Reserve – 361-329-3568 A 16-acre reserve and sculpture garden located in East Hampton, open to the public for a nominal fee, which also features pieces from Buckminster Fuller, Yoko Ono, and Willem de Kooning to name just a few. 133 Handscreek Rd, East Hampton, New York 11937 Vanderbilt Planetarium – 631-854-5555 A mansion and a museum, set on 43 acres, including the planetarium, the Gold Coast Mansion, and amazing museum exhibits. 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721 Nassau County Museum of Art – 516-484-9338 This 145-acre property showing off art exhibits throughout a sculpture park, and beautiful walking trails and gardens Admission $12 adults, $8 seniors (62+), $4 children(4-12), Free under 4, $4 students(with valid ID), members free at all times. 1 Museum Dr, Roslyn Harbor, New York 11576 Parrish Art Museum – 631-283-7006 Here, at the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill, New York, there are 15 temporary exhibitions on display each year. The Parrish Art Museum produces over 100 public programs-films, music, etc.- and offers a year-round schedule of classes and workshops. 279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, New York 11976 Whether you are in Port Jefferson visiting Danford’s Hotel & Marina, or you’re roaming the Stony Brook Grist Mill in Stony Brook, stop into our Competition BMW of Smithtown showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd. St James, New York 11780 to see a model in person or contact us at 631-265-2208 to speak with a Sales Consultant!

Easter is a holiday that everyone can enjoy! We’ve compiled a list of fun-filled Easter egg hunts and other activities in Suffolk County for you and your family to enjoy! Benner’s Farm -631-689-8172 April 20 at 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:45 pm April 21 at 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm and 3:45 pm Admission: $8 adults, $6 children & seniors admission includes an Easter egg hunt, baby animals, photo ops with the Easter Bunny, and other attractions! 56 Gnarled Hollow Rd, East Setauket, New York 11733 Orient Beach Spring Egg Hunt-631-323-2440 April 13 at 11:00 am (Rain date: 4/14 at 1:00 pm) Children 12 & under can enjoy an egg hunt and a visit by the “Spring Bunny” North Country Rd, Route 25, Orient, New York 11957 Easter Egg Hoppening at Heritage Trust -631-499-6824 April 13 at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am $10 admission, Registration only, no walk-ins Includes an egg hunt, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and a light morning snack 633 Mount Sinai-Coram Rd, Mt Sinai, NY 11766 Spring Egg Hunt at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium -516-692-6768 April 20 at 10:30 am to 12:00 pm Kids can bring their own baskets and collect treat-filled eggs for both the children and the fish Limited tickets will be sold. Last admission 10:30 am 1660 NY-25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724 Easter EGGstravaganza at Boomers Long Island -631-4475-1771 April 20 11:00 am to 5:00 pm All ages Admission varies, $8+ Reserve your spot on the train to the Easter Egg Pasture where you and your little ones can hunt for eggs 655 Long Island Ave., Medford, New York 11763 Montauk Kids’ Eggstravaganza-631-668-8038 April 20 11:00 am to 2:00 pm (Rain date: 4/21 at 12:00 pm) Free admission Ages 10 and under Egg hunt and foot races, sponsored by The Montauk Chamber of Commerce, The candied Anchor, and the Montauk Fire Dept. Easter baskets and bunny ears will be provided 742 Montauk HWY, Montauk (On the green) Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce Easter Parade and Egg Hunt-631-473-1414 April 21 at 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Free admission Ages 2-5 & 6-8 only. All children will receive a treat from the Chamber of Commerce Harborfront Park, 101-A E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777 Easter Brunch & Day of Aquarium Fun at the Long Island Aquarium -631-208-9200 April 21 at 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (seatings at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm) Admission: $54. 95 (adults, 13+), $49.95 (adult members), $26.95 (children, 3-12), 23.95 (child members) Includes traditional brunch fare, as well as admission to the aquarium for the day, take-home craft, and a penguin egg hunt! 431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901 Now is the perfect time to buy or lease a beautiful vehicle from Competition BMW of Smithtown! If you’re running into the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove or you’re grabbing a bite to eat at Moe’s in Centereach, stop into our Competition BMW showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd. St James NY, 11780, to see a model in person or call (631) 265-2208 to speak with a Sales Consultant today!

It has officially been confirmed that BMW of North America will not be attending the 2019 New York International Auto Show later this month, but that does not mean you have to miss out on seeing some of the incredible models that were supposed to be in attendance. If you still would like to see some breath-taking BMWs, make your way down to Competition BMW of Smithtown, where we have tons of beautiful models that will make you feel just as if you’re at the New York International Auto Show! We have countless different models ranging from the BMW i8 to the BMW x7. Come visit us to see some of the models such as these, instead of missing out! 2019 BMW i8 Roadster with Navigation & AWD Exterior: Sophisto Grey w/Frozen Grey Interior: Amido Black Full Leather 2019 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Convertible with Navigation & AWD Exterior: Mineral White Metallic Interior: Cognac leather with Dark Brown highlight 2019 BMW i3 120 Ah Exterior: Capparis White/ BMW Frozen Black Interior: Deka dark cloth 2019 BMW M5 Sedan with Navigation & AWD Exterior: Fluid Black non-metallic Interior: Tera Dark Truffle Vernasca Lea 2019 BMW X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity vehicle AWD Exterior: Phytonic Blue Metallic Interior: Black SensaTec 2019 BMW X7 xDrive50i Sports Activity Vehicle with Navigation and AWD Exterior: Arctic Grey Metallic Interior: Cognac Vernasca Leather Here at Competition BMW of Smithtown, we have these models shown above, and a multitude of others! Stop into our showroom at 599 Middle Country Rd. St James NY, 11780 to see what vehicles pique your interest or call (631) 265-2208 to speak with a Sales Consultant today!

We had a lot of fun with friends at our local St. James St. Patrick’s Day Parade and we hope you did too! Pictured below is our New 2019 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Convertible with our very own Parade Princess Kayla Helen Moore riding in the parade. This BMW is AWD and ready for any adventure you want to take it on! Call us at ( 888) 861-6280 for more info or Visit us at Competition BMW of Smithtown 599 Middle Country Rd. Saint James, NY 11780! Located just 1.6 miles West of the Smith Haven Mall.

Apple seems to be an up and coming company when it comes to the automotive industry. Launched in 2014 after a lengthy development process, was Apple CarPlay. What is Apple CarPlay though and how does it work? In short, it gives iPhone owners a quick and convenient way to access the data stored on their mobile devices. CarPlay makes driving a whole lot safer by reducing distractions, according to Apple and AAA, and it’s much more user-friendly than many infotainment systems. This is because motorists can access a wide variety of features without touching their mobile device, or taking their eyes off the road. If you’re ready for ios directly on your dashboard, here’s everything you’ll need to know. What can CarPlay do? Apple CarPlay performs many of the same functions as an iPhone. Motorists can use the software to get immediate directions, make calls, send and receive text messages, and listen to music or podcasts. The features are displayed on a readily useable interface with large icons that are instantly recognizable to iPhone users. Most of CarPlay’s features can be accessed by using Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. For example, the driver can say “Call Michael” or “Get directions to Bahama Breeze restaurant” and Siri will obey. A driver who is equipped with voice recognition can navigate the software using the touchscreen embedded in the dashboard, or the various knobs and buttons found on the steering wheel and center console. The iPhone’s screen is locked when CarPlay is active. A small section of third-party apps that are compatible with CarPlay is iHeartRadio, Spotify, Audio Books, Audible, Google Maps, and Waze. However, the vehicle settings are not a part of CarPlay, so the driver would need to exit the application in order to adjust things such as, the climate control, radio stations, or switching to a different driving mode. Every iPhone, iPhone 5 and up, is compatible with CarPlay, although the device must have ios 7.1 or newer for the app to work. Some cars support wireless CarPlay, too. In vehicles that do not support wireless CarPlay, the iPhone needs to be directly hooked up to the car using a certified Lightning-to-USB cable. This means that you should plan an upgrade if you’re still sporting a 30-pin-to-USB iPhone. Once you decide on purchasing a BMW that is equipped with Apple CarPlay, setting it up is quite simple. There are seven simple steps to connecting your iPhone to Apple CarPlay. Check your Competition vehicle’s CarPlay compatibility Open your iPhone’s settings Tap General Tap CarPlay Select turn on Bluetooth or USB only Enable your Competition vehicle Select your Competition vehicle from available vehicles Competition BMW of Smithtown, serving all of your automotive needs.

Earth day is on April 22nd and Brookhaven National Lab is celebrating in a unique way. Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) is a multipurpose research institution funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. They operate cutting-edge large-scale facilities for studies in physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, applied science, and a wide range of advanced technologies. In honor of Earth Day, Brookhaven National Lab is holding many events that include: Office Sustainability Showcase and Seminar on How to Purchase Products (With John Collins, Strategic Programs Manager, Procurement and Property Manager). April 19th from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, Bldg. 555 Outside Hamilton Seminar Room. Learn about green office products and how to buy Environmentally Preferred Products (EPP) at the Earth Day Sustainable Office event! All Lab employees are invited to learn more about “green” office supplies, ask questions, and refresh their knowledge on how to purchase EPP. The EPP presentation will be in two parts: The first part of the presentation explains EPP compliance requirements. The second part focuses on how to buy items or services that meet the compliance requirements and specifications. A must for all buyers and those who request office supplies, computers, laptops, tablets, and imaging equipment. Light refreshments will be served and there will be door prizes. Environmental Vendors April 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Berkner Hall Lobby – Lewis Rd. Upton, NY 11973. Come visit several vendors for Earth Day. These will include informational vendors like the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Town of Brookhaven. The Long Island Aquarium and Quogue Wildlife Refuge will encourage you to visit nature. And the Shinnecock green Indian Nation will discuss the restoration of Shinnecock Bay and their Aquaculture program. Brookhaven Lab Annual Office Swap April 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Berkner Hall Lobby. A great annual tradition: The Office Swap. Support Brookhaven Lab’s Housekeeping Standard to help ensure a safe, healthy, and clean environment for all workers. Clean out your office, conference rooms, and supply closets and get rid of clutter! Bring unwanted supplies to Berkner Hall Lobby and swap or just take what you need – for free! And bring your toner cartridge numbers so you can search for compatible swap items! Recycling Display April 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Berkner Hall Lobby. Do you know which paper, plastic, and metal items you can recycle? (It’s most of them!) See a display and ask questions of our experts. They’ll show you the value the Lab gains from its recycling program, and show you how easy it is for you to participate in its success. Photography Contest Display and Winners Announced April 19th from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Berkner Hall Lobby. Check out the wonderful photography taken by Brookhaven Lab staff, contractors, and visitors who participated in the “People’s Choice” Photography Contest. How did you vote? Come see the winning photos! RideShare Service April 19th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, Berkner Hall Lobby. Visit the MetroPool table to learn how the 511 NY Rideshare program works. Seek out rideshare partners using the 511 NY Rideshare Matching Service and learn about the 511 NY Rideshare Guaranteed Ride Service available to all Lab staff who rideshare. Green Vehicle Showcase April 19th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Berkner Hall Circle. Come by to see what’s new in the world of electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Learn about the benefits of owning an energy-efficient vehicle and how you can help reduce air emissions while enjoying increased fuel economy. E-Waste Drop Off April 19th from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Berkner Hall Circle. Start your spring-cleaning at home! Come drop off your personal electronic waste (E-Waste) and learn how to recycle E-Waste in an environmentally responsible manner. E-Waste includes computers (laptops and desktops); peripherals (printers, scanners and fax machines); monitors (CRTs and flat screens); and cell phones. Remember to clean your electronics first. Free Data Wiping Tools for Personal Use Competition BMW of Smithtown, servicing all of your automotive needs.