We are Turner Automotive. My name is Barrie Rowles. I am a BMW Master Technician who has worked for BMW for 22 years. I have worked directly for BMW UK at their head offices in Farnborough and Bracknell with 3 years as a Product Engineer in the BMW UK Technical Office supporting over 150 BMW and MINI retailers in the UK and Ireland troubleshooting and resolving technical problems in all vehicle mechanical and on board electrical systems.

Prior to this I worked in BMW UK’s workshop as a Master Technician supporting the preparation of new and pre-production BMW and MINI vehicles for the UK and international market launch and press. I have been lucky enough to travel abroad in this role, supporting the launch of the latest BMW and MINIs in countries such as France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Austria and loved every minute of it. I also provided preparation of vehicles for high profile media and television such as Top Gear and Fifth Gear and maintenance of high performance vehicles for race and track events.

BMW Australia
In 2006 I left Park West BMW in Chiswick London where I had worked as a Master Technician for 6 years and decided to take an exciting opportunity to work for BMW in Australia. It had always been a dream of mine to work abroad and after all of the training and experience I had gained working for BMW in the UK, I soon realised the value of BMWs training and the recognition that the Master Technician qualification had globally and before I knew it I had secured a job down under.

The 2012 Olympic Torch Relay
2012 was the year of the London Olympics and BMW was awarded the contract to supply all of the vehicles for the games and it was then during my time working in the BMW UK workshop that I was tasked with the job of technical support of the Olympic Torch Relay. Although I was familiar with foreign launches and was often away from home for 2 weeks at a time. This project was different, 2 technicians would be away for 72 days travelling the entire UK from lands end to John O Groats and over to Northern and southern Ireland over 8000 miles supporting 150 BMW vehicles but not just cars this time the Metropolitan Police motorcycles and a fleet of Citroen vans too. It was without doubt one of the highlights and the most amazing experiences of my BMW career travelling the length our beautiful country from top to bottom . I was delighted as not only was I able to do the job I loved doing but also to do it whilst travelling - truly a dream job. I am forever grateful to BMW and LOCOG (London Olympic Committee of Olympic Games) for being selected to represent them.

Going full circle – back to Dad
After 22 years of working directly for BMW I was presented with a new opportunity which is to take over the reins at Turner Automotive - my father’s garage. Turner Automotive was established in 1986 and Peter has built the business up from strength to strength. It was an ideal time for me to build on this great foundation, developing the company as a recognised high quality independent BMW and MINI specialist. If you have a BMW or BMW MINI and are looking for some help to a technical problem or just require some repairs or servicing, pop in to Turner Automotive in Twickenham where we will be glad to assist.