Do your own mech work?

[Roku35]

I was just wondering if a majority of all of you in the forum do your own engine, electrical, maintenance work on your cars. Being new to the world of BMW or even nice cars for that matter, I am finally interested in the stuff under the hood. Many thanks to everyone here. I have learned a lot about these awesome vehicles in a very short amount of time. But it is the engine, computer and all its unifying parts that will throw me for a spin. I guess OJT is the only way to go. Any words of advice for the newbie? Besides keeping my mechanic close?

[owwwch]

get a bigger wallet and deeper pockets to put it in.. for srsly

[unique635csi]

i do what i can ... thanks to pops being retired Air Force (mechanic) and the local A.F.Base has a auto hobby shop i do alot work there...and of course in my yard !

i did have a local transmission shop put my new trans. in...and even had them working with BMW dealer to verify fluids , clutch and install ... nice experience !

but other than that..I prefer to do the work myself...alot more satisfaction and saves alot $$ !

[HayekFan]

the local A.F.Base has a auto hobby shop i do alot work thereInteresting you say that -- I do a lot of my work at the local Army base. A lift bay is $5/hr and worth every penny.

[unique635csi]

A lift bay is $5/hr and worth every penny.

yesssir !!!

[82bmw633]

Yup. It's about the only way to go these days. It was like when I had a Harley with a Shovelhead motor - no one at the dealership knew how to work on it so I learned myself.

[jbd5015]

wouldnt be able to afford wolfie if i had to send him to the shop for all the shit that goes wrong with him!!! Hell, the car only cost me about a grand anyway, with about $500 worth of tools ive been able to do anything from R&R of the trans, valve jobs, complete suspension replacement and all that jazz...

Definitely worth it to learn. Go pick up a craftsman set of mechanical tools on sale at sears, i got the 263 piece or whatever for like 250 bucks, worth its weight in gold i tell ya!!

-Jeff

[320 bimmer]

i do all the work.... on my dads m6

[DaHose]

I can do all the work my M6 would require, but I have an excellent shop here in town that I wouldn't hesitate to go to. It's about time and money for me. I can save lots of money, but I don't have a lot of spare time. If I needed to trouble shoot something involved like the A/C or lots of wiring issues I would take it in. Most major assembly mechanical work I will tackle.

Jose

[Roku35]

Interesting you say that -- I do a lot of my work at the local Army base. A lift bay is $5/hr and worth every penny.


Thanks for that, I also have access to DOD garage facilities. One of my neighbors actually manages one of those shops on base. Guess just need to get my hands dirty and get tons of advice from you good folks.

[M633CSi]

Me and my dad do all the work on my pissy little bitch.

[wokke]

it has been my philosophy since decades:
I rather dump my money in a tools shop and for books than in a garage. Has paid of big time.
OH, there is one thing you can't buy: EXPERIENCE

[dm635]

I have been my own mechanic since the late 70's. Taught myself how to spin a wrench after a very bad experience w/Goodyear messing up the brakes on my 66 Impala, & leaving me paying the bill. Was too young to know how to put up a good fight. I learned very quickly not to have any hammers anywhere close by, within reach. Engines do not respond well to manipulation after the stress level reachs the exploding point.

Even do my own alignments after years of trial & error, using the string & jack-stand method. only good for adjusting toe. The only down side of being your own mechanic is, is that everyone you know thinks you want to work on their car as well. There are only one or two people that I would trust to be anywhere close to any of my cars with a wrench in hand. The only thing I haven't learned are the internals of a transmission, but have been into the valve bodies on slush box's.

All too often do I still see the mess on other peoples cars after they spent good money for shotty work. Some of those kind of people need to have their fingers broken so they can't prey on honest, unsuspecting folks pocketbooks.

[Alpinewhite 633]

It is not that hard of a car to work on. Pretty simple in fact. You have great information here.

I do as much as I can myself.

Yes, there is a satisfaction of a job well done, and savings in my pocket.

Alpinewhite 633

[Trevor M]

it has been my philosophy since decades:
I rather dump my money in a tools shop and for books than in a garage. Has paid of big time.
OH, there is one thing you can't buy: EXPERIENCE

I am with you 100% on that one. I have no problem buying a tool if it's needed. Even tools I thought I'd use only once to complete a job....guess what? I've used them several times now over the years. I've had some bad experiences with garages too. Like the time I went to get new tires on the front of my wifes car. They called to tell me it was all done so I went to pick it up. Driving home the front left wheel fell off and bounced through several lanes of rush hour traffic as I came to a stop on my brake rotor. Lucky it was me driving and not my wife & newborn son. I've had other experiences too but that was the worst one. So I am really against paying someone to do work on a vehicle and have been for several decades. You have to remember that garages are purely profit driven. In areas like autobody the goal is to turn out as many cars a quickly as possible which goes against getting quality work.
I've acquired quite the collection of tools and experience that allows me the freedom to do what I want and when I want. The last couple of years I've moved into doing body and paint work and just recently I obtained all the equipment needed to service AC (no more 134a retrofits for me!):redspot

Get all the basic tools you need like sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers and then if you need something special for a job like a puller...get it. Don't be afraid to tackle a big job...think the steps through before you even start and if anything confuses you, seek clarification. The internet is the greatest resource.


Now that ya'll are inspired....get to work!

[Seeker]

these are really relatively simple cars to work on.

the M30 engine is about as open and straight forward as they come.

I'd much rather work on my E24 than some damn FWD vehicle.
in fact, I will refuse to work on a FWD vehicle if at all possible and do not currently own one because of it.


There are always good people on the boards to give out vital information on doing repairs/maintenance/troubleshooting... they will save you TONS of money. The sure did for me so far :buttrock

As long as you keep your oil changed often and not overheat the engine, the bottom end of the engine should last 500,000 miles, PLUS!
You might eventually have to do head work.. you'll be glad you have a M30 and not the complicated M6 engine head if that day ever comes.

M30 engines/parts are readily available and reasonably priced.

Rust is the #1 offender for these cars.


but yea.. pull up a chair, read thru the forum for hints/tips on the common issues people have dealt with and how they solved their problems..
Last repair I did was replace the starter.. I woulda gone about it all wrong if it were not for the people who took the time to do write ups.

The more you fix up and drive your shark, the more you will love it....
Rides like a Cadillac, but drives like a sports car. :D

Good luck and willkommen to the board.

[Roku35]

I am with you 100% on that one. I have no problem buying a tool if it's needed. Even tools I thought I'd use only once to complete a job....guess what? I've used them several times now over the years. I've had some bad experiences with garages too. Like the time I went to get new tires on the front of my wifes car. They called to tell me it was all done so I went to pick it up. Driving home the front left wheel fell off and bounced through several lanes of rush hour traffic as I came to a stop on my brake rotor. Lucky it was me driving and not my wife & newborn son. I've had other experiences too but that was the worst one. So I am really against paying someone to do work on a vehicle and have been for several decades. You have to remember that garages are purely profit driven. In areas like autobody the goal is to turn out as many cars a quickly as possible which goes against getting quality work.
I've acquired quite the collection of tools and experience that allows me the freedom to do what I want and when I want. The last couple of years I've moved into doing body and paint work and just recently I obtained all the equipment needed to service AC (no more 134a retrofits for me!):redspot

Get all the basic tools you need like sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers and then if you need something special for a job like a puller...get it. Don't be afraid to tackle a big job...think the steps through before you even start and if anything confuses you, seek clarification. The internet is the greatest resource.


Now that ya'll are inspired....get to work!


Don't get me wrong. I am pretty handy with any hand and table tool system to build, repair, and finish a house. I have the same attitude about building my own homes as most of you work on your own cars. I am 100% in agreement that I'd rather buy the tools to do a job; justification for the wife. Thats the only way I could justify my wood working shop. But I have to say at this point, I am in unfamiliar ground with car repair. I'm more of an architect rather than an engineer. I can change the oil and filters and plugs, bulbs, change tires, check the fluid levels... but a brake job or a alternator replacement,etc. I'll be lost. Its a good thing my 6s are not everyday drivers...yet. Thanks for the words of inspiration. I guess I'll have to attack this just as I attacked my first home build. Except, that I knew what I was doing with the home. Not the case with a car.

Guess I'll get back to work...