Digital Torque Wrench with Angle Measurement

[JDP530]

I am interested in purchasing a digital torque wrench with angle measurement and I am wondering if one brand is better than another. I am just a home mechanic and I really dont want to spend the big bucks on a Snap-On wrench. I spoke to a Matco dealer and we looked at a wrench on his truck and it's mfr'd in Taiwan and it was close to $500. Has anyone had any luck with other brands? Would you use a 10-100 lb 3/8" drive for crank/ rod bearings or a 1/2" drive 25-250? Thanks,

[BimmerBreaker]

Harbor Freight sells a digital torque wrench with angle measurement feature, I've used it and its decent - they are tested in a few comparisons to be as accurate as the more expensive ones

I still prefer a clicky type analog torque wrench personally and an angle gauge for measuring angles

[JDP530]

Harbor Freight sells a digital torque wrench with angle measurement feature, I've used it and its decent - they are tested in a few comparisons to be as accurate as the more expensive ones

I still prefer a clicky type analog torque wrench personally and an angle gauge for measuring angles

Thanks for advice! All of my bimmers are quite old before they started using angle measurements! I've got an assortment of click wrenches and I did buy an angle gauge so maybe I can double check torque with both.

I just want to be able to do a consistent job torqueing crank and rods on an S54 engine I need to rebuild before swap.

[DriveRoadside]

I'd personally go with the 1/2" drive 25-250

[JDP530]

I'd personally go with the 1/2" drive 25-250

Yeah, i haven't bought a digital torque/angle wrench yet, but I will probably go with a 25-250. Still accumulating parts for rebuild and working on my 850.

[bmwdirtracer]

I have both a 3/8 and a 1/2 drive SnapOn angle torque wrench, and a nice SnapOn split beam for daily duty on wheels and such.

To me, there's no substitute for an angle torque wrench, ESPECIALLY when working upside down doing con-rod bolts. The wrenches measure cumulative angles, so then you can't get a full swing of 90 degrees or more, you can take multiple strokes. I haven't used anyone else's, but I'll certainly consider other brands if and when one of mine dies.

[JDP530]

Thanks for your reply, bmwdirtracer! I never thought about that point you made where reduced clearance may not allow the full angle of motion in one swing. I've never had a reason to own an angle torque wrench because all of my BMW cars are old! But I did buy an s54 to put in one of them so I want to break it down and refreshen it before I do a swap.