discussion True cost of DIY

[VinceM]

Well some are more gifted than others…
Sadly some of us, learn the HARD way….

You know you could, you should but you won’t……take your “old” car to a dealership!

In some of the DIY process, that would have cost you a grand, you break something, that now costs more than the labour you could have paid! that one second regret! (If you know, you know)….

I guess the learning is great, especially if you learn once, and never repeat same mistake.

I once stripped the oil sump nut 🥸

What has your DIY journey been like?


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[FiRi@Rennzport]

My DIY journey started back in 2014 when Bmw refused to change oil and plugs on the 335 which already seen 40k plus km the plugs and 20k on oil.

Bought my low profile jack, tool set. Spark plug tools etc and ordered a Bentley manual for the E90.

I have never looked back since. Learned a lot through the years, there has been some frustrating moments and late nights resolving issues I caused myself, but it's been very empowering, confidence building and fulfilling in learning everything I did.

That being said, there were some things that I didn't attempt and left it to the pros, but I think knowing and doing the basics is very important. Hope to pass it on to my kids as well.



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[Gordvisr]

Yes also into the D.I.Y. Learnt a lot, saved Some moola along the way, in the same sense lost some money due to mistakes or rather due to lack of knowledge but so you learn, up to a point where I have built my own turbo setup from scratch including wiring and connecting ECU, just did not have the guts to do the mapping myself.

 

[TurboLlew]

The only thing that terrified me used to be stripping threads... but torque wrenches and a tap and die set go a long way to relieving this fear.

Having a lift is also a big plus. Planning this into my build.

However, there will always be things that are better for the pros to handle, especially those where there is a risk that your car may be rendered immobile by something going wrong. For the basics, and even bolt on mods I think anyone could get used to doing them...

 

[GravityLee]

Tried it, and it’s not for me. The investment in the tools is significant, following YT tutorials which look super easy becomes a whale where dismantling half the car is required just to get to the part I’m trying to swap… and at the end of the day I don’t have the satisfaction of having done something productive, but just feel like I’ve completed a chore and sacrificed the time I could have used for something else I actually enjoy.

 

[shauwn]

true, the only that makes diy diffcult in terms of the labour is the jackstands vs lift but you can save alot

 

[Dragon_ZA]

DIY? Well in my case it means: Danny it yourself

I’ve only changed my intake myself. All other things I have Danny sort it out.

 

[Mytfine]

Make sure you have ALL the right tools and a manual or least watched a few YouTube videos 1st and nothing is too difficult. But Tools tools tools , you can never have enough.

 

[Benji]

I cant see how buying a certain tool could be a bad investment... good tools is critical to any DIY. I've heard people complaining that they are struggling to DIY service their car and ask me to come help the next day, just to find they only have a screwdriver and a hammer! In my experience, "DIY disasters" usually happen due to a lack of good tools or to impatience where people start forcing things

As to the true cost. It depends how much you value your time and how much you enjoy/hate getting your hands dirty. The value of knowing the job was done properly with OEM parts? That is priceless

 

[Holiman]

The investment in tools is the expensive part for me. I have even bought tools for a one time job. Then after that you were like is it worthit. Luckily I could sell those tools and recouped money back but honestly, don't regret going DIY. It's time consuming for sure but u are satisfied knowing you have done things to your specs and perhaps beyond what dealer can do.

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[VinceM]

I think on tools, one has to discern which to buy and which to hire. Things like engine crane ? For engine mount changes…..why buy the thing and use once or twice in your life.

Socket sets, torx sets, yes those are a brilliant investment as you can use for other diy at home.

Reading your other post, it’s true….whilst I love diy (my confirmed that it’s one of my hobbies, was in denial), you must know your limits. My son’s car had a misfire, I could change plugs and coil packs….beyond that, off it went to an Indie. Also depends on the platforms….E46 / E39….much easier to work on unlike the newish ones.

DIY school fees can be painful (messing up other parts in the diy process, wrong torque to bolts, wrong side fitment then redo the whole thing)

I must say there are less and less of diy threads lately on here…. I enjoy those build threads and diy work.


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[Rotinaj]

I think my tools are a good 20-25k over the years. But i find it therapeutic and 20-25k over 10 years of buying tools is cheaper than a cocaine habit.

For example i don't remove drain plugs, i have a oil extraction pump so oil changes are a breeze. Start the car drive it to Alma butchery and back, pull in the garage shove in the pipe switch on the pump go have a beer and come back. Oil out, change the filter pour in new oil, note in the service book, reset the OBC and we are good. My problem is disposing of the used oil and bits of BMW.

 

[zaleonardz]

you have not lived, until you have bench pressed a gearbox from underneath a car, on jack stands, with 100cm worth of clearance between you and the floor and your intended target...

And remember, it is not a successful project, until you have bled at least once

 

[Ash777]

Im no mechanic, im actually an interior designer but i will attempt work that is possible within the tools i have. Sometimes the job doesnt save money if i had to buy a tool to finish the job, but then the tool is mine for the future. My main reason for diy is i can do a better job. im perfectly capable of damaging my own car, no need to pay someone to do it. Even the original dealerships work can be quite shocking if you truly inspect the job. So i enjoy knowing that with me doing the job its done meticulously and right. I would suck as a mechanic because my boss would say im taking too long and being too careful.
My biggest jobs have been a fiat head gasket, kia torque converter, and 320d turbo.
If i buy a new motorcycle, i say screw the warranty as it only covers unbreakables, im going to service it myself in the warranty period, i just cant trust the 19 year old tosser working on the bikes and joyriding cold bikes in his smoke breaks (all true at a major well known local dealer)

 

[tdi_stig]

DIY has taught me so much including patience and all the curse words imaginable.
First time myself and a few friends took Polo tdi gearbox out to replace clutch, took us a whole day. Clutch plate and concetric died a few years later, took me about 3 hours to replace.
I agree that special tools that you wont ever use regularly is better to hire or borrow. Make some car guy friends, then their toolbox is your toolbox.

 

[VinceM]

DIY has taught me so much including patience and all the curse words imaginable.
.

As for the cursing!!!! I can relate


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[NBN]

When I bought my first car, there was a "bmw specialist" in Edenvale that charged me for parts that were never fitted to my car. I learnt my lesson and whilst diy is definitely a more expensive route in terms of investing in tools, it comes with the piece of mind that the task was done to the best of my ability, if I break a clip or lose a bolt etc, my ocd will not let me complete the job until all of that is done correctly and everything is put back in place.

So whilst one might save time and money by handing it off to an indie or a dealer, I take comfort knowing that the job was done to the absolute best of my ability and I echo the sentiments above, lots and lots of curse words are involved and many, many missing size 10 sockets have gone missing into the bermuda triangle of my engine bay.

 

[TBP88]

I'd love to learn and have the money aside for tools and such but the issue, in Cape Town at least, is finding a house with space to setup a proper garage workspace and also not pay well outsidee our budget on a house - until I've got a decent garage to work out of it's a pipedream.

 

[Holiman]

I'd love to learn and have the money aside for tools and such but the issue, in Cape Town at least, is finding a house with space to setup a proper garage workspace and also not pay well outsidee our budget on a house - until I've got a decent garage to work out of it's a pipedream.

This is quite important. I recently got married and we are about to move house. Wife can choose whatever house she likes with only one constraint from me... It must have a double garage. Lol. I can sleep in the toilet for all care. Lol

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[evnmopwr]

The investment in tools is the expensive part for me. I have even bought tools for a one time job. Then after that you were like is it worthit. Luckily I could sell those tools and recouped money back but honestly, don't regret going DIY. It's time consuming for sure but u are satisfied knowing you have done things to your specs and perhaps beyond what dealer can do.

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Money spent on tools is never a waste.
I make it a point never to sell a tool purchased.
Over the years i learnt, you will need that tool someday again and when you need to replace it, price is Much more

When i was parting out some E46 diesels, you need a Special tool to remove the high pressure diesel pump from the engine.
I paid like R350 for it a Diesel Electric few years back.

That same tool is 3 times the price. lol
Just my take