Plan to get more hands-on

[geemobee]

Hey chaps

I've been toying with the idea of getting a vehicle (running or not) to learn the ins and outs of being a diy mechanic.

Zero experience so far so will definitely not be experimenting on any of the dailys.

My goal is to be able to (as a start):

- do minor / major services
- replace braking components
- remove and replace/restore suspension bits

I have R100k to spend on the vehicle, tools, equipment etc.

Any advice of choice of vehicle and where to start?

Cheers and thanks!
G

 

[KPM3_30]

A good place to start is the e36 or e46 platforms, both fall within your budget.. Fairly easy cars to learn on and spares are easily available/reasonably priced. They are great vehicles, especially the 6 cylinders variants.. I may be biased :tiptoe:

 

[zaleonardz]

Your budget of 100k is far too ambitious.

You need to spend about 10k on tools.
This will include a really good 3 or 5 ton floor jack
a set of tressels (This is mandatory)
A decent spanner set
a decent Torx bit set spline and socket
Power bar
Torque wrench
And pretty much, your not even on 10k

Then you need some decent lighting, and your good to go.

A E46 for starters at 40k


If you are going for something modern, say E46 and above you need to invest in DECENT diagnostic equipment, which can be had for under 2k off of ebay if you do your homework.

You will need to get a copy of TIS which is free off the internet, and bam, your a mechanic....

Cool thing is, in the E36/E46 range, most parts are available at goldwagen or other spare places, do not go try and rebuild a F01 or something, that would be totally moronic...

 

[geemobee]

Your budget of 100k is far too ambitious.

Thanks!

When you said "ambitious" I actually thought you were saying that the budget was too low.

That's a very useful list and I could then probably spend a bit more on the car to get something decent.

 

[zaleonardz]

Meet Adendorff..

https://www.adendorff.co.za/

Local supplier of cheap Chinese tools, but fairly cheap.

yes the quality is not great, and sometimes is down right rubbish, but you do not need to go rush out and buy a 50k gedore spanner set to change some spark plugs.

I have found, builders warehouse carries the master craft tool range as their house brand, they are well priced, and durable as hell..

Just do not skimp on the trolley jack and tressels, that is the first lesson that you must learn, you do not work under a car unless its secure

For example
Floor jack
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/model-3000-short-wheel-base-low-level-jack/
2,395.00

Tressels
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-af+ric-3-ton-heavy-duty-steel-jack-stands/
275.00 x 2 sets to make 4

Basic spanner set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-85pce-toolbox-tools/
1,195.00
You could and should spend a bit more, but as a starter, this will do the basics

Torx E Socket Set
If your going to work on BMW you will need these (had the same set now for like 10 years)
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/torx-e-socket-set/
195.00

Torx Spline Set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-14-38-drive-8-pce-male-torx-socket-set/
125

Power bar
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/19mm-dr-390mm-l-handle-power-bar/
185

So your basic entry level tool set that means you can do probably 60% of all jobs will cost you 4645 . Call if 5k

Then small things, headlights, gloves, oil drain pans bla bla bla… 10k is PLENTY !!!

 

[geemobee]

What an informative post!

Much appreciated - drinks on me!

 

[DieselFan]

What car do you drive at the moment? Seems a but pointless buying a car to "learn on" just use your daily?

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

 

[RAArmstrong]

Do yourself a favor and get the mastercraft set.

https://www.makro.co.za/diy/mastercraft-/br-166-piece-tool-kit-196221EA

I got this recently. Its just about all the tool kit you will ever need.

 

[geemobee]

What car do you drive at the moment? Seems a but pointless buying a car to "learn on" just use your daily?

Sent from my SM-N950F using Tapatalk

What if I stuff something up. . Seriously

---

Do yourself a favor and get the mastercraft set.

https://www.makro.co.za/diy/mastercraft-/br-166-piece-tool-kit-196221EA

I got this recently. Its just about all the tool kit you will ever need.

Looks good!

 

[cOlDFuSiOn]

I say look for an E36 328i or E46 330i - nice cars and after it all you will have a nice inline 6 machine.

I use tools from adendorf, have their trolley jack and tressels too. Never had an issue with it. Not that I do much mechanically. Just cleaning :fencelook:

 

[zaleonardz]

+2 on the mastercraft stuff....

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

Meet Adendorff..

https://www.adendorff.co.za/

Local supplier of cheap Chinese tools, but fairly cheap.

yes the quality is not great, and sometimes is down right rubbish, but you do not need to go rush out and buy a 50k gedore spanner set to change some spark plugs.

I have found, builders warehouse carries the master craft tool range as their house brand, they are well priced, and durable as hell..

Just do not skimp on the trolley jack and tressels, that is the first lesson that you must learn, you do not work under a car unless its secure

For example
Floor jack
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/model-3000-short-wheel-base-low-level-jack/
2,395.00

Tressels
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-af+ric-3-ton-heavy-duty-steel-jack-stands/
275.00 x 2 sets to make 4

Basic spanner set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-85pce-toolbox-tools/
1,195.00
You could and should spend a bit more, but as a starter, this will do the basics

Torx E Socket Set
If your going to work on BMW you will need these (had the same set now for like 10 years)
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/torx-e-socket-set/
195.00

Torx Spline Set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-14-38-drive-8-pce-male-torx-socket-set/
125

Power bar
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/19mm-dr-390mm-l-handle-power-bar/
185

So your basic entry level tool set that means you can do probably 60% of all jobs will cost you 4645 . Call if 5k

Then small things, headlights, gloves, oil drain pans bla bla bla… 10k is PLENTY !!!

:withStu: This guy knows what he's talking about... In my opinion, leave out the 5k mastercraft tool box just yet and follow the above advice. also get a complete socket set as well.. from like 6mm - 32mm

The starter car should be an E36, its still very basic, less cabling and electrics than an e46 so you can see, learn and understand the mechanical bit easier.

a good start will be watching videos of how each area of the car works (engine, driveline, suspension.ect) , once you have good understanding of what each major component does, you will be more confident to start working on them. All the best..

 

[geemobee]

Saw quite few E36 328's on gumtree, some convertibles as well.

As long as the tools gets the job done then I'm happy I guess.

Oh there will be lots of Youtubing and possibly threads started in this place for the much needed help/guidance.

Meet Adendorff..

https://www.adendorff.co.za/

Local supplier of cheap Chinese tools, but fairly cheap.

yes the quality is not great, and sometimes is down right rubbish, but you do not need to go rush out and buy a 50k gedore spanner set to change some spark plugs.

I have found, builders warehouse carries the master craft tool range as their house brand, they are well priced, and durable as hell..

Just do not skimp on the trolley jack and tressels, that is the first lesson that you must learn, you do not work under a car unless its secure

For example
Floor jack
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/model-3000-short-wheel-base-low-level-jack/
2,395.00

Tressels
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-af+ric-3-ton-heavy-duty-steel-jack-stands/
275.00 x 2 sets to make 4

Basic spanner set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-85pce-toolbox-tools/
1,195.00
You could and should spend a bit more, but as a starter, this will do the basics

Torx E Socket Set
If your going to work on BMW you will need these (had the same set now for like 10 years)
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/torx-e-socket-set/
195.00

Torx Spline Set
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/mac-afric-14-38-drive-8-pce-male-torx-socket-set/
125

Power bar
https://www.adendorff.co.za/product/19mm-dr-390mm-l-handle-power-bar/
185

So your basic entry level tool set that means you can do probably 60% of all jobs will cost you 4645 . Call if 5k

Then small things, headlights, gloves, oil drain pans bla bla bla… 10k is PLENTY !!!

:withStu: This guy knows what he's talking about... In my opinion, leave out the 5k mastercraft tool box just yet and follow the above advice. also get a complete socket set as well.. from like 6mm - 32mm

The starter car should be an E36, its still very basic, less cabling and electrics than an e46 so you can see, learn and understand the mechanical bit easier.

a good start will be watching videos of how each area of the car works (engine, driveline, suspension.ect) , once you have good understanding of what each major component does, you will be more confident to start working on them. All the best..

 

[NtandoN]

Youtube is your friend.

As said above these are a must:
spanner set
socket set with 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2 wrenches and extensions
male & female torx set
screw driver set
oil filter socket
spark plug socket
breaker bar
torque wrench
jack and trestles
not forgetting disposable latex gloves

I've gotten most of these from Builders and Adendorff. You can do a major service plus more if you have these.

 

[Nick]

Get a few extensions and swivel sockets, i had to use 3 extensions to get my e90 G/box out :roflol:

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Nice thread, I would love to buy a second car to work on "project car" to learn on as well.

:thumbs:

 

[SubLoaded]

Buy a mk1. You won't even need tools.

Get stuck on the side of the road? No problem, mk1 got you. Just kick the engine bay a few times, bang a couple of things, and off you go :smilebounce:

 

[geemobee]

Nice thread, I would love to buy a second car to work on "project car" to learn on as well.

:thumbs:

Exactly - thanks

My thoughts are to get something pleasing on the eyes as well.

No rush in hobbies like these and the rewards will be in the drive.

---

Buy a mk1. You won't even need tools.

Get stuck on the side of the road? No problem, mk1 got you. Just kick the engine bay a few times, bang a couple of things, and off you go :smilebounce:

Mk1 golf was actually my first thought but then something with a bit of oomph and refinement became more appealing.

 

[geemobee]

A good place to start is the e36 or e46 platforms, both fall within your budget.. Fairly easy cars to learn on and spares are easily available/reasonably priced. They are great vehicles, especially the 6 cylinders variants.. I may be biased :tiptoe:

Would a Z3 2.8i be ok to start with?

 

[KPM3_30]

A good place to start is the e36 or e46 platforms, both fall within your budget.. Fairly easy cars to learn on and spares are easily available/reasonably priced. They are great vehicles, especially the 6 cylinders variants.. I may be biased :tiptoe:

Would a Z3 2.8i be ok to start with?

Parts for the Z3 will be more scarce than your e36 platform in terms of trim/body panels/etc, purely because of the numbers that they sold in. With regards to the engine, everything should be pretty much the same as the e36, I suspect suspension and other drivetrain bits would be a similar story, as it is essentially the same platform as the e36, bar the rear trailing arm design (which is from the e30). I stand to be corrected.

If it is something that appeals to you (2 door, convertible), I would say go for it, history and price dependent. As stated above the e36 will have less electronics, which would make it a more raw driving experience, in a good way and allow you to focus on mechanical aspects of the car.. The facelift Z3 comes with the 3.0 engine, that's in the e46 330i and has an upgrade from ASC to DSC traction systems, as well as clear exterior lights and some other bits and bobs.

I just have a thing for the e36 and e46 platforms in sport trim :rollsmile: