DIY Essentials for "beginners"

[shawnj]

Wanted to see what your "Go-To" Tools and equipment are for you at home DIYers.

Since I moved to North County SD, far away from my mechanic hook up, I want to start more wrenching at home. The condo I moved into has a small garage (finally) but I think I can make it work.

I definitely need a "low profile" jack since my car is lowered so it would be helpful if someone out there uses a decent one and can recommend.

I have a small and cheap ratchet and torx set to start.

This probably sounds really dumb to your DIYers but any help is appreciated!

[The Wind Breezes]

You need the following to work on this car:

1) PATIENCE!!

The rest is easy as it can be bought...

Torque wrenches for light torque (inch lbs) and heavy torque (100+ ftlb)

Powerful adjustable impact gun, electric or pneumatic (not needed for most things but will make removing some fasteners a lot easier)

Lithium electric ratchet / electric drill (not NEEDED but will make your life 1000x easier than spinning ratchets)

Low profile jack

Jack stands

Wood for jacks / jack stands to support stuff without damage

Tool box (essential, you must have one)

Metric sockets deep and shallow

Extenders, U-joint, adaptors from 1/4-3/8-1/2

Ratchets in the above sizes

Wrench set in metric, preferably with ratcheting end

Screwdriver set

Rubber mallets

Dead blow hammer

Pliers set (needle nose, regular, channel lock, vice grip)

Torx socket, allen keys, polydrive for some more exotic stuff

Female torx sockets

Microfiber towels, spray wax, some sort of degreasing cleaning agent for the really dirty stuff

Nitrile gloves unless you like filthy hands

Even with the above you'll get really dirty so Fast Orange with pumice to clean your hands after the fact (don't fuck around with anything else this is an essential purchase)

[shawnj]

Thanks for the reply man! great list

[The Wind Breezes]

You also want those blue paper shop towels you'll run thru a million of them super useful.

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by The Ultimate 1-Series Buyer's Guide

• THE 1ADDICTS SEARCH TOOL!! Seriously, this forum has enough information to hurt your brain.
• Carly App or other code reader, Carly also allows cool coding features to unlock your car's potential features
• 3/8" metric hex bit set
• 3/8" Male & female Torx set
• Flexible 1/4" and 3/8" extensions
• Extensions of all shapes and sizes (1/4", 3/8", long & short)
• Universal joint socket connectors
• BMW jack stand adapters (or just cut some wood to stuff into the jack points)
• Quality torque wrench
• Metric offset box wrench set
• Oil Filter tool (Any Volvo/BMW 86mm/16 flute one will work)

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1285231