Recommended tools for maintenance work

[Matticus91]

Are there any BMW specific tools you DIY guys keep around? I'm looking to order a new socket set and some other tools and was curious what you all use. I'm fairly certain the spark plugs require a thin wall socket but wasn't sure if there was anything else I should pick up.

[awns729]

E torx and jack pad adapters are useful.

[dailowill]

Low profile jack
Jack Pad/ESCO jack stands from reverse logic - You don't mess up the plastic jack points. Some people make blocks themselves out of hockey pucks or use wood blocks.
Ramps
BMW filter wrench
Lots of metric sockets and wrenches
Various Torx bit sockets - air box, etc.
5/16 x 8 slotted screwdriver - radiator plug
Various metric hex bit sockets - Covers, diff plug, tranny plug, etc.
External torx sockets - Most maintenance items won't need this
Flare wrench - Bleeding brakes
Pressure bleeder - One man brake bleeding tool
E90 Bentley manual - The closest we'll ever get to having a E82 version...
Carly for BMW - Coding/scanner/maintenance resetter/battery registrant

Generic stuff:

1/2 + 3/8 torque wrench
1/2 + 3/8 breaker bar - Leverage is the boss
Spark plug socket
Various slotted/phillips screwdrivers
Calipers - Measuring rotor thickness
Impact driver - Just makes unscrewing things easier
Pry bar
Pick set
Fluid extractor / filler - Diff fluid since my car has one hole for fill/drain
Turkey basters - Remove extra fluid in power steering/coolant/brake fluid reservoir
Nitrile gloves

I'm probably forgetting a few items, but these are the tools I've picked up over the years and not all at once. I regret not having breaker bars from the beginning though. They make life so much easier.

[inFamousKicks]

Definitely get a small torx set. I've been surprised at how many little things are held down with those.

[lowbudgethero]

I had pretty much everything already except for the oil filter adaptor, jack pad, spark plug tool.

[Dackelone]

Other than what's already posted...

Spark plug tool (N54/N55) 3/8th socket, 12mm, 12 point, then walled.
tamper proof Torx bits: T27, T25 and T15
Reverse Torx sockets, e-series
OBDII blue tooth(CAN/BUS dongle) or WiFi and an app like Torque or BMwhat to read an clear fault codes.
a LONG(three or four foot long) 1/2 inch breaker bar. Comes in handy for breaking loose wheel bolts or stubborn bolts that someone used an impact gun on.
14mm hex socket for removing the diff fill plug.
8mm hex socket for the manual trans drain and fill plugs

[vtl]

This is all the stuff I use, I do everything on my own car.


Tools:
Metric socket set with ALL sizes, a lot of cheaper sets omit a few sizes, this is annoying.
Metric deep wall socket set
Metric 1/2 impact set (don't use normal sockets with an impact, they get damaged and can be unsafe)
Various extensions
Full Allen socket set (allen keys don't cut it)
Full Etorx socket set
Full Torx socket set
Metric Open spanner set (don't use these too often actually but you need them)
1/2" Breaker bar
M12 x 1.5mm wheel holder stud (you screw this into the hub after you've taken off a wheel bolt and it aligns the wheels and stops the wheels from falling off the hub when all the bolts are out)
86mm x16 flute oil filter tool
14mm thin walled spark plug tool

Plastic trim tools

1/4" Electric socket driver (can use a small drill)
3/8" Electric ratchet
1/2" Electric impact

Low profile ramps
Low profile jack
(4 post lift would be nice)

All bolts have torque values and a lot of bolts are single use (torque + angle = stretched permanently). There is no such thing as good n' tight :
1/4, 3/8, 1/2 torque wrenches
Torque angle gauge

Air tools:
Compressor
Tyre inflator with digital gauge
N54 Walnut blaster
Boost leak tester

Fluids:
Motive Brake pressure bleeder
Drain pan
Large syringes (sold for turkey basting) - Useful for sucking fluids, pulling vaccuum
Oil funnel
Fluid pumper (pumps fluid into a diff's fill hole)

Electronics:
Multimeter
Ebay K+DCAN cable
BMW Standard tools - Forget BMWhat/Carly, these are the factory diagnostic/coding/flashing tools with more all the capability: (includes INPA/NCSExpert/WinKFP/Tool32)
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=918608
BMW TIS - This is the factory service manual software and is specific to your car. Includes torque specs and instructions
Battery charger

Finally:
Common sense
Google fu

[Matticus91]

Wow guys this is some great info, was not expecting so much detail.

Thanks! Looks like I have some serious shopping to do

[JimD]

vtl's list is quite good.

For shopping, I went to Harbor Freight. I bought a tool roll, and loaded it with 1/4 and 3/8 6 point socket sets (important for cheaper sockets to avoid rounding heads with 12 point), plastic bodied ratchets (better than all metal ones at HF), Extendable 3/8 (works on lug nuts if they are torqued properly), deep well for lug nuts, combination wrench set, screwdriver with lots of tips (including torx), 1/4 and 3/8 extensions and probably some stuff I'm forgetting. I also have the cap wrench for the oil filter housing from Bavarian but don't keep it in the car (it is handy in having the same size nut on it as the drain plug). I also have torque wrenches (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) from HF but don't keep them in the car. The tool roll with most of the tools fits under the floor of the trunk with a few wood blocks for the lift points. It will cover the vast majority of what I do these days. I need to add a Tyvek coverall in case I have to use these tools in nicer clothes.

HF tools are not the equivalent of snap-on or other really premium brands but they are at least as good as current Craftsman and similar to Husky and Kobalt hand tools. And they are cheaper. If you have a store near you, you should check them out - and don't forget the 20% off coupon.