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breezer

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:thumbsup:

Took my MC to a main dealer for some warranty work (AUC) and they identified that my AC belt was cracked.

Offered to replace it for £130 while the car was there. I found the Continental belt on EuroCarParts for £13 before a snap 30% off sale was applied, so I got it for £11 delivered in the end.

I replaced it myself within an hour. The hardest part was getting the splash guard off without having access to ramps, but luckily I'm thin and happy to get mucky on the floor.

I'm fairly pleased I knocked 90% off the quote.

However, I know that according to some on the forum I've now knocked at least £10K off the value of my car, so I suppose £130 would've been cheaper. ;)
 
breezer said:
:thumbsup:

Took my MC to a main dealer for some warranty work (AUC) and they identified that my AC belt was cracked.

Offered to replace it for £130 while the car was there. I found the Continental belt on EuroCarParts for £13 before a snap 30% off sale was applied, so I got it for £11 delivered in the end.

I replaced it myself within an hour. The hardest part was getting the splash guard off without having access to ramps, but luckily I'm thin and happy to get mucky on the floor.

I'm fairly pleased I knocked 90% off the quote.

However, I know that according to some on the forum I've now knocked at least £10K off the value of my car, so I suppose £130 would've been cheaper. ;)
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No doubt the DIY police will be along to condem you but I'm with you, I'll be changing my belts later this week when I receive them ..... the money is better in your pocket rather than the stealers!! :thumbsup:
 
Viren said:
Good work! I'd much rather buy a car owned by someone who knows their way around it.
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I really hope that this view spreads as our cars get older. I think one of the pleasures of owning a sports car is being able to do jobs yourself. This is the first forum I've known where there as so many views about values being negatively affected/cars being harder to sell if the owner works on the car themselves. :thumbsup:

We changed the belts on Toms car a couple of weeks ago when swapping to underdrive pulleys. The nylon material is pretty brittle and access makes using a puller tricky. We went in from the top as the fan was removed when doing the Inspection service. :)
 
I do as much as I can my self, only involve said "pros" when they're needed.

services etc will be done at BMW, replacement bits like suspension etc I can do my self and just get alignment done at the garage.

on my coupe I've replaced -;

lollipos
end links
rear springs
head unit

in the past couple of months.

tried control arms but couldn't get them off in the road so gave up and booked it in the garage.
 
Great sort of job to do and avoid garage charges. Changed them both on my Zed a year ago and not only enjoy doing the work but saved the cost

In terms of reducing values isn't this being mixed with people wanting full dealer or specialist service history and a book of stamps, which for some folks is important and especially on newer cars can affect values? Changing belts, ancills, tyres, batteries brakes, pads and on and on is totally different

Personally as a car gets older who cares about main agent service, or a book of stamps anyway. It's about condition and an enthusiastic owner trumps everything to me
 
I don't think its the opinion of the forum. Just the Stamps being BMW keeps the value of the car higher.

You wouldn't get a stamp or any paperwork for the above so I don't see that affecting value. I would say oil services and Ins being done on time by BMW make the car an easier sell depending on its milage etc.
 
cj10jeeper said:
Great sort of job to do and avoid garage charges. Changed them both on my Zed a year ago and not only enjoy doing the work but saved the cost

In terms of reducing values isn't this being mixed with people wanting full dealer or specialist service history and a book of stamps, which for some folks is important and especially on newer cars can affect values? Changing belts, ancills, tyres, batteries brakes, pads and on and on is totally different

Personally as a car gets older who cares about main agent service, or a book of stamps anyway. It's about condition and an enthusiastic owner trumps everything to me
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It seems to be a big hurdle to get over at the minute.

Would seem people are happy with someone doing their own shims between servicing, but still want the official services stamped. I can't see the logic. Someone is either capable or not. Likewise with garages, do you really know the person doing the shims knows what they are doing. I think main dealers will be the worst, as less and less S54's will have main dealer servicing so their exposure will become less and with turnover of staff knowledge will disappear.

When I start doing my own shims I will do all the servicing, fully documented with pictures and videos where necessary.
 
"Personally as a car gets older who cares about main agent service, or a book of stamps anyway. It's about condition and an enthusiastic owner trumps everything to me"

This ^.

A £4k car will not be worth £500 more if the last few services or work on the car were either independents or DIY, as long as you keep all the receipts for the bits and the car has been loved and is in good condition.

I would agree though that for the first 5 to 8 years or so a FSH is important.
 
Anyone doing their own work, it would really help to properly document it even a thread in the forum to show the level of understanding and care you have taken. I should do this more!!

This is especially important if your servicing the car yourself, it should help with any resale concerns given people buying this car going forward are likely enthusiasts who appreciate a seller who knows their stuff more than a bmw stamp in a book.
 
Personally, I hate allowing anyone else to work on my vehicles.

I served my time as a general mechanic when I left school, and although I have not been "on the tools" for a good 30 odd years, I still prefer to do all of my own work.

Yes, cars and the technology in them has changed beyond recognition in that time, and some things are now impossible outside the main dealer network if you don't have the software & special tools, But there are work arounds.

I have the BCables setup as well as Carly for my BMW, Volvo Vadis interface/software for the other car and the Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen diagnostic kit for the van. Other than for the tasks specifically requiring these, basic suspension, brakes and transmission work is well within the scope of a confident amateur mechanic, some stuff is doable by a complete novice and it's only fear and/or lack of confidence that puts people off.

I'm also lucky having a double garage (prime consideration when buying the house) and a decent set of tools, but a lot of stuff can be tackled with basic sockets, spanners and screwdrivers.

If main dealers were more reasonable, I may consider using them - Erm, NOT.

The main issue I have now is finding the time with running the shop as well, however I still get roped into doing all of the family's cars too - Recently my Mum's car needed a clutch (regular occurance with her hubby, I have put clutches into every car they've had!) BUT, I was busy and one of my shop girls was on holiday.

Rather than pay Hyundai around £400 or some back street garage a bit less, my Mum ended up in the shop for the day, and I ended up under the car. Clutch done, just on £70 for a 3 piece Valeo kit..

Mike
 
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