E30 Zone

Have I missed something obvious but whilst researching online for some basic type tools to service/work on the E30 as well as the rest of the fleet....

I noticed that the Halfords Professional stuff with the lifetime guarentee offers superb value for money but was abit miffed to find the 150 piece set on their website down to £149.99 AND the 170 piece set down to £129.99...

Easy decision to make about which one i will take the plunge for, but am i missing something obvious? what can be the logic behind it and is the 170 piece one inferior in any way shape or form?...Ie: missing something important and valuable thats included in the 150 piece set?...

Have a look for yourselves....

150 piece:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 55215#tab2


170 Piece:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... 55215#tab1

Based on the pics, the 170 kit is exactly the same as the 150, only with 20 more bits (ratchet spanners, a few more regular spanners and sockets).

So they're probably priced to clear; too many 170-piece kits left on the shelf that need to be got rid of. A bargain either way.

That s a great deal in that case, I think I might pop down to my local store in that case....

76p per item!

To put that into perspective the 1/2" ratchet is £23 alone, my only point would be this ratchet isn't the 72 tooth version, which is a good/amost invaluable piece of kit.

I expect its an offer to clear before new stock arrives. I bought my 150 piece set (the biggest at the time) for £99, cheaper than the both the smaller sets available at the time. I actually got a breaker bar as well and the price for both was still less

Definitely worth getting. Had mine since 2004 and its done many a engine conversion, plus all the usual work. Only had one problem with a ratchet, but only because it got left in the rain A drenching in oil has pretty much cured it though. The screwdriver and hex bits can be brittle, but just take a broken one back to the store and they replace

How does the halfords pro gear compare to other decent tool makes?

I need to replace my now very much depelted snap on socket sets in 1/2 1/4 3/4 as well as my 1/2 impacts. This seems like a fair deal but never bought any as I tend to stick to what I know.

So I'm interested in what you guys think?

Skinhead wrote:How does the halfords pro gear compare to other decent tool makes?

I need to replace my now very much depelted snap on socket sets in 1/2 1/4 3/4 as well as my 1/2 impacts. This seems like a fair deal but never bought any as I tend to stick to what I know.

So I'm interested in what you guys think?

IMO i won't buy halfords kit, The amount I use it they tend to fall apart. It certainly wont stand up to the punishment of Snap On or Facom.

Skinhead wrote:How does the halfords pro gear compare to other decent tool makes?

I need to replace my now very much depelted snap on socket sets in 1/2 1/4 3/4 as well as my 1/2 impacts. This seems like a fair deal but never bought any as I tend to stick to what I know.

So I'm interested in what you guys think?

The pro range is good kit, I've been using my same set now since 2005 and has rebuilt several E30's along with engine conversions. One ratchet mech failed so took it back for a free replacement - it comes with a lifetime guarantee

Depends how much you use it.
As above though, I've had mine since 2004, bought to do my S50 conversion. It's done many other conversions plus all the other general work - brake changes, suspension, rear arms, diff changes, servicing and not just on my cars.
It's the only tool kit I take to a race meeting (where as others have full cabinets) and it gets a hammering, sometimes literally! I have often used a 1m long scaff bar on the end of the ratchet, I've even hammered the ratchet to shock stuff loose and in 8 years I've not had 1 fail. I've had a couple screwdriver and hex bits break, but they get replaced under the lifetime warranty.

I'd recommend them any day of the week.

Fair play, may give them a whirl. What are they like next to Draper Expert and Sealey gear? I must admit Sealey do make some good quality hand tool's, some are cack but I do have a few items that I wouldn't part with.

well personally, the chrome could be maybe a touch more resilient, but that is my only observation - otherwise it's excellent kit and perfectly functional - that and the 72 tooth ratchet upgrade

scjimbo wrote:

Skinhead wrote:How does the halfords pro gear compare to other decent tool makes?

I need to replace my now very much depelted snap on socket sets in 1/2 1/4 3/4 as well as my 1/2 impacts. This seems like a fair deal but never bought any as I tend to stick to what I know.

So I'm interested in what you guys think?

IMO i won't buy halfords kit, The amount I use it they tend to fall apart. It certainly wont stand up to the punishment of Snap On or Facom.

Halfords pro range is actually very well regarded. You'd be struggling to buy anything else better for the same cash tbh. Lifetime guarantee iirc.

I bought the 150 piece set in Jan for 99.99. Seems pretty spot on to me.

The halfords pro kit is bang on, had mine since 2001 when working in a land rover specialists and they have stood up to that perfectly- I've not had to replace any of it

Another + vote for halfords pro tools.

I don't think anyone will pretend they're proper high end snap on quality, but they are very good, and great value. Mine are used and abused regularly and I've never broken a socket or ratchet.

Snapped a jaw off an open spanner and had an Allen bit that was brittle and snapped. Both replaced on the spot with no reciept or hastle.

For a DIY-er who doesn't have access to a snap on van, and often has to use their tools out of hours, being able to wander into a branch 7 days a week is a big plus point.

Bought the 170 piece set, tonight after work. Quality seems good for the money. Thanks for answering my questions.

Take it easy

i got my 150 pc set for 20 quid.. someone stole a ratchet so they couldnt sell it, sold to me cheap,

we have got the 150 pc one but needed another so went and got the 170 pc as well


very good tools dont need to use my snap on stuff anymore now