Recommendations

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
string
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Wales

Post Sat May 28, 2005 9:55 pm

Hi guys,as most of you here do some serious work to your cars ,I'm looking for any recommendations in terms of equipment
i.e. trolley jacks,axle stands,torque wrenches etc.
Anybody use a particular brand or buy from a particular place?
Is it just a case of going to Halfords/Machine Mart and buying what looks right?

Cheers
Ziggy
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 11534
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: floating round my tin can...

Post Sun May 29, 2005 1:16 am

Most of my stuff's inherited / acquired over years, but I can definately recommend the halfords professional range. Only good thing they make & they've got a lifetime guarantee. Way cheaper than the "posh" brands & perfectly good enough for day to day use. Can also recommend blaggin a halfords trade card ;)
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
A1BMW325iSport
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 4239
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Mid Wales

Post Sun May 29, 2005 1:31 am

halfords professional range is top quality, never let me down,

machine mart are also good but i use them for the larger tools like engine cranes etc.

Matt
m1key
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 195
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Stirling, Scotland UK

Post Sun May 29, 2005 6:15 am

Halfords are expensive i find and only tends to have 3/8" rather than 1/2" stuff. Also most manufacturers give lifetime on tools now. How many tolls have you taken back to any shop ?? if you break a socket or a ratchet your using it wrong.

Is a few good shops online that do good deals and free postage on big orders.

Euro Car Parts can get the full Sealy range of products which is good. Most auto factors sell tools and local DIY shops too.

I have a set of spanners that cost me 4.99 at the market years ago and they are still in use !

but each to there own.

shop around.

My top 10...

1. Trolley Jack
2. Axle Stands ( x4)
3. Full Socket Set from 2mm to 32mm
4. Big Breaker Bar
5. Hex Set (BMW has Hex stuff everywhere)
6. Ring & Open Ended Spanners (6mm to 28mm)
7. Wheel Spider
8. Cheap Ԛ£20 Car tool kit from Argos
9. Multi Meter
10. Ball Hammer!!

I stay not far from a few good tool shops and tend to buy tools as i need them. Dont go out and spend a mint on tools if all you need to do is an oil change.

Mikey
User avatar
string
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 64
Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: South Wales

Post Mon May 30, 2005 12:04 pm

Thanks guys some good tips there.
I've got to go to Halfords anyway so I'll check out some of their stuff.I seriously need to get under the car as I seem to have developed a small oil leak :cry:
m1key
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 195
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Stirling, Scotland UK

Post Mon May 30, 2005 11:06 pm

as a starting point for spanners i can recomend the Ԛ£19.99 set from argos !

comes in a packet you fix to the wall and halfords wanted Ԛ£35 for 1/4 of this set!!

it goes up to 25mm which is handy.

mike