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The German Car DIY Thread - Because You Enjoy Pain

I will say this - having worked on tracked vehicles and wheeled vehicles alike, I much prefer tracks and have often wondered why wheeled vehicles aren't designed similarly. On a tracked vehicle, the entire drivetrain is designed to be removed and replaced quickly and easily. By extension, any work needed to be done on any given component is similarly quick and easy compared to a wheeled vehicle. With an overhead crane + remote, air tools, and maybe 1 person to help guide, I can have the armor off and engine/transmission out in ~30 minutes. Show me a car you can yank the engine and transmission on in 30 minutes.

This is why I've always hated working on my own stuff - everything's much more of a pain in the ass. :laughing
 
Are BMWs really that hard to own? I had a 525 for 10 years and 289,000 miles but all I ever did was an oxygen sensor, a CV boot, and a water pump. Then tires and brakes, of course, but that's expected.
My X3 is 10 years old now, so we'll see how it goes.
 
billswim said:
Funny thing is Miatas don't really need work. :laughing
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hence the walk in the park. Although theres a few things I'll do to make sure its good to go.

racercosmo said:
Are BMWs really that hard to own? I had a 525 for 10 years and 289,000 miles but all I ever did was an oxygen sensor, a CV boot, and a water pump. Then tires and brakes, of course, but that's expected.
My X3 is 10 years old now, so we'll see how it goes.
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No. I had my 528i for a little longer than you and it was a great car. Was never stranded in it. I did an 02 sensor and PS reservoir. Oh and rear wheel bearings. 100k in under 3 years for it too.
 
tzrider said:
That rings true. I haven't had to do that much to our '99 Boxster (yeah, lucky me), but the things I've had to do are pretty procedural. Access being what it is (or isn't), sometimes you have to take a lot of shit apart to get at what you're trying to fix.

There's probably a clutch replacement in my future, which I'm not really looking forward to.
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While you're in there, install an LN engineering IMS bearing.
 
racercosmo said:
Are BMWs really that hard to own? I had a 525 for 10 years and 289,000 miles but all I ever did was an oxygen sensor, a CV boot, and a water pump. Then tires and brakes, of course, but that's expected.
My X3 is 10 years old now, so we'll see how it goes.
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The 3 series based cars had shock mount issues in the rear, E36, E36/7, E36/8, and E46. The rubber in the mount become separated. Also, the cooling systems on those last about 80k miles, there's some aftermarket stuff to make it last longer.

I'm used to hearing people say, "my BMW is dead reliable, except for that time my water pump/expansion tank exploded."

None of these things are show stoppers though. :p
 
Almost bought an E39 M5.....that would have been a financial nightmare. The prices look so good, but there's a reason. :laughing
Really I'd rather have an E28, but they're hard to come by.
 
I was briefly interested in Pingzgauer 6x, after driving one and realizing how "bugish" (Volkswagon) it was built, I passed. It only had a 70mph top speed and I was freshly rid of a basket case super beetle (everything loose and sloppy), there's the other end of the German engineering spectrum.
 
fawndog said:
I was briefly interested in Pingzgauer 6x, after driving one and realizing how "bugish" (Volkswagon) it was built, I passed. It only had a 70mph top speed and I was freshly rid of a basket case super beetle (everything loose and sloppy), there's the other end of the German engineering spectrum.
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You strike me as a halflinger guy :twofinger
 
German "quality control" on my E90:

1) A couple head bolts
2) The tensioner bolt
3) A couple oil pan bolts

All cracked, heads busted off, and leaking, due to incorrect torque at the factory. Common flaw with this car. And if it happens out of warranty, tough luck! Oh BTW, subframe needs to be removed to remove the oil pan!
 
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I just made the mistake of looking at MB S55 AMGs. Any reason why they are so affordable? :laughing
 
Electronics ? In the trunk right under the seal.
 
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wazzuFreddo said:
I just made the mistake of looking at MB S55 AMGs. Any reason why they are so affordable? :laughing
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just like with the German car I currently own:

zero maintenance done by previous owners and they're waiting for it to 'fall apart' and be declared unreliable??

Maybe the current owners are saying "maan I bought this for over 100k and they don't even provide free tires" ?? ?
 
Reli said:
Almost bought an E39 M5.....that would have been a financial nightmare. The prices look so good, but there's a reason. :laughing
Really I'd rather have an E28, but they're hard to come by.
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I have no problems on my E60 M5, but it would be wise to be prepared to drop some serious coin if anything happens!
 
The MBz W220 is looking better and better the more I look into it (brake and tire costs aside). Lot of car for the money.

I'd look for an '04, '05, or '06 I think.
 
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