Do you do your own maintenance?

[UlrichFennec]

I was curious how many people go to the dealer, an independent shop or do things themselves.

Right now, I do a mix of both. I do some basic maintenance like spark plugs, hoses, bulbs, checking fluids and topping off and airing up my tires. Sometimes I go to my specialist shop to get things done that I can't do myself since I don't have many tools, like my timing belt, valve adjustments and other routine maintenance. At the moment, I don't have a floor jack, or wheel chocks, jackstands, etc. I just have a bunch of wrenches, sockets and a couple ratchets, screwdrivers etc. I gotta save up after all the preventative maintenance I've had done and the slow and steady restoration ahead.

[AndrewBird]

When I was 15 I got my first car, a 1970 MGB-GT. Took it to a local shop run by an old guy who specialized in British cars. I needed the side draft Weber DCOE tuned. After sitting in his shop for almost a week, he gave it back to me after doing nothing because he couldn't figure it out. I took it home and read a lot and taught myself how to do it. Haven't taken any of my cars to a shop since, other than for an alignment or tire mounting/balancing.

[5Toes]

this forum is pretty much built upon the DIY attitude, Im sure the poll will reflect this.

[UlrichFennec]

this forum is pretty much built upon the DIY attitude, Im sure the poll will reflect this.

Makes sense, but some people might be in a particular situation not making it easy or might be limited to what they can do, like me. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a shitty owner for not working on it all myself.

[estoguy]

I've done about 90% of my own maintenance. I had the brakes and starter done when I first got my E30 because it was the middle of December and I had nowhere to do the work inside. Had my muffler replaced at a shop and my rear calipers/brakes replaced and bled.

I have performed the following services, sometimes with help.
- Oil Changes – switched to synthetic a few months in, now doing them about every 12-15K km.
- Valve Clearance checks every 30,000 km (Have done this five times, and no need for adjustments yet)
- Bi-annual tire swaps
- Replacing Spark plugs (Have done this 3 times)
- Timing belt, water pump, crank seal at 265,000 km with help from by buddy
- Front wheel bearings
- Brake servicing
- All rear bushings – Subframe, trailing arm, drop links and rear strut bearings. At the same time, replaced rear inner brake lines, and 3 differential seals (the output seals and the input seal) – with help from my buddy.
- Removed rusted out resonator and had my buddy weld in a replacement elbow
- The second timing belt under my ownership - did this one solo
- Removed steering rack to replace the lower steering linkage

[UlrichFennec]

I need to find myself a buddy out here in Colorado to help me work on my car and show me the ins and outs. It'd sure as hell make things a lot easier on me.

[DrJosh]

I used to do everything myself. Now I just do what I want and have the Indy do the rest. Oil changes and such get old

[Cabriolet]

other than really one really weird issue i was having, i do all my own work, including building my own engines, upholstering my own seats and everything else bolted on to the chassis of an e30.

[UlrichFennec]

other than really one really weird issue i was having, i do all my own work, including building my own engines, upholstering my own seats and everything else bolted on to the chassis of an e30.

I'm gonna build my own stuff one day. I'm going to an automotive trade school soon and I'm gonna own an independent shop in many years from now. At least I hope so. My E30 is pretty much getting my foot in the door on being a mechanic.

[AndrewBird]

Makes sense, but some people might be in a particular situation not making it easy or might be limited to what they can do, like me. I hope this doesn't make me sound like a shitty owner for not working on it all myself.

I did a head gasket in my apartment complex parking lot. So glad I'm living in a house again.

[Das Delfin]

I need to find myself a buddy out here in Colorado to help me work on my car and show me the ins and outs. It'd sure as hell make things a lot easier on me.

I don't know anyone around here to help wrench on my car. Except sometimes I make the gf help. I look everything up like a million times in advance so that when I have to go and do anything it's easy because I'm prepared. Eventually you get more competent and develop more of an understanding with how things will go. But I would never pay someone to fix my car because it's not economical and I just want to be sure everything is done right.

[nando]

people take E30s to the dealer?

I'm pretty sure you could fix an E30 exclusively with chewing gum, zip ties and duct tape as your only tools..

[redsubdivisions]

people take E30s to the dealer?

I'm pretty sure you could fix an E30 exclusively with chewing gum, zip ties and duct tape as your only tools..

I've seen it, especially down here. Doesn't happen often at all but when it does, it's usually the original owner.

[doorman]

I take all our cars for oil changes.

BMWs to an Indy close by and the Honda to a local oil change place.
20+ years of oil changes.....tired of the mess after!

[F34R]

The only thing I have ever paid for is: low profile mount and balance and alignment for Polly, I always did front alignment myself.

If I did not know how I researched and asked questions.