How many of you guys actually do work on your own car?

[RCWells]

To date the only thing that I haven't done is A/C work, and most likely that will not change. I've got to have some more A/C work done now and I'll do what I can of it, but the charging will be left to the pros.

Next up?
A/C drier, hose, r12 recharge
Clutch replacement
Timing belt/water pump
All hoses/belts
New plug wires/rotor/cap/etc
Brake rotors/pads/New master cylinder(25mm)
Motor mounts
New oil pan?or repair w/some JBWeld

[FredK]

I let it drain until there is absolutely nothing coming out of the drain hole before I put the plug back in.

Yeah, I usually drive the car for a little while to warm up the oil, which also adds a bit of time. I probably wait around 5 minutes for the oil to drain, and while that's happening I do the filter and wipe down parts of the engine bay that have accumulated dirt and dust.

Befo' you slam it, Fram it. Just kidding.

[madjurgen]

dont buy an e30 if youre not going to do your own work. its just silly. even if youre rich.


wtf, an oil change takes 20 min tops.

[AndrewBird]

I think the question should be, "Who doesn't do all their own work on their car?" :)

[modifiede30]

I'll do it all in my driveway, but I have access to a lift 20 ft away, so I don't have much to worry about.

[shiftbmw]

I do work on mine...valves, fluid changes, radiator, anything. Haven't had to do a whole lot on the e30 though.

Used to drop trannies, do clutches, differentials, whole bunch of crap when I owned Datsuns.

[erik325i]

I do all my own work.

When I first got my e30, i barely could change my own oil. Now, I do everything including replacing my clutch, entire suspension, installing/balancing tires, allignments...

I also work on my GF's e30, help my brother with his e30, work on my mom's e46, and help out fellow e30 owners.

-Erik

[kommissar]

I just did some scheduled maintenance a couple hundred miles ago. From what I remember I did:

Spark Plugs, dist. cap, rotor, water pump, all new hoses, coolant flush, all new belts, oil / oil filter change, and the timing belt.

I wanted to do the cam shaft oil seal while I had the distributor off but I didn't. I think that it needed a Torx wrench to get in there or something.

[MitchFong]

my e30 has not seen a garage since i bought it.
so far i have swapped my full suspension minus sway bars. Which will be done soon. Changed oil, all fluids, spark plugs, dist. cap, and im sure much more as time goes on. Need an allignment tho, i dont think i can manage that one. And ill need a shop to build my exhaust as i cant weld, nor have a welder.

[AdironRider]

The only time my e30 sees a garage now is when Im stuck in a pinch or for inspections etc.

[87Blue325iC]

Nope, never worked on my car...

;)

[e30vert]

I typically dont work too much on mine either.

NOT!

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

My concern with full suspension work is the major $$$ id have to spend on special tools. Wouldnt you need a spring compressor to do jobs like that?

You can get a pair of cheap spring compressors at harbor freight that get the job done for $10

[AdironRider]

Yeah man spring compressors are cheap. Plus there are plenty of parts places around that would even rent those special tools to you for cheap.

[///M42 sport]

Oh, just the usual 5spd swap and oil pan gasket. nothing major really.