apart from you guys in the trade, im just wondering how many members like to service and repair (if possible) your own cars, ive just spent the afternoon doing the coupe, fresh oil, plugs, filters, etc.......not that im a tight ar#e but i prefer to do it myself if possible, how many others enjoy tinkering!
Sp!ke
Administrator
+1
Wherever possible I like to do all that I can now.
I enjoy it (mostly) and unlike in a garage, I can take my time and put more care into doing the job 110%.
As an example, for 6 consecutive dealer services, my service records show that the ARB bushes were changed. So when I went to change them myself I investigated why they were wearing out so rapidly and found the anti roll bar itself was worn and had sharp edges hence wearing out the bushes. I simply polished out the rough edges and refitted, and the bushes have lasted 20k miles so far instead of the 6k miles each time previous.
It would also be uneconomical to run an old car like this unless you can do the maintenance yourself. You may as well drive something newer with fixed cost servicing or a service contract.
Wherever possible I like to do all that I can now.
I enjoy it (mostly) and unlike in a garage, I can take my time and put more care into doing the job 110%.
As an example, for 6 consecutive dealer services, my service records show that the ARB bushes were changed. So when I went to change them myself I investigated why they were wearing out so rapidly and found the anti roll bar itself was worn and had sharp edges hence wearing out the bushes. I simply polished out the rough edges and refitted, and the bushes have lasted 20k miles so far instead of the 6k miles each time previous.
It would also be uneconomical to run an old car like this unless you can do the maintenance yourself. You may as well drive something newer with fixed cost servicing or a service contract.
Frank O' Phile
Active Member
+2
I like to do everything myself, when I want to, and not when I have to. Especilly now the better weather is here. For the few jobs I can't do, such as pressing out bearings etc, I have a friendly local guy. He really is good (like finding a painless dentist) but I'm cheaper.
I have 2 cars, mine and the wifes lil Mx-3, and 3 bikes at the moment and all the work, repairs and servicing has been done by me. And they still function properly!
I like to do everything myself, when I want to, and not when I have to. Especilly now the better weather is here. For the few jobs I can't do, such as pressing out bearings etc, I have a friendly local guy. He really is good (like finding a painless dentist) but I'm cheaper.
I have 2 cars, mine and the wifes lil Mx-3, and 3 bikes at the moment and all the work, repairs and servicing has been done by me. And they still function properly!
Last edited:
Agree with all the comments, I also do most of my own repairs including servicing I have a Lexus GS300 sport and it is just a car so I have found most jobs are quite straight forward.
In the past work by main dealers for my wifes car (Vauxhall) and my ex Mercedes has been shoddy to say the least.
I have sold lots of my cars to private buyers and I have kept all the receipts for parts and it has never been a problem to them I always keep my cars tidy and any faults are put right when they happen.
Norman
In the past work by main dealers for my wifes car (Vauxhall) and my ex Mercedes has been shoddy to say the least.
I have sold lots of my cars to private buyers and I have kept all the receipts for parts and it has never been a problem to them I always keep my cars tidy and any faults are put right when they happen.
Norman
JumboBeef
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2009
- Messages
- 577
- Car
- W124 E220 Estate Auto
I always do what I can. Failing that, my FIL helps out......
D
Deleted member 11979
Guest
I do most things myself, keep the service history of the SL up though by taking it to an independant who can also give the underneath a good once over every year. Repairs I do myself which is why I changed the coils, dizzy caps, rotor arms, plugs and then 1 HT lead to stop a misfire, and yes, it was the HT lead, but at least al lthe other components are new!
kikkthecat
MB Enthusiast
Simple Philosophy
D-I-Y = DON'T INVOLVE YOURSELF
Works for me.
D-I-Y = DON'T INVOLVE YOURSELF
Works for me.
shorty
MB Enthusiast
I also work on our cars myself . My father always done his own work and when I was a kid I would always be out helping him and I then have followed on doing all my own work . I find that its very enjoyable working on cars and bikes plus the money saved helps .
kwakdonut
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,744
- Location
- Highworth, Wiltshire
- Car
- Frod Mundano TDCi, Kawasaki z650
Have just changed the brake pads on the missus A Class. Absolute doddle - done in an hour! Full pad kit from MB inc new sensor, £53! Brake callipers identical to my old Bora ones so very simple to work on.....
Great satisfaction in knowing that the stealers would have charged around £160 for the same job...
Great satisfaction in knowing that the stealers would have charged around £160 for the same job...
kwakdonut
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2006
- Messages
- 2,744
- Location
- Highworth, Wiltshire
- Car
- Frod Mundano TDCi, Kawasaki z650
That's fine - someone has to keep the stealer/Indy in business!
Even simple jobs can give you enormous satisfaction! lol...
I Love it, im a bit of a SAS mechanic (saturday and sunday), Forever pulling the engine out of vectras and swaping them about, know the vectra like the back of my hand. No doubt it wont be long untill the CLK is the same. Got a feeling that it needs new shocks al round, and basically every bush on the rear changeing. So ive got that to look forward too!
djflip
Member
My fella does all the work on the car.
but to be honest we have not had one problem with it the last year we have had it.
its had its service and 2 front tyres, thats it!
i think he sid the diff seals need replacing so hell do that when he had pleanty of time to get it done.
no point barking if you have a dog to do it for you!
but to be honest we have not had one problem with it the last year we have had it.
its had its service and 2 front tyres, thats it!
i think he sid the diff seals need replacing so hell do that when he had pleanty of time to get it done.
no point barking if you have a dog to do it for you!
verytalldave
MB Enthusiast
I used to DIY when my car had a dynamo, distributer box and a carburetter.
But not now. I know my limitations.
Apparently, even just disconnecting and reconnecting the battery on my W203 requires you to follow certain procedures otherwise problems can occour.
But not now. I know my limitations.
Apparently, even just disconnecting and reconnecting the battery on my W203 requires you to follow certain procedures otherwise problems can occour.
jpskiller
Active Member
Times being what they are I am just learning how to do simply things, done Oil/Filters/Plugs/Fuel Filter/Throttle Cable on the 190e recently, but when it comes to big things then that is beyond me and I will have to use a garage, for instance my 300e requires the rear wheel bearing doing, but for the costs involved, I'm having the whole hub replaced, and that is beyond me.
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2008
- Messages
- 2,750
- Location
- Leeds, West Yorkshire
- Car
- E280CDI SPORTS ESTATE and C200 KOMPRESSOR SE Coupe Auto (1.8 lit petrol)
I've fettled all my cars for 37 years - Ever since I took my first A40 into a garage in 1972 and nearly died when I saw the bill, and realised that I'd probably just been scammed.
During those years, I've run and serviced everything from Mini 850s to a 1974 Chevy 350 cid V8, which I ran for 8 years
I've run reliable cars and troublesome cars.
The Rover SD1 was the worst - And we had three of those.
I must have saved countless thousands of pounds in servicing costs.
I've had a lot of fun and satisfaction.
I've learned a very great deal (and am still learning every day).
I have one regret, and that is that I didn't buy an MB earlier.
In the 1980s, I had a friend who was an MB-trained mechanic.
He said ... "John - Don't do it ... You're a DIY man and the MB is not a car for a DIY man".
So I bought the Chevy instead.
Ten years ago we bought a 1984 Type 126 380SE.
I did everything on it and was beaten twice in ten years.
One occasion, I needed to press in a new front suspension leg bottom ball joint.
I took the leg to my local indie, who did it in 10 minutes and didn't even charge me.
Ball joint cost about ten quid.
The job was a day's work for me (I'd never done it before).
Second time was a rear wheel bearing on the car, which had slightly too much end float. I took a look at it, borrowed the special tool ... and decided it wasn't that bad after all.
Modern MBs can certainly be a puzzle at times.
That's why Mrs J and I run two the same (E300TDs) that are just a bit older than many forum members' cars.
This is a wonderful forum where members help each other and where some members, particularly, are incredibly-generous with their knowledge and experience.
As I said ... I'm still learing every day.
Cheers All
Johnsco
During those years, I've run and serviced everything from Mini 850s to a 1974 Chevy 350 cid V8, which I ran for 8 years
I've run reliable cars and troublesome cars.
The Rover SD1 was the worst - And we had three of those.
I must have saved countless thousands of pounds in servicing costs.
I've had a lot of fun and satisfaction.
I've learned a very great deal (and am still learning every day).
I have one regret, and that is that I didn't buy an MB earlier.
In the 1980s, I had a friend who was an MB-trained mechanic.
He said ... "John - Don't do it ... You're a DIY man and the MB is not a car for a DIY man".
So I bought the Chevy instead.
Ten years ago we bought a 1984 Type 126 380SE.
I did everything on it and was beaten twice in ten years.
One occasion, I needed to press in a new front suspension leg bottom ball joint.
I took the leg to my local indie, who did it in 10 minutes and didn't even charge me.
Ball joint cost about ten quid.
The job was a day's work for me (I'd never done it before).
Second time was a rear wheel bearing on the car, which had slightly too much end float. I took a look at it, borrowed the special tool ... and decided it wasn't that bad after all.
Modern MBs can certainly be a puzzle at times.
That's why Mrs J and I run two the same (E300TDs) that are just a bit older than many forum members' cars.
This is a wonderful forum where members help each other and where some members, particularly, are incredibly-generous with their knowledge and experience.
As I said ... I'm still learing every day.
Cheers All
Johnsco
SilverSaloon
MB Enthusiast
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2004
- Messages
- 7,758
- Car
- 1994 W124 E300D Estate, 1985 R107 280SL
yeah i do it. i know exactly whats been done/changed, what brands/parts have been used and i know its done correctly.
Users who are viewing this thread
Similar threads
