Must haves for the toolbox?

pcjackson06 · 05-21-2016, 09:09 AM

What's in your toolbox? It's been awhile since I worked on a car. The last car I really got dirty with was a 1960 MGA. I need to re-supply the garage. What are the must haves?

Ozzie335i · 05-21-2016, 10:32 AM

Money. Lots of money.

John 070 · 05-21-2016, 10:41 AM

Torx and Allen bits, small (3/8 15-75) and large torque wrenches, 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets, breaker bars, line wrenches, 1x2 blocks, c clamps, channel locks, anti seize, sockets, magnetic pickup, locking extensions, etc

Thought of an example, spark plug job. Think about all that you would need for that job. $68 DIY v. $450 dealer....tools are worth it...

Welcome to NBA Jam · 05-21-2016, 12:47 PM

Craftsman Universal Socket Set will go very far. I love it. Lots of extensions, wobble extension, a set of good Allen keys, a set of good Allen sockets, torx sockets, flare wrench set, 1-85 ft-lbs torque wrench, 50-250 ft-lbs torque wrench, non-marring trim pry tools, spare interior trim clips, T50 torx, various screwdrivers, pry bars, pressure brake bleeder, vice grips, channel locks. You can do most maintenance with these items.

Bob Shiftright · 05-21-2016, 01:11 PM

Jack. Wheel hanger. Torque wrench.

Set of nylon trim tools.

Laptop and BavTool. (It's more like working on the International Space Station than working on a 1960 MGA or a lawnmower.)

NiNeTyOne · 05-21-2016, 01:22 PM

I'll echo the magnet. The telescoping ones with the magnetic tip are a lifesaver.

A set of ratcheting wrenches with swivel heads are also a great time saver. Most sets seem to eliminate 16mm so watch for that. You'll want from 10mm all the way up to 21mm.

I would also add to that two very good torque wrenches are necessary. I would get one for low torque values that measures both in in/lbs and ft/lbs, and another that goes up to 150 ft/lbs.

For doing wheel bearings you are going to need even more torque than that, but in my case I have race buddies that have the special bearing tools and the really big mofo torque wrenches I borrow when I do need them.

PhaseP · 05-21-2016, 02:43 PM

A good E-torx socket set is a must
For some places e-torx box wrench is good to have to must.
I have found a stubby screw driver that accepts bits had been very useful.
Impact wrench (air gun or one of those high torque battery operated ones) for suspension work
Penetrating oil
Patience
Perseverance

BSM n54iS · 05-21-2016, 03:28 PM

^ all are good plus the specific thin walled spark plug tool from bms

stashtrey · 05-21-2016, 03:34 PM

Milwaukee 1/4" Fuel Impact gun. Absolutely the best purchase for the garage I've ever made. It does it all. Get a 1/4" and 1/2" socket heads and you're good to go!

John 070 · 05-21-2016, 03:36 PM

These too. http://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Sp..._detailpages00

http://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Sp...macher+bmw+oil

John 070 · 05-21-2016, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Shiftright

Jack. Wheel hanger. Torque wrench.

Set of nylon trim tools.

Laptop and BavTool. (It's more like working on the International Space Station than working on a 1960 MGA or a lawnmower.)

HFT ftw on jacks...I first got the 1.5 ton low pro racing aluminum for the 335@ $59.95. Then I got the 3 ton steel low pro for my wife's SUV @ $74.95 (it's gone up $10). With these two I can easily Jack the front or rear and hold the car, placing Jack stands under....have to admit bavtech tool much easier and quicker than Rheingold Ista D, but I have both....

BSM n54iS · 05-21-2016, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

HFT ftw on jacks...I first got the 1.5 ton low pro racing aluminum for the 335@ $59.95. Then I got the 3 ton steel low pro for my wife's SUV @ $74.95 (it's gone up $10). With these two I can easily Jack the front or rear and hold the car, placing Jack stands under....have to admit bavtech tool much easier and quicker than Rheingold Ista D, but I have both....

Lol you just convinced me to go and get one of these right now! Tired of using the traditional bs and doing 1 corner at a time and dealing with multiple jack stands etc

kkasson · 05-21-2016, 04:54 PM

There's a 42 piece Craftsman hex and torx socket set, it's a great way to get all the torx and e-torx you'll need. It's often on sale for $25 or $30.

John 070 · 05-21-2016, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Black n54is

Lol you just convinced me to go and get one of these right now! Tired of using the traditional bs and doing 1 corner at a time and dealing with multiple jack stands etc

Sweet! The best HFT coupons are in the valu pak that is mailed....their online or their own flyer is usually a little more....that steel Jack is really heavy but low pro with a decent reach.....

BSM n54iS · 05-21-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John 070

Sweet! The best HFT coupons are in the valu pak that is mailed....their online or their own flyer is usually a little more....that steel Jack is really heavy but low pro with a decent reach.....

Yea 1st purchase I made with them so no coupon

but oh well. I'll test it out pretty soon to make sure it's low profile enough, looked good though thanks!

NiNeTyOne · 05-21-2016, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stashtrey

Milwaukee 1/4" Fuel Impact gun. Absolutely the best purchase for the garage I've ever made. It does it all. Get a 1/4" and 1/2" socket heads and you're good to go!

THIS!!!!!!!! Absolutely the greatest thing ever invented!

05-21-2016, 09:09 AM	#1
pcjackson06 Enlisted Member 11 Rep 46 Posts Drives: 08 335i e93 n54 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Wye Mills MD iTrader: (0)	Must haves for the toolbox? What's in your toolbox? It's been awhile since I worked on a car. The last car I really got dirty with was a 1960 MGA. I need to re-supply the garage. What are the must haves? Last edited by pcjackson06; 05-21-2016 at 09:21 AM..
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05-21-2016, 10:32 AM	#2
Ozzie335i Lieutenant Colonel 659 Rep 1,525 Posts Drives: 2011 335i Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: DFW iTrader: (1)	Money. Lots of money.
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05-21-2016, 10:41 AM	#3
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Torx and Allen bits, small (3/8 15-75) and large torque wrenches, 3/8 and 1/2 ratchets, breaker bars, line wrenches, 1x2 blocks, c clamps, channel locks, anti seize, sockets, magnetic pickup, locking extensions, etc Thought of an example, spark plug job. Think about all that you would need for that job. $68 DIY v. $450 dealer....tools are worth it...
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05-21-2016, 12:47 PM	#4
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Craftsman Universal Socket Set will go very far. I love it. Lots of extensions, wobble extension, a set of good Allen keys, a set of good Allen sockets, torx sockets, flare wrench set, 1-85 ft-lbs torque wrench, 50-250 ft-lbs torque wrench, non-marring trim pry tools, spare interior trim clips, T50 torx, various screwdrivers, pry bars, pressure brake bleeder, vice grips, channel locks. You can do most maintenance with these items.
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05-21-2016, 01:11 PM	#5
Bob Shiftright Save The Manuals! 64 Rep 491 Posts Drives: E91 Schleppwagen Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: PRNJ iTrader: (0)	Jack. Wheel hanger. Torque wrench. Set of nylon trim tools. Laptop and BavTool. (It's more like working on the International Space Station than working on a 1960 MGA or a lawnmower.) __________________ 2008 E91 36K, 6-speed, RWD, Alpine, Terra, Xenons, ZSP, ZCW, ZPP, PDC, CA, alarm, M shifter and M brake handle, Euro rear fog light switch, Euro aspheric mirrors, rear power outlets, Euro split armrest, Lidatek, remote V-1, Cocomats, beach sand, $10 clutch stop mod. 1998 Volvo V70T5 226K, 5-speed, original clutch (third clutch pedal!), aspheric driver's mirror, E-code headlights, IPD sway bar, strut tower brace & skidplate.
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05-21-2016, 01:22 PM	#6
NiNeTyOne Touring cars rock 351 Rep 907 Posts Drives: e91 330xi / 997 GT3 Cup Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: SEA iTrader: (0)	I'll echo the magnet. The telescoping ones with the magnetic tip are a lifesaver. A set of ratcheting wrenches with swivel heads are also a great time saver. Most sets seem to eliminate 16mm so watch for that. You'll want from 10mm all the way up to 21mm. I would also add to that two very good torque wrenches are necessary. I would get one for low torque values that measures both in in/lbs and ft/lbs, and another that goes up to 150 ft/lbs. For doing wheel bearings you are going to need even more torque than that, but in my case I have race buddies that have the special bearing tools and the really big mofo torque wrenches I borrow when I do need them. __________________ Sportwagon Daily: I've done some stuff.
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05-21-2016, 02:43 PM	#7
PhaseP Colonel 1007 Rep 2,108 Posts Drives: 325XI Join Date: May 2010 Location: Earth iTrader: (0)	A good E-torx socket set is a must For some places e-torx box wrench is good to have to must. I have found a stubby screw driver that accepts bits had been very useful. Impact wrench (air gun or one of those high torque battery operated ones) for suspension work Penetrating oil Patience Perseverance
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05-21-2016, 03:28 PM	#8
BSM n54iS Brigadier General 2685 Rep 4,202 Posts Drives: '11 335is \| '16 Macan Turbo Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Everywhere and Nowhere iTrader: (7)	^ all are good plus the specific thin walled spark plug tool from bms __________________ '11 335is BSM MT "BMW Performance Editon" \| '16 Porsche Macan Turbo GruppeM CF Intake \| AR Resonated DP \| ER CP \| Turbosmart RacePort BOV \| Cobb FMIC \| RB Inlets \| RB External Mishi/Turner OCC \| Michelin PS4 \| BMW Performance Springs/Bilstein B8 + Dinan & M3 bits \| BMW Brembo BBK \| BMW Performance CF Spoiler \| BMW Performance CF Lip \| BMW Performance Alcantara \| PS Designs GTS Armrest \| AG H6-40 \| Rear Seat Delete
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05-21-2016, 03:34 PM	#9
stashtrey Lieutenant Colonel 294 Rep 1,834 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335xi TiAg Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sacramento, CA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 E90 335xi Sedan [0.00]	Milwaukee 1/4" Fuel Impact gun. Absolutely the best purchase for the garage I've ever made. It does it all. Get a 1/4" and 1/2" socket heads and you're good to go!
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05-21-2016, 03:36 PM	#10
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	These too. http://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Sp..._detailpages00 http://www.amazon.com/Assenmacher-Sp...macher+bmw+oil
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05-21-2016, 04:54 PM	#13
kkasson Lieutenant 187 Rep 589 Posts Drives: 07 BMW 328i, 08 BMW 528i Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	There's a 42 piece Craftsman hex and torx socket set, it's a great way to get all the torx and e-torx you'll need. It's often on sale for $25 or $30.
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