[radarlarry]

My f30 didn't come with a tool kit. I'd like to put together a tool bag/box for the trunk. Some tools are obvious, but I'd like to know what you guys/gals have in yours. Essential and nice to have. Thanks buds!

[Solidjake]

- Philips/flathead screw driver
- Set of torx drivers
- magnetic tool
- 8/10/13/16/18mm sockets
- 1/4" flex head ratchet with built in extension
- 3/6" ratchet extensions
- zip ties
- 17mm wheel socket (the one with the plastic trim)
- inspection mirror
- breaker bar (forgot the size but probably 2 feet)
- small channellocks
- set of random small pliers
- digital tire pressure gauge
- electrical tape

- vlair 85p air compressor

[OC_F32]

The number to my Chase Reserve card (free roadside assistance) and a key to my wheel locks. Also keep a tire mobility kit as my F32 doesn't come with a spare.

[GenXer]

What tool kit? I didn't think BMW put in a tool kit since the E series. I don't even have an air compressor in mine.

[radarlarry]

@GenXer
You didn't read the OP.

[GenXer]

In that case.
1. Air compressor
2. Tire pressure gauge
3. First aid kit
4. Pliers/adjustable wrench
5. Screw driver; phillips, flathead and torx bits
6. Clean rags
7. Flash light
8. Jumper cable
9. Duct tape

[Solidjake]

Forgot to mention a good quality scissor jack and tire plug kit

[Billfitz]

All I carry in the car are the necessities to repair or change a tire and my Foxwell NT510. I'm not going to do major repairs on the side of the road. The tools I need for that stay in my garage.

[Feddersen]

My cell phone - nothing else.

[BEM-S4]

Dead blow hammer isn't a bad idea if you plan to change tire yourself.

[Gen13 F36]

No one read the post ever. 👏

[radarlarry]

A couple guys read it and posted some good suggestions. I don't want to change the engine by the side of the road. Just tools that might help me limp home in a bind. Thanks to the two of you who took the time to provide a list.

[Feddersen]

I believe my suggestion was god as well.

In my first car back in ’96 I had a similar list even though the car was brand new. Within less than 1000 miles I stranded and the tool kit couldn’t help me because I had a double puncture. I however kept the tool kit in the car for something like 6 years or more without ever using it so I removed it. Since I stranded 23 years ago our household has driven about 450k-500k miles in total and no car has ever left me stranded in a way that could have been solved with a tool kit. Oldest DD was a 22 year old BMW Z3 so they haven’t just been new cars.

If I wasn’t using run flats I would have taken a tire repair kit and compressor as well but that’s it. Even when I have been to the track I don’t bring a tool kit.

So what I am trying to say is that the/a tool kit never ever saved me and that is why I only bring my cell phone.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by GenXer

What tool kit? I didn't think BMW put in a tool kit since the E series. I don't even have an air compressor in mine.

FYI- F30 has a tiny tool kit in the right alcove of the trunk in a small lift up panel above the battery. It's nothing to speak of (a tow hook, screw driver) but I did learn recently that an empty spot with a plastic clip is meant to hold a wheel lock key! BMW tech told me that he always looks for it there first.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by radarlarry

My f30 didn't come with a tool kit. I'd like to put together a tool bag/box for the trunk. Some tools are obvious, but I'd like to know what you guys/gals have in yours. Essential and nice to have. Thanks buds!

Mostly tire changing tools/stuff since I switched from runflats to summer & winter sets of goflat tires. I carry a full sized spare in a fully enclosed zippered tire bag that can sit on a back seat if necessary. Chose a full size especially for trips where a donut spare would still screw up our trip schedule by forcing me to find a new tire or get a tire fixed right away while on the road/vacation.

Don't really need the spare for local daily driving stuff. In the trunk under the floor compartment I carry this list of stuff mostly bought at Harbor Freight and Walmart.

Scissor jack with rectangular top that fits into BMW jacking point
Small piece of plywood to fit under jack if it's muddy or soft groun
Breaker bar, 21", 1/2" drive
Plastic baggie containing:
____17 inch 6-point socket (1/2")
____Wheel lock key
____(4) original wheel bolts
____Long screw-in stud to assist wheel mounting

Slime "8-minute" kit with air compressor
Cheap mechanics gloves
Cheap moving blanket
Cheap plastic tarp

Small waterless hand cleaner
Plastic baggie containing my BMW specialty tools just so they're with car so I can't misplace them:
____Oil filter housing wrench
____Spark plug socket
____BootMod3 OBD2/Ethernet cable

[jbb2388]

Originally Posted by johnung

Scissor jack with rectangular top that fits into BMW jacking point
Small piece of plywood to fit under jack if it's muddy or soft groun
Breaker bar, 21", 1/2" drive
Plastic baggie containing:
____17 inch 6-point socket (1/2")
____Wheel lock key
____(4) original wheel bolts
____Long screw-in stud to assist wheel mounting

Slime "8-minute" kit with air compressor
Cheap mechanics gloves
Cheap moving blanket
Cheap plastic tarp

Small waterless hand cleaner
Plastic baggie containing my BMW specialty tools just so they're with car so I can't misplace them:
____Oil filter housing wrench
____Spark plug socket
____BootMod3 OBD2/Ethernet cable

John, thanks for your post. Have you confirmed that jack fits our jacking points? I may pull the trigger on this. I do not have a spare but keep a plug kit in the trunk. Not gonna help with a blowout obviously but next best thing.

[johnung]

Originally Posted by jbb2388

John, thanks for your post. Have you confirmed that jack fits our jacking points? I may pull the trigger on this. I do not have a spare but keep a plug kit in the trunk. Not gonna help with a blowout obviously but next best thing.

Yes, jack top definitely fits right in like they were made for each other. I definitely recommend that "8-minute" Slime kit too. I use the compressor often to tweak my tire pressures. Slime instructions warn that you can have a situation where a flat tire won't fill with air when it's sitting on the ground so you need to jack it up. With the car's weight off of it, the tire bead seals around the rim so the tire fills up.
Hope this helps!

[aps]

Air compressor, tire pressure gauge, a 10mm socket with ratchet, and a couple of trim tools

the 10mm socket is basically just for the battery if i ever need to kill the car. lesson learned from the time my horn get stuck on during my morning commute

[psyki]

Originally Posted by Solidjake

- Philips/flathead screw driver
- Set of torx drivers
- magnetic tool
- 8/10/13/16/18mm sockets
- 1/4" flex head ratchet with built in extension
- 3/6" ratchet extensions
- zip ties
- 17mm wheel socket (the one with the plastic trim)
- inspection mirror
- breaker bar (forgot the size but probably 2 feet)
- small channellocks
- set of random small pliers
- digital tire pressure gauge
- electrical tape

- vlair 85p air compressor

This is pretty much what I kept in the trunk in my E36 days, changed my friends alternator on one occasion.

[jbb2388]

Originally Posted by johnung

Yes, jack top definitely fits right in like they were made for each other. I definitely recommend that "8-minute" Slime kit too. I use the compressor often to tweak my tire pressures. Slime instructions warn that you can have a situation where a flat tire won't fill with air when it's sitting on the ground so you need to jack it up. With the car's weight off of it, the tire bead seals around the rim so the tire fills up.
Hope this helps!

Thanks! Yeah I have a compressor and slime kit that I hope I will not have to use since getting the plug kit. Gonna grab that jack though.

[zeitgeist340]

Bringing up an older thread since a search didn't show anything like I am looking for.

I just bought a 17 340i Xdrive and am looking for what tools to get that I don't have already. New to BMWs but have been working on cars for years. I have all the normal handtools like full metric sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive plus wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers etc.. I also have some power tools, trim removal tools, pick set and OBDII reader.

My question is what special tools are often needed for working on BMWs such as E torx, oil filter housing wrench, special spark plug socket and such?

If there is a post or thread covering this please post a link or link to a site that has a list of tools commonly needed. TIA

[Billfitz]

Torx sockets, both male and female, are handy. You need a thin wall socket for the plugs, and a BMW/Volvo oil filter wrench.