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      05-07-2020, 03:32 PM   #1
sinopath
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How big of a tool set should I buy?

Hi fellow BMW owners, I'm going to buy my first mechanics tool kit/set, I don't have a garage and will not attempt complex projects due to financial risks. Stanley is on high discounts, below are a few candidates I want to choose from:

I'm leaning towards the 99 piece, not sure if it'd be enough. Thank you

99 piece
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...9239p.html#srp

203 piece
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...9666p.html#srp

229 piece
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...9285p.html#srp

274 piece
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...0275p.html#srp
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      05-07-2020, 03:59 PM   #2
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If you want to do almost anything on a BMW, you will need:

1. Both male and female torx sets

2. Good torque wrench(s) with the appropriate range

3. If you ever want to do plugs, you will also need the special socket; see thread here for info on that and torque wrenches as well.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1709198

Other than that you just need basic tools if you want to be able to do stuff like change your own cabin air filter; any tool set should have metric sockets and screwdrivers, etc.
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      05-07-2020, 04:39 PM   #3
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They have metric and English sockets. You'll never use an English socket on a BMW. Also, even accounting for CAD those prices seem high. I suspect Home Depot will come in a lot less expensive, especially with a house brand like Husky. It might not be the best choice for a pro, but it would do for a weekend warrior. That said, this kit looks petty good as it's heavily discounted:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...?rrec=true#spc
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      05-07-2020, 04:50 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
They have metric and English sockets. You'll never use an English socket on a BMW. Also, even accounting for CAD those prices seem high. I suspect Home Depot will come in a lot less expensive, especially with a house brand like Husky. It might not be the best choice for a pro, but it would do for a weekend warrior. That said, this kit looks petty good as it's heavily discounted:
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/s...?rrec=true#spc
Thank you, this set is one of a couple Stanley products that are not on sale, but I will pick a similar one with 75% discount, haha
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      05-07-2020, 04:51 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
If you want to do almost anything on a BMW, you will need:

1. Both male and female torx sets

2. Good torque wrench(s) with the appropriate range

3. If you ever want to do plugs, you will also need the special socket; see thread here for info on that and torque wrenches as well.
https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1709198

Other than that you just need basic tools if you want to be able to do stuff like change your own cabin air filter; any tool set should have metric sockets and screwdrivers, etc.
Thanks for the info, the female torx socket really helps, now I'm narrowed down to 2 products.
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      05-07-2020, 05:56 PM   #6
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Definitely need E-Torx (size E12-E20) and quality hex (none of the 1/4" hex multi bit soft junk).

The kits below the 229 piece lack the larger sockets you might want. You also might want a pass-through socket/wrench set.
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      05-07-2020, 09:13 PM   #7
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The absolute biggest one you can afford. Tools are addictive particularly when you enjoy working on your car. I bet you will just keep buying more wishing you got the bigger set.
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      05-07-2020, 09:31 PM   #8
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I'm not sure of the need for female torx sockets. I do all my own work and have yet to use one. Male torx bit sockets are a necessity. I have torx drivers #10 through #25, torx bits for my 3/8" ratchet #20 through #60.
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      05-07-2020, 10:08 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I'm not sure of the need for female torx sockets. I do all my own work and have yet to use one. Male torx bit sockets are a necessity. I have torx drivers #10 through #25, torx bits for my 3/8" ratchet #20 through #60.
Female torx are needed for changing the plugs (removing strut brace) and for installing downpipe (removing the exhaust hanger so you can move the exhaust). Those are just 2 examples i have encountered; there are tons of torx head bolts on the car.
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      05-08-2020, 12:02 AM   #10
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Last time I was at Costco they had a very nice Dewalt tool set similar to the Stanley set that Bill had linked, so check there also. Also to reiterate what Bill said, definitely don't waste your money on any standard/English sockets or wrenches. I was a mechanic for Ford back in the '90's and '10's. Even the American cars had switched over to metric by then. I bought a good amount of standard sockets and wrenches and they have sat in my tool box virtually untouched for 25 years.
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      05-08-2020, 01:04 AM   #11
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Some good info here, especially about the torx stuff. While you never can go wrong with more tools, going crazy with a first set can hurt your pocketbook. You can always add pieces as you go. One thing I find useful on my car and probably the single most all around tool for the house is an impact driver. I have a bosch and when it comes time to doing things like taking all those screws from the belly pan, that thing gets it done. I have sockets and torx bits that fit it and it helps big time.
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      05-08-2020, 06:16 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thejeremyman9 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
I'm not sure of the need for female torx sockets. I do all my own work and have yet to use one. Male torx bit sockets are a necessity. I have torx drivers #10 through #25, torx bits for my 3/8" ratchet #20 through #60.
Female torx are needed for changing the plugs (removing strut brace) and for installing downpipe (removing the exhaust hanger so you can move the exhaust). Those are just 2 examples i have encountered; there are tons of torx head bolts on the car.
I can vouch that female torx are needed. Just replaced my belt tensioner and belt yesterday, had to pull out the female torx's set. Oil filter housing gasket, you will need some female torx as well.
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      05-08-2020, 06:50 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgoens View Post
Some good info here, especially about the torx stuff. While you never can go wrong with more tools, going crazy with a first set can hurt your pocketbook. You can always add pieces as you go. One thing I find useful on my car and probably the single most all around tool for the house is an impact driver. I have a bosch and when it comes time to doing things like taking all those screws from the belly pan, that thing gets it done. I have sockets and torx bits that fit it and it helps big time.
Impact driver is a great suggestion, and they are super handy around the house as well...
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      05-08-2020, 08:04 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jgoens View Post
One thing I find useful on my car and probably the single most all around tool for the house is an impact driver. I have a bosch and when it comes time to doing things like taking all those screws from the belly pan, that thing gets it done.
For jobs where it's almost more trouble than it's worth using a drill driver, and especially where a drill driver is too big to maneuver, I have this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For whatever reason the price went up $10 since I got mine two years ago. This looks about the same at a better price:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DPFXBC2...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

If you buy something similar make sure it's at least 7.2 volt. Most are 3.6 volt, so they're shy on both power and run time.
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      05-08-2020, 08:15 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
For jobs where it's almost more trouble than it's worth using a drill driver, and especially where a drill driver is too big to maneuver, I have this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For whatever reason the price went up $10 since I got mine two years ago. This looks about the same at a better price:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DPFXBC2...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

If you buy something similar make sure it's at least 7.2 volt. Most are 3.6 volt, so they're shy on both power and run time.
The one I have is this:

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-PS41-2A...x=bosch&sr=8-3
Other than the compact size, power and battery life one of the best things about it and really important in car work is it has a light that shines at the screw or bolt. Things like this make jobs such as changing the in cabin vent where those screws under the glove box in a dark place easier to line up.
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      05-08-2020, 08:29 AM   #16
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Nice rig. I have two cordless and three corded drills, maybe more, I've lost track, so all I needed for small jobs was an inexpensive driver, which does have an LED.
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      05-09-2020, 02:28 AM   #17
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Due to Covid-19, CanadianTires close at 6pm, the next morning I went there the 75% discount was no longer available, never so mad about this pandemic
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      05-09-2020, 08:20 AM   #18
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The one I linked at $109 is still in stock, at least in Magog QC. You can always have it shipped.
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      05-10-2020, 01:26 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
The one I linked at $109 is still in stock, at least in Magog QC. You can always have it shipped.
Thanks, I ended up getting the 229 piece, found a website and asked for a price match, $109, pretty happy this kit has five E-torx 10-16, and two U-joints, which the 183 kit doesn't have.
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      05-22-2020, 03:44 AM   #20
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Don't forget a BMW oil filler cap wrench!

I also use an electric impact wrench (Milwaukee Fuel) paired with a plastic-sleeved 17mm socket via a 1/2"-drive impact adapter for wheel rotations. I love being able to break my front lug bolts while the car is in the air. I turn the torque way down to thread the bolts back in and torque to spec once back on the ground.

Also, I use my picks/hooks every oil change to pull out o-rings.
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      06-19-2020, 11:58 PM   #21
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for a tool set, which I myself am having to start again after having moved several times and tool set shrinking each time, is starting with a small set that has the basics and buying what you actually need from there. otherwise you're going to have a 300 peice set, only use 20 from it, and still end up buying your own spark plug socket, oil filter wrench, and other somewhat bmw helpful tools.. I just bought a 45 peice set, 1/2 & 1/4 10mm multi set (u joint & magnet), u-joint coupler, and wobble extensions.
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      06-26-2020, 11:56 AM   #22
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I purchased as per needed project, otherwise it will get out of control.
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