I know that lots of maintenance and mod installation isn't rocket science, and I've seen lots of threads in which forum members point out that with the excellent instructions available, most work isn't beyond the ability of the average owner.

To read the mini owners manual, one would think that changing a light bulb is to risk death!

I know that's extreme, but I'm curious about what you feel is a good compromise. For example, I do not have an auto mechanic's background, didn't take auto shop in high school, and generally have paid for all maintenance. I've installed speakers and car stereos before, but don't have a great deal of experience with any work on cars. Cosmetic additions, so long as they don't risk damage to the car, would probably not cause me to sweat too much. What about something more important, on which lives depend, like brake replacement?

My wife is currently not interested in me saving too much money by doing things myself, due to a fear that things might not be safe.

Anyway, to summarize my rambling question: what sort of maintenance and repair or mod installation work do you think it would be possible (and responsible) to do on one's own, with instructions, and what sort should be left to the dealers/mechanics?

 

I think that really depends a lot on the individual.

Personally I have very little mechanical experience. I managed to change the oil, tension the chain, and fiddle with the carbs on my old motorcycle without anything going wrong, but with my car I have paid for what little service it has needed (this is my first car.)

I would like to start accumulating tools and knowledge but while we live in an apartment in the city it is not really feasable.

 

I have changed my own oil and rotated my tires. Both are easy to do and I got all the information I needed on this forum. I feel that the average person can do a great deal of basic work on these cars, but you do need the proper tools.

 

SDriverDave,
As the story goes, "you gotta start at the begining". If you haven't worked on cars much then almost anything you do will be new. But unless you do them you will never learn how. There is a great deal of satisfaction to be had from only spending money on parts and doing a complete brake job for instance. So in your case the trick is to do things on your car while learning how and without screwing up enough for the car to be dangerous.

My suggestion is your local BMW club. I belong the National Capital Chapter of the BMWCCA. They sponsor monthly DIY days at local shops (or dealers) who cater to BMW type vehicles (They are happy to help on Mini's). The shop provides the lifts, tools, and an experienced tech who can talk you through most jobs. While the DIY instructions on this forum are fabulous, having an experience person show you little tricks and to check your work is great.

The other way is to participate in some Mini or BMW activity and get to know guys who have done work on their cars. I would be more than happy to share what I have learned in 3 years of madly modding my Mini. There are a bunch of us Mini folks who run at the BMW chapter autocross events and each guy has done lots of stuff to their cars.

Finally, you need to be ready to screw up and fork over cash occassionally. I stripped the threads in my trailing arms when I changed my rear suspension one too many times. Ended up costing me to buy a bigger drill, a tap set, and a helicoil set to put it right. The $150 was cheaper than buying a new control arm but I wouldn't have needed anything if I hadn't been so hot to try a set of coilovers (didn't like them and changed them out).

Cheers,
Greg

 

NAProf has some good advice. Clubs are a very good way of getting some personal instruction. My local MINI clubs frequently have tech sessions.

Dave

 

What I tell anyone looking at doing their own work, start small. I worked as a mechanic for 5 years and got my hands into everything except transmissions. And really, it isn't all that difficult, it is all about paying attention and taking your time. Start with the oil change, or air filter, or spark plugs, then move up to brakes or suspension work. Buy a good repair manual tho, they are worth their weight in gold lol.

 

+1 on the repair manual... Then when the repair manual says, just remove this, that, and this, and you go HUH? use the forum. These guys are the best... By the way saved my a$$ on replacing my PS pump (thanks guys).

Several members here have taking GREAT PAINS to take picture, even video, of how to do stuff on THESE cars. Use the search tool here. Get a good repair manual. Make sure your Metric wrench collection is up to par, and follow murdoc's recommended start points.