I'm fairly new to both this forum and my R53.... I bought it as a summer fun car and have to this point only worked on it; not driven it anywhere!(I just bought it a couple months ago) I have been reading a bunch and thought that I'd get all the regular failure/problem stuff replaced before I head to California (from Canada) with the car for its inaugural journey in a couple weeks. I've sorted my ignition coil, plugs, coolant tank, belt tensioner, oil change, new air filter, brakes bled, installed H&R RSS coils, Neuspeed wheels, M7 strut bar... basically a mix of fun and necessary stuff to get the car to my liking! The last thing I'm doing is a new belt... upon reading about the procedure I decided that my best bet would be to get the special tool to make my job easy...this is where the story gets idiotic! I phone the one and only dealer in my town of one million, ask about the tool, get told that they do have stock but they will absolutely not sell it to the public. (They keep them for their tech's only.) Is this a BMW policy? Or just the policy of my local dealer? I know I can order online but I figure I'll just make one instead...this was just a frustrating event that I thought I'd share! Anyone else run into this with their dealer?

 

you can make one for $10 if you have the right tools

PM me if interested

OH, I think you knew you could make one . . .

 

Way has them. Buy one or make one, you will end up wanting one at sometime. I tried making one, but I sucked at it and ended buying one.

Nik

 

@Capt bj... thanks for the offer, I'm going to end up making one. I was just near the dealer today, feeling lazy and rich!

 

I had my BMW dealer tell me the same thing when I wanted a water pump pully holder for my E46. I found the part number on line, called back up, said I would like to order "this part" and when it arrived I picked it up opened it up and thanked them for the tool they said they couldn't sell me.

 

Dave

 

FYI we do sell them
http://www.waymotorworks.com/cooper-...-tool-r53.html

 

Since you will only use it a few times a year, the cheaper aftermarket copies will work fine...it is just some badic welding, some angle iron or aluminum barstock, amd black paint to make it pretty...only hard part is the small metal part in a radi as a fulcrum....
I'm sure waymotorworks unit (actually cheaper than one i bought years ago) will get to you sooner with his shipping than if you order the dealer part, then make an extra trip....
In a pinch, a prybar, a socket for a fulcrum, and an extra set of hands will work, but the "tool" makes life simpler.....

 

Made a tool...job done!