No one on the OG can fix or PMI their own vehicles...

[Wild]

Little shit like oil changes, etc. I look at it like, how much is my time worth. Do I want to save $20 to do it myself? In most cases, the answer is no, so I just take it some place and have it done. I will however tackle bigger jobs where I can save hundreds of dollars doing it myself.

 

[EyeAmYuki]

I just don't have the time, space or tools right now. If and when I buy a place with a garage I'll set myself up with a little workshop.

My sunroof fucked up about a month ago and won't close completely. Still haven't got round to getting it sorted. Someone told me BMW charge over £1k for a new roof cassette. Will probably look online for a 2nd hand part and go to a independent garage.

 

[Qat]

I had to go to college, do a 5 year apprenticeship, I have 10's of thousands of dollars invested in tools, and regularly receive up to date training. Comparing what my time is worth when it comes to repairing a vehicle to the minimal investment of time and financial investment in tools someone would need to make a specific repair isn't a fair comparison.

You're also forgetting that a professional who's less likely to fuck up a car to begin with, has insurance in the event something catastrophic happens. Conversely if someone takes it upon themselves to fix their car and someone ends up hurt as a result, they're on the hook both financially and legally. In alot places it's actually technically illegal to work on your on car, and the parts you're buying you're supposed to be taking to a professional to install.

Yeah its definitely a respectable job. Around here it often is not paid well though, I suppose since there are so many guys wanting to do it.
But, there is a lot of fuckery going on in garages in our parts. Additional repairs that aren't necessary, parts that are way to expensive etc.
Best if you know someone who you trust with it not to get fucked over.

 

[Sweets]

I had to go to college, do a 5 year apprenticeship, I have 10's of thousands of dollars invested in tools, and regularly receive up to date training. Comparing what my time is worth when it comes to repairing a vehicle to the minimal investment of time and financial investment in tools someone would need to make a specific repair isn't a fair comparison.

You're also forgetting that a professional who's less likely to fuck up a car to begin with, has insurance in the event something catastrophic happens. Conversely if someone takes it upon themselves to fix their car and someone ends up hurt as a result, they're on the hook both financially and legally. In alot places it's actually technically illegal to work on your on car, and the parts you're buying you're supposed to be taking to a professional to install.

Which is why I'd pay you to do the awkward stuff, but if I can watch a video and save a fortune it's on like donkey cong. If find the idea of paying someone 120 euro an hour for a simple job repulsive..

 

[b00ts]

Speaking on Youtube videos... When I was coming up an actual ASE certified tech years back, I got a GoPro for Christmas and would video POV videos of different things with trucks. Troubleshooting, changing parts, etc. A friend was going to edit them and had some nifty name for the Youtube channel. He was arrested for selling pot and I haven't talked to him since. I had about 100hrs of video that was on his laptop. Not sure if the police will ever give it back

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Which is why I'd pay you to do the awkward stuff, but if I can watch a video and save a fortune it's on like donkey cong. If find the idea of paying someone 120 euro an hour for a simple job repulsive..

Define "simple job"

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

I honestly think most garages play on peoples ignorance, to jack prices.

In North America labor times are standardized. You don't get to just charge whatever you want.

 

[Sweets]

Define "simple job"

Wheel bearings, shocks, brake pads, discs (rotors) shoes, oil/filters change, new drive shaft on a FWD, stub axle change.

 

[Sweets]

In North America labor times are standardized. You don't get to just charge whatever you want.

That's civilised.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Wheel bearings, shocks, brake pads, discs (rotors) shoes, oil/filters change, new drive shaft on a FWD, stub axle change.

There are a lot of things on that list that's way over the head of people working under their car in their driveway. Wheel bearings for example usually require the knuckle to come out of the car, and a 20 ton press. Front drive shafts or brake shoes aren't an easy task for most novices either.

Things like oil and filter changes are pretty straight forward (as long as you remember to tighten everything properly) but you're still about 30 bucks out of pocket when you could have someone else do it for 40 and not need to worry about crawling under your car to do it, or legally disposing of your leftover oil.

 

[Sweets]

There are a lot of things on that list that's way over the head of people working under their car in their driveway. Wheel bearings for example usually require the knuckle to come out of the car, and a 20 ton press. Front drive shafts or brake shoes aren't an easy task for most novices either.

Things like oil and filter changes are pretty straight forward (as long as you remember to tighten everything properly) but you're still about 30 bucks out of pocket when you could have someone else do it for 40 and not need to worry about crawling under your car to do it, or legally disposing of your leftover oil.

I shoulda said rear wheel bearing on a front wheel drive was simples. The shaft was a pest took me ages, then I had to get the transmission oil changed, because I couldn't get the filler plug off without damaging it. Mechanically though I got it right and I enjoyed it, win win.

You're right though it's dangerous if your not very careful. Also helps if it's an 90'sToyota cause they're built right.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

I shoulda said rear wheel bearing on a front wheel drive was simples. The shaft was a pest took me ages, then I had to get the transmission oil changed, because I couldn't get the filler plug off without damaging it. Mechanically though I got it right and I enjoyed it, win win.

Even then, if the rear bearing is tapered it's a learned skill, pre-loading them incorrectly can lead to pretty serious problems. In the case of a single unit hub and bearing, in this part of the world if they're old enough to be worn out, they're also old enough to be completely rusted into the rear knuckle or axle and are far from a simple task to get out properly.

In the case of you and your shaft handling (giggity) It would have been about 1.5 hours labor total as oppose to changing it, having to bring it in anyways, and for those truly special individuals damaging your transaxle by driving it with not enough oil in it, lol.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Also helps if it's an 90'sToyota cause they're built right.

Best cars in the world, not just through the 90's.

 

[Sweets]

Best cars in the world, not just through the 90's.

True but I loved that little 4E-FE engine. The vvti in my Corolla isn't as nice.

 

[Leigh]

I have a conundrum. I earn pretty well and I'm lazy as fuck, so fixing my own car horrifies me.

On the flip side, I'm tight as aresholes and CAN do basic work if I have to. I'll do oil, filters and plugs no problem. I changed the alternator at Christmas. It just takes me about 3 weeks to stop procrastinating and actually do it.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

True but I loved that little 4E-FE engine. The vvti in my Corolla isn't as nice.

What engine is in your rollas over there?

 

[Sweets]

What engine is in your rollas over there?

mine is a mean 1.4 litre vvti, they get up to 2 ltre in diesel and maybe top end petrol.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

mine is a mean 1.4 litre vvti, they get up to 2 ltre in diesel and maybe top end petrol.

They're all 1.8's over here at this point.

 

[Sweets]

They're all 1.8's over here at this point.

petrol and diesel?

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

petrol and diesel?

Gas, with good reason diesel doesn't sell very well in passenger cars over here.

 

[Sweets]

Gas, with good reason diesel doesn't sell very well in passenger cars over here.

They may well top sales here, it's close. Lots of VW's hilariously. They are handy too.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

To be more specific, diesel engines don't like frigid temperatures, the engines cost substantially more, the fuel itself costs more, and gas engines have come so far, especially now with direct injection, that the difference in fuel mileage isn't even what it used to be.

 

[Sweets]

To be more specific, diesel engines don't like frigid temperatures, the engines cost substantially more, the fuel itself costs more, and gas engines have come so far, especially now with direct injection, that the difference in fuel mileage isn't even what it used to be.

Of course diesel would look like treacle at -30 C.

 

[BeardOfKnowledge]

Of course diesel would look like treacle at -30 C.

Between the inconvenience and the cost, the fuel alone is almost 30% more per liter here right now, and it isn't surprising.

 

[Lord Vutulaki]

I just don't have the time, space or tools right now. If and when I buy a place with a garage I'll set myself up with a little workshop.

My sunroof fucked up about a month ago and won't close completely. Still haven't got round to getting it sorted. Someone told me BMW charge over £1k for a new roof cassette. Will probably look online for a 2nd hand part and go to a independent garage.

Fix it yourself pomie cunt. Lol @ having a sunroof in England anyway.