[lvb125]

I am a young professional passionate about cars since young but only on his first car and haven't worked on cars before.

So far I have cleaned and fixed a window switch, renewed cabin filter, and had a look under the plastic engine cover to see the oil leak. This forum has made all these possible and I do wish to do more.

Right now I have overdue brake fluid and VCG leak. From reading posts here, my educated guess is to do the brake fluid (not bleeding clutch as I fear working under the car for now). VCG on the other hand, probably leave to a "professional" for now.

I would really appreciate for an appropriate, safe, progressive list of projects for a newbie.

[PichaDis11]

If you are comfortable on working on cars you should be fine. Now however, you do need a few special tools to work on your BMW.. Go to the DIY sec and have a field day if you must... You'll find a whole bunch of stuff to get your hands dirty.

[BashShah]

What tools do you have?
Do you have a torque wrench?
A full socket set with wrenches?
A set of Torx bits, and E bits.

Start with these DIYs.
1. oil and filter change.
Even if it gets messy, then you know how comfortable you are with getting dirty. PS: get car ramps.
2. Spark plugs and coils. Need a special socket for this.
Try it. Remember to torque correctly.
3. Coolant drain and refill.
4. Interior LED light Upgrade.
5. AE LED light upgrade.
6. Cabin Air filter change. Part of spark plug DIY.
7. Air intake filter.

The above are simple ones.
PS: Harbor freight tools as a set of oil filter can openers. Have not tried them, but might work.

eBay and Realoem.com are your friends for parts lookup and comparison.

Ohhh the most important one:
Invest in a diagnostic Scan tool.
When there is a problem, you won't have to run to a shop all the time. It will pay for itself.

DN

[BRD1234]

Originally Posted by lvb125

I am a young professional passionate about cars since young but only on his first car and haven't worked on cars before.

So far I have cleaned and fixed a window switch, renewed cabin filter, and had a look under the plastic engine cover to see the oil leak. This forum has made all these possible and I do wish to do more.

Right now I have overdue brake fluid and VCG leak. From reading posts here, my educated guess is to do the brake fluid (not bleeding clutch as I fear working under the car for now). VCG on the other hand, probably leave to a "professional" for now.

I would really appreciate for an appropriate, safe, progressive list of projects for a newbie.

One of the best things that you can do is continue reading things and learning how they work.
I'm almost 19 and I started working on my old 5 series when I was 16. I started with working on all my dads old trucks and suv's and that definitely helped out. Small maintenance things like brakes and oil and spark plugs and coils were pretty much what got me started.
Then I upgraded to doing my own clutch when it inevitably went and replacing my starter and other assortments of sensors and parts.
Just read and progress. You'll find out if you love it and it's ment for you real quick once you get dirty.

Other than that, have fun and keep us all updated on the forum!

[snayko]

You have used BMW. Don't worry, you'll be a professional in fixing it
Cause these cars need lots of attention
I've never been interested in cars until I got mine.
Btw Bentley repair manual must have even though it's not that perfect.

[bender rodriguez]

Originally Posted by snayko

You have used BMW. Don't worry, you'll be a professional in fixing it
Cause these cars need lots of attention
I've never been interested in cars until I got mine.
Btw Bentley repair manual must have even though it's not that perfect.

Or go broke

[Eat.Sleep.Race]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

What tools do you have?
Do you have a torque wrench?
A full socket set with wrenches?
A set of Torx bits, and E bits.

Start with these DIYs.
1. oil and filter change.
Even if it gets messy, then you know how comfortable you are with getting dirty. PS: get car ramps.
2. Spark plugs and coils. Need a special socket for this.
Try it. Remember to torque correctly.
3. Coolant drain and refill.
4. Interior LED light Upgrade.
5. AE LED light upgrade.
6. Cabin Air filter change. Part of spark plug DIY.
7. Air intake filter.

The above are simple ones.
PS: Harbor freight tools as a set of oil filter can openers. Have not tried them, but might work.

eBay and Realoem.com are your friends for parts lookup and comparison.

Ohhh the most important one:
Invest in a diagnostic Scan tool.
When there is a problem, you won't have to run to a shop all the time. It will pay for itself.

DN

I would agree with you! Great list here to follow

[lvb125]

Originally Posted by DarkNemesis

What tools do you have?
Do you have a torque wrench?
A full socket set with wrenches?
A set of Torx bits, and E bits.

Start with these DIYs.
1. oil and filter change.
Even if it gets messy, then you know how comfortable you are with getting dirty. PS: get car ramps.
2. Spark plugs and coils. Need a special socket for this.
Try it. Remember to torque correctly.
3. Coolant drain and refill.
4. Interior LED light Upgrade.
5. AE LED light upgrade.
6. Cabin Air filter change. Part of spark plug DIY.
7. Air intake filter.

The above are simple ones.
PS: Harbor freight tools as a set of oil filter can openers. Have not tried them, but might work.

eBay and Realoem.com are your friends for parts lookup and comparison.

Ohhh the most important one:
Invest in a diagnostic Scan tool.
When there is a problem, you won't have to run to a shop all the time. It will pay for itself.

DN

Thanks for the list. I have one of 3/8 and 1/2 torque wrench each but it seems the torque spec I saw from forum and bentley manual often goes below even the min value on my 3/8. Maybe need a 1/4?

I just got the INPA cable. Thinking the INPA software could do everything diagnostic Scan tool does, or is it still advisable to get an dedicated OBD reader?

By the way the Bentley manual really seems more suitable for experienced technician. I am having the latest 06-11 version and it covers the VCG gasket by less than 2 pages, with limited illustration. DIY guides here seems much more helpful for n00b like me, although I figure VCG job on this particular engine is still beyond my ability.

[BashShah]

Torque wrenches come in different sizes and different torque settings.
example the Harbor Freight one I have is between 5-80 Ft-lbs.
where others start at 25ft-lbs.

also the sparkplug socket is 3/8 so you have you have to have a 3/8 torque wrench able to support 20ft-lbs.

but you can have a torque Wrench of any size and spec that is not calibrated.
which can be re calabrated at most tool shops for a min charge.
but if harbor freight is selling it for $12, then how much more minimum is it going to get.

now that you have the cable, start learning how to get the software going on your laptop and working with it.
it took me a week to get DIS to work properly....and 2 formating on my laptop.
and each time I learn something new about it.
Try BMW Logger the free version for DME codes ONLY.

Ohhhh DME - is engine stored historical or current codes....only.
its not your lights, AC or anything else.

DN