Am I cheap...

donovan · 04-03-2011, 03:05 PM

Ok so after seeing that $1200 spring install thread, I have to ask myself....

"Am I cheap" for doing my own work? My e46 m3 I did all of my own work except valve work. With my e92 m3 I did my springs/exhaust and many more smaller mods. I doubt that I will pay anyone to do something I can do or google myself.

Also, I even got into it with BMW Schall here in Germany, which by the way suck a lot. I bought a DVD navi cd from them for my e46 m3 when I had it and they tried to tell me its my DVD navi system that was messing up. I kindly showed them that with a friends DVD navi everything was working nice and with there CD it wasnt.

Hats off to the folks that can pay to have it done

I would rather get the enjoyment and excitment of going through it myself!

3XTR3M3 · 04-03-2011, 03:10 PM

I would much rather have the means to be hands on and do it myself than pay someone to do it. I cant remember the last time I did something myself on my car due to lack of time, resources, or tools but I would much rather do it myself if I could.

Not cheap at all, especially if you enjoy doing it

I envy you for doing it yourself.

Stormtroooper · 04-03-2011, 03:11 PM

Yup, you're cheap.

Technic · 04-03-2011, 03:16 PM

I do all my retrofits, installs and swaps... when I have the tools. I don't consider that being cheap but the truth is that for every great install shop there are 10 that are really run of the mill charging like they are that great shop.

Sorry but no, I rather invest that money in tools and do the work myself to my standards and on my time. And lately I'm using the same tools to do other people installs, so they pay for themselves.

bunnn · 04-03-2011, 03:18 PM

Definitely not cheap. Some people are just not mechanically inclined. I'll be the first to admit that I cannot handle the bigger things beyonds a brake change/oil change. Quite frankly, I can't even find time for those either, most of the time.

donovan · 04-03-2011, 03:20 PM

Nicely said on post 4, once I get my garage build up in America I wouldn't mind do that... personal work

With a disclaimer sign lol... just in-case...

chungdae · 04-03-2011, 03:43 PM

You're not cheap. You just saved money when you had an excess of time.

Sandye90m3 · 04-03-2011, 07:08 PM

I have no mechanical background and I'm just 17. But I would hate to pay someone to do mods. To fix a stupid light, the dealership was charging me $60 per light. I mean I know this is not as mechanical as the other mods that you guys are doing, but I personally think dealerships rip you off for the most easiest things. To change my rims they are asking me $200. I told them eff off, I'll do it myself. I thought that you know I have one of BMW highest end cars, my dealership should be able to swap my rims out in 5 mins and do it for free because they have a gun (I forgot what its called, the machine that takes out the nuts from the wheels) and it takes little to no effort.

Sorry for flaming, I just had to let it out!

richardbb85 · 04-03-2011, 07:11 PM

must be nice to drive a m3 at 17, lol

jmflukeiii · 04-03-2011, 07:16 PM

What is this thread even about.... are you just trying to let us all know that you can do it yourself?

Prince_of_Persia · 04-03-2011, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3XTR3M3

I would much rather have the means to be hands on and do it myself than pay someone to do it. I cant remember the last time I did something myself on my car due to lack of time, resources, or tools but I would much rather do it myself if I could.

Not cheap at all, especially if you enjoy doing it

I envy you for doing it yourself.

+1

I wish I had the time/knowledge/tools to work on my car!

monsta · 04-03-2011, 07:22 PM

I think your smart not cheap...I wish I had the time to work on my car myself

Evolved M3 · 04-03-2011, 08:16 PM

Yea i don't see how anyone or why you would question yourself on why you might be "cheap" to do your own work. Thats not logical to think its "cheap". If you know what your doing and have the free time then you can do it yourself. If someone is not mechanically inclined or does not have the time then they might pay a shop. If you know what your doing and you have the time, it wouldn't be considering cheap, i see it as smart and using common sense to save money then. When i had my Evo i did a lot of the work, but only up to what i felt comfortable with. Did exhaust, intercooler, intercooler piping, valve cover swap etc. When i had to install my meth kit, clutch, or other parts on that level, i let my tuner do it.

Plus its a hobby, a lot of people (like you, sounds like; and me) enjoy working on our cars and learning about them. Doesn't make us cheap lol just enjoying the hobby and doing whatever we can up to our capabilities i feel. Some people just don't know much about cars and don't have the choice of doing it themselves (though if they really wanted to, they could learn).

Prince_of_Persia · 04-03-2011, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandye90m3

I have no mechanical background and I'm just 17. But I would hate to pay someone to do mods. To fix a stupid light, the dealership was charging me $60 per light. I mean I know this is not as mechanical as the other mods that you guys are doing, but I personally think dealerships rip you off for the most easiest things. To change my rims they are asking me $200. I told them eff off, I'll do it myself. I thought that you know I have one of BMW highest end cars, my dealership should be able to swap my rims out in 5 mins and do it for free because they have a gun (I forgot what its called, the machine that takes out the nuts from the wheels) and it takes little to no effort.

Sorry for flaming, I just had to let it out!

They are charging $200? Calgary BMW? WTF! I didn't even ask them to see how much they charge and booked an appointment for mid April.

wrh3 · 04-03-2011, 08:33 PM

I'm not a big fan of anyone touching my car besides me.....so it's not a money thing.

quality_sound · 04-04-2011, 06:10 AM

I do everything I can for a few reasons.
1) OCD. Not the "I have OCD" you usually hear on a car forum, but documented OCD.
2) I don't trust people, a lot of that stems from my OCD.
3) It's therapeutic. Maybe I'm weird but I find it relaxing and a great de-stressor.

NYCMCBM3 · 04-04-2011, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrh3

I'm not a big fan of anyone touching my car besides me.....so it's not a money thing.

+1,000,000

donovan · 04-04-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmflukeiii

What is this thread even about.... are you just trying to let us all know that you can do it yourself?

exactly, I'm the like ding a ling...no I'm not showing off, just simply saying I'd rather do it myself in most instances then giving it to BMW so they can charge me 80 per hour...EUROS

donovan · 04-04-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quality_sound

I do everything I can for a few reasons.
1) OCD. Not the "I have OCD" you usually hear on a car forum, but documented OCD.
2) I don't trust people, a lot of that stems from my OCD.
3) It's therapeutic. Maybe I'm weird but I find it relaxing and a great de-stressor.

I totally agree with #3, I think its especially important to keep the abs in work hahaha,

1sikbmr · 04-04-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrh3

I'm not a big fan of anyone touching my car besides me.....so it's not a money thing.

+1,000,000,000,000

I love working on my car... You learn by trial and error and it is very rewarding to work on your own car because when someone asks who did the work you stand back and say I did.

M3Fool · 04-04-2011, 08:39 AM

DIY projects are the best..... saves you money to afford the projects you cant DIY.

Kudos to ya for being able to save that bread.

chris328i · 04-05-2011, 11:29 AM

It's a personal choice. If you enjoy the work, which many people do, then I say go right ahead.

04-03-2011, 03:05 PM	#1
donovan Brigadier General 371 Rep 4,167 Posts Drives: R8 - Ford Raptor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: National iTrader: (17)	Am I cheap... Ok so after seeing that $1200 spring install thread, I have to ask myself.... "Am I cheap" for doing my own work? My e46 m3 I did all of my own work except valve work. With my e92 m3 I did my springs/exhaust and many more smaller mods. I doubt that I will pay anyone to do something I can do or google myself. Also, I even got into it with BMW Schall here in Germany, which by the way suck a lot. I bought a DVD navi cd from them for my e46 m3 when I had it and they tried to tell me its my DVD navi system that was messing up. I kindly showed them that with a friends DVD navi everything was working nice and with there CD it wasnt. Hats off to the folks that can pay to have it done I would rather get the enjoyment and excitment of going through it myself! __________________ Audi R8 v10 Ford Raptor m3e46freak@yahoo.comfor all euro parts!! ebay/craigslist verified/ m3post/e46fanantics/m3forum/zpost/bimmerforum
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04-03-2011, 03:10 PM	#2
3XTR3M3 Lieutenant Colonel 99 Rep 1,575 Posts Drives: E92 AW M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LA iTrader: (1)	I would much rather have the means to be hands on and do it myself than pay someone to do it. I cant remember the last time I did something myself on my car due to lack of time, resources, or tools but I would much rather do it myself if I could. Not cheap at all, especially if you enjoy doing it I envy you for doing it yourself. __________________
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04-03-2011, 03:11 PM	#3
Stormtroooper The General 34 Rep 496 Posts Drives: 2018 M3CS Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2011.5 M3 [10.00]	Yup, you're cheap. __________________ E92 M3 2011.5 AW / DCT / ZCV / ZP2 / Heated Seats (SOLD) 2018 M3CS
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04-03-2011, 03:16 PM	#4
Technic Lieutenant General 2288 Rep 13,001 Posts Drives: 2021 i3S, 2024 i4 M50 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (18)	I do all my retrofits, installs and swaps... when I have the tools. I don't consider that being cheap but the truth is that for every great install shop there are 10 that are really run of the mill charging like they are that great shop. Sorry but no, I rather invest that money in tools and do the work myself to my standards and on my time. And lately I'm using the same tools to do other people installs, so they pay for themselves.
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04-03-2011, 03:18 PM	#5
bunnn Colonel 86 Rep 2,266 Posts Drives: like a grandma Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (12)	Definitely not cheap. Some people are just not mechanically inclined. I'll be the first to admit that I cannot handle the bigger things beyonds a brake change/oil change. Quite frankly, I can't even find time for those either, most of the time. __________________ Cheers Ben
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04-03-2011, 03:20 PM	#6
donovan Brigadier General 371 Rep 4,167 Posts Drives: R8 - Ford Raptor Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: National iTrader: (17)	Nicely said on post 4, once I get my garage build up in America I wouldn't mind do that... personal work With a disclaimer sign lol... just in-case... __________________ Audi R8 v10 Ford Raptor m3e46freak@yahoo.comfor all euro parts!! ebay/craigslist verified/ m3post/e46fanantics/m3forum/zpost/bimmerforum
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04-03-2011, 03:43 PM	#7
chungdae The Asian Sensation 56 Rep 708 Posts Drives: 2009 Alpine White M3, S1000RR Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (2)	You're not cheap. You just saved money when you had an excess of time. __________________ 2001 Audi S4: RIP 2008, Infiniti G37S: Traded 2009 Honda CBR1000RR Sold 2009 BMW M3: Current 2011 BMW S1000RR: Current
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04-03-2011, 07:08 PM	#8
Sandye90m3 Major 167 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Calgary, CA iTrader: (0)	I have no mechanical background and I'm just 17. But I would hate to pay someone to do mods. To fix a stupid light, the dealership was charging me $60 per light. I mean I know this is not as mechanical as the other mods that you guys are doing, but I personally think dealerships rip you off for the most easiest things. To change my rims they are asking me $200. I told them eff off, I'll do it myself. I thought that you know I have one of BMW highest end cars, my dealership should be able to swap my rims out in 5 mins and do it for free because they have a gun (I forgot what its called, the machine that takes out the nuts from the wheels) and it takes little to no effort. Sorry for flaming, I just had to let it out! __________________ M3.E90 JZB *Coded.GTSDCT.BomizValved.TurnerTestPipes.ResDelete .EurochargedTune.AAFilter.HRER40s* Last edited by Sandye90m3; 04-03-2011 at 07:08 PM.. Reason: Add
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04-03-2011, 07:11 PM	#9
richardbb85 Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,653 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: annandale, va iTrader: (0)	must be nice to drive a m3 at 17, lol __________________ 2011 E92 Space Grey/black + Tech + Premi + Heated Seats
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04-03-2011, 07:16 PM	#10
jmflukeiii Captain 16 Rep 726 Posts Drives: 2011 Jet Black M3 ZCP Coupe Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	What is this thread even about.... are you just trying to let us all know that you can do it yourself? __________________ 2011.5 E92 M3 Jet Black, DCT, Competition, Premium 2, and Convenience Packages, Black Novillo, Enhanced Premium Sound, 15% Tint, Black Kidneys/Reflectors/Gills/Roundels, DINAN Full Exhaust, DINAN Tune. 2006 Range Rover Sport Supercharged Black everything.
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04-03-2011, 07:22 PM	#12
monsta Brigadier General 218 Rep 3,592 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bergen County, NJ/Y.O, NY iTrader: (2)	I think your smart not cheap...I wish I had the time to work on my car myself __________________ '08 E92 M3 6MT \| IB \| FR \| RAC RG63's \| VRS Ti Exhaust \| Fabspeed HFC & Xpipe '09 X5 35d SG/SB '11 X3 28i AW/CN/FW (wife's car
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04-03-2011, 08:16 PM	#13
Evolved M3 Private First Class 19 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 M3 6MT Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Yea i don't see how anyone or why you would question yourself on why you might be "cheap" to do your own work. Thats not logical to think its "cheap". If you know what your doing and have the free time then you can do it yourself. If someone is not mechanically inclined or does not have the time then they might pay a shop. If you know what your doing and you have the time, it wouldn't be considering cheap, i see it as smart and using common sense to save money then. When i had my Evo i did a lot of the work, but only up to what i felt comfortable with. Did exhaust, intercooler, intercooler piping, valve cover swap etc. When i had to install my meth kit, clutch, or other parts on that level, i let my tuner do it. Plus its a hobby, a lot of people (like you, sounds like; and me) enjoy working on our cars and learning about them. Doesn't make us cheap lol just enjoying the hobby and doing whatever we can up to our capabilities i feel. Some people just don't know much about cars and don't have the choice of doing it themselves (though if they really wanted to, they could learn).
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04-03-2011, 08:33 PM	#15
wrh3 Car Guy 31 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2005 MCS, 2013 Corvette 427 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ATL, GA iTrader: (10)	I'm not a big fan of anyone touching my car besides me.....so it's not a money thing. __________________ Bill- 2005 Mini Cooper S, 2013 Corvette 427 www.billswebspace.com/bmwindex BMW CCA Member # 389948
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04-04-2011, 06:10 AM	#16
quality_sound 8 tracks of madness 62 Rep 2,735 Posts Drives: Slowly Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: At home iTrader: (1)	I do everything I can for a few reasons. 1) OCD. Not the "I have OCD" you usually hear on a car forum, but documented OCD. 2) I don't trust people, a lot of that stems from my OCD. 3) It's therapeutic. Maybe I'm weird but I find it relaxing and a great de-stressor.
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04-04-2011, 08:39 AM	#21
M3Fool Loves FFDP 49 Rep 781 Posts Drives: 11 E90 M3 SOLD 11 5.0 'Stang Join Date: May 2010 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	DIY projects are the best..... saves you money to afford the projects you cant DIY. Kudos to ya for being able to save that bread. __________________ Glory may be fleeting, but mediocrity ensures anonymity...
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04-05-2011, 11:29 AM	#22
chris328i Private First Class 3 Rep 111 Posts Drives: 328i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	It's a personal choice. If you enjoy the work, which many people do, then I say go right ahead.
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