BMW Z3 Tools Title Page

An Introduction to Tools Used in Maintaining the BMW Z3 2.2 Straight Six.

The picture of the tools, (Index - Tools, 'Tools Rules') were purchased over a four to five year period, (more added to, as and when) to maintain all of my vehicles past and current, information on each of the items can be found within the vehicle publications based on the job at hand and dates of purchase and maintenance, if at the time they were applicable.
For each publication new tools maybe added, based on the requirements for maintaining the vehicle in question and are listed individually within each of the relevant publications, some items maybe duplicated based on the repairs carried out on any of the vehicles or during ownership or reference to it as the case may be.

Now, here is the picture or a scenario, you leave school, learn to drive and you decide to become an instant genius on all subjects including car mechanics, (as most teenagers portray as they are indestructible, always right and you owe them one way or another!). most of the time, they dabble and find the freedom of expression within their DIY as we have, hence the hobby. During the advancing years, one picks up the odd tool from here and there, (they may even 'meet them' too! Come to think of it) Maybe; they also gain some wisdom, along the way, (in more ways that one, I digress)... A parent, brothers, the odd 'butch' sister, (I am not politically correct) 'previous' friends, works toolbox and occasionally, one may consider buying a tool from a shop, (this is rare by other people's standards) sounds familiar? Well! It does happen, more often than not! ....

One day; it gets to the point one starts to scramble around looking for one's tools; you know you had them somewhere within a familiar place, like your toolbox or the garage, so you can do a routine job, as and when; you have done on numerous occasions before. The tool evades you, (and it may be your favourite tool too!) As much as your memory plays tricks on you, as you get older and certain family members learn to rely on this attribute, with their tricks they play on you, you know at this point of realisation, that it is down to a personal challenge. The garage or shed is turned upside down and inside out and one finds nothing! Deep in one's heart you know there is only one of two ways out of the 5x23 space one stores one's tools. Normally, you know there is no need for others to borrow your tools, because you are the main maintenance man or as in some cases woman, to please the feminists, (as if!) of the house however, once familiy start adding cars to the drive, or the odd neighbour gains access via family members and your kid's friend pops in, or the wife's friend decides to knock a nail in the wall and hasn't got a hammer, well! It becomes another story...Your valuable precious tools becomes the world's only resource, tensions are bound to rise and after many heated discussions, security is having to be beefed up, again, sounds familiar?

This is just one journey in replacing the tools lost from a similar episode, unfortunately; it does not replace the sentimental value that these lost tools have held, the memories a tool can trigger, a passed event, a milestone in ones life and this loss is normally dismissed by the offender(s) usually with a laugh or an expression of, you are always losing things...buy another one! or you don't need all those different tools to do a job! (enough to put anger in one's being!) Each tool holds a memory in time and is one that cannot be recaptured in a new replacement tool. Women have photos, shoes, jewellery, bags, men have their tools, come on!

Based on ones income and inclination to attempt general DIY maintenance relies on tools of a reasonable quality.The quality and use of a tool is really down to personal skills and experience, (The more experienced, the higher the value and of the cost of the tools). Some tools can cost silly money, (very expensive) for example a basic hammer that can cost over £100, (it may have perfect balance or some kind of technical advantage to make life easy when completing a task). OK! Some may argue one only needs to knock in a few nails, hell! A brick can do that! And it's free!....A £100 hammer will last for a life-time and yes, it can also be disppointing in performance, but that is not really the point is it... (one could try visiting a gym to improve one's performance or see a doctor, they can advise you, it is really down to oneself at the end of the day and one's technique to make things work the way they should) and then there is of course, 'the shallow pocket'. It is best not to purchase a tool based on just good looks, (one only needs to relate to the reality show Essex, good looking but totally dumb, useless and unreliable) even ugly looking alternatives have their place within society if they are useful and they are cheaper and more forgiving. They can be just as good or even better and last a lifetime, (as long as no-one walks off with it), the tool; giving a good faithful worthy service and a cheaper one at that.. (there is a moral here somewhere....). Rule of thumb, I personally search out British quality tools first, from my experience they can be the best! Especially those from the Victorian era. Aim at a reasonable price to suit your pocket, these tools are still out there somewhere gathering dust ready for a new owner. I would go as far as recommending going to an organised Boot Sale, they are normally featured during the weekends.
Now there is 'The quantity of tools!' This really depends on one's personal pocket and a personal understanding and courage that one needs to tackle a particular job that presents itself 'out of the blue'. This job may require a specialist tool and will over a lifetime, allow one to amass a large collection of tools, (to your live-in partner's/wife's dismay and their ear bending, suggesting, you don't need all those tools to just do one job...the answer to this statement is true, however; false when one is expected to do many jobs!). The logic here, (and your argument to a partner) is, if one is capable of doing the job to a reasonable standard, it saves money long term, by not having to employ others to do the job unsatisfactory, saving money for those luxury items.....like the restaurant or flowers, even holidays for loved ones, dear! (Yes right! Or for those new set of chromed wheels, coiled springs, exhaust, and oh! What! Single again? (It was just a thought...) Where are those girls that like cars that you see in the pictures or on TV?..... (Walter Mitty; a true misunderstood romantic).

Then there is 'security'! The main key point here. As you are aware, tools are expensive, you only have to look at the prices of the Imperial offset ring spanners over the past few years, they have become like rocking horse droppings, the price has risen from an average of around £20 for a decent set of 12 and now they can cost a staggering £175 per set for 12, rediculous! However, if British made, it is all down to quality and what you need them for! Some imports, tools and materials are a terrible joke, more seriously and upsetting to know or realise, the loss of our quality at home manufacturers; is down to our greedy politicians selling skilled toolmakers out, for eight pieces of silver, again I digress (O.K., I am politically motivated, what else can I say...) if you know where to look, you can still pick up good quality British tools at a good price, if you look for them. This is the way it is, so security is important. Family or if in the trade, one's colleagues, can be the worst, especially when it comes to borrowing and walking off with your prize tools, it is convenient and cheap for them to do this and sadly without remorse, leaving you with the bill in having to replace them. The sign featured on the index, 'Tool Rules', (pause here and have a long look at it, I can wait, as I feel it is important!) It is the key to keeping your tools safe 'Tool Rules' one can remember easily and suggests an idea on how to keep your tools safe, saving you the costs in the future. Without security, the loss can paint a hard and in some cases a painful picture of the realities of keeping open house and being seen as a true 'generous', 'considerate', reluctant participant, (some may classify the term as being 'New Born Again,' in this case I will add, without the religious connotation...). (At this point, I may be described here, as a cynic, or hypocrite, perhaps! Surface deep..) I think I am a realist, I will not disappoint those holding a faith of sorts and suggest it is a fool-hardy existence to follow the former route of generosity, and turning the other cheek especially if one is always having to pay out of one's on pocket, especially when money is tight, but that is only my opinion. We need our tools for our trade or jobs we regularly do to support others.

Within this section, I look at the 'economy buy', for those with a low income; as many find themselves each day, without sacrificing the serviceability or quality of the work project or DIY programme. My personal observations or comments, are considered as; in my opinion at least, 'basic common sense', from my perspective at least, however one wishes to quantify, my outlook by addressing those to be considered 'WOKE', they may suggest I am out of order and not really being PC...really! Perhaps they should reflect? MY opinions sometimes accompany the work or entries and items purchased or a debate may be triggered, is always welcome, allowing one to adjust one's opinion accordingly, this is down to freedom of choice.

'The BMW Z3', is a great car in my book, reviews of the vehicle are very good, but there can still be problems or traits to keep them from being serviceable and left off the road, especially if one is preparing for a government MOT to what can be described as another 'rip-off' to help furnish the rich. When it comes to costs and those favouring garages this can be a lottery that can be unscrupulous toward the likes of you or I. I try to address this where and when possible, throughout the publication, writing a diary or in most cases reflective through practical exercises; to at least try and keep the vehicle on the road. In this case, the Z3 required renovation and needed money spending on it, before registering for road use and with very little financial or resources, it has not been plain sailing, financially it has been difficult, 'robbing Peter to pay Paul' or taking the psychological hit, if one has to think about it...

You are welcome to jump in the passenger seat, (metaphorically speaking) considered along for the ride..... or you can just look at the pictures, I did choose them carefully to emphasise the sleekness and streamlines of designs, some of the bodywork are incredible works of art in their own right, as one can appreciate... for some, it maybe better, just to observe than to read some of my ramblings. The car isn't bad either and just as expensive when tallied up...

If one gets 'lost' within this publication, just click on 'Chapters' or the topics at the bottom of any page to get back to the main sections. Try it now...