DIY Repair Tips With BMW Parts

Have you ever taken a peek under the hood of your BMW and wanted to give it a tune-up? After all, you've paid top dollar for this luxury automobile, so you want to make sure it's always in the best condition possible.

Some repairs can cost thousands of dollars, depending on what needs fixing. But if you can get your hands on all the right BMW parts, maybe you can try getting the car back on the road yourself.

It doesn't matter if the only thing you've changed is the radio station; if you have the parts and the tools, you can learn to repair a BMW. Here are some of the best tips that will help you get started.

Make Some Room

Even if you have a driveway or other outdoor area, you shouldn't carry out repairs in the open. Working on your car can take some time, and you don't want to have to move your vehicle if the weather changes. This is especially true if you've removed some important parts.

If you're repairing a BMW, you should perform any repairs in a garage or basement where you have plenty of space.

It's essential to have a full view of all the parts you're removing and easy access to all of the tools that you need to carry out any repairs. The more room you have, the better, especially if you're undertaking a big project that involves expensive parts.

Gather Your Tools and BMW Parts

Before you unscrew anything, you should make sure that you're fully equipped to take on anything that might happen throughout your repairs. One of the best resources is a service manual. This will let you know if you need to purchase any specialty service tools to remove your BMW parts.

In addition to the service manual and specialty tools, you should also have access to several other essential items. Some of the most common pieces of equipment to have on standby are:

• Adjustable spanner
• Torque spanner
• Socket and ratchet set
• Pliers
• Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
• Carjack

Air tools can make your life a lot easier if you can get your hands on them. Some auto parts stores may loan these to you if you want to try them out before you buy them, or if you're doing a one-off job.

Take Plenty of Photos

Now that every phone has a camera, documenting your repairs is easier than ever. The photos aren't for your Instagram story; they're to make sure that you put everything back where you found it. This can be a lifesaver if you're working on a BMW over several days.

Every time you disassemble something, you should take multiple photos from different angles. It does add extra time to the repairs, but if you end up with a spare screw after you've put everything back, you'll be able to scroll through your phone to find the step you skipped.

Another good habit to get into is labeling everything that you remove. You can even draw diagrams to show where certain BMW parts are supposed to go. Some pieces can have 47 bolts, so if you label each one individually (for example, a, b, c), then you'll know where everything needs to go when you're putting it back together.

Triple Check Everything

It's likely your BMW is your pride and joy. So if something goes wrong, you won't want to explain to the repairman that you decided to play around under the hood. This is why you need to triple check everything that you do.

Nuts, bolts, and screws can all start looking the same after a while. When you're replacing an item or sealing an important BMW part, it's best to check everything before you go turning the key. 

If you happen to make a mistake with a part that's under the hood, it can cause major engine damage. If you can't troubleshoot the problem, you will need to take your car to a professional. This will cost more money then what it would have if you took it to them in the first place.

If you're still unsure after your third check, have another person take a look, as a fresh set of eyes can always help. 

Tackle One Thing at a Time

Once you start working on a BMW, it's easy to get caught up in the moment and start taking on more projects than you can handle. But the best way to approach minor repairs is to focus on one task at a time. If you plan on performing maintenance, break each task down and tick them off one at a time.

If you're more adventurous and completing a major project, you should treat the process the same way. Most major repairs on a BMW are actually several small repairs. You should look to try and complete one task at a time, as it can be detrimental to the whole project if you bite off more than you can chew.

Are You Missing Something?

If during your repairs you find that you're missing BMW parts or need some advice on how to approach a problem, go to the one place all enthusiasts go. UroTuning provides every kind of OEM and performance part for your BMW, and if you can't find something on our website, we'll track it down for you.

Every team member is an enthusiast, and we have been involved with multiple European communities for over 20 years. If you need to track down a part for your BMW project, take a browse through our shop to see our full range.