European vehicles are becoming increasingly popular and more attainable as manufacturers trend towards the mainstream buyer. Vehicles like the Mercedes CLA and Audi A3 simply didn't need to exist in the past - entry level luxury wasn't "entry level" yet, and there was no cheap way in without buying pre-owned. Now that a new European vehicle has become more attainable, the budget-minded consumer needs to have a way of keeping the cost of ownership down as well. Regardless of the car, dealer maintenance is an eye opener to the uninitiated, and marques like BMW and Audi don't exactly scream value after dropping a hundred bucks on oil, filters, and labor.
When a European car needs special tools and scanners, give it what it wants. You might be surprised what is available to the home mechanic on a budget.
Specialty Tools
I love tools, so stockpiling specialty tools in the garage makes for a collection I'm proud of. Sure, you can't get a Fel-Pro valve cover gasket for your Volvo and install it in 30 minutes. But is it really that bad learning how to do it the way that takes a few hours using specialized tools and anaerobic sealant? To me, it's kind of like reverse engineering the engine. I could do it every day. (And sometimes do)
Volvo Cam Lock & Cover Press Kit
Many aftermarket tool companies now produce the tools necessary for an avid do-it-yourselfer to take on the complex jobs a European car offers. And, once you know how to do a seemingly complicated job on a Volvo cam cover or a BMW timing chain, it doesn't seem that difficult the next time around. If you've committed to a brand of vehicle in your garage, a quality set of specialty tools will enrich your mind and allow you to tackle the most expensive dealership jobs imaginable all by yourself. Having a set of "dealership" tools isn't bad for bragging rights either.
BMW Timing Tool Kit (N62 N73) - CTA Tools 2888
Scanners
Codes are a necessary evil. Without diagnostic lights and codes, modern cars would be like rolling Rubik's Cubes. What's frustrating on European cars is the proprietary nature of most diagnostic procedures. Here's a few examples of things you can't scan with an ordinary OBD-II device:
- Climate Control Codes
- ABS Codes
- SRS Airbag Codes
- Radio Codes
- Proprietary modules (Power seat, cluster, rear seat entertainment, etc.)
Much like engine tools, all-in-one scanners are now affordably trickling on to the market that can tackle almost any code your car is capable of throwing. Until now, I was convinced that '99+ Volvos absolutely needed a DiCE unit and VIDA to do any sort of "real" code scanning, but that simply isn't the case anymore. Companies like Autel make sub-$300 scanners that will do almost everything. The one I recently grabbed will even reset the electronic parking brake adaptation on my Volkswagen CC, a necessary procedure for replacing the rear brake pads. Late model Volvo S60s (P3) require this as well. If that doesn't make the tool pay for itself, I don't know what would. They can also do a few other tricks:
- Reset oil/service light reminders
- Initiate EVAP leak tests (Vehicles with a leak detection pump)
- Modify service interval
- Read transmission codes
- Read live data graphs of most engine parameters
Reading live data on my Volkswagen
Grab a great scan tool because no matter the price, all of your friends will be willing to throw $20 your way to clear their SRS light. Even though these cheaper units don't carry the same brand name pedigree as Snap-On, they won't receive constant use in a home garage anyway, and can pay for themselves in one or two big jobs.
The Internet
Where would the enthusiast community be without DIY videos? These videos are how driveway victories are made, saving hundreds of dollars exploiting the utility of mankind. Whether it be through DIY legend Robert Spinner, or FCP's own how-to library, the internet brings together a community of car enthusiasts all sharing a common question: How can I do this job without needing a mechanic?
http://youtu.be/KzCfPjMs_CM
About the Author: Alex Fiehl
Alex
is FCP's Blog Editor and a Desktop Engineer from Endwell, NY. He has over 9 years of experience working on a wide array of import makes, but has found his home with European cars. With a Volkswagen and Volvo at home, the garage is always busy.
