Repairing your own car

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

Hi all,

 

I'm new here. I'm American, and I've always worked on my own cars as much as I can. I'm quite good at it, especially if I have a good service manual. My girlfriend just bought a Lupo, and I was wondering how easy it is to get tools and parts to do things yourself. I tend not to trust mechanics because I've been burned way too often. Also, is auto-repair work on the side of the road allowed?

 

Thanks.

[LeonG 14,809]

It is fairly easy to buy parts. Try Wessels and Mueller or ATU. Bring the registration papers and they'll find your parts for you.

 

You may not repair your car on the autobahn but other than that, I don't know.

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

Haha, fine, I won't work on the car on the Autobahn. I'm a bit disappointed, but rules are rules. In the US, technically, at least in the big cities in California where I've lived, you're not allowed to work on your car unless it's in your driveway or garage. Even then, you have to be careful about fluid disposal and such. I still worked on cars parked on the side of the road of residential streets with relatively little traffic. I even jacked it up and worked underneath. I'm just wondering if people are more likely to report you in Germany for doing such things, or if the police or community support officers will stop you.

 

At the very least, I intend to do maintenance work on the car. I hope I can in Frankfurt. Still not sure where we will live in the city, though. For now, it's in Giessen, and I think I can work relatively unhindered as long as I don't make a mess, unless, of course, the neighbors or passers-by choose to be busy-bodies.

[zildjian 48]

I am the same (well you have to be with a 30 year old british sportscar ) so I'd would be interested if there is something like a Halfords or Eurocarparts franchises where I can get stuff off the shelf? i.e. tools & consumables such as oil, filters etc

 

I also have a BMW daily car and I need to do some work on that (replacing toelinks) and will be quicker, cheaper and more satisfying to do it myself than explaining with my level of German to a local mechanic. I suspect getting BMW parts may not be so difficult here

 

(sorry to hijack your thread)

[LeonG 14,809]

I don't know Halfords and Eurocarparts but neither of the ones I mentioned will let you into their warehouse to pick parts off the shelves. You have to figure out the German name of the part you want www.dict.cc and they will go look for it and bring it to you. I have bought oil filters, brake discs, cables and things like that. I am sure if they don't have something, they could get it for you.

[Twitch_de 16]

Wessels & Mueller is the place to go for tools and parts. Depending on location they have one in Hanau, one in Darmstadt and one in Frankfurt. Anyways doing work on your car is technically not illegal, but doing any sort of work where the possibility that fluids can leak onto the ground is, except for on a sealed ground, for instance an epoxy sealed garage. Meaning no oil changes, no working on the cooling system, no brake fluid changes. If caught I believe the fine can be anywhere between 500 to 10,000 euros. Therefore one should look for what is known as a Hobbywerkstatt, there you can rent a lift, tools, and are able to dispose of all fluids without risking it. Otherwise if you do need an english speaking mechanic, you can always send me a PM. I'm a licensed mechanic here in Germany. I'm the same as you Kaffeemitmilch, I became a mechanic for that exact same reason you speak of, I couldn't trust them because they were mostly always shady!

[YorkshireLad6 7,152]

Legally, working on a vehicle on the street for anything other than minor repairs or mechanical first aid is at least frowned upon and at worst borders on, or is illegal. Certainly main streets are for the exclusive use of functioning vehicles. To repair on the side of the street is not seen as a function for which a public street is intended. You must not impede or block the use of any street for other road users or pedestrians, and clearly not mess it up with foreign objects, dirt or fluids - fuel and oil fluid escape represents an environmental danger, and could be an expensive mistake.

 

Better to find a private car park (ask permission!), driveway, or a nearby purpose-built "Hobby-werkstatt" - this is by far the best idea as you'll also find other like-minded amateur mechanics interested to help, a supply of specialist tools to rent or borrow and safety precautions to adhere to and keep you breathing. There's plenty of places you can buy parts from, starting with the dealer of your model/make, through after-market dealers such as ATU, online stores and of course breaker yards selling used or refurbished parts (Autoverwertung)

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

A ton of great information here. Thanks so much.

 

The hobby werkstatt idea is really cool. I wonder if they have that in the states. I've never thought about it/come across it. I guess back there you can rent a place too, but I just checked some prices for the werkstatt and it seems quite reasonable, especially if you need to do some messy, expensive work.

 

Twitch_de, I will definitely get in touch with you if need be. Good to know you're around in Frankfurt.

[CopyWriter 1,040]

I get all of my parts from eBay. I always get top-of-the-line name-brand stuff for less than ATU prices, with delivery in a matter of a day or two (always compare item location AND price).

 

ATU sells bottom of the barrel garbage at OEM prices. I did some work on a car that I bought right after I got here, with parts from ATU, and in less than a year I had problems again. I searched all over to figure out what the problem could be, because the symptoms were the same. It couldn't possibly be the parts I just replaced, they should be good for another 5 years... The "new" ATU parts looked worse than the 7-year-old parts they replaced!

 

Since then I've always gone to ATU to find out what their prices were on various brands of parts (they usually only offered the one option) and their price for the cheapest option was always more than top-of-the-line stuff from eBay.

 

On a side note, my German father-in-law has a huge fenced in driveway. My car was so dirty from the drive for Christmas, that windshield washer fluid just smeared everything around--it was down-right dangerous, but of course all car-washes were closed. I suggested that I wanted to take a bucket of hot water out and clean my windows and I thought he was going to have an aneurysm. It would be illegal and unethical to get that "autobahn dirt" into the drains.

 

The first thing you need to learn about Germany is "Ordnung muss sein." They will report you for the dumbest shit because they view a minor indiscretion as the first step toward anarchy. I've obviously been here too long, because I tend to agree with them.

[hdjd76 1]

I was wondering if they spelled anal retentive with or with out a hyphen, now I know. thanks. ;)

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

Haha, that fear of anarchy is what I was afraid of. I have brown skin, so I think I'd be more easily noticed and reported if I do something out of the ordinary. When dealing with all these residency issues, and the car paperwork, my German girlfriend is very paranoid about doing things right. She isn't that bad because she's lived abroad and seen that things are much easier and still run smoothly even with fewer rules, but after coming back to Germany, she is noticing the adherence to regulations and getting worried about not doing things right. It's a little annoying, I tell you, but what can I do.

 

As for your father-in-law, CopyWriter, it's actually refreshing to see that he is actually worried about the environment (or did he just say that because it's the law?). I wonder if most Germans would have reacted that way.

[jmjdk 84]

 

A ton of great information here. Thanks so much.

 

The hobby werkstatt idea is really cool. I wonder if they have that in the states.

There are but they are very few and they are in very few locations (areas).

 

 

On a side note, my German father-in-law has a huge fenced in driveway. My car was so dirty from the drive for Christmas, that windshield washer fluid just smeared everything around--it was down-right dangerous, but of course all car-washes were closed. I suggested that I wanted to take a bucket of hot water out and clean my windows and I thought he was going to have an aneurysm. It would be illegal and unethical to get that "autobahn dirt" into the drains.

 

The first thing you need to learn about Germany is "Ordnung muss sein." They will report you for the dumbest shit because they view a minor indiscretion as the first step toward anarchy. I've obviously been here too long, because I tend to agree with them.

 

 

As for your father-in-law, CopyWriter, it's actually refreshing to see that he is actually worried about the environment (or did he just say that because it's the law?). I wonder if most Germans would have reacted that way.

And what happens to all that stuff that gets cleaned off of the windshield when driving on the autobahn or for that matter any other public street in Germany?

IMHO the natives are not thinking through the problem completely.

[CopyWriter 1,040]

 

And what happens to all that stuff that gets cleaned off of the windshield when driving on the autobahn or for that matter any other public street in Germany?

IMHO the natives are not thinking through the problem completely.

 

That was my reaction. I feigned an anxiety attack and said, "Oh my God, what are we going to do if it rains?"

[zildjian 48]

Could be worse, could be in Switzerland.

[henchman26 8]

De-lurking as this is something I can actually contribute on...

 

I have an 1987 (old for Germany) Volkswagen van that I do all my own work on, and for sure it is a little more challenging here than in the US. But not all the Germans are as uptight as the examples, my Swabian landlady is too thrifty to use a car wash and proudly explained to me that she washes her own car *in the driveway!* (gasp!). Also the farmers next door to my friends house dumped a full load of gear oil out of one of their tractors, the whole neighborhood smelled like transmission for several weeks...

 

Anyhow, I do my work in the driveway, I didn't ask permission first as I didn't want to invite the discussion, but I make sure to not spread the mess around, tidy up as a go along and clean up *everything* when I am done. I sweep the driveway afterwards even if it doesn't need sweeping just so the locals *see* me being tidy... and I have a supply of old cardboard from Ikea that I put down if I am doing anything really messy. I think as long as you are obviously being tidy and careful you can probably get away with a lot. Also take care on Sundays and Holidays, the folks around here in our village don't care (Farmers are farming on sunday, etc) but I know other places are more strict.

 

So far around here there are no old-school parts or hardware stores like you will find in the US (and I suppose UK), your best bet for 90% of stuff is eBay where you can browse at your leisure, the parts and hardware stores here tend to be more of the "counter" type where you need to be prepared with the part number or specification. Some of the baumarkt's have a small automotive section with bulbs, oil, wiper blades etc. I brought a lot of tools from the US but my German friends tell me off-brand baumarkt tools are not bad, many of them are still made in germany vs. the chinese crap you get a Lowes or Home Depot in the US. ATU was not impressive but I have gotten a few small things from them. In my case because my van is an "enthusiast" vehicle there are also some online specialty retailers. You mentioned a VW Polo, you might try http://www.online-teile.com/vw/ I havent used them yet but they seem reasonable for hopefully OEM parts.

 

Disposal of waste is a challenge, some of the gas stations will take your old oil (possibly only if you buy the new oil from them) and I think ATU does the same. Gas stations will also have a special bin for empty oil containers. Leftover rags and misc. whatnot I have been putting in the solid waste, but I think the city-operated recycle centers may also have a hazardous waste place for brake shoes, etc. The bottom line is learn to generate less waste and carefully separate out the real filth from the only slightly dirty rags, boxes, parts, that can go in the regular recycling.

 

Something you may not be aware of: any non-stock modifications will invalidate your TÜV inspection *and* potentially your insurance unless you get them certified by TÜV! *ANY* modifications to the car have to be inspected and recorded in the registration documents, this primarily includes safety items like changing the brakelights for a different style, different size tires, brake "upgrades" etc. But in principle almost any modification is supposed to be inspected including many things that most Americans wouldn't even think twice about... I mention this because working on your own car is one thing but doing something to an unsuspecting girlfriend who doesn't even know her insurance is now invalid is a whole other level...

 

Another tip: if you didnt use nitrile gloves before start using them now, especially if you are working on the streetside. Otherwise you are urgently trying to go through three keyed doors into your apartment, take off your shoes, and put the toilet lid up with greasy hands...

 

On a more general note, if you are a car nut you really need to go to one of the big Oldtimer shows, they are really spectacular with a lot of old cars, trucks, tractors that you will probably never see outside of Germany. There is usually a big vendor section where folks are selling all the *other* stuff that you cant get easily at a local shop such as tools, chemicals, specialty hardware, etc. One of the biggest is Veterama http://www.veterama.de/ we went to the Mannheim one last year and it was fun.

 

I hope this helps a bit! Maybe we need a "post your ride" thread to drag the lurkers out?

 

-Zach

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

Good to know. It looks like it won't really be a problem.

 

On a side note, it looks like insurance is going to be over 500 a year for two people over 25 with several years of driving experience. The insurance system is interesting. One needs credit for previous insurance in order to get lower rates, but doesn't get that credit if one was insured under one's parents in the past. We'd expected the insurance for a Lupo to be about 250-300.

 

Any tips, or is another thread called for?

[YorkshireLad6 7,152]

Tips on getting insurance? Shop around, and adjust different aspects to minimise the quote - for example limit the drivers, increase the deductible, keep to low mileage. Some insurance companies may give you a starter discount if you can prove a claims free history. Even if their insurance costs more, then take it to get on the claims-free ladder, then transfer that discount to a cheaper company next year. You'll find massive swings for the same cover between different companies as each often targets a particular market of customer, vehicle or geography.

 

500€ sounds about right - irrespective of the size of the car, the liability element is the major component, which is less related to size/age/power/speed of the vehicle an will always be subject to a minimum.

[hech54 6]

We have a garage.

We have our brand new company lease cars for only 6 months or 9 months, then we have to get another one.

Makes me sad...as an American hobby-mechanic like the rest of you...I sorely miss my hobby.

And I always had at least one VW in my "stable" of cars. I know more about VWs and Toyotas than any American car brand.

SUCKS.

[kaffeemitmilch 1,294]

Well, my girlfriend has taken care of insurance. It's 530 for the two of us. I don't know the details. We'll pick up the car on Monday. It's quite annoying that the plates don't stay with the car. It would have been nice to drive the car off the lot. We've had to wait more than a week. A cumbersome process, at best.

 

hech54, I understand your yearning, but these days, if I had the luxury of a company car that was taken care of, I would jump at it! You're free to get a hobby car, aren't you? I really wanted a VW T3 (I would LOVE a T2, but that's way too much...) so we could have used it to caravan around, but it would have been a pain in general. My girlfriend's dad has a nice MB Vito that's been converted immaculately, so we'll be able to borrow that anyway.

[hech54 6]

 

hech54, I understand your yearning, but these days, if I had the luxury of a company car that was taken care of, I would jump at it! You're free to get a hobby car, aren't you? I really wanted a VW T3 (I would LOVE a T2, but that's way too much...) so we could have used it to caravan around, but it would have been a pain in general. My girlfriend's dad has a nice MB Vito that's been converted immaculately, so we'll be able to borrow that anyway.

 

That's also a "Catch 22". A personal garage is a luxury here in Germany...a luxury that I would not ask my German wife to give up just so I can play bloody-knuckles with an old Scirocco.

:)