Question about DIYs

[marlinspike]

I have a question about the June 3 DIY session offered by the GWS: what benefits does this offer over just working in my own garage? Are tools supplied? I suppose one benefit is having lift access. Are there techs there to help you? My 380's motor mounts are collapsed, but since the engine is so smooth it doesn't really matter so I've just left it, but if I could have the benefit of a lift and the knowledge of someone who's done it before and it would only cost me parts + $15 for the slot, then I think it's worth doing.

[wwhopper]

Well that is an interesting question.

Our DIY events are always talked about for years afterwards because they offer so much to MBCA members.

A LIFT EQUIPTED BAY - this time in one of the most up-to-date shops in the country (ASC just built a new shop space)

MB-TRAINED TECHS - there are more techs at a GWS tech session than you can shake a tourqe wrench at. ASC pays its techs to come in and hang out at our tech event (over all it costs them about 20 grand in salarys and operating costs for our day on their lifts) And they love to assist and give advice. They know these cars, but enjoy learning from club members things they never knew about.

PARTS - hey ASC has the best inventory of parts anywhere in the mid-atlantic region, and on this day you will get 20% off - and you can start a tab (just like at the local bar) and go back to the parts counter and get more and more as you need them. (and save more and more with the 20% discount - up from the normal 10% for MBCA members everyday.)

FOOD - ASC offers doughnuts and coffee to start the day off with, and brings in lunch too - you never go hungry at a GWS tech event.

Tools - you bring your own tools - GWS does bring in the club owned brake bleeders, but you do need to bring in your own tools. You can always ask to borrow tools from another club member ifyou need something. The ASC techs DO NOT offer their tools - and they should not - their tools are their lively hood, and they pay a lot for them.

Oil and other stuff, you can bring what ever you want in. Buying Mobil One at Walmart or Costco will be a lot cheaper than buying it from ASC (even with the discount)

But what you get the most of is, having a bunch of other like minded folks with you in one large shop. They share, care, and appreciate what you are doing, and you can ask for help from another MBCA member.

And it is not all guys either - often we have the girls come out and change their oil and work on their cars too!

So your 15 bucks does buy you one heck of a day! A day you will long remember!

Depending on the turnout - depends on the time limit in the bay. Everyone is assured of at least 2 hours. Tell the Tech Chair what your project is and then talk with him to see if you can really get it done in the time available to the club.

And if you do not get your job done that day, you can set up an appointment to have it done by ASC, or take it home and work on it there. Most projects that folks are working on at DIY day, get done in the appointed time. But a few (very few) do have to take the project home to complete.

ASC is one of the largest M-B dealers in the region, and thus has some of the most talented techs to guide you, as well as a great space to work in. Try that in your home garage - there is just no comparison!

[marlinspike]

Well that certainly clears a lot of things up (to make sure I wasn't misunderstood when I said what does it offer that I don't get working at home, I was just giving it a frame of reference that would be clear, not saying that I don't think it offers anything, I just didn't knowing anything at all about them).
You make one point that I disagree with, though I won't say which. I will say that while I've never had service at ASC, I did once need to use their other shop MB of Alexandria and they did right by me (driving to college, fuel line broke, called them, drove in, they had me out in a few hours...it would have been quicker but they had to get the part from ASC, but they did let me in the service bay while the work was done).
The tools thing is fine with me, personally I like my own stuff more than snap-on to be honest, but would something like a lift to hold up the engine be available? I could use my jack, but then I wouldn't be able to make use of the fact that a lift means you can work standing.

[marlinspike]

Oh, and while I have you (no need for me to make another thread), do you know what the driving event at summit point on July 29&30 will cost? And I can get the tech inspection at any mechanic right?
Thanks

[wwhopper]

I have never heard anyone who has come out with anything but complements on it.

The VIR driving event in June is $330 for two days, a dinner and a tee shirt. So I would think the Summit event will be similar.

The price has not been set yet, as all the costs are not in (insurance, track is set, and other stuff) It should be up on the www.GWS-MBCA.org website as soon as it become avaialble! And it will be a great event - the new track too!

As for Tech Sheets, you can have any qualified and registered mechanic go over the car and sign off on it. The biggest thing is making sure the car is sound, and that the brake fluid is new!