How often do you fail at an automotive repair project?

[dizzyF30]

I like doing basic maintenance on my vehicles whenever I can to save money.
I'll do fluid changes, brake jobs and installed coil overs on my F30. I know when something needs to go to a professional because the time it would take me to properly perform a more difficult repair is not worth the money saved.

Recently, my M3 threw a code (5DBB) and I wasn't able to figure it out. The thread is HERE if you'd like to know. So I've scheduled an appointment at a local indy shop. (Going in tomorrow. Keeping my fingers crossed. If the repair is less than $1K, I'm buying you guys a beer.)
Yesterday, I attempted to replace parking brake shoes on my wife's Infiniti, and could not remove the caliper bracket bolts. they're 19mm bolts, rusted, torqued to hell, and in a location where it's hard to get leverage without a proper lift. So, I'll have to pay someone to perform this fairly simple task.

I'm feeling kind of defeated this morning.

[DerEisbaer]

Originally Posted by dizzyF30

...

I'm feeling kind of defeated this morning.

Don't worry, that's how I feel a lot of mornings - and this experience is shared by a lot of car guys. In fact, more than we imagine, but nobody has the balls to admit it I would say

The number of times I fail is directly connected to the working conditions. Without a lift, without a garage maybe, lacking proper tools etc. - this will be more likely. One of the reasons why I do a lot of things at my buddies shop, basically buying the parts from him and getting to use the lift and tools for free. An advantage, not many people have access to.

With stuff breaking during the repair (e.g. had a brake booster fail on a full brake job a few years ago... worst case), it even gets worse.

What I learned is, that it does not so much correlate with my preparation. There are times when I have done days of research. Purchased/borrowed special tools, learned everything - and then sth unexpected happens and screws the plan.

My worst enemy though is time-management. I always (!) underestimate, how much time specific tasks will take.

And don't worry: that "failure" happens indeed more than you think, and not only with cars. Don't know, how many friends started to prepare their gardens month' ago and are not even close to be finished

[Never_Enough]

We all fail. A lot. Don't worry about it.

[TheWatchGuy]

Cant fail what you dont start.

[zx10guy]

If you think you'll be doing a lot of work yourself on your cars, one of the best investments I made was buying an air compressor and getting air tools. Since getting air tools, I haven't run into a project which I failed at doing because I couldn't get a nut/bolt loose.

[Lups]

Dear God, every time. I'm all talk, zero skills, and I can only fix anything mechanical if I can do Bs patents and weirdo fixes.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

If you think you'll be doing a lot of work yourself on your cars, one of the best investments I made was buying an air compressor and getting air tools. Since getting air tools, I haven't run into a project which I failed at doing because I couldn't get a nut/bolt loose.

im the opposite. i have a very nice compressor and air tools at work, and i never use them for my personal projects....EVER! every single time i try to use an air tool, a bolt gets stripped or broken. I am all hand tools on my BMWs now, and have WAY less issues.