The Definitive Tool Kit

[S3AMJ]

Hey Everyone,

So I’m putting together an essential “everyday” tool kit together for the Audi S3. Now I know this will probably suit most VAG cars.

This is the list I have so far -

10mm Socket - 3/8”
13mm Socket - 3/8”
Tx20 Socket - 3/8”
Tx25 Socket - 3/8”
Tx30 Socket - 3/8”
5mm Hex Socket - 3/8”
6mm Hex Socket - 3/8”
6mm Triple Square Socket - 3/8”
8mm Triple Square Socket - 3/8”
10mm Triple Square Socket - 3/8”
75mm Extension - 3/8”
150mm Extension - 3/8”
200mm Extension with sliding 3/8” Socket
3/8” 52 fine tooth ratchet
3/8” screwdriver bit adaptor
Various sized flat and pozi bits to fit adaptor
3/8” Socket rail or custom foam box.

These Socket and bit types are the most commonly used to my knowledge with VAG cars. I was going to source all these and have them in the car at all times. Brand wise I’m heading towards Teng, Mac, Snap On.

Price wise, looking at between £100-£120! These won’t just be used in emergency’s but when ever I’m working on there car as well, so a worthy investment I thought.

Any advice, suggestions are welcome or any other sockets and bits I’m missing that I should consider.


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[<tuffty/>]

Spare car....

<tuffty/>

 

[Tj 0785]

Tow rope

 

[<tuffty/>]

Missed a 7mm socket for boost pipe clips...

<tuffty/>

 

[S3AMJ]

Missed a 7mm socket for boost pipe clips...

<tuffty/>

Ah yes! well observed PT

Hmmm, yes a spare car is advisable. Currently have a Outlander PHEV works car which is very...... Meh!

Tow rope

That is not a bad idea at all! at this rate my spare wheel well is going to be full of get me out of trouble solutions!

 

[<tuffty/>]

at this rate my spare wheel well is going to be full of get me out of trouble solutions!

Mines normally full of methanol as I keep managing to overfill my meth tank

<tuffty/>

 

[S3AMJ]

Haha brilliant! Well PT I'll be taking a leaf out of your book soon......... to be continued

 

[S3AMJ]

Having spoken to a few friends (Mechanics) there advice on the brands is...... interesting! most have said not to bother with Teng. Mac is very expensive and there are very few suppliers here in the UK. Snap on is a bit of a mission to find specific sockets and bits. A couple of them have suggest a German brand called Stahlwille

 

[basil brush]

I was a snap on dealer for years , find a dealer , ask a local garage who the rep is or ring Kettering HQ and he’ll be able to order whatever individual items you want in next day delivery

 

[Rainbird]

Honestly, for general use and convenience the likes of the Halfords Advanced socket sets (in various sizes/capacities to suit budget) are deceptively reasonable. Pick one up when they're half price a couple of times a year, or get one second hand and you'll be pretty well set for most "everyday" tasks. Lifetime Warranty on it all too.

Branded, more expensive tools are great and well-made kit is always nicer, but in terms of raw value it's a good way to get started.

 

[bigal 1]

I say old bean, you sound awfully well educated.

You all forgot the cold chisell and lump hammer.

 

[Vex182]

Honestly, for general use and convenience the likes of the Halfords Advanced socket sets (in various sizes/capacities to suit budget) are deceptively reasonable. Pick one up when they're half price a couple of times a year, or get one second hand and you'll be pretty well set for most "everyday" tasks. Lifetime Warranty on it all too.

Branded, more expensive tools are great and well-made kit is always nicer, but in terms of raw value it's a good way to get started.

Agreed!

 

[S3AMJ]

I say old bean, you sound awfully well educated.

You all forgot the cold chisell and lump hammer.

Don’t worry Al, I’ll be putting a lump hammer in the boot just for tapping the starter motor if that plays up.... honest.


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[S3AMJ]

Honestly, for general use and convenience the likes of the Halfords Advanced socket sets (in various sizes/capacities to suit budget) are deceptively reasonable. Pick one up when they're half price a couple of times a year, or get one second hand and you'll be pretty well set for most "everyday" tasks. Lifetime Warranty on it all too.

Branded, more expensive tools are great and well-made kit is always nicer, but in terms of raw value it's a good way to get started.

I’ve got a small set of the halford professional range, it’s not bad. But I guarantee I wouldn’t use half of the bigger sets. I did see you can buy the sockets individually, well some of them at least. But they don’t do the Triple Square sockets “multi spline” which is a shame. I’ve even looked at draper expert too.


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[Stuart B]

just get an RAC card and practice saying "No.. Errmm… No Modifications" when asked the question over the phone. the problem with getting nice things is you get annoyed when you lose them which you will.

 

[Pyeman]

The best and only set you'll need.

Bacho SL25 only £20 on eBay.

 

[S3AMJ]

just get an RAC card and practice saying "No.. Errmm… No Modifications" when asked the question over the phone. the problem with getting nice things is you get annoyed when you lose them which you will.

Haha by the time RAC turned up Stuart, I’d of plugged my laptop in with VCDS, diagnosed the problem and fixed it. They’d take one look under the engine bay and say.... nah not touching it.

 

[S3AMJ]

The best and only set you'll need.

Bacho SL25 only £20 on eBay.

That’s not a bad little set to be fair, I’ve got some bacho stuff. Good quality.

 

[Rainbird]

I’ve got a small set of the halford professional range, it’s not bad. But I guarantee I wouldn’t use half of the bigger sets. I did see you can buy the sockets individually, well some of them at least. But they don’t do the Triple Square sockets “multi spline” which is a shame. I’ve even looked at draper expert too.

I've had a 170 piece kit for a number of years now. Picked it up for ~£55 in a sale at one point or other and it covers most day to day tasks fine, plus is compact enough to sling in the boot without a second thought if needs be.

For the odd occasion where I need something a little less generic (ie. triple square spline bits) I just pick up a small set to boost my supplies. With a £10 case of spline bits that's your first post list covered and then some. Wouldn't want to be lugging them all around 100% of the time of course, but then if you carried every tool you could potentially need then you'll need a towbar fitting. May as well pay the Snap-On van to follow you everywhere in that case.

A reasonable socket set will do most tasks and in terms of value for money that's the best place to start without a doubt. There will always be the odd additions needed, it's all about where you want to draw the line.

 

[<tuffty/>]

The best and only set you'll need.

Bacho SL25 only £20 on eBay.

Exactly the same one I have in the boot of mine... sometimes supplemented with its bigger brother..

<tuffty/>

 

[tcg]

Only one spanner in my S3...me!

 

[S3AMJ]

Only one spanner in my S3...me!

Well that’s put a spanner in the works..... sorry had to say it




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[S3AMJ]

Very tempted with the Bacho to be honest, saves me time and money sourcing them separately and making up a toolbox for them. Then I’d just buy the triple squares separately. Hmmmmmmm


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[Tj 0785]

What about a parts bin not much point carrying the tools if you not got the parts

 

[S3AMJ]

What about a parts bin not much point carrying the tools if you not got the parts

Haha I’m just thinking about the things you can fix at roadside... obviously if you need to a new part then you’ll get it towed home or to a garage. When you’ve worked on the car yourself and it’s modified. You’ll know exactly where things are and how to address the issue.


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[<tuffty/>]

Coil pack or two, maybe some clips, the small Bahco set, insulating tape, cable ties... maybe some duck tape..

<tuffty/>

 

[Tj 0785]

maybe a set off these for when you get it home

 

[<tuffty/>]

maybe a set off these for when you get it home

I still have the set I first used on my Mk2 Escort (some) time back.... rusty as f00k but solid as a rock... need blocks of wood to get the front of the S3 up though as they are too steep to cope with the front bumper... it being lowered makes no odds :/

Works fine for the rear though

<tuffty/>

 

[Tj 0785]

Have seen some come with extra pieces to so the angle is not so steep I think they will be handy when I start the v6 swap

 

[S3AMJ]

maybe a set off these for when you get it home

Those look ideal! Beats getting the axle stands out every time. My old man has a pair of ramps similar to those but they are narrow! Like 175 tyres hang over the edges.


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[superkarl]

I have an awesome Bluepoint set, which is a budget snap-on range...

...it doesn’t get used anymore because I don’t even mod bro

 

[superkarl]

I still have the set I first used on my Mk2 Escort (some) time back.... rusty as f00k but solid as a rock... need blocks of wood to get the front of the S3 up though as they are too steep to cope with the front bumper... it being lowered makes no odds :/

Works fine for the rear though

<tuffty/>

Haha I use my dads set which he used throughout his youth on his escorts, cortinas and minis.


You’re old

 

[<tuffty/>]

You’re old

Word...

<tuffty/>

 

[Rainbird]

maybe a set off these for when you get it home

I've considered picking up a set of these with the hydraulic lift before, but it never happened. I'd imagine that the lower end bumper would be in the ground by the time you start to lift the higher end, particularly on a lowered car?.

 

[Stuart B]

Have seen some come with extra pieces to so the angle is not so steep I think they will be handy when I start the v6 swap

these are what I have for my ramps. which I must say the TT is on (I am getting that S3 eye twitch going on now after the alternator freewheel seized and snapped off today)

the low rise extensions are about £15 on ebay, they are actually good for a car that doesn't need them too as they stop the ramp being pushed along.

 

[S3AMJ]

these are what I have for my ramps. which I must say the TT is on (I am getting that S3 eye twitch going on now after the alternator freewheel seized and snapped off today)

the low rise extensions are about £15 on ebay, they are actually good for a car that doesn't need them too as they stop the ramp being pushed along.

View attachment 162553

Those are similar to the ones my old man has... minus the extensions. a friend of mine made a pretty impressive ramp set up with some scaffold poles and boards, enough that the car was a good 4ft in the air! but it was huge and he lives on a farm, plenty of room for that haha

 

[Tj 0785]

If I had a garage I’d probably get one of those mobile Lifts

 

[S3AMJ]

Ok so this is the set I’ve bought!

Its the Bahco S910, yes I finally spelt it correctly having got it wrong several times further up the thread!
I’m going to swap out the 21mm spark plug socket for a 16mm and that lovely little semi clear storage container on the upper part of the case is going to house my M6, M8 and M10 Triple Square (XZN, Multi Spline) sockets.

Thank you all for your advice and comments on this. Been a huge help! Let’s keep this going to see if there are any other things we can add..... like these useful ramps, etc

Ash


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[S3AMJ]

If I had a garage I’d probably get one of those mobile Lifts

That’s pretty sweet... wonder how much of those would set you back!

 

[Stuart B]

it's just always a little suspicious when you open your boot and there is duck tape, tie wraps, rope, a rolled up bit of carpet and a knife on display.