The Gun Counter

Was going through the truck of my dad's car (1989 Mercedes) and discovered the tool kit that came with it (still in pristine condition). Its just a few wrenches, a screwdriver, pair of pliers, tire iron, etc, but still kinda cool. All marked "Made in W. Germany." I think its rare these days for manufacturers to include even a token tool kit, even if you arent going to be able to do much with it. I remember seeing in a video that the McLaren F1 came with a basic tool kit, which is basically useless on a car like the F1, but still nice that the manufacturer thinks enough of the end user to include it.

Anyone bought any cars recently that came with at least a basic tool kit

It must be a German thing. My first car was a 1968 VW beetle. Most VWs back then came with a pouch of basic tools like the one you described. The lug wrench was a steel tube with a hex shape formed into both ends. One end was sized for the lug bolts. The other end had a rubber bushing inside for retaining spark plugs as they are removed or installed. There were two holes in the tube into which a steel rod was inserted, making a handle. The only other VW tool I ever owned was the combo wrench, with 13 mm on one end and 10 mm on the other. This would cover 90% of the nuts and bolts you're likely to tighten or loosen in routine maintenance.

I think that the reason new cars don't come with tool kits is that there's very little to maintain anymore, at least not on the road. I bought a Ford Ranger new in 1997 and drove it for 11 years. I don't ever remember having to turn a wrench away from home except to change a tire. The combination of extreme reliability and excessive complexity have eliminated the need for most people to even open the hood of their car, much less carry a tool box. The only people who carry tools in their vehicle would not be satisfied with a manufacturer supplied kit.

A large amount of the traffic over on the MG forum is dedicated to the tool kits that originally came with the cars, and originality thereof. They could probably split off a sub forum dedicated just to the variety of jacks that were included over the years.

Ferraris come w. very nice tool kits. And probably need them on a regular basis. Porsches, along w. Mercedes used to come w. a decent kit.

Yeah, my 740iL has a rather comprehensive kit built into the trunk. Actually, now that I think of it, there is also a first aid kit built into the back seat....

I dunno about cars, but I don't think I've ever bought a bike that didn't have a toolkit stashed somewhere on it.

CombatController wrote:Yeah, my 740iL has a rather comprehensive kit built into the trunk.

Huh. I would have figured you took it out, to make more room for bodies.

Netpackrat wrote:

CombatController wrote:Yeah, my 740iL has a rather comprehensive kit built into the trunk.

Huh. I would have figured you took it out, to make more room for bodies.

No no. He keeps those in the trailer.

Aegis wrote:

Netpackrat wrote:

CombatController wrote:Yeah, my 740iL has a rather comprehensive kit built into the trunk.

Huh. I would have figured you took it out, to make more room for bodies.

No no. He keeps those in the trailer.

Quite. The rifles and body armour go in the trunk.

My BMW has a rudimentary set of tools. But the American-market cars don't come with the hazard sign...and I wish they had left it. The Germans have a good idea there.