[Don Plumley]

With my son's car anyway.

My soon to be 18 year old has an '89 E30 that we've been working on together. When we first got it a year ago, we (I) did the timing belt, big service, etc.

Then for the 2nd and 3rd oil change, I started passing the wrenches to him.

Over Christmas, we replaced his shocks and springs - I'd work on one side while he did the other.

Today we replaced the control arms and the center support bearing (again, 1st one was faulty). If you've not had the joy of forcing a control arm into an E30 control arm bushing, well you have no idea how sore I'm going to be tomorrow morning - it's all lube and force.

But I'm proud to say that I really couldn't have done it without my kid. He installed both the control arms, took off the exhaust system and undertrays so I could work on the power steering hoses and then the CSB. He surfs the BMW forums and read up on how to do stuff, what to look for.

We didn't give him this car, he saved his money and paid for half. He buys the parts and I supply the labor. I'm not sure who is learning more, but I'm sure I'm enjoying it more.

Forgive a proud Dad for this indulgence.

Thank goodness for Aleve...