CD-ROM manuals - which is best

[potion]

Hi all

I need a workshop manual for my 1995 W202/C280. The local motor book supplier only has the Haynes publication (sans C280)! So I've been trawling the web, and found these two sites.

Both offer manuals on CD-ROM. Has anyone bought these? Are there others? Any instant dowloadable versions? Your verdict, please...

Den

 

[tjamesbo]

C Class manuals

I'm also looking for the same have you got any further ?

 

[television]

CDs are very hard to follow when it comes to electrics and diagrams and no so handy when laying under the car. With paper back you can read several things at the same time, and you cant view CD's in the lou

 

[anyweb]

you cant view CD's in the lou

sure you can, with a laptop !

 

[television]

sure you can, with a laptop !

OK Niall you win

 

[potion]

I never did order those CD's - I guess I wasn't up to being the lab rat. And M-B could not (would not?) sell me a paper manual. So I'm still flying blind!

But I have downloaded manuals for my Landrover - I simply print the relevant pages and discard them afterwards. And I don't need to avoid getting oily stains on the pages - so it's not inconvient to use an electronic format. Though I miss not being able to make my own notes in the margins.

If anyone does order the CD's (or DVD), please post your verdict.

Den

 

[xvvvz]

Mercedes sells a CD for the W202 in the US. It is about $115 and looks pretty good. The most comprehensive is the WIS system but it is tough to install and it is hard to navigate/find what you want once it is installed. Even if you have a C280, the Haynes manual is worth the investment.

 

[br1anstorm]

Getting workshop manuals (aka service manuals) on CD is a bit of a minefield. MB in the USA sells the official manual(s) to anyone who pays; and I think it is also possible in the US to subscribe to their online technical info service. The position in UK/EU is less clear...Manuals for some of the older "classic" models can be ordered from the official MB website

There is also a degree of confusion over the difference between WIS (Workshop Information System), TIS (Technical Information System) and EPC (Electronic Parts catalogue).

Manuals on CD/DVD are offered on well known auction sites - but as already noted, they are difficult to load, manage and navigate (I think your computer has to be rigged using some sort of downloaded plugin so that it appears to be part of the MB network). If you happen to obtain one of these CDs, a free index which enables you to use it much more easily is available from here: google.com

Perhaps someone more familiar with the various manuals which are available - officially or unofficially - will explain exactly what they all are....

br1anstorm