shop manuals on ebay - experiences

[dino]

Hi,

just did a search for "w124" on ebay and came across a number of lots offering the shop manual on cd for my for about 5 quid.

Whilst I imagine these are illegal copies 8) I'm curious to know if the 'original' CD's are of any technical use to a novice like me trying to get into some diy maintenance. For example i need to know the location and how to remove the fuel charcoal filter.

cheers, Dino

Met Black 1990 300ce-24 coupe (batmobile)
Met Rosewood 1994 e320 AMG cabrio (pimpmobile)

 

[OlafMaxwell]

As far as I know there is a Haynes manual for the W124 series. I have used them for a lot of other cars and found them great. Have a look for one, it's also much easier to read in in bed or over a glass of wine as you puzzle something out.

 

[ant500sl]

The majority of CD manuals on Ebay are generally for the US market and as such only apply to certain LHD models. The bigger engines are generally covered and many components are located in identical places so the LHD bias does not cause a problem for most procedures.

Some technical specs differ for the US market i.e emissions and similar so some data may well be totally wrong. One other thing to consider is that these manuals are designed for trained technicians and they assume a certain level of knowledge of the car and therefore can be quite vague in areas.

Still for the money they can make interesting reading and contain quite a lot of information, just make sure the data applies to your model of car.

Costs about £50 or so for genuine copies from America which as law abiding highly taxed British citizens we will gladly pay and not stoop to using the likes of ebay :wink: .

 

[mlc]

Dino,

I have purchased a number of CD's on Ebay trying to get info on both a 72 SL and a 97 SLK. To date I have had very little success, I understand that for the recent cars at least the workshop manuals (which are on CD)are only available to main dealers. I agree that these products are all for the american market and that has also caused pain, lots of items for the SLK are in different locations and it appears that my manual SL wasnt sold in the states.

As far as your pimpmobile is concerned - Pimps in manchester dont drive MB's, their car of choice appears to be a black 5 series, or maybe thats the drugs dealers, I get the two mixed up sometimes!

Mark

 

[Arnie]

I bought one a couple of weeks ago and although advertised as used by MB dealers, it turned out to be a totaly useless load of **** . It only contained very superficial data about US versions (large engines only).

Still at £2.99 what do you expect. :lol:

The best CD manuals are usuall sold on German Ebay and include Geniune MB items, and although more expensive (£25), are worth it.

 

[Vinnytring]

I bought one too, waiste of money even at £2, back to the Haynes me thinks.....

 

[ant500sl]

Thought I might add a note on some of the differing types of CD's for sale. All manuals are US spec so only the bigger engines are covered i.e. 3 litres and above for the bigger models and 2.3 16 valves and diesela on 190's.
The useless variety are made by a company called Mitchells and are very much like the autodata manuals in that they cover the common jobs on different makes - these will be listed on one or two cd's quite cheaply.

The next type are the Mercedes model specific items which come on 2 cd's and are model specific - if the listing says only one model type i.e. W124 then it is usually an MB item and is quite good if you have a larger engined model as virtually all of the other components are the same on US models.

Next there are the US parts catalogues on two disks which are an MB item and looks similar to the system dealers use for parts.

The mother of all manuals come on 5 cd's and need a high spec PC a computing degree and about an hour to install. This is the US dealer system and is exactly the same software as the system used by UK dealers with a US slant and therefore contains just about every detail of every car built in the last 40 years.

Of course these disks are most probably not entirely straight :wink: but if you scan the listings and get a feel for the types available then you can usually pick out the good ones.

The golden rule with such things is to accept that you may get a cd that is only useful as a drinks mat, on the other hand you may well end up with a very serious bit of software.

Remember not to buy illegal copies as it apparently funds terrorism, much better to hand it to the government in taxes who will then fund terrorism on our behalf.

 

[CliveM]

There are several versions that appear on ebay that now include the full European spec models (including smaller engined vehicles such as the CLK230 and A class). There are supplied on two DVD disk rather than 5cd roms and are substantially easier to install.

 

[Retro]

Has anybody tried one from here :?: -

http://www.manualsunlimited.com/catalog/

 

[mercury]

shop manuals on e-bay experiences

Hi
I tried to find a manual for my w210 but only found a technical information series cd. This came from e-bay via Malaysia and is of only limited use. I resorted to buying a Haynes Manual for C Class as the next best thing as I have not been able to find a suitable workshop manual for the w210. I did not have any difficulty in puchasing a workshop manual for my 124 series from a Mercedes main dealer back in 1991 and I was able carry out most of the neccessary maintenance for 13years ownership. However I was treated as though I was insane by staff at my local MB dealers in wishing to carry out my own maintenance and I was told that it was not possible to purchase a workshop manual for a w210. I have owned and maintained a variety of cars since 1960 and I have always found dealers sympathetic and helpful in sorting out problems in the past. Sadly I may have to resort to paying professionals for repairs as cars have become much more complex and dealers less helpful to diy enthusiasts like myself.

 

[Arnie]

Hello,

I can confirm that the US Mitchell CD copy that I bought is totally useless (also has same useless data for serevral other car brands).

I did manage to get the 5-disc set of Workshop Instruction Manuals, last year and it is correct to say that they are not easy to install and still they don't go into as much detail as one might hope (no wiring diagrams for instance).

If you want European, rather than US-related CD/DVD manuals look on the german ebay site.

 

[daytona]

1994 SL500 Manual

does anyone know where to buy a Manual for a 94 SL 500 within the U.K?

 

[dino]

thanks!

Thanks everyone for their responses - what a great site.

Looks like i'll get the haynes and possibly bentley manuals and keep away from the cd's to start with.

cheers, Dino

Met Black 1990 300ce-24 coupe (batmobile)
Met Rosewood 1994 e320 AMG cabrio (pimpmobile)

p.s. pimpmobile was a term of endearment for our new aquisition. Though i've had to avoid replying to my 9 year old's question "dad, i know what a bat is but whats a pimp?"