I've talked about this book from Bentley publishers. ON Amazon for 26.00 . I'm a newbie to MBs and relatively new to diesels and engines and cars work in general and I found this book very helpful and intriguing. The non related articles are helpful too for expanding the mind of a new wrencher. Here is a maybe not complete list of articles I found relevant to our cars. Plus the Technical discussions sections at end of chapters all have a few relevant things.

Chapter 1)

Choosing Repair Shop
ATF
How To Service AT
Servicing the W126 300SD parts 1 and 2
On Board Diagnostics for Diesels

Technical Discussion
Chapter 2) Engine Transmission

W124 Motor Mount Replacement
How to replace your 300SD Water Pump
300SD Timing Chain Replacement
Timing Is Everything
300D Top End Work Hints (valve seals, cam chain, and fuel injectors and rebuilding vacuum pump)
Valve Job, Parts 1 and 2
Bottom End Overhaul 1 and 2
A Survey of ATs
Tech Ramblings
Transmission Lockout Switch

Chapter 3) Diagnosing Pre-Glow Systems 1 and 2
Turbocharger Repair
Replacing 300D/E Exhaust Systems
Water and Diesel Fuel Dont Mix


Chapter 4) Electrical System

5 minute Shift Indicator Light Fix
Advanced Radio Repair: Becker Grand Prix Electronic
How To Refurbish Your Crues Control Actuator
Horn Rings
Installing a 3rd Brake light
The AlternatorReplacing tH Antenna on W126 Chassis
Installing Euro Head Lamps on W116 300SDs

Chapter 5) Body, Interior

How to Fix Vacuum Door Locks
Vintage Trip odometer
Repairing a stalled Odometer
Servicing the VDO Mechanical Clock (I'm getting right on that one )
Gray Market


I'll post rest another day. Too much typing.

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What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Interesting book! I may need it to open the driver's door and trunk on a 1974 450 SL. Door seems to lock and unlock but no reaction to either handle pull. I don't know how to access the trunk situation.

I read the reviews and wouldn't buy it. It's simply too hit or miss. You will probably only have a couple articles relevant to your car. Spend your money (and less money at that) on a Haynes manual written specifically for your diesel.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

or post here or on any othe rmercedes forum for free

I purchased the Technical Companion several months ago......there is a very interesting article regarding Automatic Transmission Fluid levels....and the dipstick conversions necessary to check your ATF cold......I mentioned this in another post some time ago, but there was little interest......bottom line.....this book is a great addition to your MB Library (after you already own the rest of the Tech manuals).......

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

It's not bad. It covers a wide range of vehicles - which can be interesting if you are investigating another car or have more than one in your stable. I always like reading the tech stuff in the Star from Stu Ritter and George Murphy, so to me it's a neat book.

The photography on some of the older articles are pretty crappy and I can't tell what the hell they are trying to point out (nothing like a computer where you can annotate a picture - so much better).

When I'm getting ready to tackle something new on my car, it's just another reference (like this forum, pindelski.com, other DIY sites, and of course the factory service manuals).

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~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net