I'm looking to buy a good book on my car; I'd really like to learn how to do as much as I possibly can myself. I've found many websites helpful (dieselgiant especially), but I park a mile from my computer, and I'd rather leave a thick book in my trunk than come back and forth or print a bunch of stuff.

Any suggestions? Any repair manuals I shouldn't waste my time on?

Thanks,
johnpaul

Avoid Haynes and Chiltons. Watch eBay, occasionally the paper W123 manuals and OM617 manual will show up. MB currently only sells the CD version of them.

Haynes is OK, nothing more.

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83 SD

84 CD

I have the MB CD. I also have another CD off of E-Bay. I haven't accessed that one. I have a Haynes or Chiltons too. Its OK for some stuff. The MB CD seams to have a lot of stuff. Just have to learn to access the menu. Not really that hard. So far I've looked at the PS pump, gear box and the rear wheel bearings. That and stuff on the internet.
Tom

Someone had the whole W123 shop manual (or most of it) on a torrent file. The link is somewhere on this forum.

Here's the CD, showing all the parts and how they fit together:

http://www.mercedesmanuals.com/Mercedes_Benz_W_123_Shop_Manual_p/w123.htm

Instructions are spare and intended for trained mechanics.

I don't get Haynes and Chilton. They spend a third of the book telling how to rebuild the engine, which no typical do-it-yourselfer will ever get close to -- but never stuff like how to effectively pry off the window trim or troubleshoot the vacuum system.

DieselGiant (www.dieselgiant.com) has great free instructions for a lot of common jobs. And even more instructional DVDs for sale.

Also, check out the forum's wiki: http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/DoItYourSelf

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1995 E320 (2009 - current)
1985 300TD Turbo black (2007-current)
1983 300TD Turbo red (2008-2009)
1972 280SE (2004-2007)
1977 300CD (2003-2004)
1976 240D (1999-2003)

Here's a link to paper versions of the factory service manuals. Some are not cheap. I got one for the 207-307d here but it was $170. Looks like they have most of the manuals people on this forum would need. Click on the link at the bottom of the home page for their catalog.

http://www.schiffeuropean.com/

There's no point in wasting money on Haynes when these manuals are available.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13