W124 service manual on CD-ROM

[yambrovich]

Help me, those who know.
I'm considering buying the CD-ROM for my '89 300E but since I can't "see it / check it out" I hesitate, especially considering the price!

I've owned a lot of VWs and a couple of Volvo 240s in the past and always bought the excellent manuals published by the Robert Bentley group. These manuals are very comprehensive, thorough and have a lot of pictures but they don't print a manual for my car. Herein lies the question (at the risk of sounding like a major dumb-a**)...

If I pony up and buy the CD-ROM, can I print the entire thing out and put it into a binder to keep in the car / garage or can I only use it / view it on my computer?

Anyone who uses / owns one of these could tell me and I'd really appreciate the response(s).

For example, I want to replace the cruise control amplifier on my car but I don't know the location of the screws and clips that hold in the underdash trim work that needs to be removed before I can get to the amp.

Thanks in advance for all of your help.



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Jay Yambrovich
1989 300 E
1992 190-E 2.3

[Jack500]

I bought this particular CD about 2 months ago and have found it very unfriendly and incomplete in many areas. I called MBNA and they faxed me the missing pages I was in immediate need for. I asked if others had complained about the CD and they indicated that they were receiving many complaints and were in the process of updating. I was told that a new CD would be mailed to me at no charge when they become available. Yes, you can print out all pages and assemble as a book. You almost have to do this since you can only pull up a part of any one page which makes it difficult to fully comprehend.

[Benzmac]

I use all of the Mercedes CD's in a workshop. They are challenging to navigate, but once you are familiar, you can find most anything.
Good luck

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1991 GMC Syclone
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

[ctaylor738]

There is an alternative for about $25 on e-Bay. It's a "spare parts" book that shows literally every part on the car. The one I use for the 300E is "Catalog No. 6510 4950 13".

Though it is designed for ordering spare parts, it is useful in locating where things are. It obviously has no instructions and it is not a substitute for a shop manual but I find it helpful.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'86 300E 5 speed
'95 C220 (wife's car)
'98 Porsche Boxster
Past: '79 280E, '82 300D (18 yrs), '77 240D,
4 250C's

[andy day]

would you be able to let me have a contact address / e mail address for the supplier to see if they have one for my 500SEL, 126. Many thanks. I too am having trouble getting the best out of the 2 cd's of the Service Manual Library.

[ctaylor738]

Suggest you go to www.ebay.com and do a search on "mercedes" or "mercedes parts" - that how I found it. If you don't find anything this way let me know and I will try to dig out the email address.

Chuck

[stevebfl]

The number that Chuck gave will probably buy that manual (if available) from MB at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes.

I also have the available CD's but hardly ever use them as I have all the manuals included in paper. The CD is a lot handier to carry home.

[CJ]

Yambrovich,
I just ordered the Cd and I was very disappointed. After looking over the entire CD it is packed with useful information, but you just have to know where to look for it.

Just got this today and seems like alot of info is missing! Especially in the Engine Section. Am I missing something or do I have a bad CD? Any comments would be appreciated!

I too, recently bought the W124 Service Manual on CD. Very disappointing. Yes, the engine section does not seem complete. It covers basic aspects of the engine but avoids internal components.
The scan job is just pathetic.
For me, reading manuals on paper is easier and more enjoyable.
The CD might be worth half the $130. price tag. Not having the printed manuals available is frustrating. I guess the CD is better than nothing.

Wow. Bums me right out.

Thanks for the input. I'm very disappointed in this product! Oh well!

[JohninFla]

I am surprised. My CD-Rom for the 126 series contains much more than I would expect on the engine internals, including how to set up the machine to hone the cylinders and align bore the crank bearings. I have started printing the engine section, and stopped after I filled a three ring binder to capacity.

Also, with the CD-Rom, I can print the section I need, get my grubby fingerprints all over it and toss the pages when I am done. You may be missing a section of the CD?

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1989 560SEL (127k)
1971 Cutlass convt. (98k) (sold)
1978 Olds Toronado (68k) (sold)
1977 Camaro (sold)
1984 300ZX (146k)(sold)
(only a 2 car garage explains a lot....)

[DMITRY]

May be you should play with it a litle more.
I got mine recently and don't know all ins and outs, but it seems that the main problem is navigation through it. You will find some of the topicks where you don't expect them.
I was looking for oxygen sencor replacement in the "Engine/exoust" section but it turned out to be in the "maintanance" section.
They should of create an Index at least, but since its not there , you just have to wonder around and guess.

Dmitry

90' 300CE

[Benzmac]

I have found that this is very normal in almost all Mercedes Liturature. I have used all of the offerings. I prefer the paper first and then the CD's...They are making the CD available for about the cost of one of the old books.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
300E
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

My legs are cramping from sitting so long and searching this CD! Can't even find some basics. I've looked a long time and can't find anything close to info on head gaskets etc. I'm taking a break cause by butt is sore so if anyone can direct me to the part on this #&!!! thing I would really appreciate it!!!