Service Manual 300SEL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JC in OZ · #1 07-27-2003, 11:21 PM

Hi All...
I've just bought a 300SEL '87 with 145,000 Kilometres on the clock here in Australia. I have spent hours on the net trying to find a service/repair/maintainance manual and I'll be stuffed if I can find one. There seems to be an abundance of every other type of manual for every other Benz but not for a '87 300SEL. Am I missing something here, is there a similar book for a similar type model? I only really want basic info for dumb bumb Do-It-Yourselfers...I'd really appreciate any assistance

1991300SEL · #2 07-27-2003, 11:35 PM

JC:

In the U. S., we have the 1988-1991 300-SEL. MB started making this car in 1985.

Even though I have the 81-93 MB maint. manual which will serve you well for most maintenance-oriented tasks, Haynes makes a good maintenance-for-diyers manual for the 300E which has the same engine as yours. This book is published in the U.K. It's titled:

Mercedes-Benz 200, 230, 250, 260, 280 300 & 350. The book number is 3253. It covers 1986 to August 1993 Petrol & Diesel. I suspect Australian book dealers can obtain this.

JC in OZ · #3 07-28-2003, 12:15 AM

Thankyou very much 1991300SEL. I don't know why that didn't come up in my searches but I'll chase that up.
Cheers
JC

sixto · #4 07-28-2003, 02:06 AM

The Haynes manual might leave you wanting, particularly if you want to hunt down ACC and door lock gremlins. Have a contact in the US purchase for you the CD manuals published my MBUSA and available from MBUSA, any MB dealership, FastLane (link at the top of this page) and a host of MB parts suppliers. Legal and illegal copies are sometimes available on eBay. The quality of the CD manuals is nowhere near the quality of... um... an MB of your 300SEL's vintage, but it's a lot better than guessing.

You might consider a subscription to www.alldata.com. Better pictures than the CD manual but it has an index system I can't figure out. Each subscription is good for a specific US year model so there won't be anything specifcially for an 87 300SEL.

Good luck.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

1991300SEL · #5 07-28-2003, 10:16 AM

I agree with Sixto - door locks etc. an issue with the Haynes manual, but for basic diyer work..ie..fluid, filters, etc., it's served me well.

I bought an ALLDATA for my vehicle shortly after buying it and found it to be absolutely horrible. Lousy pictures and little or no meaningful diyer info. I believe Sixto may be referring to the "professional" grade CD. I've seen this version in a repair shop and must say it's very good. Don't water your time on the $30-$35 ALLDATA CD.

And as Sixto mentioned, there is the 126 CD-Rom, but for basic diyer maint., the Haynes manual or the MB maint manual for 1981-1993 will work.

There are also alot of posts at this site. Look thru the archives, esepcially what was presented from about 1999-2001.

JC in OZ · #6 07-28-2003, 04:24 PM

Thanks guys, I'll follow up on all these ideas. I chased up on the Haynes book as soon as I got 1991SEL's message and they are ordering in the book for me to peruse and buy only if it is pertinent to my car. The book she is ordering is the one that 1991 suggested but it is for a W124 chassis. Is this right? I know mines a W126 but that shouldn't be an issue if the engines are the same.....should it?
Thanks heaps once again guys....
Cheers
JC

1991300SEL · #7 07-28-2003, 05:26 PM

Correct - the book you ordered is for the most part, for a 124 chassis. What you're looking for is how-to's on things like oil change, air filter, gas filter, etc. Tasks pertinent to the SOHC 12 valve 103 motor in this book will pertain to your 126 car.

Though there may be some overlap, the MB 1981-1993 Maint. Manual can also be of help. Try the following U. S. Web site. They may ship out of the U. S.

http://www.tmcpubl.com

JC in OZ · #8 07-28-2003, 07:51 PM

Hi 1991
just emailed TMC Pub.. with my request. I'll let you know how I go.
Thanks heaps for your help. This is a great site. Let me know some details about you and your car or send some pics. Hop do you find your 300. I lpove mine. I've only had it since Friday last week but she's a beauty. Diamond Blue in colour and in absolute mint condition. You would swear it was a brand new car. Not one blemish or crack on the wood/dash or leather and she purrs like a kitten.
Talk soon....
Cheers
JC