560SL Repair CD
 

I have been making do with ALLDATADIY, Pindelski and my engineering background. There are however topics and repairs not covered by any of those (especially my engineering background). I think it is time for me to move to a repair manual.

Paper seems to be out of the question for my model and there is a bewildering number of repair CDs available. I would appreciate some opinions on the best of the CD manuals. I am a fair amateur mechanic and have plenty of tools. Recommendations anyone?

The 107 CD from Mercedes is about the only game in town. It does have some stuff not on alldatadiy. For instance, one thing I recently looked up was how to remove the rear glass in the hardtop in order to re-seal it.

There are bootleg copies on ebay, and some of them work. I would spend the money on the genuine product from Mercedes.

I have these manuals, paid $125.00 2 years ago on EBay. My only complaint is the pictures are not as good as in the older manuals. I think earlier versions were taken from microfiche. Could be that the transfer/printing technology changed from manual to manual, I dunno. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-Service-Manual-Set-107-350-450-560-380_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34227QQihZ021QQitemZ310020316347QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
I also have a CD, off EBay too. It was missing files to be able to access sections, but a fellow forum member here straightened this out with a download index that he created. I paid $69.00 + shipping for it too! I thought the price would guarantee quality - not. (BTW, I checked and the seller is no longer selling these CD's)(mmmercedes2004).
Comparing the CD to the paper manual set, for the sections I've had occasion to read so far, much of the CD is taken straight from the manual. For electrical diagrams, you can't beat the paper for clarity of detail. I also like being able to take the book out to the shop. I usually end up printing from the CD anyway when it's time to do the job.
Most of the information for the 560SL appears to be addenda to the other 107's, changes specific to the 560 that distinguish it from the 380 and 450. I have yet to see, hear of, or locate a manual for the 117 engine either. I use a manual for the 116 that mentions different procedures/parts for the 117 and some information for the differences of this engine in the W126 and W107 chassis.
So, to sum up, the quality of the CD, on EBay anyway, is not reflected in the price. The MB CD is probably the safest. If you can get a set, like the item referenced, the paper manual is hard to beat IMO.

Thank you all.

I am not sure if this is a reproduction or the original M-B printing, but the link below is the two-volume paper manual. There is also a separate engine manual that covers the 5.6 liter and 4.2 liter V8 engines . Cost is more than the CD's, but the benefits are greater and the book is more complete than any of the CD's I have seen. The M-B 107 Service Library on CD is contents of these three books on .pdf scans with a decent index system. Problem is that the CD does not have everything the books have. Many pages are missing. Quality is an OK scan, not great, but printable. If you go for this CD, try to find an original.If you plan to do lots of the service work yourself, the paper manual is my recommendation. Good luck.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1972-89-MERCEDES-SERVICE-MANUAL-CHASSIS-BODY-107_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34227QQihZ020QQitemZ300197236129QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Have you seen this manual on EBay, or any other source? I have "Service Manual Engine 116 (3.8)". What is the title of the 5.6L manual?

I found this one on Ebay last spring after looking for over a year. It is titled: "Service Manual V-8 Engines M116.96 (4.2 ltr.), M117.96 (5.6 ltr.). The copywrite date is 1991. It's a great manual and I feel fortunate to have it. I have done a few things on my 560SL motor and it's big help. There are other V-8 manuals that I have seen on Ebay. One is the 3.8 that you have, and the other is one that covers the 5.0. I think it also covered another size as well.

Wow, I just checked Ebay and there is one like mine!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Service-Manual-V-8-Engines_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ34227QQihZ001QQitemZ110221933479QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Good Luck!