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  #1  
Old 07-17-2001, 02:45 AM
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Haynes Manual is available in British hardbound version (similar to Haynes Range Rover Manual in British Hardback) for $24.95 from Toad Hall Motorbooks @ 303.237.0911. You will of course have to translate.

When ordering, I told rep that I would post their information on this site. (She indicated that they had just received large shipment from England so they were ready!

If you think that this is valuable information to members consider posting reply to keep near top of board for a while.

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  #2  
Old 07-17-2001, 03:25 AM
BillFranklin
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Haynes Manuals

I have a Haynes manual for the 124 series, and would not pay for it again. There were several versions of the six-cylinder engine and at least two V8s in US models, plus several versions of a two-liter four sold in Europe. Considering the many engines to be covered, Haynes provides only sketchy information on a few of them and mentions the varying modifications only with vague generalities.
Electrical diagrams are provided for several 124 models and I have been unable to find that any of them gives a reliable diagram for my car.

If anyone wants a Haynes 124 manual, you may borrow mine for the cost of two-way shipping, and if I don't get it back, I'll live somehow. It would be worth seeing what is in this book before you buy it, because I have not opened it since I bought the CD set. If there is a better book available, I would love to know about it. Amateur wrenches need all the information they can get.

I understand some well-equipped folks are making the CDs available to friends, etc.

Note: FWIW my Haynes manual is a slick paperback with 191 marked pages. "First published 1994 in Germany by Delius, Klassing & Co."

WCF
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  #3  
Old 07-17-2001, 03:42 AM
public enemy
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I have the manual and I am not happy with it. Until now it has not answered ANY of my questions. It is a very basic manual and it is targeted to begginer level DIY. It will not help if you need any more advanced level info.
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  #4  
Old 07-17-2001, 07:29 AM
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But is it a good manual for beginning DIYers? Particulary for a beginning DIYer with a '92 400e and that pesky, often-overlooked V8?

I have seen this manual listed many times on eBay and have wondered if it would have the information I am looking for. I am very beginning DIYer. I have the MB CDs for my 400e, but they are of little use to me because they assume that the reader has a great deal of experience. I mean, it does me little good to be told that the coolant drain plug is just forward of the engine mount, if I don't know what or where the engine mount is. I don't fault them for this, as their intended audience DOES have that experience. But I don't. (Being a technical writer myself, I would question a lot of design choices on the CDs, but not their assumption of the experience level of their intended audience.)

What I would love to find is a service guide that doesn't assume the reader was born with motor oil in his or her veins. I need step-by-step, idiot-proof instructions, preferably with useful pictures (the line drawings on the CDs are pretty bad), for simple procedures such as changing the oil or coolant. Instructions that don't assume I know the basics, such as how to get the car off the ground for access to the undercarriage or which tool to use for a particular step.

Too, I have wondered if this manual adequately covers my model. The 400e is never mentioned as a covered model in the eBay listings.

Is this manual what I am looking for? Is there any source for this kind of info?


Thanks,

Ross
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  #5  
Old 07-17-2001, 08:49 AM
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I bought the manual from ToadHall book a few months ago, and I find it somewhat cryptic.

As per the other replies, it attempts to condense the many variations of engine displacements and fuel combustion types that encompasses the W124 model. This is what makes it so cryptic. If the pictures that accompany the step-by-step procedure depict an engine different from your own, you have to "guess" the general area where the part may be found, or extrapolate what it may look like. From the pictures I've studied, they favor the early 6-cyl versions. But at least they have separate sections for servicing diesel and gas engines.

As a DIYer, I have gone ahead and performed repairs on the car WITHOUT the manual, and then referenced it later. In a lot of cases, my procedures were better than what was recommended in the book. On the other hand, one time I did way too much disassembly when replacing brake pads, to the point of having to go to the dealer to get them to fix my mess. When I later received the manual, found that the task was far easier to do.

The manual does attempt to rate the skill level required to perform each service on a scale of 1 to 5 using a representation of 5 spanner wrenches. The difficulty increases as each wrench is highlighted. As far as servicing my W124, I consider myself a very novice individual, but based on my experience with this manual, I would be inclined to put the skill level of the first two higlighted wrenches in the category of "knows what a wrench IS".

It does have some good points though. At least now I know what this black doohickey over here is called, and what that silver round thing actually does.

Since the interior and exterior components of the various W124 models are more similar than the engines, the manual guidelines for servicing in those areas has been useful.

I think the manual serves as a basic guideline for someone who has already has some skill with servicing a W124, and has a pretty good idea what they are getting into.

As far as doing your first timing chain replacement ever using the manual...well, you'd better get a forum member to help.
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  #6  
Old 07-17-2001, 09:17 AM
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Thanks for the insights, G-Benz.

If you're a "a very novice individual," then I'm the village idiot. I think I remember the thread on your brake-pad adventure. That's way beyond anything I would attempt, even with a manual. My experience with working on cars (if you can even call it that) pretty much consists of changing tires and adding oil. Without rock-solid instructions, I'm not willing to venture into endeavors that might imperil a car that I need every day of my life. With my limited experience and budget, I can't afford to screw anything up. Plus, I'm a coward.

I wish I could find this book locally (southern San Francisco Bay Area) so I could look before I buy.

Thanks for your thoughts!

Ross
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  #7  
Old 07-17-2001, 12:56 PM
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Thanks.

Appreciate the input. Based on advice, I went ahead and also ordered the Technibooks Manual as well.
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1970 280SL 112K
1982 240D 210K (Sold)
1973 220D 220K (Sold)
1967 200D 160K (Sold)
1992 400E 139K (Sold)
1988 300E 148K (Sold)
1987 300D 257K (Sold)
1991 300E 108K (Sold)
1987 300E 131K (Sold)
1978 300D TMU (Sold)
1980 300D TMU (Sold)
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  #8  
Old 07-17-2001, 01:38 PM
rpalens
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FYI - Bentley is currently working on publishing a W124 manual. It is being written by Stu Ritter, technical editor for the MBCA's Star magazine. I don't know what it will cover or when it's due to be published; however, my experience with Bentley publications has been generally positive.

Ron
'95 E320
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  #9  
Old 07-17-2001, 05:06 PM
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I am going to buy the 124 manual. I need some new reading material when I'm on the "crapper" at work. ( I read automotive technical books in the bathroom). And at about $15 complete it will be worth it for me. The Bosch Fuel injection manual is getting old because I dont have any fuel injection problems right now. I have been waiting for Haynes to update the 190 manual which they have had tagged to look for updates for some time now and have not produced diddly squat. It beats reading Honda Accord and other manuals that I have in my desk. The people at Haynes are afraid to touch automatic transmissions, which is sad because they are easier to rebuild than a bottom end or cylinder head.
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  #10  
Old 07-18-2001, 02:44 AM
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JDUB, when you have finished reading the manual while sitting on the can, make sure you drain and flush all fluids (and solids)!

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