The CD-ROMs
 

I am considering buying these factory CD-ROMs for my cars... I've read some mixed feelings about them, but figure they can be of some use. However I wonder if it is possible to look up partnumbers in them and find out what the part is for etc?

You can't look up ANYTHING in them in terms of part numbers. NOTHING searches. It's just a collection of scanned images....

The 126 CD-Rom is not user-friendly. MB could have done a better job, but then again, it's all in understanding how MB assigns task numbers to the various repair/maintenance processes. Once you get the hang of that, it's really no big deal. My biggest gripe is the quality of the images - very poor in some cases, but acceptable in most.

From a value perspective, the CD-Rom ain't bad. $125 - $150. Try buying all of the individual paper manuals that are covered in the CD-Rom for that price - IF you can find them.

If you're looking for paper, try these sites. I have dealt successfully with only the first one listed. The other 2 have been mentioned here by mercedesshop.com members.

http://www.tmcpubl.com

http://www.books4cars.com

http://www.schiffeuropean.com

If Mercedes made cars like they made the cd-rom, we'd all be driving Kia's.

On the otherhand, it's about the only game in town--better than nothing.

No parts in the cd-rom manuals. Parts are from the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalog). Hard to find those for sale (legally).

Grudgingly agreed - without the CD ROMS, you are flying blind. With them, you are flying murky/confused. It's better than blind.

You might want to look at this site:

alldatadiy.com

Costs you $15 a year per car, it has all the CD rom material legally, and has a TON more information that is not on the CD ROM. And is SEARCHEABLE!

But the CD ROM pages in the PDF files give you the original page layout, which is easier to use and understand.

I use both the alldatadiy.com site and the CDROM.

Don't expect KIA quality from those CD ROMS, though. Expect YUGO quality! :rolleyes:

(I know, that was harsh...)

I'm with Mike; it was almost like an ephany when I figured out the numbering scheme of the manual.

But I do long for searchable text and better images.

I got a bit lucky cause I got what I think is a bootleg copy from EBAY cause I paid about 25 buck for it. So my level of dis-satifaction was much lower.

They are a big help though, fuzzy images and all. After all, I would not have been able to disect the tangle of vacuum elements and hoses that makes up my Climate Control system without that manual.

Way better than Haynes or Chiltons

For part numbers look on e-bay. I bought a book
that lists part#, labor and dealer prices. They
are listed by group #. This is a part of the dealer book and starts at 14-1 to 14-134 and is
great for estimates. Most of these books sold are
4 or more years off for prices, but the neat thing
is that with labor hours listed you can figure out how long a job it takes for you to do the job.
unless you are a tech you can figure 2x the time.

The book that I bought for $15 covers all models
to 1995.

Hope this helps,
Gary

epc
 

in europe there are "EPC compact" for sale with all the part numbers for one model, eg. 124. they are under 100 $, use the same software your dealer uses, have the datacards included (which options a car has built in), and are available for almost every model. perhaps ask your dealer if he heard about them. if not, ask a european friend ;-)

You CAN make these searchable but it takes some doing. Here's how. Start with the Windows explorer and search your E drive. Open every file (which is numbered) and then transfer the information to a Word file. Set up the Word file so it is divided into each individual CD and subdivided further by folder. When you are done opening every file you will end up with a Word file that you can search and it will tell you exactly what CD rom file to open. The key to this is using the Windows explorer to find files. Hope this makes sense.

philmartin

Further clarification
 

When I said transfer the information in the file, it is not the whole file but merely the number and title, such as "Removal of gas tank". When you are done you will have a file of titles to search.

philmartin

CON FUZ ED
 

I am confused now. I called MB and the tech there told me the MB never made any CD-ROMS. He went on to say they are 3rd party manuals. Um, like I'd like to get one too but is it likely this was some new guy who didn't know what he was talking about?

"However I wonder if it is possible to look up partnumbers in them and find out what the part is for etc?"

When I am helping someone with a new car 80's + up :p I plug the part number in on Fast lane and it will usually tell me what it is.

W124 EPC
 

Hi,

I have a W124 EPC compact, genuine MB item.

Single CD, complete with sleeve and license key, I bought it from a German guy on Ebay.

So useful, it stops the dealership treating me like something they found on the soles of their shoes. Nothing quite like asking for exactly what you want.

Cost me approx $120 USD

Richard
1989 W124 300E:D

wanna share this cd with me moadesr ?

LOL:D :D The W124 CD sucks!! Not only do you have to stumble through slow loading files but the terminology is often confusing. Such as "disconnect the interruption to the EZL connector", what the hell does that mean??:p

Re: CON FUZ ED
 

i quite know what i'm talking about. i work at a german mb-shop. we sell these cds quite a lot. but i also hear often about other dealers that apparently haven't heard of epc compact - even in germany. the official price is 35 euro + vat = 41 euro for germany. so, if you have contact to someone in germany, you do get these quite cheap. they are updated every 6-12 months and have a delivery time of 2-4 weeks.

Re: Re: CON FUZ ED
 

Hmmmmmnnnn.... Are you ready to get into the mail- order business???:D

why not?
 

if we can find a mode of payment...
which model cd are you interested in?
i'll look into this further as soon as i have time. i think the cds are multilingual, but i'll better check first.
chris

Regarding searching of pdf files ... if you are using the latest Adobe Distiller version you can search a pdf file.

CDS pls
 

would love to get the w124 EPC Cd for 230E 1986 Merc .

How can i get and what is the cost.

thx

epc compact
 

hi,
i checked over the weekend: the cds are multilingual. now i have to check, if "european datacards" means cars produced in europe or delivered in europe. if you could give me a few vins, i could check if they are on our "big epc" which should have the same datacard database as the epc compact version...
chris

Left or Right
 

When the EPC refers to a left or right hand part, is that left or right looking from the front or the rear of the car?

I am never sure about this, as drivers side is always country or market dependant.

Richard

Re: Left or Right
 

While sitting in the car.

EPC compact cds - still interested?
 

hi,
if some of you are still interested in epc compact, please post a reply. i will post an auction on ebay then (that way you'll have at least some security not to get defrauded)

Here is a vin: WDBDA28D1HF340704

Tell me what it is ...

cd's
 

yes yes i would very much like to get a cd on my 1994 sl500 vin # wdbfa67e2rf100802, and deal with someone thru this board than some of the junk i've seen out there! let me know if you can get it and the cost thanks dairel

Haasman:
A DA28 is a 201.028, which is a 190E2.3, a later one, not an early one. The real early 190E2.3 was a 201.024.
Dairel, no CD's for 129's yet. No idea when, don't hold your breath.

Gilly

list of available cds
 

hi gilly,
don't know where you get your information from, but epc-cds do exist for 129. i can get cds for the following series (+ nearly all commercial trucks):

EPC Compact Europa (04/02)
Baureihe/Serie

• A-Klasse: 168
  
  190/C-Klasse: 201 202 203
  
  CL/CLK: 215 208
  
  E-Klasse: 123 124 210 211
  
  G-Klasse: 460 461 463
  
  M-Klasse: 163
  
  S-Klasse: 126 140 220
  
  SL/SLK: 107 129 170 230
  
  older cars: 108 109 110 111 113 114 115 116

where you get one series per cd, for example you can't order "SL/SLK-CD", but "129" or the new "230"

regards
chris
ps: i'll check the given vins on wednesday. but as i can only test them on our dealer system, i can't guarantee that the datacards will be on the epc compact cd (they should as it says "european production datacards"). but you should be able to get your partnumbers without the integrated datacards, too (only not as comfortable ;-)

by the way, these cds run under win 95,98+me/nt/2000. screen resolution 1024*768, 64 mb ram, 200 mb free hd space, cd-rom/dvd

Christian:
It's a case of looking at only the first few posts and then the last post. I thought what was being discussed was the service CD-ROMS MB sells. I have no knowledge of these epc CD's, although I have used the epc system a little at the dealership. Remember when this used to be called "EPIC"?

Gilly

ps Since I got confused on it, I think it's important to point out that these EPC discs are parts catalog discs, they won't help you diagnose or repair anything.

Christian:

If you plan to make the Parts Catalog CD for the 126 series, and you feel comfortable that it will work on someone else' computer as well (provided that computer is as you described) then please post a message saying where such a disc can be purchased. I have had no luck at all unlocking the information on the EPC CD's purchased thru E-Bay and still regularly available on that site.

I bought a bootleg CD on ebay for 11.25 it covers both my 81 SD and my 86 SE .I use German Star web site for part numbers,how cheap can you get?
William Rogers.........

The CD-ROMS
 

I think for the price they are hard to beat $10.00 on up from ebay. They are not setup for the layman, they are for someone who does have Mercedes knowledge. Some of the complaints people have are valid such as some poorly scanned images, vague wording (I beleive caused by german to english translation and not having prior Mercedes knowledge) and tricky navigation (if you can spend a hour or two sometime to see how it is layed out there is alot of information) and it will help when you really need information quickly. I like it, if you have a Hayes or Chilton, Bentley or whatever manual you can use the cd as a supplement or vice versa, you cannot have to much information.

Re: The CD-ROMS
 

i can't find any on ebay at the moment, but 10$ just smells a bit of bootleg. i think i could provide the original cds for about $50 including (not insured) shipping to the us.

The CD-ROMs
 

Christian,

Iam sure you are correct that the disc's are bootlegs.Here is a example of low price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1866870258

Electronic Parts Catalog CD's
 

Christian:

The following two references are examples of the EPC's offered on E-Bay. The two CD's for Service Manuals are also offered, separately, at the same "manuals" site.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1865831764

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1866885090

vin 126
 

hi,
i installed the 126 epc compact. now i need some 126 vins to check the datacard availability...

For Christian
 

Try this VIN for a 126 Model:

WDBCA39E0LA517936

does anyone have any experience with mitchell on-demand cd's? someone on ebay is selling them - covers models to '98 (allegedly even up to 2000 but cd's info was created 98).