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3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
Specific models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318iS/ti, BMW 320, BMW 323, BMW 320, BMW 324, BMW 325, BMW 328.
I know that people usually swear by their Bentley manual, but I had good experiences with the Haynes manual for my Saab. Chilton isn't even a consideration.
What is the opinion on which is the best overall manual?
I own a Bentley manual, once you find the information you need (the book pretty big) you're good to go. It shows pictures of certain areas where needed.
Mike
__________________ <img src='http://www.williamsmusicservices.com/sig.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
1996 318i | Manual Transmission | HK Sound w/ Pioneer TouchScreen AVH-P5700 HU | Sport Package | Custom CAI
| 16' BMW Rims | New Paint Job | New tailights and sidemarkers |
Better to have both. In the Bemtley manual for the 318/325 they don't even mention how to take the bottom end of the engine apart and the rebuild of it. It sure shows up in the Haynes.
Yeah, my Bentley is great...you'd think it has everything...but it doesn't even list the final stage unit as a part for when i needed to change mine...short answer...no single book is going to have everything you need...get them all over time...
Originally posted by okczy21@Oct 25 2004, 05:35 PM i got the haynes manual and its all good man it dont matter which one you buy
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Just order the Haynes manual along with the metal impeller water pump from Bavauto.com.
My buddy has a Bentley manual that I can borrow if I ever want to get into anything really complex. One thing though that I've heard about the Bentley manual is that it occasionally is a bit too conservative with it instructions - for example my buddy ended up removing the radiator and all related bits when he was changing out the water pump, even though the faqs I've read all say that only the fan needs to be removed. I'm just nitpicking of course so I can justify spending $15 instead of $50 on a manual
Is there no factory service manual available for us? I got one for my Isuzu Trooper at helminc.com, but they don't offer them for BMWs. Bummer, because Haynes and Chilton aren't worth the paper they're printed on, and from what some of you've posted, neither is Bentley. n
Is there no factory service manual available for us? I got one for my Isuzu Trooper at helminc.com, but they don't offer them for BMWs. Bummer, because Haynes and Chilton aren't worth the paper they're printed on, and from what some of you've posted, neither is Bentley.
Please don't say stupid things that have (all or part) no basis in reality...just for the sake of posting...it doesn't help anyone...and...well.....it's just not right..
Actually - edit of my previous post, I cancelled my Bavauto.com order and got the Bentley instead of the Haynes after some thought - I also picked up the new composite impeller water pump while I was at it.
After I thought about it, $45 or so isn't a bad price for a manual as complete as the Bentley manual. Not really knocking the Haynes manual - as I think it's great for almost everything you need to do on this car, but there have been times where the Haynes manual wasn't all that helpful in my Saab, which is why it is awesome that forums such as these exist.
I've heard a lot of people say they don't like the BMW cd's, However they can be quite helpful. I helped my cousin part out his 95 325is, we took out the engine, transmission, air-conditioning unit, everything and they helped alot. I'm not saying get them in lieu of the Hanes or Bently manuals, but they do come in handy especially when you need part numbers. The bigger your library is the better prepared you'll be for any project.
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Totally agree the more manuals you have the better - they all have valuable information - some going into detail in places others don't. I think it's awesome that this car has so many different service manuals - you're not so lucky with other cars.
The plethora of DIY sites are great too - I wouldn't have been able to complete my transmission rebuild on my old Saab if it hadn't been for a very detailed pictoral breakdown someone had posted on the web.
I bought both since I was removing the egine/tranny etc. for some frame work.
I have benifited from the contrast between them and would not buy just one since they compliment each other.
When one does not provide enough, the other will help give another approach or improve on clarification of the procedure.
The Haynes is cheap anyway.
The CD's are a great asset to round out the tech procedures, pics for doing work on your bimmer.
Originally posted by RIBEMR26@Oct 26 2004, 02:07 PM Please don't say stupid things that have (all or part) no basis in reality...just for the sake of posting...it doesn't help anyone...and...well.....it's just not right..
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Forget to take your meds, tweaker? I was simply asking if there was a "real" factory service manual available to us. Sorry to offend you, I didn't realize you wrote the Bentley manual. :
BTW, why is it so lacking info. and/or incorrect that other forums have threads about that very subject?
I don't post just for the sake of posting (post counts don't mean jack)...maybe you should take your own advice.
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