Workshop Manuals - which is/are best?

[bluehills2002]

Is there any consensus as to what is the best written source of advice for the rookie '02 DIY mechanic?  the Haynes manual, the Clymer workshop manual or some other publication?  From time to time I see references to "repair manuals" in the FAQ but I am unsure if that is a reference to something actually distributed by BMW internally back in the day.

[John_in_VA]

You can find & download portions of the blue binder factory repair manual as you need them somewhere here on the forum, but having it & the Haynes & Clymer books is the best you can do.

Link to factory repair manual:

https://www.bmw2002faq.com/articles.html/technical-articles/history-and-reference/bmw-2002-service-repair-manual-r247/

Edited January 4, 2018 by John_in_VA
added link to factory repair manual

[Buckeye]

14 minutes ago, bluehills2002 said:

From time to time I see references to "repair manuals" in the FAQ but I am unsure if that is a reference to something actually distributed by BMW internally back in the day.

 

 

[zinz]

+1 with John's advice.  I've found the Haynes manual gets me through the basic stuff with no hiccups.  The photos in the blue, BMW shop manuals are much higher quality and can help if you are having trouble determining just how things go together.  The downloaded manual is available in the Articles section of FAQ (upper left pull down menu).

 

 

Ed

[venoak]

This link to the “Original Parts Catalog BMW 1502 Thru 2002tii” might be of interest to you as well. 

 

http://www.2002tii.org/kb/55

 

Other article at this website are also informative depending on your interest. 

[bluehills2002]

Thank you that is very helpful and thank you Venoak for the link to the parts catalog, as a non-Tii owner I do not think I would have found that.

[Stevenc22]

Yeah, haynes has some good information but really skims through most procedures. The blue book is king.

[TobyB]

Don't forget RealOEM's pictures, either.  It can help with fasteners, parts positions, etc.

 

And when you have a question, we can all look at #14, and say, huh, never saw one on my car, either....

 

t

 

 

[jgerock]

On 1/4/2018 at 2:15 PM, TobyB said:

Don't forget RealOEM's pictures, either.  It can help with fasteners, parts positions, etc.

 

And when you have a question, we can all look at #14, and say, huh, never saw one on my car, either....

 

t

 

 

Realoem printouts are what I use for assembly.  Walloth Nesch has a catalog you can print - someone here got a full version with their order (wasn't me).

[jgerock]

The FAQ torque requirements are always handy. I keep them printed out in the garage. Will laminate another fresh copy soon.

[worzella]

Not a manual, but I have learned alot for my restoration and engine build in the Macartney guide and also Rob Siegel’s Hack Mechanic books on ignition systems and electronics. 

 

Randy

[M3M3]

They all have their plusses and minuses.......best is to have them all.  I do and use all of them.

 

Practiced and frequent use of the search function in this forum is also very useful tool in the toolbox.

[venoak]

Strangely enough, I think the "Owner"s handbook, 1602 2002, 1802 2002 AUTOMATIC, 2002tii" also has fairly extensive information and pictures of maintenance procedures and specifications for our cars.  I think I found it in PDF form on the FAQ.

 

Hope this helps