Technical Manuals

[its55]

I see various technical manuals in the Books section of this site.  Besides a factory service manual, which I'm not willing to pay for, which is/are your favorites?

 

Also, I do not see this one listed in the Books section.  Does anyone use it and what do you think about it?  Thanks!

 

VelocePress: Clymer Manuals, Workshop Manuals, Technical Books, European Automobile Books, Ferrari Manuals, Brooklands Books

VELOCEPRESS.COM

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VelocePress: Publisher and Distributor of European Automotive Books, Manuals and Buyer's Guides

 

[Einspritz]

The "original" manual, from when bmw didn't publish for mere customers.

 

This is what I used to learn how to work on my first car.

 

Ok, but a bit light on the details, as it assumes you have some technical skills.

 

And some things are flat incorrect.

 

But nice to have in the library.

[visionaut]

Manuals? Manuals? We don’t need no stinking manuals…

 

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

 

History and Reference is your friend…

 

I have been known to look in my Haynes. But folks don’t seem to use books anymore. Cuz internet — allows ‘em to just come here and ask. ?

[Son of Marty]

Yup, one you've gone blue (factory manuals) you'll never go back.

[its55]

Wow w/ all my searching I missed that link to that service repair manual on 2002faq!!   ?

[73tiiDavidPA]

Also the factory, blue binder parts manual.  I use this a lot to view the exploded diagrams.  I know realoem.com is an online resource, but using that in the garage on my phone is not really an answer (too small).   For ordering parts, the online diagrams show the updated part numbers, but mostly I like seeing how things go back together from the exploded diagrams.  

[jimk]

1 hour ago, visionaut said:

Cuz internet — allows ‘em to just come here and ask. ?

That's why my responses are concise.  I leave out enough that the inquirer needs to do some research (and thinking ) on his own.

[zinz]

If you don't have the factory manuals in the blue binders, the red Haynes manual will get most everything you need.  The pictures in the Haynes are copies from the blue binders and sometimes are not as sharp.  I have also seen a reprint of the factory manuals in soft bound form; these also did NOT have the sharp photographs found in the original blue binders.

 

The scans found here on FAQ are good, but nothing beats having the actual book on the fender of the car as you are working.

 

Ed Z

[its55]

1 hour ago, zinz said:

.....but nothing beats having the actual book on the fender of the car as you are working.

 

Ed Z

I know that has to be true...

[tomphot]

3 hours ago, 73tiiDavidPA said:

Also the factory, blue binder parts manual.  I use this a lot to view the exploded diagrams.  I know realoem.com is an online resource, but using that in the garage on my phone is not really an answer (too small).   For ordering parts, the online diagrams show the updated part numbers, but mostly I like seeing how things go back together from the exploded diagrams.  

 

Hmm, when I bought my car it came with 1 Blue Service manual And , 2 - White binders that show the parts.  Were they all blue binders originally?

Edited February 11, 2022 by tomphot

[02Les]

4 minutes ago, tomphot said:

Were they all blue binders originally?

 

Yep

[Einspritz]

Well, the best parts books were orange. Mine are very well worn, fully depreciated you might say.

 

What is good about them is that, if you know how to read them, show the parts succession, which real oem nor the later blue book, do not necessarily.

 

Real oem though does show other cars in which that part may be used. E.g. something may be nla for one car, but not in another. The downfall is pricing (it's usually wrong) and if something is nla or not, usually it is......

 

When researching, it's best to look at ALL BMW references, and then others, like the archives of the actual manufacturer.

 

Or just ask Julio.

 

 

[Einspritz]

There is the microfiche too, if you're into that

[Rich]

its55, see just what you need, just listed over in the parts for sale section, 3 original Factory Blue Rerpair Manuals, they look a bit used but, what the heck, make an offer, 

[Pdxguy]

Does someplace sell the repair and parts manual on CD still?