Books for learning about car mechanics

[PaddyEnglish]

Hi Everyone

I want to learn more about car mechanics. Can anyone recommend any great books apart from a Haynes manual?

Thanks

[Rtaylor2208]

For an E30, you should try and get a copy of the Bently Manual. Thats the publisher not the car as some people have be confused by that sometimes.

[PaddyEnglish]

Is that batter than a Haynes manual?

Would you also be able to recommend a book that teaches car mechanicsis but is not specific to any particular car?

Thanks

[Grrrmachine]

A teacher and I wrote one that's just coming out, but I don't think you can get hold of it in England But a fair portion of it went into the Wiki, which is a good way to start if you want to tear an E30 apart.

Link:

http://www.wkl.com.pl/english-in-a-car- ... p,1,1,1368

[daimlerman]

Bentley manual is about £33 on Amazon.

And worth it's wieght in gold!

[mark_i]

If you want e30 specific details, Andyboy's restoration bible has plenty of good information on engines, transmission and electricals.

[Rtaylor2208]

Would you also be able to recommend a book that teaches car mechanicsis but is not specific to any particular car?

The problem is its such a broad subject these days, most modern cars are pretty computer controlled. Obviously compnents like calipers, brake pads, discs etc are pretty similar in design between a 20+ year old E30 and a 2012 3 series.

for DIY stuff you are better getting a good manual specific to the car. Experince from working on something like an E30 will help with other cars but only for the really basic stuff.

Other than that it like any trade you really need to learn from someone experienced and get your hands dirty. This comes from a DIY'er that has learned the hard way by asking what feels at times like stupid questions on the zone. Lots of research on the next and generally by trying to figure it out as I go.

It ends up taking longer to do the jobs but that was part of the reason for me buying an E30 as its much easier to fix than something newer and more compilcated and it was as much a car for me to fix up as it was to drive. More a hobby than a neccessity.

[PaddyEnglish]

Thanks for your advice everyone.

[Gert_8]

If you want to learn about car mechanics - general stuff, not specific to the E30, look at the evening courses your local college may offer.

A few years back, I took a bricklaying course - it was fantastic (although, I never got round to putting what I learned to the test) and cost about £48.00! At least I now know the theory...

[hennabm]

For basic technology knowledge the Fundementals of Motor Vehicle Technology is a good starting point for light vehicle technology.

[capnmchl]

Was gonna say, Hilliers fundamentals of motor vehicle technology is pretty much the best book for starting out on. It explains everything easily but also quite in depth. You only need the 1st book, the other 2 are for more advanced electronics. It doesn't tell you how to do stuff, but it tells you how it all works.

If you want to learn how to do stuff on an E30, buy a haynes.

Another good book is the Bosch automotive handbook, but it's probably too in depth if you just wanna learn a bit more about cars.

[HairyScreech]

Ill third that.
Start with hilliers and work your way out from there. It is hard to jump in and fix things PROPERLY until you have an appreciation of how and why they work.

[Mike-]

I've always learnt by doing, whatever book you're reading it's never that simple unfortunately.

[capnmchl]

I'll agree with that to a point, but Hilliers book is more about learning how a car works, how each component works and its function. And if you know how something works, it makes it easier to work on.

Rather than a Haynes manual, telling you refit is the reverse of removal, which is done on a nice shiney new car in a fully loaded workshop.

[gnrsoul]

if its all knowledge you are looking for and not just 1 car, when i was at college doing my studys i got these books that tell you everything from basics to advanced, there are a few of them i guess for every level at college you study

(tom denton - motor vehicle engineering the upk for nvq)

as i say think there was about 5 books for all levels have a look in to them im sure you will be able to buy them

hope this helps??

[Motorhole]

Just came across this series of books online:

http://www.eruditor.com/books/name/tim_ ... 91.html.en

Very expensive - but browsing through them on Google Books, they look very good.