Is there anything better than a HAYNES Manual ?
Moderator: martauto
Hi.
Im thinking of picking up a spanner to try and do some bits to my e30.
I obviously need help and pictures and was thinking of getting a Haynes Manual, but was wondering is there anything else out there that maybe better for me than the Haynes manual?
Out of 10 I would say im maybe at best a 4-5 when it comes to DIY so need something that I can relate to.
Thanks
Im thinking of picking up a spanner to try and do some bits to my e30.
I obviously need help and pictures and was thinking of getting a Haynes Manual, but was wondering is there anything else out there that maybe better for me than the Haynes manual?
Out of 10 I would say im maybe at best a 4-5 when it comes to DIY so need something that I can relate to.
Thanks
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daimlerman
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Snag with Haynes(1948)green cover,is that it covers both E30 and E34 4 cylinder cars only.There is an earlier Haynes(815)that covers the 6 cylinder engine and helps with early E30,but this is long out of print.
The American Bentley manual(available online at Amazon)is the best for 'chassis' type work,but does not cover M40,M42 engines or refer to the touring's peculiararites at all.The other snag with Bentley is that it is written in 'American',so needs care when using!
The American Bentley manual(available online at Amazon)is the best for 'chassis' type work,but does not cover M40,M42 engines or refer to the touring's peculiararites at all.The other snag with Bentley is that it is written in 'American',so needs care when using!
Youth is wasted on the young.
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Ziggy
- E30 Zone Team Member

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There are always Haynes 815s on eBay for a few quid. Despite their excellent reputation, I've never bothered to get a Bentley manual, as everything you need to know is on this very site anyway! Have a look in the wiki for a start 
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
surely the question should be
Is there anything worse than the haynes manual
save your cash either get a bentley or just ask here
Is there anything worse than the haynes manual
save your cash either get a bentley or just ask here
www.oldskoolfantasy.co.uk
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
How would i know what engine mine is ?daimlerman wrote:Snag with Haynes(1948)green cover,is that it covers both E30 and E34 4 cylinder cars only.There is an earlier Haynes(815)that covers the 6 cylinder engine and helps with early E30,but this is long out of print.
The American Bentley manual(available online at Amazon)is the best for 'chassis' type work,but does not cover M40,M42 engines or refer to the touring's peculiararites at all.The other snag with Bentley is that it is written in 'American',so needs care when using!
its a 325i sport 1989 first regin jan 89 ?
Thanks , I will start looking through WIKI i have just seen it now!
Jobs i will be doing wont be anything major, just want to tinker with it myself and do my own servicing and change glass in front door and change the door locks as im having doors fitted to it as original ones where knackered.
I will have look at the Bently one, thanks alot people.
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beemerbird
- Married to the E30 Zone

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You often find the early Haynes second hand on Amazon for little money.
If it ain't broke, fix it till it is
as a kid i remember reading haynes manuals and they were facinating but back then they actualy tried to help you, now theyre far to vague and leave me more confused than when i started lolsi911t wrote:How would i know what engine mine is ?daimlerman wrote:Snag with Haynes(1948)green cover,is that it covers both E30 and E34 4 cylinder cars only.There is an earlier Haynes(815)that covers the 6 cylinder engine and helps with early E30,but this is long out of print.
The American Bentley manual(available online at Amazon)is the best for 'chassis' type work,but does not cover M40,M42 engines or refer to the touring's peculiararites at all.The other snag with Bentley is that it is written in 'American',so needs care when using!
its a 325i sport 1989 first regin jan 89 ?
Thanks , I will start looking through WIKI i have just seen it now!
Jobs i will be doing wont be anything major, just want to tinker with it myself and do my own servicing and change glass in front door and change the door locks as im having doors fitted to it as original ones where knackered.
I will have look at the Bently one, thanks alot people.
your engines a m20 b25 by the way good luck dont be shy just ask,the best advice you'll get is right here on the zone
www.oldskoolfantasy.co.uk
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
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daimlerman
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There's always Andrew Everitt's E30 Restoration Bible.....written by a zoner....Andyboy.... 
Youth is wasted on the young.
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Ziggy
- E30 Zone Team Member

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- Location: floating round my tin can...
Yup - not using anything to pad the top of the trolley jack.dazleeds wrote:surely the question should be
Is there anything worse than the haynes manual![]()
E30 in need of wiring loom smoke since April '11...
classic that one hmmm why's my car not liftingZiggy wrote:Yup - not using anything to pad the top of the trolley jack.dazleeds wrote:surely the question should be
Is there anything worse than the haynes manual![]()
oh look the floor insides raising pmsl
www.oldskoolfantasy.co.uk
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
in the shit,the one to blame,yeh its all my fault ;)
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Rtaylor2208
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Is it just me or are almost all the pictures in the workshop manual really hard to make out any detail?
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ross_jsy
- Married to the E30 Zone

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AIDS is probably better than the Haynes book of lies.
Go ask ratch about all the fun he had because the torque level for the subframe bolts was wrong. All of them snapped. Had the same thing with an RS125 i was rebuilding. Utter rubbish and wouldn't use it to mop up a oil spill, let alone to work on my car with!
Go ask ratch about all the fun he had because the torque level for the subframe bolts was wrong. All of them snapped. Had the same thing with an RS125 i was rebuilding. Utter rubbish and wouldn't use it to mop up a oil spill, let alone to work on my car with!
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poolnoodle
- E30 Zone Squatter

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This site is without a doubt your best source of information...in all good book stores just as soon as we learn how to download the contents of brianmoooore's brain 
'83 Bronzit 323i (mmmm, chrome)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
'74 Polaris 2002 (mmmm, retro)
'89 Delphin 535i (mmmm, waft waft)
i have found so much information on here in the last few months i havent had the need to buy any manual! if you cant find it on here try the Pelican parts website (google it) loads of handy guides
1989 dolphin grey 325i mtec II
Search the xworks thread they have a technicians manual that you can download.
Phase I - Bodywork Complete
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... by+restore
Phase II - 2.8 stroker- Complete
Project II - 325 Motorsport Cabriolet Restoration.
http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... by+restore
Phase II - 2.8 stroker- Complete
Project II - 325 Motorsport Cabriolet Restoration.
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bigwinn
- E30 Zone Squatter

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used the haynes burgundy cover plenty of times, however I now default to the impressive knowledge on here...
Bronzit gone- she lives on
'89 325i auto touring: Malachite Green
Now, I'm no gynecologist, but I know a tw4t when I see one...
'89 325i auto touring: Malachite Green
Now, I'm no gynecologist, but I know a tw4t when I see one...
http://www.e30owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4446
E30 M3 Rebuild from rust treatment to alternater rebuilding - An excellent DIY thread.
E30 M3 Rebuild from rust treatment to alternater rebuilding - An excellent DIY thread.
Well Malc, I never knew that! I have that book too.daimlerman wrote:There's always Andrew Everitt's E30 Restoration Bible.....written by a zoner....Andyboy....
Bentley manual very useful, but if ur a complete novice with a spanner, u will find some of the wiki articles fantastic. Just print off the guide and get going.
This site has just about all of the info u will ever need tho and lots of very helpful people who will be very happy to answer any questions you have.




