E30 Restoration Manuals / Service Manuals and Buyers Guides

[Neil_M]

Folks,

Hopefully yous can help me here.

Im looking at purchasing an E30 and would like to buy some literature on the car. What are people recommending as the books to buy?

I dont just mean buyers guides, but service manuals and restoration guides would be useful too.

Searching has uncovered BMW E30-3 Series Restoration Bible (http://www.amazon.co.uk/E30-3-Restorati ... 016&sr=1-1) and BMW 3 Series Service Manual (http://www.amazon.co.uk/BMW-Service-Man ... 893&sr=1-5).

Also note I am looking at a 318is so if either of the above are useless, just say!

[Gwynleym10]

Why buy, when you can read the zone?

Seriously I have a haynes manual (which is rubbish for 318is) and the rest I just read on the web.

[Neil_M]

Well to be honest id just like to have a few books to look through .

As well as further sources for info .

[Gwynleym10]

Both are good books,

The first is written by a zoner!

Second is good, but not really for 318is - try e36 manuals for this.

Try

http://www.esatclear.ie/~bpurcell/

[Neil_M]

Gwynleym10,

Thanks for the tip mate. I didnt think of getting the e36 manual for the details related to the 318is.

I presume that the Bentleys is regarded as better than the Haynes? Or are both handy?

[Gwynleym10]

It is possible to download all manuals.

I have a e36 bentley one for my IS - I did however find Brendan's site (linked above more useful)

Haynes is alright for basic stuff - Bentley for more indepth stuff, it is useful to have both.

[Andyboy]

The Haynes manual is utterly useless. Well, the current one is. The old style Haynes manual which is 318 pages thick is pretty good. The Bentley manual is okay but not as good as the original Haynes manual which you should be able to find on Fleabay.
I've got 3 Bentley manuals for the E30, E34 and E36 and all are a bit lacking - none of them give you any info on bottom end engine stuff, diff ratios etc.

This is the one you need - and for this price you need to get it bought.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-3-SERIES-HAYN ... dZViewItem

[d6dph]

Restoration bible doubles up as really nice bog paper.

[Neil_M]

Excellent chaps thanks for the info + links.

Whats the restoration manual like as a general guide? I may get it first and go from there to buy the others.

[Gwynleym10]

I have never read it, but Andyboy may have an opinion?

[d6dph]

Sorry, My post was in jest.

The restoration bible is supposed to be a very good read. Andyboy who has posted on this thread is the author (Andrew Everett)

[Neil_M]

Ahh we are rather privilidged then ;). Dont worry mate, I seen it was in jest .

I think I will buy the restoration manual first and maybe look at the Haynes manual Andyboy posted a link to.

[darkchild]

Andyboy's Restoration Bible is a really good read. It has an excellent section on E30 model history, spec etc and then concentrates on restoration and sorting common faults etc. An excellent and honest read written by someone with actual experience of what he's talking about.

[bss325i]

Andyboy's Restoration Bible is a really good read. It has an excellent section on E30 model history, spec etc and then concentrates on restoration and sorting common faults etc. An excellent and honest read written by someone with actual experience of what he's talking about.

+1

[gra325i]

Andrew everetts bible is an excellent read imo (didnt realise he was a zoner tho.) and the old haynes manual is good for a novice like myself anything these two dont tell you brianmoooore will

[daimlerman]

I have on the bookshelf both the Haynes refered to above which is ref 815 and loong out of print,it starts with the E21 and goes on to E30,Haynes ref 1948 which only covers the 4 pots but not the M42 and the Bentley book.I would recommend Andyboy's book to a newcomer to E30's,buy the book before the car,you will save the cost of the book several times over....welcome to the zone,BTW.

[Alex]

i have the restoration bible, its good has loads stuff in i would recommend to anyone

[Neil_M]

I would recommend Andyboy's book to a newcomer to E30's,buy the book before the car,you will save the cost of the book several times over....welcome to the zone,BTW.

Exactly the reason im looking to get a book. Im looking to make sure I know what I need to before looking at potential cars.

Thanks for the welcome mate.

I have ordered the Restoration manual... If it goes well I will try for the old Haynes Manual too.

[maxfield]

I'm sure this forum will save you a few quid too.

Heard good things about 'The restoration bible' Probably cause the writer knows his shit...

Might have to buy one soon... Andy any discount in trade for some of your 'prefered' pictures?

[DaveD]

there is the full workshop manual in the links section

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... link&cid=9

[Neil_M]

Thanks Dave, noted that link previously... Very handy indeed!