Official Service Manual?

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mboszko - 24 Sep 2007 23:18 GMT

Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
definitive, so here goes...

I just bought a very used 1990 BMW 525i. There's a number of things on
it that need repair (engine components, plus some light collision
damage on the front hood/lights/bumper cover), and the Haynes manual
is a joke for anything nitty-gritty. Is the $75 Bentley manual the
"official" manual with the most detail, or should I be looking to the
dealership for something more official from BMW directly?

Thanks!
MB

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bfd - 24 Sep 2007 23:37 GMT

> Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
> newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> "official" manual with the most detail, or should I be looking to the
> dealership for something more official from BMW directly?

If you are going to work on your E34, then get the Bentley! I doubt
you will find anything more "official" that will be better.

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DCA - 25 Sep 2007 00:11 GMT

> Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
> newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>

Seems to be workshop manuals on CD on eBay - but can't vouch for their
'value'

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hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 25 Sep 2007 21:03 GMT

>> Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
>> newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>Seems to be workshop manuals on CD on eBay - but can't vouch for their
>'value'

Good but remember these are for BMW technicians that have loads of $$$ spent on
their training. On the other hand if you are an "engineer" or have a brain that
can transfer skills from limited info then go ahead but the ETK parts list is
better to see how it comes apart or goes together but www.realoem.com is cheaper
for parts and the CDs are Ok for specs and general workshop stuff.

Signature

Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen
hsg@h-gee.co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

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Homer Brinlee - 25 Sep 2007 02:36 GMT

> Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
> newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> Thanks!
> MB

I have the same year and model.
The very first thing that I bought was the Bentley manual.
It is one of the better manuals that I have seen.
Well worth the expense, it will save you much aggravation.

Homer

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Scott Dorsey - 25 Sep 2007 15:11 GMT

>Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
>newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>"official" manual with the most detail, or should I be looking to the
>dealership for something more official from BMW directly?

BMW may or may not have the official manual available on CD right now.
I know many of the older cars do not have any manuals available, but
1990 may be recent enough to have a CD available. BMW no longer supplies
any paper manuals.

The official BMW manual is much better than the Bentley manual for
electrical system information. The Bentley manual seems better than the
official BMW manual for body work.

You can often find the official BMW manuals in their older paper format
on Ebay at surprisingly good prices. Note that there are two or three
different volumes for most cars: one for the electrical system, one for
the engine, and one for everything else. Ebay vendors almost always split
them up.
--scott

Signature

"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

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bfd - 25 Sep 2007 20:34 GMT

> >Hello! This is my first BMW, and my first post. I tried searching the
> >newsgroup for a previous answer, but couldn't find anything
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> the engine, and one for everything else. Ebay vendors almost always split
> them up.

I would check the "official" BMW manuals thoroughly before buying. I
recall that either a CD or paper format manual was available that
contained info on the "E34." However, if you looked closely, 90% of
the info was about the E34 V8 engine. Thus, if you didn't have an E34
530i or 540i, which both had the V8 engines, the info was basically
useless.

I agree that the E34 Bentley Manual could have been better. I find the
E28 Bentley manual to be substantially superior. However, the E34 has
a wider range of bodies and engines than the E28 and I guess some
compromises had to occur.

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mboszko - 02 Oct 2007 16:12 GMT

Thanks for all the replies. I got the Bentley, and it looks really
detailed for most of what I need. Thanks!

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