How many E-28ers have a manual?

[a]

How many of you people own a manual ? If so which one

[Mark 88/M5 Houston]

Bentley got my vote.

I also have the paper ETM for the 533i, a little blue BMW torque specifications book, the large blue 2 volume 2002 factory manual, both factory paper parts and workshop manuals for the R100RS and an original factory manual for the R75/5. I also have a couple of versions of the electronic ETK and ETM.

How do we classify the valid and verified materials archived on my hard drives from the Web?

[RonW]

Both my cars are manual. (Rimshot.)

The Bentley was the one of the first things I bought for my car back in 1992. At one point I bought a Haynes, but gave it to someone who had a 3-series that it allegedly covered.

I also have the factory repair manual (11/85) and the '86 ETM.

[johnnye23]

Factory manual

[stuartinmn]

You should have included the factory manual...I have one of those as well, along with the Bentley and a Haynes.

[a]

Actually, I had a 4th option ,but it didnt post. It was : I'm so effing smart ,I dont need a manual.
With my etas, I havent needed anything more in depth than the Bentley and the ETM. If I cant find what I need there, I practice the operation on one of my parts cars.

[athayer187]

Actually, I had a 4th option ,but it didnt post. It was : I'm so effing smart ,I dont need a manual.
With my etas, I havent needed anything more in depth than the Bentley and the ETM. If I cant find what I need there, I practice the operation on one of my parts cars.

I agree with this - I don't have parts cars though, so sometimes I go to the junkyard and practice removing parts (drip rails for example) that I don't want to damage on my own car. The Bently is definitely worth more than its weight in gold. I have a factory manual, but I read it more out of curiosity how the factory would do something than as a reference day to day.

[skip535i]

I have the bentley, the haynes, AND the factory one...but bentley got my vote

[ldsbeaker]

Bentley and Haynes...
anyone have a line on a Factory Service Manual for me?

[Jay in VA]

Well Bentley got the first vote.

I also have:

Haynes 18020 for US version
Haynes 1560 for EURO version - 520i and 528e (hard bound with purdy Euro pictures)
Haynes 632 for 528i and 530i
1990 Chilton Import Manual
1986-1989 MOTOR Manual 11th Edition
1984 - 1987 MOTOR Imported Engine Tune Up and Electronics Manual 4th Edition
MITCHELL 1983 Import Diagnosis and Testing Module"book"
MITCHELL 1984 Import Diagnosis and Testing Module"book"
Bosch Fuel Injection Systems Manual
1993 Edition of BMW Maintenance and Mechanical Quick Reference Guide
1993 Edition of BMW Collision Repair Reference Guide

Just to name a few, is that enough?

[Mike W.]

Well, technically I have both, but I only recently acquired the Bentley with the purchase of a parts car so I checked Haynes. Which is a very poor manual not up to their usual standards. But after 25 years of M30's and BMW's I don't need it a whole lot. I'm not claiming to know everything, but it's not like I need a manual to adjust the valves and change the oil either.

[stuartinmn]

It's kind of hard to find, but if you dig around on the Auto Zone website long enough you'll find an e28 repair guide. It's about on a par with the Haynes or maybe not even that good, but it could prove handy in a pinch.

[Jay in VA]

Well, technically I have both, but I only recently acquired the Bentley with the purchase of a parts car so I checked Haynes. Which is a very poor manual not up to their usual standards. But after 25 years of M30's and BMW's I don't need it a whole lot. I'm not claiming to know everything, but it's not like I need a manual to adjust the valves and change the oil either.

I rarely look at mine anymore, after alot of years of tearing into the m20 and m30 engines and the E28 bodies I know my way around pretty good. But once in a blue moon I forget a small something that usually turns into a big, DUH! Then I go back and find I missed a step. This usually happens when I get in a hurry. I don't freak out about much anymore, usually patience and common sense prevail in solving most issues.

[Blue Shadow]

I got one in the car, one on the bookshelf and 3 or four on the shelf below that, some in German, not including the BMW E28 manual I got years ago before Bentley had heard about the E28. And that is just the ones I can remember without going to look at em.

Mostly just torque specs now, if someone needs that info.

[jgoodwill]

I recommend both- the Bentley for the info, and the Haynes for the purty pictures.

[Mike W.]

No catagory for the owners manual?

[Nebraska_e28]

I started with a Haynes until I came to this board & found out about Bentley. Now there's no turning back!

[JayM]

I have both, plus the M635CSi manual on CD for the engine stuff. I also have the Bentley for my E32, and still have one lying around for my E46 which is now gone.

If anyone knows where I can get the paper factory M635 manual, I'd be forever in your debt.