Well, good old Fuzzy Face just let me know how much the professional mechanic's manual CD for the mini is going to cost ----$200!!!!
After he picked me off the floor (and wiped all da cat hair and dust bunnies off --really must remember to vaccuum sometime this month) it still took several seconds for my old heart to start up again. If I'm gonna pay that kinda money for a CD -- it had better come with a cute guy in a loin cloth!!! Honestly, that just seems way way outta line to me. Tim has always bought the manual with every new vehicle, but this may be the exception. He DID say that we could afford it -- if I was willing to give up my second kidney to e-bay. Shoot, since he sold the first one for the down payment on the mini, I can't pass a tree or fire hydrant without whining --- I dread what would happen if I lost the other one. (Ziploc bag taped to leg???) (pardon da pun)

 

$200 for the manual? Grrrrrrrrr!!!!

(great writing, T....... keep it up! that's an order!)

 

Do you mind telling us who published the mechanic's manual? Is it by Chilton or Haynes, who?

Inquiring minds wanna know!

 

Dang, miniclo is a very dangerous soundin person! . Will post that info right after he gets his mornin coffee. (Can't talk to him before that --can't make out a word between all the grunts and growls)

 

There were a bunch of threads on this about 6 months ago. Not to say that you should stop your thread, I think it'd be a good idea because there might be some new info and such, but just sayin that they did this a while back and no one ended up with a manual. Stuff like BMW/MINI wont sell the manual and only the techs have access to it and what not.

 

I've got my fingers crossed that Bentley comes out with a manual for the MINI. I've got their book for my '97 M3 and since MINI is a BMW product maybe they're working on one for it (fingers crossed).

I'm hoping that by the time the free maintenance and warranty are up on my MCS, Bentley will have published something. Their M3 manual is FANTASTIC so I'm hoping the same would apply to a MINI book.

I'm not a fan of the factory produced shop manuals as they are written for the technicians trained to work on the cars and are therefore not exactly explicit in their directions. The Bentley manual I have gives you step by step instructions for pretty much anything you want to do and lots of pictures. Only thing it lacks is part numbers.

 

$200 seems kinda high for me.
It's likely that one of the common publishers of auto repair manuals will find a way to make something for the MINI more in line with the other similar manuals. Maybe in the $25 to $35 range hopefully. Some give a choice of CD vs bound manual in papercover or hard bound.

Why not an online version where you access the info online for a fee or something? That would be good.
Grrrrrr!! to MINIclo

 

I purchased the Cd and it is great. Very expensive but still very informative.

 

Got an idea. If you have a small business, buy a MINI for your company car. Get the CD and write it off under
maintenance for your business equiptment.

If you have a MINI club. Buy one copy of the manual for the club and share it (Don't fight over it). Like a library resource.

 

Hey folks, I really have to echo what BK_MCS wrote. Do a search on "manuals" (or "service manual" to narrow it a bit) and you'll find quite a few threads on this. In those threads, all of the points raised in this current thread -- cost, content, whether or if a non-BMW manual will come out, etc. are very well covered. Also, you'll learn some interesting options for accessing an online version of the "manual" at a daily rate AND some links to eBay auctions (recurring) where you can explore the dark side of copyright infringement (but that may be ok for some).

 

Well folks, it IS the direct from factory manual he was talkin about. Agree with you, we'll wait to see if someone comes up with a simplier version -- and cheaper! Now, thanks oodles for all the feedback. But we won't discuss this anymore cause, as was mentioned so nicely (much appreciated :smile: ) this has been gone over before in detail. Guess I shoulda checked it myself last nite --this morning? 2a.m.

 

200 isn't that out of line for a factory dealer manual. those chiltons manuals are garbage when you compair the quality. I have factory manuals for my 2 other cars and I tell you thay have easily saved me thousands. when something goes wrong I can look up how to diagnose then how to fix. I would rather spend my time fixing my own cars than paying 60 to 80 bucks per hour to the shop. now I have enough experiance with my cars that I am just as efficient as the shop. I feel the same with tools. If I need a fancy tool to get the job done I buy it. now I have a very complete shop. only buy the manual if you plan on doing alot of repairs yourself. if you are not that type of person wait for the chiltons.

 

Well, first off (don flame suite), I ran the Chilton Consumer Book group for about 10 years, and I write tech books for a living, so I know a bit about this subject.

1. The BMW TIS system comes on a CD and, although copyright protected, is not electronically protected from making illegal copies. Don't ask how I know this.

2. Chilton or Haynes have not published one yet. (BTW, Haynes, now OWNS Chilton's Consumer book division and all new books are just Haynes books with Chilton covers). It is not likely that they will publish one for a while, just because the market is too small. Same goes for Bentley, though his group might get to it eventually (since he charges so much more for a book, it can be worth it to do one for a smaller print run). BTW, Chilton (and even Haynes) books are NOT garbage, but you get what you pay for, a cheaper alternative.

3. $200 for a factory book is not all that outrageous. If you've got a Ford and want it, you'll have to buy the shop book (about $45), the powertrain book (about $200 cause it's for ALL models in a given year), the EVTM (electrical and vacuum troubleshotting manual, about $25), and possibly the Wiring (about $10).


But keep in mind that ALL sources are not-perfect. And, a time will arise when you'll look for something and it won't be covered (or covered to your liking).

Anyway, find a couple of friends and buy the TIS, the cost will go down with every person you SHARE the ONE CD with

 

PM 8ball and see if he can "help" you out.

R

 

... thanks, Davbret! ...
I got one of the eBay auction sets: you can search for BMW TIS or ETK and find a copy for about $20 (plus or minus - you know how auctions are ...). The early sets, the ones that still seem to be out there, have parts on the ETK for the Cooper, the "S" and the One , but the TIS only shows Cooper and One (although most of that still applies to the "S&quot.

 

Honestly, I am just SO impressed with the entire MCO bunch!! :smile: No matter what question is asked or what problem comes up -- there's always several of you darlin folks who rush in with solutions and answers!! You should all be very very proud of yerselves. Just goes to show --- mini people are the best!!!

 

>>Well, good old Fuzzy Face just let me know how much the professional mechanic's manual CD for the mini is going to cost ----$200!!!! :evil: :evil: Maybe it's $200 because it Professional. This can't be the one MINI uses because their not fixing some of the problems.

 

Does anybody know the web site to get the manual from?...I'm willing to pay the price.Thank you.