R50/53 Bentley Manual - Worth it??
#1
Bentley Manual - Worth it??
So, I looked though the site to try to find some useful info on the quality of this reference book, but could not find anything relevant other than many people referencing it's use.
Clearly, there are not too many choices out there if one is looking to acquire a service manual for the Mini. From what I can see it is either the Bentley, the Haynes or if available the actual BMW tech manual.
Last weekend I purchased the Haynes as I had a few issues I wanted to look up on my newly purchased 03 S. Well, I'll be returning it this weekend as it is pretty useless for me. The entire book is black and white, actually let's just call it mostly gray and the pictures are a joke. The descriptions and procedures seem quite vague and don't fully describe the process for anything.
I'm a fairly mechanically inclined guy, but I like to be walked through a process step by step when attempting something new. For me the Haynes just doesn't cut it.
So, that brings me to the Bentley. It is way more expensive than the Haynes which I paid @ $30 for new. Is is really worth the price? Does it truly provide accurate, detailed descriptions of procedures? Are the photos relevant and clear? I know many of you have one. Do you use it a lot? Did it fully help you through more complex issues? I wish the publisher would make parts of it viewable online so potential buyers could see excerpts of it's contents. Just like Amazon does for many of its books...
Your thoughts please
Thanks
-Pat
Clearly, there are not too many choices out there if one is looking to acquire a service manual for the Mini. From what I can see it is either the Bentley, the Haynes or if available the actual BMW tech manual.
Last weekend I purchased the Haynes as I had a few issues I wanted to look up on my newly purchased 03 S. Well, I'll be returning it this weekend as it is pretty useless for me. The entire book is black and white, actually let's just call it mostly gray and the pictures are a joke. The descriptions and procedures seem quite vague and don't fully describe the process for anything.
I'm a fairly mechanically inclined guy, but I like to be walked through a process step by step when attempting something new. For me the Haynes just doesn't cut it.
So, that brings me to the Bentley. It is way more expensive than the Haynes which I paid @ $30 for new. Is is really worth the price? Does it truly provide accurate, detailed descriptions of procedures? Are the photos relevant and clear? I know many of you have one. Do you use it a lot? Did it fully help you through more complex issues? I wish the publisher would make parts of it viewable online so potential buyers could see excerpts of it's contents. Just like Amazon does for many of its books...
Your thoughts please
Thanks
-Pat
#2
Vendor
iTrader: (10)
The Bentley Manual is by far the best repair manual for the MINI. I worked for MINI and they don't have manuals they have it all in the computer system. When I look at the Bentley it looks like someone went into the MINI system and printed every page and put it in a book. The diagrams and pictures are the same picture MINI uses.
#3
The Bentley Manual is by far the best repair manual for the MINI.
#5
#7
Trending Topics
#9
I recall reading that US Haynes bought Chilton
(UK Haynes is different)
Bentley pages I've seen (I don't have one and have been very happy with the Haynes for years) looked like copies of the factory manual pages I have. All that I've seen were b/w but I've not seen 'em all
There was a pirated version of the pdf factory manual but it was incomplete and corrupt (pictures did not match paragraphs) and has been fairly quickly taken down everytime it gets hug on a downloading site . . .
If Haynes isn't for you your only real option is the Bentley but look for a used one is my recommendation.
(Haynes is the bible for my 79 .... use it more than I do the factory manuals)
**********
have you connected with a local club where a member might have one they are will to loan?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...linas-m2c2-45/
(UK Haynes is different)
Bentley pages I've seen (I don't have one and have been very happy with the Haynes for years) looked like copies of the factory manual pages I have. All that I've seen were b/w but I've not seen 'em all
There was a pirated version of the pdf factory manual but it was incomplete and corrupt (pictures did not match paragraphs) and has been fairly quickly taken down everytime it gets hug on a downloading site . . .
If Haynes isn't for you your only real option is the Bentley but look for a used one is my recommendation.
(Haynes is the bible for my 79 .... use it more than I do the factory manuals)
**********
have you connected with a local club where a member might have one they are will to loan?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...linas-m2c2-45/
Last edited by Capt_bj; 01-30-2014 at 08:20 AM.
#10
If Haynes isn't for you your only real option is the Bentley but look for a used one is my recommendation.
**********
have you connected with a local club where a member might have one they are will to loan?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...linas-m2c2-45/
**********
have you connected with a local club where a member might have one they are will to loan?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...linas-m2c2-45/
Thanks for the local link! It would be nice to meet up with local owners to discuss Mini related stuff
#13
#15
***update***
I just received my new hard cover Bentley manual 2010 Edition and all I have to say is WOW!!!! There needs to be a sticky on this site regarding this publication. It is by far the most complete, technical, vehicle specific instruction manual I've ever seen! Seriously, I've searched this site and others, but no where does it fully describe the completeness and usefulness of this book. I got it for $60 which is half the cost of a brand new one (mine is brand new as far as I can tell) and clearly an invaluable tool for working on your Mini. I'm glad I got my hands on one and I highly suggest to anyone else with any mechanical skills looking to do some work on their Cooper to pick one up ASAP. This this thing is da bomb!
-Pat
-Pat
#19
Bonus!
Another thing I just noticed is that my manual (the 2010 printing) also includes the "Diagnostics Without Guesswork" publication in the back of the book which I saw was available as a stand alone book. Sweeeet! I don't think the older 1st edition of the manual includes this extra bonus. Something to keep in mind if you're shopping for one.
#20
Not yet based on what you can see on their website. Looks like 2011 is as far as they've covered to date. The good news is that vehicles that new should all be fully warrantied and you shouldn't have to get your hands dirty with too many faulty items. Of course, that does not cover any aftermarket mods you may want to do which a manual could be helpful for...
#21
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jarymo
Hawaii MINI Motoring Club
3
09-30-2015 04:19 PM