Customer Reviews

Mercedes Benz Diesel Automotive Repair Manual: 123 Series, 1976 thru 1985 (Haynes Repair Manual)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

After reading some of the bad reviews for this manual, I bought it. The Haynes manual is good for the price and compares with all of the other Haynes manuals in general quality. It is certainly better than the other CH****N auto repair manual that uses the same engine pictures no matter what car you have. The manual actually has pictures and diagrams from the referenced car. This manual has enough information for the 123 body style diesel Mercedes owner with average intelligence. The engine / body / electrical and systems information is enough to get you through most diagnoses and repairs. It does NOT cover rebuilding the transmission or rear differential, just servicing (what do you expect for $15.00). If you are going to perform a rebuild on these components, you would be stupid not to have the shop manuals anyway. The pictures are not too clear (B/W) and it could be improved if they had more exploded line diagrams and drawings for the more complex items. Overall this book and Haynes manuals in general do a good job of covering what most of us need at a reasonable price (< $15.00). Try replacing the sunroof drive motor without a manual.

This manual is a consistent with others in this series. For [...], it is better than not having any information ... but not much better. Most of the procedures are sketchy at best, they will get an inexperienced mechanic into trouble quickly by omitting key steps in repair procedures. In many parts of the book, you will read "due ot the complexity of [fill in part or system here] ... this should not be undertaken by the home mechanic." They then proceed to omit the important information and provide you with generic procedures. Save your pennies and invest in the official Mercedes-Benz manaul.

If you plan on doing serious work on your Mercedes, this is NOT the only manual you'll need. It is, however, a useful maintenance reference that nicely fills the gap between the owner's manual and the factory service CD. It's also useful for alternate procedures that don't assume you have the special tools that the factory procedures require. The pictures are clear, and the diagrams are mostly lifted directly from the factory service manual.

This is an excellent reference for the owners of 123-style MB diesels. However, if you own a 126 or other, this will give you potential hints, but will not apply to all the issues you may face. You will need other references to cover those, such as either "used" MB shop manuals, or by finding a decently-priced copy of the "official" MB repair manuals on CD-ROM ...

This review echoes the words of Cliff Hunt of Indiana. Unless you're trapped in the Arctic tundra and need to know how to change your oil, don't bother with this book. A common problem with MB diesels is smoke coming from the exhaust pipe and this book doesn't even mention that.
I bought mine from an auto parts dealer, wrapped in plastic and unreturnable of course, and realized perusing it in the parking lot I had wasted my money.

A good book like all the haynes manuals I have. Buy a MB shop book if you want the real dirt but this book does well for the usual tasks.

This was only of slight use to me with and older W123 model. The vacuum diagrams are good enough to photocopy and laminate for use in the car. The general overhaul portion looks like it came from every other Haynes manual. General auto body repair work portion as well. I did find the electrical diagram useful as well though. To be honest, you can get more from on-line videos and a few sources in Seattle than what is in this book. It also doesn't cover many things that pertain to a 30 something car as they age. I wish this manual company would make updates to them such as a volume 2, for your older model aging car. I guess this is what the forums on-line are for though. I would have rated this higher if it had some color photos, better paper and diagrams that were clear enough to read without a magnifying glass. Some diagrams are a bit hazy due to the cheap paper used. Get this only if you have nothing else, but realize it is a re-hash of every other book they have written for the general maintenance and auto body portions.

The book is loaded with engine rebuilding information but not so much detail on information for DIY home mechanic. It shows you how you can check the power steering fluid level, but does not cover how you can change the fluid nor shows you how to replace the filter inside(yes, there is one. you will see it after sucking all the fluid out). Just about the only useful information you will get out of this book is how you can make a fan clutch special tool by taking the 12 point wrench and grinding it to make it smaller. The most important tune up step - rebuilding diesel injectors is not covered. It does have 5 steps to remove injectors from injector block. No information on turbo rebuilding, no information on removing voltage regulator out of alternator (alternator brush is part of the regulator).

Haynes is the best I have found, but I wish there was something better. It describes all te big jobs, but not all the small jobs.

This car guide/repair manual is a great tool for novice car mechanics such as myself. The manual will help you to understand the various systems of your Mercedes. It's a great reference and I recommend it for all W123 owners.