What has the Bentley manual done for you?
#1
What has the Bentley manual done for you?
So I'm kind of new to the site and been reading about this Bentley manual. I haven't had my r53 for too long and want to make a good first investment. I've heard good things about the manual and was considering buying one until I found out that it cost a lot of fun tickets. It looks like a real reliable product and the website looks great too. I may sound like a cheap skate but lets just say I'm running low on my stash of fun tickets. I just want to know what everyone really thinks of it because I'm might just take the plunge.
Lets hear the verdict on the Bentley manual. And if you really like it, lets hear what the Bentley manual did for you?
Lets hear the verdict on the Bentley manual. And if you really like it, lets hear what the Bentley manual did for you?
#5
#6
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I'd say if you plan on doing any work on your vehicle yourself, it is well worth the investment.
It taught me how to:
Completely disassemble and re-assemble my interior
Remove and put back plenty of exterior trim bits and pieces
Replace my radiator and modular front end
Change my intake from standard to JCW
How to properly change my oil (I had never done it before)
How to replace my window regulator
How to change brake pads and rotors
How to replace a caliper
Again, it is a fantastic resource to have and well worth the money.
-Chase
It taught me how to:
Completely disassemble and re-assemble my interior
Remove and put back plenty of exterior trim bits and pieces
Replace my radiator and modular front end
Change my intake from standard to JCW
How to properly change my oil (I had never done it before)
How to replace my window regulator
How to change brake pads and rotors
How to replace a caliper
Again, it is a fantastic resource to have and well worth the money.
-Chase
#7
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#8
Yeah, I usually use a combo of the Bently Manual and the various DIY threads. The Bentley manual is great for specific things--like torque specs on various bolts, which is invaluable, and the pics are helpful (although sometimes it can take a little bit of back and forth between the car and the picture to sort it all out), where the DIY's here and other places (There is a list of them somewhere, soopercooper or something like that) will often go into detail on problem points on a particular project.
#11
I'd say if you plan on doing any work on your vehicle yourself, it is well worth the investment.
It taught me how to:
Completely disassemble and re-assemble my interior
Remove and put back plenty of exterior trim bits and pieces
Replace my radiator and modular front end
Change my intake from standard to JCW
How to properly change my oil (I had never done it before)
How to replace my window regulator
How to change brake pads and rotors
How to replace a caliper
Again, it is a fantastic resource to have and well worth the money.
-Chase
It taught me how to:
Completely disassemble and re-assemble my interior
Remove and put back plenty of exterior trim bits and pieces
Replace my radiator and modular front end
Change my intake from standard to JCW
How to properly change my oil (I had never done it before)
How to replace my window regulator
How to change brake pads and rotors
How to replace a caliper
Again, it is a fantastic resource to have and well worth the money.
-Chase
Does anyone know if the language of the manual is newbie-friendly, or do I need to have a dictionary with me?
Also, where is the best place to buy the manual? online or in-store? if in-store, which one? Dealer?
Last edited by MINIng; 04-30-2011 at 09:53 PM.
#12
I love dirty pictures... I'm sold!
Yeah. I just broke off one of the clips to my grill, need to change my oil, and want to do some upgrades. Thanks for the input.
Does anyone know if the language of the manual is newbie-friendly, or do I need to have a dictionary with me?
Also, where is the best place to buy the manual? online or in-store? if in-store, which one? Dealer?
Yeah. I just broke off one of the clips to my grill, need to change my oil, and want to do some upgrades. Thanks for the input.
Does anyone know if the language of the manual is newbie-friendly, or do I need to have a dictionary with me?
Also, where is the best place to buy the manual? online or in-store? if in-store, which one? Dealer?
I'd google it--often times you can find them on sale, or watch the marketplace here--there always seems to be one popping up in used, in good condition.
#13
IMO for the average home wrench turner the Haynes has more than enuf info at a fraction of the cost of a Bentley.
I find myself answering questions here with Haynes info that no one with a bentley ever responds to. Now that may be that I'm a nice guy who is willing to look, or the Bentley is a PIA to find anything . . .
Lastly - classic folks tend to get by with haynes . . . .
but if you want a nice thick book . . . it is also available from many sources as a PDF . . . just google it
I find myself answering questions here with Haynes info that no one with a bentley ever responds to. Now that may be that I'm a nice guy who is willing to look, or the Bentley is a PIA to find anything . . .
Lastly - classic folks tend to get by with haynes . . . .
but if you want a nice thick book . . . it is also available from many sources as a PDF . . . just google it
#15
Yeah, I usually use a combo of the Bently Manual and the various DIY threads. The Bentley manual is great for specific things--like torque specs on various bolts, which is invaluable, and the pics are helpful (although sometimes it can take a little bit of back and forth between the car and the picture to sort it all out), where the DIY's here and other places (There is a list of them somewhere, soopercooper or something like that) will often go into detail on problem points on a particular project.
Current 2nd Gen MINI: N/A
#16
#17
If you're changing the oil, might want to consider replacing the OEM drain plug a magnetic drain plug or a fumoto valve. At the very least, make sure you have a second OEM drain plug just in case; these suckers can easily get ruined (especially if it was overtorqued at your last oil change, which unfortunately is an all too common occurrence), it's happened many times on these boards. I put in a fumoto; changing the oil is ridiculously easy with it, but that was before the magnetic drain plugs became available.......
#20
#21
I ordered a magnetic plug from these guys
http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/minicooper.php
They have great customer service and make the strongest magnets out there. Plus when you look at the web page you will see all the plugs come with a lifetime rubber ring instead of the crush washer style. If you want the one that uses a crush washer just contact
Richard Jodoin
rjodoin@carolina.rr.com
cell:704-320-0700
www.drainplugmagnets.com
and ask for the "new" style plug that uses the crush washer and tell him I sent you.
#22
Even a little cheaper than getting a magnetic drain plug, just get a small rare earth magnet, stick it on the bottom of the plug, and Wah-Lah same thing for 10 cents. A new crush washer comes with a new filter as well, torque it properly, and forget the Fumoto.
HAS THIS TURNED INTO AN OIL THREAD .
HAS THIS TURNED INTO AN OIL THREAD .
#23
The Fumoto is a clever idea, but on a car that sits as low as the MINI, I would question, putting something that extends lower than a stock drain bolt (it could bottom out on the pavement and now you have all the oil leaking out of the oil pan).
I ordered a magnetic plug from these guys
http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/minicooper.php
They have great customer service and make the strongest magnets out there. Plus when you look at the web page you will see all the plugs come with a lifetime rubber ring instead of the crush washer style. If you want the one that uses a crush washer just contact
Richard Jodoin
rjodoin@carolina.rr.com
cell:704-320-0700
www.drainplugmagnets.com
and ask for the "new" style plug that uses the crush washer and tell him I sent you.
I ordered a magnetic plug from these guys
http://www.drainplugmagnets.com/minicooper.php
They have great customer service and make the strongest magnets out there. Plus when you look at the web page you will see all the plugs come with a lifetime rubber ring instead of the crush washer style. If you want the one that uses a crush washer just contact
Richard Jodoin
rjodoin@carolina.rr.com
cell:704-320-0700
www.drainplugmagnets.com
and ask for the "new" style plug that uses the crush washer and tell him I sent you.
There are two types of fumoto's--one with an extension, one with out. I bought the one with the extension, so I can put a small hose on the end and drain with no mess. Downside is if I ever need to do anything to the fan, the fumoto will have to come off--it extends to just the edge of the fan. If I had to do it over again, I'd get the regular fumoto without the extension--I end up using an oil pan instead of the hose most of the time anyway, and if you use an oil pan, you don't need it.
#24
Even a little cheaper than getting a magnetic drain plug, just get a small rare earth magnet, stick it on the bottom of the plug, and Wah-Lah same thing for 10 cents. A new crush washer comes with a new filter as well, torque it properly, and forget the Fumoto.
HAS THIS TURNED INTO AN OIL THREAD .
HAS THIS TURNED INTO AN OIL THREAD .
But you never have to replace the fumoto....
#25