Sunil, I agree with Alex. For the ultimate reference, you need multiple sources. If you're going to pick only one, get the factory CD-ROM. It has most everything, except things like transmission service info, TSB's, special installation instructions for SA's, etc. The most complete thing (which includes the items noted above) is the WIS, something Mercedes charges dearly for as an online service, but you can get copies on eBay fairly cheap. The paper manuals are great, but hard to find and not cheap.
The Haynes is nice as an extra reference, and actually has some procedures not in the factory manuals - replacing a door lock cylinder is one that comes to mind (the factory expects you to replace the whole assembly with bezel, not just the tumbler alone.) The Ritter "Bible" has some nice general info and maintenance procedures, but it is NOT a full repair manual. It does have a lot of little errors. Some things that come to mind are the oil capacity data, some of the sway bar & brake rotor specifications, and some poor advice about wiring headlight relays to turn on both high & low filaments on high beam (Dan Stern explained why this is a no-no.) None of these have much in the way of diagnostic procedures... the only thing I've seen along those lines is factory documentation that the dealers have. I managed to snag some of that off eBay a while back... stuff I haven't seen anywhere else, so far. You know, things like "car is hard to start when cold, check A, B, and C." If you're having trouble locating the CD's or the WIS, drop me a line. =) -Dave M. > ------------------------------ > Date: Mon, 6 Feb 2006 19:34:33 -0800 > From: Alex Chamberlain <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: Re: [MBZ] best service manual for 124 cars > > > I have the Stu Ritter book, the English Haynes 124 book (available at > amazon.co.uk and sometimes on ebay), and the FSM CDs. I think together they > are almost as good as the Helm service manuals for my Isuzu. ;) None of > them is great, but usually you'll find what you need SOMEWHERE among the > three. > > Marshall, what is incorrect in the Ritter book? I'm curious what I should > look out for. > > Alex Chamberlain > '87 300D Turbo > '93 Isuzu Trooper >
