different manuals

[chenxinghao]

I wonder what are the differences between Service Manual, Repair Manual and Workshop Manual.

I am looking for an MBCA Service Manual for a 1987 420 SEL.

[Robert Goodwin]

See my post of 3-3-2007.

"My source is the Model 126 Service Manual Library on CD from Mercedes Benz."

The title above is straight off the CD itself.

Other names you cite are commonly used.

The "manual" covers ALL W126 U.S. Version cars.

[edprice]

I also was looking for a Service Manual for my 1987 420SEL, but it doesn't seem to be simple anymore. I visited the MBUSA site, looking at the MB Classic area at http://www.classictechlit.mbusa.com/MB/ . I found a reference to a QL-6510-1053-02 printed Introduction Manual ($29.99) and a QL-6510-1276-02 printed Technical Data Book ($29.99), but no reference for a Service Manual.

I then tried the STARTEK area, but that says they only have manuals for about MY 1992 and newer. So I called MBUSA Customer Service. I ordered both of the above manuals, and also a Pictorial Parts Indentiication Book. The clerk then said that there was a P-2700-126-099 Star Classic Service Manual CDROM, Model 126 ($19.99). However, when the clerk tried to place that item for me, she said that there was "an internal notification that the item was no longer stocked and that the customer should be referred to STARTEK for further assistance.

By this time, it was after business hours, so I sent STARTEK Customer Service an email asking about the CDROM. I asked if this item was available through STARTEK, despite it being for an older MY, and if it was available for download from their site.

STARTEK replied with two sentences of apologies for my "inconvenience", and then said "...manuals are no longer available in print. However, we do have a website that you may purchase access to obtain this information."

OK, so back to the STARTEK web site. Hmmm, it's $18 for a day of access, and there's no word about what constitutes "access." Do this mean I can look, but can't download? And just how long is it going to take me to find that one specific item in the "over 10,000 manuals" online?

Looks like Monday means another call to STARTEK Customer Service. At least it's toll-free at 800-367-6372. Suggesting that manuals are easily obtained from MBUSA appears to be obsolete advice.

[Robert Goodwin]

Have you considered joining MBCA? There is a San Diego chapter with over 400 members.

I'll bet they could have hooked you up with a set of CDs the first time you asked.

try: www.mbca.org/SANDIEGO

[chenxinghao]

I wonder if MBCA can make the Service Manual downloads available for this forum. Other Clubs (similar to MBCA) made the service manuals of some older (2000) models available for its club members free of charge.

[edprice]

I am new to the Mercedes world and only discovered this forum earlier today. Perhaps I'm naieve in trying first to get the manuals through their official source. It probably would have been simpler to follow your suggestion, but I'll give MB one more chance tomorrow.

For the past week or so, I have been exploring several MB forums, and prior to this, all had high spam and porn content (one forum had 28 spams in the past 30 posts). Sorry that my first post to your group may have sounded like a rant. I support the concept of specialty clubs, and will likely join your club soon.

Thanks for the advice; I may be right back here very soon.