E24 Manuals

["Jeff Cocking" <jeff@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

1. Join the BCG or the Big Coupe Groupe.  The BCG is a mail list for BCG
owners.  It is primarily a technical resource.  It is an outstanding mail
list and has the most knowledgeable E24 people in the world.  (Al, Steve,
Gene, Norm, and a whole lot more)  You can join at the BCG web page.
Additionally at the BCG web page is the E24 FAQ.
http://web2.airmail.net/grills/b_c_g_FAQ/b_c_g_FAQ.html  (free)

Next step is to buy the Bentley manual for the E28 five series.  Bentley's
covers engine, driveline, and maintenance very well. The majority of the
mechanicals are identical between the E24 and the E28.  (Except for
electrical circuits, more later and chassis.)  (50 bucks)

Next get either the actual manual and/or the electrical troubleshooting
manual.  The factory manual is the one used be the mechanics.  It is
available either as fiche or paper.  The paper version is copies of the
fiches, so quality is down, but readable and useable.  Go with the paper.
The fiche is a European type fiche and is very hard to find fiche readers in
the US.  Some people have bought the fiche, then cut it in half to fit a US
fiche reader.  (125 bucks)

The ETM is a must for tracking down electrical.  With all the electrical
gadgets in the car it will save you time.  Bentley's doesn't really cover a
lot of the  circuits and systems that are in the E24 since electrically the
E24 is more like an E23 instead of an E28.(60 bucks)

The last thing to consider is the Mobile Traditions CD.  It is a parts tool
used by the BMW shops to determine parts numbers.  You can buy one from the
right dealers.  One local dealer would not sale it, called the other one, no
problem.  BMW P/N is 72 00 0 035 315.  (40 to 60 bucks)

Avoid the Alldate CD product.  Provides little useful info.

If you have the sources listed above, you can fix anything with a 6 series.



Manual sources:


Bentley book - most BMW parts departments carry.

ETM and manuals

1.  Rod Sidney 1-800-590 7770. 9am to 8pm Texas time.

2.  http://allbmwparts.com  , for year and model factory shop manual, ETM
manuals and torque spec. manual.

3. Schiff European Automotive Literature, Inc. 401-946-4711

I do not work for any of the above groups, represent them, blah, blah, blah.

Good luck with an awesome car and hopefully will be seeing ya on the BCG.


Jeff Cocking
88 635csi
69 Lotus elan

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