42 replies to this topic

[callum_ensor]

Ok

Haynes manuals...

How effective are they in helping to restore a mini?

Are they worth the investment?

And how did it help you?

Thanks

Callum!!

[nicklouse]

What are you going to use if you don't get one?

How do you think we rebuilt and serviced our Minis back in the 70/80s?

[corrado vr6]

Definitely worth the money even if it's just for the wiring diagrams however the manual has helped in so many other areas, you only have to look at all the dirty pages to know that it has been well used

[MaxAndPaddy]

Well they don't cost a lot, less so if you pick one up from a well known internet auction site and they will save you in the long term, so its a no brainer really. They are not perfect, but most mini owners wouldn't be without one.

[callum_ensor]

True, True Nick and yes thats what i was thinking however im a sparky anyway so im quite familiar with wiring looms etc with helps

Think i may have to go get one :)

[Kam]

There will be a time when you pick it up and refer to it, then it will all make sense 

 

Its also cheap enough so no real excuse not to have one

 

So Yes

[callum_ensor]

There will be a time when you pick it up and refer to it, then it will all make sense 

 

Its also cheap enough so no real excuse not to have one

 

So Yes

Thats a good fair point! Ill check ebay and purchase one i think

[Tamworthbay]

Or work on your mini outside and talk to people. I have been given five haynes manuals over the years!

[megamini_jb]

Definitely worth having one

[humph]

For me a decent manual is the first accessory any Mini owner should buy. Haynes manuals have their faults, but as an amateur I find them absolutely invaluable. Over the years I have bought cheap second hand copies of pretty much every edition as they all have minor changes (but that's my choice). You can pick them up for a few quid so worth every penny. Before considering a job I always have a look at it refering to the manual and working through it in my head; the last thing I want to do is get half way through a job and realise I'm in too deep with the car in bits on the drive.

[Tamworthbay]

Don't get the latest dark blue one though, it's utterly useless. The light blue one is very common, and therefore very cheap, and seems the best of the bunch unless you have an SPi or MPi.

[nicklouse]

True, True Nick and yes thats what i was thinking however im a sparky anyway so im quite familiar with wiring looms etc with helps

Think i may have to go get one :)

Don't forget your can of Lucas Smoke.

[kezzkitkat]

There's only so much a book can teach you
best way give it a ago if you get stuck use the forum or a local mini club which will more than likely help

[nicklouse]

There's only so much a book can teach you
best way give it a ago if you get stuck use the forum or a local mini club which will more than likely help

sorry disagree.

 

forum did not exist back when I was starting with Minis. Clubs were rare as well. and when your car was in bits all you had was the Book.

 

if you could not strip and rebuild a Mini with just a Haynes manual and some tools you could not have got much done in the 80s.

[callum_ensor]

Don't get the latest dark blue one though, it's utterly useless. The light blue one is very common, and therefore very cheap, and seems the best of the bunch unless you have an SPi or MPi.

That's really helpful Thankyou! I'll bare that in mind :)