Which workshop manual? Gregorys, Rob's or Haynes?

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:04 pm

After a workshop manual, just to get some better info on doing a few things and for some reading.

I have found three major ones,
Gregory's - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mazda-MX5-19 ... 4897.l4275
Rob's - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Mazda-MX-5-M ... cb5&_uhb=1
Haynes - http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Haynes-Manua ... 4897.l4275

Is one better then the other?
Anybody had experience with them?

Matt · Postby **Matt** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:36 pm

If you have a dig around on eBay, you can pick up a disc of the factory manual in PDF.

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:48 pm

Already have a factory workshop manual on PDF, but figured I would want something more "idiot proof" - ie, more detailed instruction's and pictures

MrRevhead · Postby **MrRevhead** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:50 pm

I own both Rod Grainger's manual and the Gregory's manual.

Rod's is more detailed, naturally, as it is not trying to cover 3 different models in one.

You can have a sneak peak (1.8L version) of the layout to see if it suits your style here:

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=8eNAb48HomAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=grainger+mx5&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NVxGU7iJKIiPkAXL3YCgDg&ved=0CEAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=grainger%20mx5&f=false

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:09 pm

I've always found factory manuals assume some level of mechanical knowledge whereas Gregory's presumes virtually none. But prior to my MX5 I've always been a real mechanical novice, mostly only ever done very basic service stuff.

Since getting my first MX5 I've found that with a few minutes searching a topic when I've needed help, there is so much detailed info online including pretty much idiot proof photos, that I haven't needed anything else.

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booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:50 am

Yes, there is lots of info online.
But its much easier to have a nooby proof book in front of you my opinion.

I'm leaning towards rods one at the moment....

aka_juffa · Postby **aka_juffa** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:09 am

I have had both the Haynes and Rod's manual. My vote goes to the Rod's manual.

J.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:06 am

Another vote for Rod's here - I have an SE and still value this highly for my purposes despite it being written for an NA.

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ak_perth · Postby **ak_perth** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:25 am

I also have both Haynes and Rod's. Rod's is far superior in my opinion.

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:53 pm

Factory manuals online here

http://www.mellens.net/mazda/index.html

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:15 pm

I'd recommend you use a Rob's or Gregory's or Haines or something like that for the step by step noob instructions but always check back to the factory manual and factory parts lists for the correct dimensions, clearances, torque settings, assembly drawings, etc. All that technical data is critical but it's where the aftermarket manuals most often have errors.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:18 pm

Sailor wrote:Factory manuals online here

http://www.mellens.net/mazda/index.html

Sailor, the real factory manuals are all downloadable from the Technical guides section of this forum. The ones on Mellens are pretty random, disorganized and incomplete. I couldn't use them except as an occasional cross-check to the real manual.

booki89 · Postby **booki89** » Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:59 pm

I thought mellens was the factory manual....so i bit the bullet and ordered a rob's ones.

got it for $43.41

http://www.bookdepository.com/Mazda-MX- ... nfirmation

Pay in USD for some savings ;)

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:47 am

aka_juffa wrote:I have had both the Haynes and Rod's manual. My vote goes to the Rod's manual.

Yeah, likewise - good to hear OP picked up the Rod's manual.

booki89 wrote:i bit the bullet and ordered a rob's ones.

smy0003 · Postby **smy0003** » Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:56 pm

I have the Haynes one.
If you'd like to borrow it sometime, I'm in SE Melbourne.
Only got it because I had a Repco voucher, and I didn't really want DRLs or a sub. It's alright, but 99% of the time the colour pictures and videos of the internet help me more.