Chilton Repair Manual Review

[BoSNiaN]

Hey guys, just thought I'd post this up in case anyone was looking to buy a repair manual....Basically, we have 3 choices. Bently for $100-$150, Haynes for $20, or the Chilton for $30. I was not ready to drop $150 on a CD only repair manual package shipped to Canada but Haynes was not available locally either so I started shopping around. The Chilton book is about 200-300 pages bigger than the Haynes manual and is only $10 more so I decided to pick 1 up online and I am glad I did. Normally I'd scan and post up important pages but since it was so cheap and will be so helpful I really recommend everyone buy 1 for themselves. The book covers B6's and B7's but all photographs were taken with a manual 2.0T B7 which works out for me. Below are a few sample pics and it really does include everything from basic mechanical tips (which tools you should own, how to jack up the car, etc) to the advanced (preventative maintenance scheduling and guides, wiring diagrams, timing belt/water pump replacement, etc).

What the cover looks like:



Example of a guide (tools needed, how often it should be done, and step by step guide):



Advanced wiring diagrams:





Bought it off AbeBooks.com for $27 shipped to Canada from the UK. It includes a troubleshooting section, is about an inch and a half thick, and the 1-2 preventative maintenance guides I have followed so far have been spot on. No I wasn't paid for this just hoping to inform other people about their options, especially if they are like me and want a hard copy.

[apatchin]

Nice find. Will definitely invest in one of these for 30 bucks.

[jimrobbington]

Good stuff! Does it show you how to clean the fuel tank evap system so we can pump our gas like normal people?

[jpres]

How did you get your snow leopard to stay still long enough to take the picture with the manual on his back? :D

Kidding aside, thanks for the review and recommendation. I too have been hesitant to drop the $150. $30 however is an easy call.

[jpres]

Amazon has the Chilton for $21.86 and the Haynes for $18.21 (plus free 2-day shipping if you're an Amazon Prime member). I'm picking up both and will compare the two and report back.

[LowVhighD]

No, but it does show how to drop the tank and disassemble the evap system. I got the book about a month ago at a local shop. Saved me all kinds of time

[shiro1745]

Bentley is around $85 now. If I'm not wrong ecstuning or europaparts has it.

[Jay-Bee]

Bentley is around $85 now. If I'm not wrong ecstuning or europaparts has it.

I got mine for 100$ shipped to Canada, worth every penny (actual book not the CD)