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Big Blue Book
This section is part of Documentation.
Informally referred to as "the BBB" (Big Blue Book). This is the 'official' service manual for the models covered. Measures 8x12 inches (21 x 30 cm). Photos, diagrams, specifications, black and white. Does not cover all aspects of service but is a good basic reference from the best source.
Service Manuals act as a detailed guide to the vehicle. They contain descriptions of all important assembly, adjustment and inspections to be performed. Pertinent data, dimensions, and tolerances, as well as special tools for various individual operations are listed in separate tables. Service Manuals also give repair instructions in detailed steps assisted by drawings, photographs and charts. Service Manuals include information on both the engine and the chassis of a specified vehicle. They vary in size from approximately 400 to 1200 pages in length; however, Service Manual Supplements are generally less than 400 pages. Some Service Manuals may also be offered as a CD-ROM.
The system operated by Mercedes (Daimler-Benz) was that the Workshop manual (BBB) binders were given out to the authorised M-B workshops only (not available to the public, like today). The literature was aimed at trained authorised M-B workshop technicians. There were then updates for the BBB distributed from M-B, several each year. Pages were replaced in the binders at the dealerships. There were also Technical Service Bulletins (TSB's) issued that informed about changes and gave tech tips. A fully updated Workshop manual (BBB -68) was issued from the Factory in 1968 (in conjunction with the introduction of the "New generation" Compact series /8 cars)
Service Manual, Passenger Cars Starting 1959
This manual covers the 230SL and early 250SL (and several other models of that time). Out of print.
Service Manual, Passenger Cars Starting 1968, Series 108, 109, 111, 113
Out of print, although used copies will occasionally appear on EBay.
The second book covers only those sections that have changed from the previous book. So if you own a 280 SL, a lot of content that has not changed from the 230 SL, is not covered in this book but in the previous one. Thus, your best bet is to own both books.
Both of these English language manuals describe procedures for the following groups:
Artikel-Nr / Item number 6510140213
Ersatzteilliste/Spare parts list CD-ROM W 113
Typen / types: 230 SL, 250 SL, 280 SL Baureihe / series: W 113 Baujahr / year of production: 1963 - 1971 Sprache / language: deutsch-englisch / German-English Artikel-Nr / Item number 6510000700 Price (2007) € 55,30
W113 Service Manual CD-ROM
The Mercedes-Benz Classic Centre USA sells a service manual CD-ROM here, with part number QL-6516-5415-02, for US$ 19.99 (2008 prices). This covers sections of both the BBB's covered above which pertain to the Pagoda models, and is exceptionally good value. NLA as of January 2010
A number of versions exist, and can still be ordered from Mercedes-Benz Classic Center, or from their on-line web-shop (look for "Technical Literature"). You can pick Mercedes clocks or sweaters or model cars etc, but category "Technical Literature for Classic cars" is what you are after. Click there, and all the different DVD, books, leaflets, CD-ROM etc. are presented, complete with order Numbers.
Old (original) copies occasionally appear on EBay, at prices of around $100 in 2007.
Werkstatthandbuch PKW-Typen ab Baujahr 1959
This is available in German only, and covers the following cars:
Typen / types: 190c, 190Dc, 200, 200D, 230, 220 b, 220Sb, 220 SEb, 230, 230 S, 250 S, 250 SE, 300 SEb (108), 220SEb/C, 250SE/C, 230 SL, 250 SL, 300 SE (112),300 SE/C, 300 SEL/109.015) Baureihen / series: W W 108, W 109, W 110, W 111, W 112, W 113 gebunden / bound 888 Seiten / pages Sprache / language: deutsch / German Artikel-Nr / Item number 6510140200 Price (2007) €94,40, (2013) €109,90
This book covers the early series of cars (230 SL and 250 SL) and is meant to be used together with the next book to provide a complete picture for e.g. a 280 SL.
Werkstatthandbuch PKW-Typen 108 - 113
This is available in German only, and covers the following cars:
Typen / types: 280 S/SE/SEL, 280 SE/C, 280 SE//C 3.5, 280 SL, 300 SEL (109.016, 300 SEL 3.5, 300 SEL 6.3 Baureihen / series: W 108, W 109, W 110, W 111, W 112, W 113 gebunden / bound 1076 Seiten / pages Sprache / language: deutsch / German Artikel-Nr / Item number 6510140400 Price (2007) €100,10, (2013) € 119,90
Again the book covers only those sections that have changed from the previous book. So if you own a 280 SL, a lot of content that has not changed from the 230 SL, is not covered in this book but in the previous one. Thus, your best bet is to own both books.
