Am I stupid or WHAT!?

Xaccers · Post by **Xaccers** » 10 Jan 2010, 13:17

The Xantia BoL is a "Service and Repair" manual.
Gone are the days of the Workshop manuals based on a complete strip down and rebuild.
Haynes actually had a page on their website explaining the dumbing down, as their workshop manuals were scaring people away and therefore they could reach a larger audience by just covering the simple things.
We've said several times why can't they release on CD in PDF format etc the old style workshop manuals, even if it was £20 it'd be worth it, as long as it was accurate and filled with proper photos rather than ultra zoomed in grainy monochrome ones which often don't help.

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 10 Jan 2010, 15:06

Xac,

why did they have to meddle with the page numbers all this a1 2b section bussiness makes it even less user friendly.

much easier to keep the old page and chapter numbers as they were nice and easy.

we recently got a hold of a pdf copy of the citroen manuals for a GS and boy oh boy do they show up Haynes something rotten. they are very easy to understand. oh well I suppose progress craps everything up these days.

Post by **CitroJim** » 10 Jan 2010, 15:29

I can't comment on the GS manuals but certainly, the later Xantia manuals are very good but do assume that the reader is a skilled automotive engineer and are thus far from being any use at all to your average DIY'er.

The old Haynes Workshop Manuals scored well in this respect. They presented deep detail but in a way the DIY'er with a little experience could readily digest.

Haynes are in it for the money at the end of the day so they give what is perceived to be wanted.

Their recent adverts says it all. Typically, one reads: "With the help of a Haynes manual I changed a bulb..."

That's the target audience. Not us...

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 10 Jan 2010, 16:03

well if you can buy a haynes manual that tells you how to look after a baby its no wonder its all gone T*Ts up.

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 10 Jan 2010, 16:14

Jim,

I have answered your Pm

cheers Nigel.

falling-out-with-my-car · Post by **falling-out-with-my-car** » 10 Jan 2010, 16:17

Thanks Jim that is appreciated didnt know you had a website cool.

cheers Nigel.