To BOL or not to BOL

[moizeau]

Sorry about the numerous posts at the moment. Just bought a 407 and was considering buying a BOL but I have noticed that in the last 25 years the level of information is getting more vague. It used to say 'remove 5 bolts' and then tell you where they were including the hidden bugger! Now it just says 'remove the 5 bolts' and leaves you guess the rest. There are also more and more references to 'no DIY repair possible, go to dealer'. Presumably due to vehicles becoming more specialised. I've got to change the headlights and I guess something like this would be covered reasonably well? However, back to the question.....Are they worth it, it is nice to have a paper version available instead of surfing countless you tube videos. Also I don't want to keep asking questions that should be straight forward e.g. I also have to change to cam belt within the next 15K. Are there any other publishers that are doing a better job? Thanks in advance

[NewcastleFalcon]

There are some excellent youtube video's about, and usually my first call, but for whatever car I have ever had since my first mini I have also had the appropriate BOL.

I put together this thread of renault clio maintenance videos

Helps me find them if nothing else!

regards Neil

[JohnD]

Are there any other publishers that are doing a better job?

Try one of these. It'll be in French but it may help.

https://www.revue-technique-auto.fr/rta ... 68614.html

[Gibbo2286]

There's an abundance of 407 manuals on Ebay starting at around £5 each.

[moizeau]

Thanks chaps, My mate has a 'revue technique' for his 309 so I'll have a gander and see it goes into more detail, if it's along the same lines I'll probably go for a download version of the BOL. At least that way when the relevant page gets covered in 'whatever' I can print a new copy.
Thanks again

[GiveMeABreak]

They do 2 versions an online one and a PDF download. The online one is viewable and printable for the relevant bits you need if necessary - and is updated as necessary - although I suspect in your case all the updates have been done given the age of the car. The printable PDF version is watermaked with your email address over everything.

[Homer]

I remember the first Haynes manual I had. It went in to great detail including a complete strip down and rebuild of the gearbox.

Mind you it was a Reliant Regal so they had to put something in to pad it out.

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

I've personally never had much luck with the BoL, including because of the lack of reference to hidden fixings and the likes, but I have always owned one and used it for reference. At eBay prices second hand its worth having.

Also worthwhile if possible is removing the necessary parts from a scrap vehicle yourself. Its time-consuming but you can gather small items that you might lose, breaking things isn't too much of an issue.

[moizeau]

Just gone to Haynes site to look at their digital manuals and it turns out they are online, not downloadable. You can, however, print off the pages you require. It is also not available outside the UK, so I would have to register using a UK address and use my VPN every time I wanted to look something up, and rely on an internet connection. The alternative, would be to print the whole manual in paper form, or print the whole manual to file. The former would cost the same as the delivery of a hard copy in ink! Might get someone to bring one over or pay the postage. If I'd known this I would have got one the same time as I collected the car! I suppose an alternative is to look at second hand ones for sale but I imagine a private seller would charge more than Haynes for the delivery.

[GiveMeABreak]

How’s your French? You could try Revue Technique

[moizeau]

Good enough Marc, but they're more expensive than the Haynes. If any one has got the online version can they try printing to file please, just a page or so to see if there is any restriction, but I doubt it. To do the whole book will be time consuming, but worth it, then I can have a copy on my laptop when I'm working on the car outside

[GiveMeABreak]

They do a manual or onine version - I used them for my X7 a few years ago. Much better than Haynes (not that they do one for my car anyway), but certainly good, with the online one being searchable and printable as you need the relevant bits. I know it's not the same as having something physical to flick through though

[wurlycorner]

IMO there's no reason not to have a Haynes manual still - even if they are more limited than they used to be, they're still better than having nothing.

[moizeau]

Got a BOLs coming over for the 407, tried to combine shipping and get one for my C4 2.0i 16v petrol, doesn't exist. I was advised to buy two. One for the car and a C5 one for the engine. That will be the Revue Technique route. Obviously not a common model in the UK.