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

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:04 pm
by booki89
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?

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

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:36 pm
by Matt
If you have a dig around on eBay, you can pick up a disc of the factory manual in PDF.

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

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:48 pm
by booki89
Already have a factory workshop manual on PDF, but figured I would want something more "idiot proof" - ie, more detailed instruction's and pictures

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

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 7:50 pm
by MrRevhead
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

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

Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:09 pm
by KevGoat
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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Re: Which workshop manual? Gregorys, Rob's or Haynes?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 2:50 am
by booki89
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....

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:09 am
by aka_juffa
I have had both the Haynes and Rod's manual. My vote goes to the Rod's manual.

J.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:06 am
by Lokiel
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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Re: Which workshop manual? Gregorys, Rob's or Haynes?

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 9:25 am
by ak_perth
I also have both Haynes and Rod's. Rod's is far superior in my opinion.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 12:53 pm
by Sailor
Factory manuals online here

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

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:15 pm
by manga_blue
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.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:18 pm
by manga_blue
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.

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

Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 8:59 pm
by booki89
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 ;)

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

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:47 am
by 93_Clubman
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.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2014 5:56 pm
by smy0003
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.