Haynes manual alternetive ???

[Chappers]

As Haynes dont do a manual for this model what can i use. Preferably need one with a wiring diagram in it.
Has anyone got any reccomendations

Cheers Chappers

[Peter D]

Haynes do some manuals in the USA. Benson do a large range in the US but they are expensive. Check on Ebay. Regards peter

[iwaters]

You can buy a Bentley from the US, but these doesn't include some engines as not all were released to the US. They aren't cheap either.

Probably the best option is to buy a copy of Elsa Win of Ebay, this is the offical workshop manual that the main dealers. Yes these are pirate copies so I will leave it to your moral compass to decide whether you should buy one or not.

I bought a copy and I don't even feel a little bit guilty :beerchug:

If you want something less illegal then you can use the erWin Portal. This is the same as Elsa win but is online. You can pay for access. But it is not cheap.

[allan_audi]

You don't actually have to "buy" a copy of ElsaWin, why would you pay someone for pirated software, its available to download on the internet. All you need to do is to find the torrent, thats what the guys on eBay are doing.

It is up to you if you go ahead and download, usual risks.

As for licensing, its available in the states because data laws are different. I personally don't see why this information is hidden in this country (Uk), it just makes it very difficult to maintain your vehicle.

[iwaters]

Yes good point I didn't think of downloading it.

I think the information is hidden because VAG want to control who can work on their cars as much as possible. That's why even the most basic of tasks on their cars requires some sort of specialist tool which costs a fortune.

[Issac Hunt]

I think the information is hidden because VAG want to control who can work on their cars as much as possible.

Thats a cynical viewpoint surely? It's certainly not true in my experience/opinion.

Otherwise they wouldn't sell you access to the factory manuals/workshop information via the erWin system would they? Special tools are needed for some jobs but often you can make your own versions quite cheaply using bolts/studs/drill bits etc. Firms such as Draper/Laser etc all make special tools that are well priced to give you an alternative.

As stated above you can get very similar stuff on Ebay for a fraction of the price.

Well priced diagnostic software is also freely available so it is certainly possible to do 99.9% of dealer tasks at home if you put some time/effort/research into it.

You can't expect them to give the info away for free surely? At the end of the day they are a profit making business, not a charity.

[iwaters]

Yes they sell you access via ErWin, but have you seen the price? Hardly a viable option for regular use is it?

Sure you can make your own tools, but other makes of cars don't seem to need such an array of specialist tools. Yes Laser and Sealey etc make alternatives but that is nothing to do with VAG.

Try phoning a dealer and asking to buy one of the tools from them. They don't want to sell them. Unless that is just the misserbale git that works on the parts desk at my dealer?

Same goes for VCDS (and others), nothing to do with VAG either.

I don't expect them to give it away for free, but I think they go out of their way to make it difficult.