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Anyone bought one of these? At £7.50 they seem a real steal.
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£7.50? If you search around from about £2.50 each.
Yes they are worth it if you do anything more than check the oil level. It won't replace a proper manual though.
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I got the Omega one and the Focus one.
They seem pretty thorough, although even a Haynes is easier to navigate!
However, at the price they are a very useful supplement to Haynes. And they work OK too
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Are they available for the Yaris as there is no Haynes manual ?
I am not expecting any problems but feel a little lost especially as the user manual is not the best and has some very odd translations.
e.g. "Engine room gauges of meters."
"Snuggle on the boss"
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Are they available for the Yaris as there is no Haynes manual ? I am not expecting any problems but feel a little lost especially as the user manual is not the best and has some very odd translations. e.g. "Engine room gauges of meters."
>> "Snuggle on the boss"
oooo ... is there a picture of him?
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is their one for 00-03 hyundai accent?
finding tech info on this car seems impossible.
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These are pirate copies. There have been various threads on this in the past, but all have ended up being made \"read-only\" or deleted due to the rows that erupt about the rights and wrongs of this.
Suggest anyone wanting to go down this route vistits eBay and enters the manufacturer of their car and the word CD in the search engine, but be aware that these are copies, with all the legal/moral implications this entails.
I\'ll leave it at that. If anyone subsequently decides to turn this into a discussion on the legal minutiae of copyright law I\'ll dump their posts and if it continues, dump the thread.
No Dosh
mailto:Alan_moderator@honestjohn.co.uk
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Well worth the few quid they cost. Personally I prefer Mr Haynes or his equivalent, as I enjoy having a proper book in my hands, I find it easier to navigate round a book, and I spend long enough staring at a computer screen as it is.
However, they will give you a second opinion - which is always worth it. They will cover some bits that your Haynes doesn't. They will often cover the really complicated bits like e.g. rebuilding gearboxes etc. Whilst only of academic interest, it is information that you might be glad of having, if only to attempt a self diagnosis, so that you know the answer when you go into the garage.
Finally, there are some cars for which Haynes doesn't produce a manual. For instance MB W123 petrol injection engines, Audi 100/A6 V6 engines, MB A class. Here the manufacturer's own manuals are invaluable.
[Provided this bit doesn't get moderated: Apparently motor manufacturers like this information to be freely available, as it encourages mad enthusiasts to keep the old cars on the road, thus boosting reputation for longevity e.g MB W123. On the other hand, I have heard that some manufacturers are getting fed up with their information being distributed free of charge, so have taken to prosecuting eBay _sellers_ in the States.]
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I've bought the Vauxhall ones, they have shown the Haynes manuals to be very inaccurate at times... Also, I can now get part numbers for the parts store man, and he can obviously see from the printouts it's from his system, but is still grateful.
The technical infor on my car, of my year and engine model is immense, no wonder the technicians aren't up to much, there's simply far too much for one person to learn, and it's changing all the time. As an enthusiast, you can spend hours and hours trawling through the info. and become an expert on that car, the technicians can't do that, and also there's a difference between sat in a leather chair with a mug of tea and a danish pasty, to standing at a terminal in a noisy/busy workshop in latex gloves and overalls.
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Had thought, well it's the vendor's problem whether or not it's lega. But I think that new money laundering regulations regarding proceeds of crime probably make it the purchaser's problem as well.
Now in quandry as what to do with Audi ones that are being posted to me as I write.
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I wouldn't think that manufacturers are too concerned with private owners getting hold of CD's - but other (competing) repairers might be a different matter. I would imagine the now cheap and easy availability of factory data for some BMW and Mercedes has helped the 'independents' no end - the franchised agents can't be happy about that!
I think the latest factory data (e.g. as per the Mercedes WIS) is much more secure and less likely to be found on Ebay. I have never seen a CD for the A-class, for example.
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The Vauxhall system requires a hardware dongle for certain sections, but the parts database and technical/repair/service info. don't.
I bet you're allowed to buy the CDs, just as you used to be able to buy loose leafed manuals, (at horrendous cost) but the dealers pretend they aren't for sale to third parties.
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Changes to Block Exemption last October mean that manufacturers HAVE to make certain data available - but they can charge for it, obviously. You would be looking at a few £100's for legitimate service data.
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I posted a link the other week to somebody who would provide the full MB service system for £70 (including A class, trucks, tanks, F15 etc.)
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Yes, but I assume that it is not legitimate - more likely well hacked to get around the security. This stuff is readily available in Russia and modest prices!
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I shouldn't think it's legitimate. It was the whole WIS thing. Your statement was that you'd never seen anything for the A class on eBay, so I was offering an alternative! I'll look at Russia next time I need something...
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tinyurl.co.uk/4azo
Try here, Hyundai is free.
(Glass-Tech)
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Well, I got my Audi discs for £2.50 buy it now, plus £1.50 postage. They arrived recorded delivery (cost £1.40) in a padded envelope.
Vendor didn't say they were copies so they might (!) not have been - but of course were. I left feedback: 'prompt delivery of (pirate) CDs.'
I have since had an email from him: 'I would like to say thanks for letting me know these were fakes as i had been buying them from a local market. I have now stopped selling them and when i mentioned it to the boy, 2 days later he was gone.'
Poverty is a dreadful thing, I shouldn't have thought it was worth the while of either of them to go through the effort of copying then for £2.50 proceeds.
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...and did you throw away the discs seeing as they were pirates?
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Just got a set on ebay, obviously pirate, I am disapointed with them however. Wont install unless i downgrade java, quicktime, and adobe. All of which I am loathe to do.
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Wont install unless i downgrade java, quicktime, and adobe. All of which I am loathe to do.
Er, why are you loathe to do so?
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I upgraded those components because i came across things on the net that needed the upgraded versions, which is why I upgraded them...........
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I upgraded those components because i came across things on the net that needed the upgraded versions, which is why I upgraded them...........
Sorry RF, I hadn't spotted the word "downgrade". I thought you were just loathe to install them at all.
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I don't understand why so many of you gentlemen take such negative approach to this issue. You buy something that's not available from any garage or store in any form and shape, for a fraction of a price it would carry if it was to be ever released and available to retail market. Then you complain the envelope contained CDR and Xerox'ed cover? Of course it's a bootleg. It is not available in Halfords, it's not on the menu at Amazon, what did you think it was?
To be honest I don't even think term "pirate" strictly applies here, since obtaining the item illegally is the only available option. As far as the buyers are concerned there are no originals, only CDR copies. :D
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As far as the buyers are concerned there are no originals, only CDR copies. :D
Many manufacturers now make these available via their Parts Dept. (the workshop manual, as opposed to the EPC). Changes to Block Exemption mean that this is now a requirement.
The Land Rover CD-Rom set costs about £300 from the dealer, I think.
I must say that I find it a bit rich to buy something that you strongly suspect is 'pirate' - then complain about it and not do the honest thing (i.e. destroy it)!
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You're right Aprilla, I thought I could recall something which made manufacturers have to release their information, and asked two dealers if they do service manuals (knowing full weel they did)
Only to be told, they come on CD nowadays and they aren't allowed to sell them.
a) They do come on CD and are allowed to sell them but choose not to.
b) They are still available as loose-leaf sections to be put in a ring binder.
c) You aren't doing them out of business if they can't be bothered to do business
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Hey dont get me wrong here guys, I have no scruples in buying and using "ahem" backup copies and at the price paid I realised they would be backed up copies. No problem there. Disapointed with the "technical" requirements of installing them.
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You are also doing the parts dept a favour by using a parts CD yourself. They much prefer it when you go to the counter and give them the part number you want right away, rather than faffing around them trying to work out what you are looking for, from some obscure description you give them.
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"I must say that I find it a bit rich to buy something that you strongly suspect is 'pirate' - then complain about it and not do the honest thing (i.e. destroy it)!"
Thanks Aprilia for expressing my thoughts. On top of which mapmaker has lost the seller what is probably, to him, a valuable income stream. I think he should trash his computer AND the disc as penance :-)
This thread started with RF saying "Anyone bought one of these? At £7.50 they seem a real steal." Spookily prophetic eh?
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oh deep joy, decide to bite the bullet, and deinstall java run time, quick time, and Adobe reader.
Install the versions on the "backup disks" quacktime, java and then adobe. Adobe (version 4 btw how old is this stuff!) conks out with a corrupt cab file.
Oh dear time to search the big box in the loft with all the old giveaway cds found on computer mags..................
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what a pile of guano. Having had all the install hastles previously described, having followed the install instructions to the letter, all that happens now is I get a java run time box and nothing else. Seems to be missing a java class for quick time. I really really cant be bothered to try and chase this error down.
So my verdict? dont bother with the renault technical cds.
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I wonder if the copier has missed a bit of protection on the original which has messed up the operation?
Have a look at the seller's feedback and/or contact other buyers to see if they have had problems.
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Perhaps I was being too pedantic. But usually retailers of 'fakes' on eBay make this clear. 'Looks like Rolex'. Where they don't, that is what feedback is for.
Secondly, this particular vendor wrote to me to thank me for pointing out that they were copies, as he was unaware.
Finally, I haven't managed to install them, as it's too complicated for my rather limited technical ability!
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I think there's a difference here between fakes and pirate copies.
And he was unlikely to admit to knowingly selling pirate stuff wasn't he?
Feedback is useful but IMO dangerous on eBay - IIRC you can't change it after you've left it, and a hastily left or badly worded comment can sully a good reputation and affect genuine people. But it's worth noting - if I'd bother to read a sellers feedback when buying an electrical device I'd have known I would have an interminable wait (or worse) for the goods to arrive!
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I agree feedback is very important. I always have a flick through the feedback - you can get a good feel for whether somebody is likely to deliver the goods on time/securely packaged; whether they have a track record of not sorting out problems etc. I probably wouldn't buy anything else from somebody who regularly dealt in bootleg items.
And most reputable dealers have one or two negatives from buyers who are obviously being unreasonable.
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There excellent (well the ones I have are)
But although block exempltion means they should release them they can keep them back though other rules.
They are worth it but you can get them for ~£5
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I've ordered one from ebay.
Had to bid for it but apparently was successful. Paid via paypal but nothing has materialised yet. Almost 2 weeks since payment. If nothing arrives by this weekend I'll post the suppliers name / address / email on this site & also contact trading standards.
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Errr I wouldnt contact trading standards if I were you, they are illegal copies that you knowingly bought. Thought about contacting the seller? If you post the sellers name on here it will be taken off pretty quickly by the mods. IF you have problems with Ebay sellers you contact ebay and post negative feedback. Thats the way it works.
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I was not aware that it is / was an illegal copy. Judging by the amount I had to pay I assumed it is the genuine article.
I no longer trust ebay & won't use it again. I've emailed the seller but had no reply.
Be warned.
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Hi roverman,
I bought one recently and it took two days to arrive after payment was taken from my account. Check your account to see that payment has actually been made. Might be something wrong with the details you gave paypal. Also did you give a full address for delivery?, a bit obvious I know, but a post code error could have it going round the country for a while. Even if it did not turn up you will only be writing off <£7 to experience. (I assume you paid £4.99 + packing - no?
Best of luck.
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If nothing arrives by this weekend I\'ll post the suppliers name / address / email on this site....
Er, no you won\'t. If you do, it will be deleted, along with your account. No naming/shaming - Thank you.
--
Dynamic Dave
Back Room Moderator.
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I have used Ebay and Paypal for 2 years. 64 successful transactions. Only 1 stoopid bidder who won something for £5 and would not pay..
Ebay have sanctions for non-deliverers.. try them first..
Where I have had delievry problems a quick 2 emails solved them.
(I always check feedbacks when I buy)
madf
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Agreed - I have 400 successful transactions over about a year and only 3 problem bidders.
Roverman : EBay is pretty trustworthy and works very well - its the sellers and bidders that you need to decide whether to trust or not - nothing to do with EBay. Feedback and your gut instincts should guide you on whether a seller (or a buyer) is genuine - 99.9% are - multiple negative feedback keeps buyers away faster than a speeding patrol car.
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...and although 2 weeks is an unacceptably long time, you simply don't know the circumstances so should avoid being too hasty.
As suggested check seller feedback to make sure you should have been trading with that person, if it is sound then it's probably some glitch at their end or error in the transaction.
I've had 1 really bad experience on eBay which I eventually sorted out satisfactorily 3-4 months later (the seler had bad feedback which I didn't check!), a couple of slow transactions but on the whole have found it an excellent place to trade, once I learnt some basic lessons from my problems!
Just fyi, my bad transaction was about £165 worth which I thought I'd never see again. I contatced the police who were polite but "inexperienced in this kind of fraud", but they said that they really wouldn't be interested until about 6 months had elapsed...(although they did offer to send an officer round to remind the bloke to send the goods - the threat of which helped me resolve the situation)
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Have you sent a nice email to the vendor saying that it doesn't seem to have turned up yet? And that of course you appreciate that he has good feedback history and wouldn't want to prejudice this if he is a good man, but that on eBay one is totally reliant on the honesty of the vendor, and he is the 'big boy' and you are the 'small boy' and so you will reluctantly have to leave him negative feedback. Works every time! A refund or another copy will be on their way to you before you can say 'jack robinson.'
Finally, are you telling the truth? (I dare say you are, and you don't need to answer that one!, but all too often when disputes arise, there turn out to be two sides to the story.)
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By sheer coincidence, I bid (and paid for) a couple of these yesterday morning, on behalf of a non-registered friend at his request.
They arrived within 24hrs - better than my usual experience, but not by too much. I think you have just been very unlucky, and there may yet be a happy conclusion.
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You cannot go complain about these CDs as there illegal copies.
I had to wait just over 2 weeks for mine and was just about to write to the lad asking about them when I got them though the post. It wasn't an ebay seller though. I take it the seller has sold a few other bits and has a good reputation?
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