Official Marauder Service Manual: worth it?

[Alan]

Is the official Mercury Marauder Service Manual worth the $$$?

[JohnnyB]

I got the 2003 workshop manual, wiring diagram manual and emission/engine diagnostics manuals (2 volumes). Covers CV, GM and MM models. Definitely useful if you are going to tinker with your car....also is good reading if you want to learn about the internals of the car in general....

[jgc61sr2002]

Alan - Although the are a bit pricey, I alway purchase the shop manuals for each new car I buy. The are always a good reference and a collectors item if you intend to keep your MM for a long period of time. My MM is a keeper.

[Logan]

Where do you get it from?

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Logan
Where do you get it from? Logan - The name and address of the company the produces them is in the back of the owners manual, or go to the HELM website. You can order them online.

[martyo]

Originally posted by Logan
Where do you get it from?

Ordered 'em through Helms. Click here:

http://www.helminc.com/helm/Result.asp?Style=&Mfg=FMC&Make=FCT&Model=MAUR&Year=2003&Category=&Keyword=&Module=&mscsid=QVJ6NUCB1E5X9MCBC422MKP S2ED746WE

I got the Workshop Manual and the Wiring Manual. I like 'em both and they have already paid for themselves.

[Glenn]

$136 and $55 for the workshop and wiring manuals - WOW! The prices have really gone up in the last few years.

Glenn

[sailsmen]

Try a search for flatratetech, for a min fee they sell the Ford Service DVD, be sure in the commnets to specify you need 2003 model year.

[Mad1]

I always found it useful to get friendly with the reference section at the local library. They will typically have a set of reference books, such as Chiltons, on hand.

The library can probably get a copy through its loan program or, if you're friendly with the librarians, they might order one for their collection for you. Typically you can't check them out, but you only need to make copies of the parts you want. (Much cheaper alternative, unless you plan on rewiring or other extensive mechanical work.)

Mad1

A true bookworm ... has a library card from everywhere they've ever lived. (Guilty.)

[RCSignals]

Are the manuals worth it? Yes.

You can also keep watching eBay to see if some show up. They have occasionally.

Beware of buying Service CDs or DVDs on eBay though. Many are pirated copies

[Fourth Horseman]

Yup, the shop manual is absolutely worth it. I use mine all the time and love it. Well worth the cash if you plan on modding your car at all, or keeping it for a while.

[Petrograde]

I bought the Helms manual a couple months ago, I've used it a few times. It's ok. Better than nothing!

More exploded part diagrams would be good! I need pictures! :lol:

[67435animal]

Originally posted by Petrograde
More exploded part diagrams would be good! I need pictures! :lol:

Typically, you only get this level of detail in the assembly manual; I don't see one of these for the Marauder.

I also always purchase the Service Manual and Assembly manual for my cars. However, these prices are very high. Even for my 67 Corvette and my 67 442, for which I have the wiring diagrams, assembly manual and service manual, I paid under $75.00 in total for each car's documentation.

Either Ford or Helm is making a huge profit on these things. Unfortunately, there is no competitor that produces the same documentation.

Bob

[RCSignals]

Helm seems to be the place that s doing the manuals for many of the manufactures.
The Marauder manulas from Helm are not "Helm" per se, they are FMC manuals

[Cinelli]

A Ford dealer tells me the cost of the manuals on CD from Helm is $1400.00. That makes the e-bay ones attractive....or see if you can borrow them from your dealer. I'd try a Ford dealer, however; they seem to understand car folks better than the Mercury dealers. L/M sales people generally are used to asking potential buyers just three questions.

What color?
How big?
How many doors?

And that's the order of importance too.

[duhtroll]

I purchased a brand new printed version of the service manual on ebay for $51.00. Haven't seen one there since but considered the CD until this one came up. Might still get the CD just for the heck of it.

Every time I sit down and read a bit I learn more about the car and how to take care of it. The salespersons I have spoken to certainly don't know anything about this car, so I thought I should protect myself and learn what they shouldn't be doing to it when it's in for service.

Also learning how to describe problems and telling them exactly what's wrong can't hurt, either.

My $0.02.

-A