Folks,

As a recent "Jump in - DO IT - buy the best handling car Porsche ever produced!" convert, I did exactly that and purchased a 944 that was too good to pass up.

My only real reservation was the lack of maintenance manuals as I prefer to do as much work as my limited talents allow on the cars our family owns. $$$ are the motivating factor as parts and experienced labor can demand a good part of one's paycheck. For the mechanically inclined the availability of good service manuals can make or break a potential purchase.

I also own a 1986 911 Carrera Coupe and it is well supported in the non-factory documentation arena. With this car you have both the Haynes and Bentley service manuals as well as restoration, performance upgrade and project/engine rebuild books from the likes of Peter Morgan, Bruce Anderson and Wayne Dempsey. In short - several credible books from highly credible sources. For older 911's (and their keepers) life is good!

For 944's, however, I have not found life to be as reassuring with regard to readily available maintenance books (and PLEASE let me know otherwise if so as I'm really looking!).

This may soon change as my attendance at Rennsport Reunion II at Daytona this summer gave me the opportunity to talk with Bentley publishing reps (they had their own tent) who assured me their 944 manual is in it's final editing stages. They wouldn't disclose what years/models would be covered but did say it would be geared towards the most popular versions of the car.

This is a very positive prospect and I would encourage all to contact them at www.bentleypublishers.com to let them know what you'd like to see in a 944 manual. Your input will probably not impact the impending version of the manual but it will serve to guide them in the revisions they may make to future editions.

Perhaps we can add another manual to our shelves that will help us keep these great cars doing what Porsches do best - making great big smiles appear on our faces as soon as a clear and twisty road appears in the windshield!

Barry

 

This is AWESOME news, and thank you Barry! I've been hoping for a Bentley Manual for 951 ever since I got the car - them and Helm are the best out there, bar none.

Sam

 

That is great news, I wonder what took them so long?

Here is a link to one of the best sources of 944 info. Almost all of the most important maintenance procedures are here. www.clarks-garage.com

Welcome to the watercooled world. These are fun cars. Very different personality from your 911, but fun nonetheless.

 

FINALLY!!!!!
I've sworn by Bentley manuals for a quarter century, they are by far the best. There is however, some of the documentation that you've mentioned available for the 944. Haynes (almost useless), and Morgan (nice history but no tech), are available for the 944, Anderson has never impressed me (he seems to know little about these cars, which brings up the posibility that he's related to John).
The Factory manual covers these cars pretty well (as one would expect) but I will add a Bentley to the bookshelf when it becomes available.

 

That is GREAT news!

Now tell them to make one for a 97-01 BMW 740i !!

 

I just emailed them asking that they incude the 968. It would be great if they would. Currently there is no similar publication for the 968, only the factory service manual

 

Am I missing something here? Are we not fans of the factory workshop manuals? Yea they can get pricey but so far I like'em. Not saying another reference would be bad, but these are out there.

 

Factory manuals are expensive and written for factory trained mechanics. I have not read a Bentley manual but I know I prefer the style and level of explanation in a Haynes manual to the factory manual.

 

Bentley manuals are FAR better than Haynes. So, if you liked Haynes you'll LOVE Bentley. They themselves aren't writing it, but I'm sure they wouldn't publish or put them name on any old rag.

Their Porsche 911, BMW and VW manuals are the shiznit! (what's the age cutoff for use of such words like that? )

 

I've never had a Bentley manual, for the P-Cars I have the factory and my VW's never picked one up. I do need one for my Beetle now that I'm doing all the work. Good to hear they are woth the $$. I agree the Haynes manual's are garbage.

 

Bruce Anderson has an '83 944; he's the original owner.

Emanuel

 

Bently is all that is available for my BMW, Z3 and in general it is pretty bad.

 

Never had a problem with the factory manuals...but its nice to hear that we are getting a little attention.

 

FSM's are mostly for late 944, and mostly useless for early 944.
One could combine it with FSM for 924, but it's an akward solution, and 924 manuals are even harder to get.
Contrary to what most people say, Hayness is quite OK for many repairs on EARLY 944.
Let's see for which years the Bentley is usefull !

 

Compared to my other Bentley manuals for various VWs, Bentley manuals are far superior to the factory service manuals for our cars!

Sam