This book does not baby feed you BUT IF YOU USE IT AND FIX COMPONENTS IN YOUR CAR BY YOURSELF YOU WILL SAVE A BUNDLE!!
To make a long story short, I had 4 problems with my car, wouldn't start half the time, heater would only do maximum air push or nothing (no 1,2, or 3), back window got stuck half way, belt buckle cracked.
A supposed import specialist charged $68 just to tell me that the battery needs to be changed, and the heater's blower resistor had to be replaced. Oh and that it would cost $240 for the battery (part $100, labor $140!), resistor $370 (part $280, labor $90), belt $180 ($100 part, $80 labor).
Basically they were going to take me for a ride for a bill over $800!!! I finally set THAT IS IT! I stomached the $55 bill for a used copy of this book. AND after working on the car for a few hours a day for 3 days I REPAIRED EVERYTHING ALL BY MYSELF!
The parts purchased on my own (battery $105, resistor $22 from BMW itself (NOT $280 by a long shot!), and belt used for $60) came to only $180! I saved over $500 BUCKS in BS labor charges!!
This book paid for itself 10 fold within days of getting it! I better diagnosed my car with this book than that rip off import service station did with my $68!
The book does not really baby you, so you have to read it carefully and get a feel for your car yourself. But I tell you once you start fixing all these problems which are exaggerated by the standard con - mechanic for 1/4 the cost adn putting in the parts yourself, you can really get impowered.
I can tell you one thing I dont think I will ever use a mechanic again. Although I might call one after doing my next fix it job to see what a rip off they really are! HAHA
All I can say is get the book. If you want the repair done right you have to do it yourself. Ultimately it is cheaper, faster and easier. ( no BS waits for your car to come back, with a BS phone call stating the seriousness of the supposed malady! Your car still waiting in their shop with them hoping you can be suckered into fixing your car under their rip off conditions!)
I highly recommend the book. If you work through it and use it as you are fixing your car, you are definitely going to save big money!
The book is expensive BUT IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY TOO!