I recently contacted Robert Bentley Publishers concerning when the A4 repair manuals would be available. We are going to have to wait until next summer. In my opinion, Audi is not doing very much to comply with the regulations to make manuals available.<p>Here is the response from Robert Bentley, dated November 9, 1998:<p>Dear Mr. Paul Nelson,<p> Thank you for your inquiry to Robert Bentley Publishers. At this<br>time, we expect to release a manual for the Audi A4's some time next year,<br>perhaps Summer. If you wish to be notified when the book becomes available,<br>send in your regular mailing address. <p>Customer Service

Some of us even own them. (This info has been on the forum many times, actually). The ones that are available are Audi's factory service manuals, through Dyment Distribution Services. (1-800-544-8021). It's $395 for the complete set. It's pricey, and it's also a lot of stuff (19 manuals, approx, plus electrical binder, with slip cases and covers for everything). The Robert Bentley manual is the official consumer version of Audi manuals, authorized by Audi. I've heard the Bentley manuals are good. I don't know if they "steal" info. from the factory manuals, or if it is independently developed - maybe a combo. of both. The newer ones are also pricey. (An A6 manual, not covering the latest model I don't think, runs about $265 or so).<p>For the last year and a half, the Bentley manual has always been coming out in about 6 months from whenever you call. My guess is that they will keep delaying it until Audi changes the A4 enough to create a good end date for the production run (e.g., why end the manual at 1998 if you can also add 1999 to it?).<p>On the front of the manuals is a sticker stating that the manuals are provided in order to comply with Federal regulations and are intended for use by trained technicians with the proper tools.

The fact that the factory ones are available throught dyment should be added to the FAQ. With todays technology, why can't they put it on a CD-ROM!<p> I did search the archives, but is was not clear that dyment sold the factory repair manuals. I did see a reference that they sold the buyer manuals that they put in the glove box.<p>Paul

having had service manuals for my previous cars:<br>dodge shadow<br>honda prelude<br>mitusbishi eclipse<br>buick skylark<p>i must say that the audi manuals are difficult to follow--especially for the electrical stuff. I guess audi tried to simplify by showing the "consumer" circuits. For me this makes it harder to follow than pure schematics, that the other mfgs use.<p>e.g. difficult to find optional harnesses and trace individual circuits.<p>1996 a4 2.8 qms<br>