As a BMW motorcycle dealer, we received “official” parts manuals that were specific and impossible to purchase. Our parts manual came in a European style 4 ring binder. On average, weekly, we received “new pages” with directions to remove the old ones. I always saved the old ones. A new page might only have one change, addition, or removal of a part number and description.
The official BMW repair manual was similar. On average we received new pages about once a month. I kept those old pages too. The information was mostly useless for our shop. We had learned better ways to do most of the jobs. We used a few Matra tools, but we used handmade ones for many jobs.
We also had a “flat rate book” for showing the typical time for each job. We never used it as we could easily beat the flat rate time. We charged customers the actual time it took for a job. Once in awhile a new customer would ask to see the flat rate for his service job. I explained that we almost always could beat the flat rate. If he didn’t trust us, he was in the wrong shop and should go elsewhere.
The manuals from BMW were always problematic. I have sorted them out for that reason. This will give you an idea of the dealers’ challenges.
2065, Jan 1983, Repair Manual R100-R100RT, supplement 4
2090 , Dec 1983, Repair Manual for R65-R65LS supplements 2 & 3
2095, March 1984, R80GS Workshop Manual as microfiche only
2158, April 1985, R80 & R80RT Rider’s Manuals missing
2189, Dec 1985, Rider’s Manuals, R65, R80 & R80RT missing…again
2192, Jan 1986, Rider’s Manuals, K75, missing….again
2497, Nov 1991, 1992 R100R, missing manuals and parts, hard to believe 🙂
2589, April 1993, R1100RS, error in engine oil capacity
2608, revised page, no info, top secret stuff