I'm going to be in the market soon for a bus to convert and really like the looks of the Setra Buses. I like their slick sides and their styling plus they appear to have huge bays. I know most will not agree with me. I've never been inside one or seen one up close, only going down the highway or in pictures. I'm sure parts are not as cheap and easy to get as the MCI's or Eagles but what are some of the other dissadvantages of converting/operating a Setra bus? They do look very tall but I've read that the seat platforms are elevated above the aisles. Do they still need a roof raise or can the seat platforms be taken out to give more head room? I'm 6ft tall and would really like to stay away from trying to raise a roof. Any info, advantages or dissadvantages would be very helpful in helping me make up my mind.
Removed
Quote from: Now Just Dallas on March 01, 2010, 11:20:05 AM
Ohhhhhh, Noooooooo!
Wow.. that doesn't sound too promising..
Personally- I'm 6'3" and if I were doing another bus conversion, I'd use the MCI 102C3 with 6'10" headroom, 102" wide, with big windows. You'll much more happy with the parts availability then with Setra (even though Mercedes-Benz owns Setra and Freightliner). Good Luck, TomC
Just duck your head when BK answers. He's not having a good time with his Setra's right now.
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12348.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=12348.0)
QuoteThen I called Setra and told them I needed a price on replacing the 2nd and 3rd windows on the passenger/door side of one of my S417's. Well the guy in parts made my day when he told me "well the 2nd one is $5??.?? AND THE 3RD ONE IS $1,3??.??! And now let me transfer you to service for the labor quote!"
OK so only $2,000 in parts, it hurts but I can deal with that I suppose! (opps there goes the advertising $ I was hoping to spend in the new magazine!)
So then the service manager gets back to me and gives me the total cost for parts and labor of about $8,000.00 +/-
And then there was the transmission work that was $$$$.
And now problems with the bank trying to take them back because the former owner didn't have the legal right to transfer them. (That of course isn't a Setra problem, just a legal and banking one.)
Sometimes I think the older buses are cheaper to maintain than the newer ones in spite of their own eccentricities.
I agree Setra is a good looking bus,but parts availability and cost of parts would be a problem for me.
John
Quote from: TomC on March 01, 2010, 11:39:52 AM
Personally- I'm 6'3" and if I were doing another bus conversion, I'd use the MCI 102C3 with 6'10" headroom, 102" wide, with big windows. You'll much more happy with the parts availability then with Setra (even though Mercedes-Benz owns Setra and Freightliner). Good Luck, TomC
Do ALL of the 102C3's have the 6' 10" headroom?
What happened to the tranmission on Bryce's bus could happen to any transmission with a water to oil cooler. Not specific to a Setra. My understanding is the cooler failed and coolant mixed into the ATF.
Quote from: belfert on March 01, 2010, 12:26:31 PM
What happened to the tranmission on Bryce's bus could happen to any transmission with a water to oil cooler. Not specific to a Setra. My understanding is the cooler failed and coolant mixed into the ATF.
I agree, and that B500 transmission is nice from what I hear, but when it needs replacing, it is more $$$$.
I personally like the Setra and want my next conversion to be one, for many reasons, but be sure you know the person from whom you purchase the coach.
One other major issue with older Setras is the body. It appears they have steel bodies and I have seen one with some pretty good rust on it.
What kind of rust is the "GOOD RUST"??????
I like living in the southwest where there is not as much rust
Melbo
Rust is something I think would affect all buses depending on where they mainly spent their working life and not just Setra's. I've heard horror stories of some beautiful Eagles that were ate up with rust as well as MCI's having some rust problems in the bays. The few Setra's I have seen on Ebay over the past couple months look like they have either plastic or fiberglass bodies but like I said earlier, I've never been up close to one in person. I'm sure they would have the same rust problems on the frames and other metal parts as most of the Eagles or MCI's. I'm thinking the last one I saw on Ebay that appeared to have the plastic / fiberglass body was a late 80's or very early 90's model.
Quote from: jlink
Rust is something I think would affect all buses depending on where they mainly spent their working life and not just Setra's. I've heard horror stories of some beautiful Eagles that were ate up with rust as well as MCI's having some rust problems in the bays. The few Setra's I have seen on Ebay over the past couple months look like they have either plastic or fiberglass bodies but like I said earlier, I've never been up close to one in person. I'm sure they would have the same rust problems on the frames and other metal parts as most of the Eagles or MCI's. I'm thinking the last one I saw on Ebay that appeared to have the plastic / fiberglass body was a late 80's or very early 90's model.
jlink,
Setra's are not a plastic of fiberglass body. They are some type of metal, but I ain't sure what type! Magnetic signs will stick to the skins!
Also I know of a very reasonably priced '90 model S215 HDH 8V92 DDEC/Allison 748 happens to ba available! ;)
I love my Setra's even with the issues mentioned above! And I can tell you ways to work with the floor issues!
two seven zero-seven zero five-eleven thirty nine!
;D BK ;D
Quote from: Busted Knuckle on March 01, 2010, 08:34:26 PM
Quote from: jlink
Rust is something I think would affect all buses depending on where they mainly spent their working life and not just Setra's. I've heard horror stories of some beautiful Eagles that were ate up with rust as well as MCI's having some rust problems in the bays. The few Setra's I have seen on Ebay over the past couple months look like they have either plastic or fiberglass bodies but like I said earlier, I've never been up close to one in person. I'm sure they would have the same rust problems on the frames and other metal parts as most of the Eagles or MCI's. I'm thinking the last one I saw on Ebay that appeared to have the plastic / fiberglass body was a late 80's or very early 90's model.
jlink,
Setra's are not a plastic of fiberglass body. They are some type of metal, but I ain't sure what type! Magnetic signs will stick to the skins!
Also I know of a very reasonably priced '90 model S215 HDH 8V92 DDEC/Allison 748 happens to ba available! ;)
I love my Setra's even with the issues mentioned above! And I can tell you ways to work with the floor issues!
two seven zero-seven zero five-eleven thirty nine!
;D BK ;D
Thanks for your input on the bodies. I sent you a PM last night.
I have a Setra 215 and there is another guy named Wayne with the same model on this board. If you want to see some progress pics search in my posts for posts labeled slideout progress. I know a lot of people are concerned about the dropped aisle but that in itself should not rule out Setra as a choice for doing a conversion. If you have any specific questions regarding what I did feel free to ask.
Bryce is more knowledgeable about Setra's in general and the associated running gear.
One thing I forgot to add the skin on my 215 was galvanized steel.
Quote from: paulcjhastings on March 02, 2010, 12:46:22 PM
I have a Setra 215 and there is another guy named Wayne with the same model on this board. If you want to see some progress pics search in my posts for posts labeled slideout progress. I know a lot of people are concerned about the dropped aisle but that in itself should not rule out Setra as a choice for doing a conversion. If you have any specific questions regarding what I did feel free to ask.
Bryce is more knowledgeable about Setra's in general and the associated running gear.
One thing I forgot to add the skin on my 215 was galvanized steel.
Thanks for the info... Checked out the pic.. Looks like you are doing a Top Class job.. Have you found any major rust problems during your conversion?
No major rust areas, there was some in between the bay doors, around the taillights, where the webasto is mounted, and where water would collect in the rear where the fresh air intakes are(up top near the AC evaporators).
jlink,
First off don't let Belfert's tale of a "rusty one he saw" scare you.
It was an '88 model that had been repo'd out of Wisconsin! (that should say something right there!) And yes it had some bad rust bubbles coming thru the rear corners where the tail light area is. But underneath it was nicer than some 3 to 5 yr old buses I've been under! Yes they did have a poor design on the water drainage or run off from the areas Brian Paul Hastings pointed out!
But all in all Setra's are no worse than a DINA, Neoplan, Eagle, MCI, or whatever!
Setra IS still in business and has not been closed down, sold out, or left the USA.
They are located in Greensboro, NC!
As far as parts being hard to get. HOGWASH! I can get any part I need for my Setra's!
As far as SETRA parts being expensive. Well I can't say I have ever bought parts for any bus that were CHEAP!
That said Brian Paul H, Wayne and Harlee all have Setra's they are converting!
Show me a problem concerning converting a SETRA and I'll either have a SOLUTION or can tell you who to call between the 3 guys converting one to call for one!
Setra's have the BEST ride, and are a refined Eagle since Kassbohrer was the orignal producer of the EAGLE, then sold it and improved on the design as a SETRA! (in Germany Europe Setra is a notch above a Mercedes Bus!)
Here are links to Wayne and Harry's buses!
www.mybusgarage.com (http://www.mybusgarage.com) (Wayne)
http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?board=1.0 (http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?board=1.0) (Harry)
;D BK ;D
Bryce,
Did you fall and hit your head? ;D Who is this Brian Hastings you keep referring to?
Will the real paulcjhastings stand up and be counted as a Setra proponent? ;)
Stay tuned for the next installment of As The Kassboher Turns.....
PS I'm sure belfert is angry with you for mixing him up with me, since he has a Dina and is much better looking :)
I don't know much about the older Setra's but the S417 Coles owns and is doing floor work, 3 slides and bay work on to make a motor home is all galvanized sheet metal.
I just shake my head when I see him cutting and welding on a $400,000 bus but he has always marched to a different drummer
A S417 is a nice bus I saw one at Arrow Stage that had a glass roof in the middle
Quote from: paulcjhastings
Bryce,
Did you fall and hit your head? ;D Who is this Brian Hastings you keep referring to?
Will the real paulcjhastings stand up and be counted as a Setra proponent? ;)
Stay tuned for the next installment of As The Kassboher Turns.....
PS I'm sure belfert is angry with you for mixing him up with me, since he has a Dina and is much better looking :)
Sorry Paul! It's been a long day and tough week! I just got confused ya know with all the Brian's up there in MN (remember once they even had a Brian rally! ;D)
Sorry uh what was his name again! ;D (just kidding since I really didn't have a certain Brian in mind when I made that BLUNDER! ;D)
And I'll take the 5th on Brian or the Dina looking better! ;D
Quote from: luvrbus
I don't know much about the older Setra's but the S417 Coles owns and is doing floor work, 3 slides and bay work on to make a motor home is all galvanized sheet metal.
I just shake my head when I see him cutting and welding on a $400,000 bus but he has always marched to a different drummer
A S417 is a nice bus I saw one at Arrow Stage that had a glass roof in the middle
Well Clifford his drummer must ROCK! And some day I will have to make it out there to meet you & Cole!
And ain't that SKY-VIEW SETRA COOL! ;)
;D BK ;D