Putting aside aesthetics and length, which do you think is the better bus? I do like the idea of an early 90's Marathon H3-40 with the updated head and taillights and maybe eventually Girard awnings on top :-)
Hmm, that's a tough one for me since I own an h3 but id say an h3! It was the easiest coach to convert since its pretty square and straight forward plus the ceiling is high and the Bays are huge.
2nd vote for the H3..
3rd vote for the H3
Robert
For the look I prefer Le Mirage XL with the stainless looked miror...but, H3-40 is more practical for conversion.
My choice? Le Mirage XL 45'
Each has its advantages. Forget the converting part unless you don't spend much time in one after it is converted. Focus on the end result and if you would be happier with one or the other.
The H3 is a dream down in the bays. They are big and with planning that extra space can be a real plus. Mechanically there is no difference, the H3 and XL offering the same engine and transmission combinations. The H3 makes Series 60 engine work a little easier.
The upstairs is a little different in that the stairs take a turn in the H3 making loading and unloading a little more difficult, and with the dirver and passenger seats on a different level than the salon (that a fancy word only Prevost owners are allowed to use) so you give up a few feet of living space in the H3. So it is a tradeoff between lots of bay space and less living space.
The height is a consideration. It may or may not be a factor, depending on how you use or store your coach.
For panel replacement the stainless of the XL is a pop riveted process and for the H the skin needs bonding. The H looks like a charter bus or some of the S&S motorhomes now running down the road, the XL is unique. Nobody guesses wrong on an XL.
The H has bigger windows and that translates directly into a more open feeling. The XL windows are smaller, but with planning the way they arch into the roofline can also be a factor in getting more light into the coach.
I prefer the XL even though if I stood back and made a choice without being subjective ot would be the H3. The reason.....I just like the look of the stainless.
The 98 is a 45 XLE has flat floor all the way to the windshield. also has 4 bays for storage and raised roof from factory. I like stainless. Individual taste. also what you get deal on. I paid $1200 yes twelve hundred dollars for mine/salvage shell. Will have 20 thousand in final build plus my labor. Bob
Very interesting. Bay hit is important to me for a couple of reasons so that's a definite plus. Is there more stock interior headroom too? Do they not even do roof raises on the H3? Does anyone know the stock height of the H3-40?
Cheers, Paul.
Technical specs should be on the Prevost website. I can tell you that the seated H coaches used to be 12' 4". The latest models might be slightly different. The VIP conversion shells might be slightly taller too. I have owned H3-40's, H3-45's and XLII's and they are fine pieces of equipment; probably more partial to H's. Unless you get a very late H3-40 it will have a two stroke engine, the last of them had S60's available (DDECII). Older H's that have been over the road hard tend to have warped bay door skins quite often which is noticable to the discerning eye. As in all coaches, the newer you get the better the wiring and electrical systems are. There were some nice updates that came in late '98. Ask any driver that handles baggage on a day to day basis and hands down they prefer H's over XL's. You can almost stand up in the H bays.
my vote is the xl... love the stainless...
H looks like s&s motorhomes... but a prevost is a prevost...
Id have to totally disagree about the h model looking like a s&s. Sorry!
I vote for the MCI 102C3. Like the looks with straighter walls and easier maintenance with parts being less expensive (must be a reason Grayhound uses them). Besides, I don't like the stigma that Prevosts have. Good Luck, TomC
What is the stigma regarding Prevost?
I have owned them for 21 years and the more I learn about them the more impressed I am with their quality and design. I have no experience with MCI so someone that has had both is likely to be the only one qualified to do a side by side comparison.
On a visit to a converter 10 years ago I noted that converter was converting a Prevost and an MCI side by side. I asked which coach was best and why they thought so. I was given the grand tour of each and it was clear from their explanation why their preferred coach was the Prevost. I will not ever name them because they felt it would be unprofessional to publicly air their opinions. But having said that, those folks opinions are less important than the opinions of people that have driven and owned both.
Quote from: TomC on November 22, 2011, 07:51:14 AM
I vote for the MCI 102C3. Like the looks with straighter walls and easier maintenance with parts being less expensive (must be a reason Grayhound uses them). Besides, I don't like the stigma that Prevosts have. Good Luck, TomC
Don't forget the DL3, Tom. The last MCI that really looked like an MCI. After that, they started looking like all other buses.
And I guess for that same reason, I prefer the XL to the H3. But both are nice buses.
What is the stigma regarding Prevost?
Look WHO has replied to this post - FWIW
If I'm not mistaken, i think my H3-40 is 13'4" to the top of the sat dish. Its a low profile dish and I think around 8"s.
Its in that neighborhood give or take an inch or so.
For you Prevost guys what year model did they move the air bags more to the outside wasn't that done on the VIP first,Like Boomer I like the 1998 and up models of the H series and the XL,the J4500 MCI is a good looking bus I love the looks of E4500 or the J4500 better than the Prevost MO only
good luck
OK I will vote H-3, But I bet you probably guessed that.........
Quote from: luvrbus on November 23, 2011, 06:56:42 AM
For you Prevost guys what year model did they move the air bags more to the outside wasn't that done on the VIP first,Like Boomer I like the 1998 and up models of the H series and the XL,the J4500 MCI is a good looking bus I love the looks of E4500 or the J4500 better than the Prevost MO only
good luck
I am not familiar with the H3, but I am unaware of any relocation of air bags on the XL. On my 87 and my 97 (straight axle) the air bags are very close to the tires on the steer axle so they couldn't more outward. The rear drive axle air bags are located at the extremes of the drive axle cradle, and ditto with the tag, which is the same on both coaches despite the axle on the 97 being a new design to accomodate the Series 60 and world transmission.
However, in the early 90s Prevost had a kit to retrofit what they called Mae West air bags to accomodate the increased weight on the motorhomes of that vintage. They since became standard. The change was to accomodate a greater diameter bag so I assume the air bag centerline actually moved inward.