Pros and cons of late 90's vintage EL3?? Anything spermicide I should look for or avoid? Good coaches or bad coaches?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
FYI, spermicide should read "specific", I have no idea why my phone autocorrected that :-/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Wiring and the tag axle were the main problems but you can't find a better looking bus if the electrical panel looks like a rats nest not good but you will love the ride
Thanks cliff. I was hoping you'd post. I had heard that the tag had issues but wasn't sure if they were insurmountable. Electrical sounds like drama...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Anyone know the interior height? Exterior is 11' 9" but I can't find the interior headroom
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The steering tag suffered in the hands of techs who didn't know what to do, and owners who wouldn't spend the money keeping it up.
In the hands of a busnut, once returned to good condition, you will be VERY happy with the maneuverability.
I did not hesitate to dive into a shopping mall parking lot with an EL3. That is not the case with an H345 or a J model.
Happy coaching!
buswarrior
Most MCI's after 102C3's had 6'10" headroom. Good Luck, TomC
The can communication system has 5 ECU modules at $$$3K each..
I don't think that a nine to five working stiff can afford to keep one of these buses up and running.
Ok, so that being said, comparing a 1998 el3 to a 1998 102dl3, does the dl3 have less drama in terms of ecu and tag issues? Are the ecu issues really that bad?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Take the DL have heard countless horror stories about the EL for maintenance
The DL is the "9" of the 90's it was/is the workhorse that the "9" was!
Yes the DL will be a much better and more reliable bus than the "E", but it doesn't have the "curb appeal" and not near as much luggage space!
But way less electronic bells & whistles which means way less problems and repair $!
;D BK ;D
Ok. I've been reading about el nonstop for a few days now and I can't tell you how many forums, and websites, and even some discussions on here from last summer that have convinced me that the e isn't for me. Bummed. It's a pretty coach. Wish I could buy an e and just strip the electronic leveling, strip the electronic climate control, and just spend my dough keeping the tags working. It would be so nice. :(
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The DL3 can be a great coach. It ALL depends on how it was maintained. It is certainly not as pretty, but it get's better if you do the E front upgrade.
LOL I just happen to have a DL with E upgrade I am amazed how easy the DL is to park in a tight area thank you for having the tag repaired it is nice
Quote from: Scott Bennett on January 03, 2015, 06:59:37 PM
FYI, spermicide should read "specific", I have no idea why my phone autocorrected that :-/
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Obviously cause its an iPhone. Also...EL3 is not a truck?
What took you so long to show up in this thread shanks!? :) wifey didn't care for the truck she toured at the rally. I didn't either. Owner told us it's loud in the drivers seat (of course) and his wife said that their pocket doors get damaged from the comparatively rough ride of the truck versus a bus. Not to mention because of how the space and cab to chassis transitions all work out, a 45 foot truck only has 33 feet of living space. Not cool. Certainly don't want to lose space going from a 40 foot bus to a 45 foot truck. Did more research and just concluded that since we aren't hauling drag cars to the races, maximum space and efficiency and soft ride are king in our minds. A slightly newer coach with newer series 60 in it better cooling system, and no corrosion if we buy a southern coach, should equal lots of happiness, joy, and who can argue with all that extra living space if kids are in our future? So yeah. We may forever be bus peeps. Sorry to disappoint Andy though....we will always be Apple people and always mci people....but Mack can handle rhat
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I agree Scott, we have semis with all air ride systems and I don't care what people say they can't compare to the ride of a bus. The ride in our Prevost is quiet and smooth, more power of course and we use the entire 45 feet, so would not be happy with anything shorter. Maybe the appeal is that they are a lot cheaper, to each his own of course.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Quote from: luvrbus on January 05, 2015, 06:41:39 AM
LOL I just happen to have a DL with E upgrade I am amazed how easy the DL is to park in a tight area thank you for having the tag repaired it is nice
I am glad you like it. Just watch out for that tail swing! In a really tight spot, it can clip cars. We never did, but got REALLY close!
Quote from: John316 on January 07, 2015, 07:40:56 AM
I am glad you like it. Just watch out for that tail swing! In a really tight spot, it can clip cars. We never did, but got REALLY close!
Good to know!!!!
Digester, glad to hear this. Just confirms my suspicions. I chatted with sean shanks today on the phone and I think he's stoked we are staying bus people haha
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
MCI built the el3 in 2 versions - OTR and RV. E\RV is 6" higher - more head room. Multi plex systems are easy to change to Non ECM type wiring. In RV you neither need or want the A/C system and the ride system is easy to convert to a standard system and use it for leveling. Been there, done that. Send me a PM and I will respond to questions
JimH
Quote from: busguy01 on January 11, 2015, 06:09:00 PM
MCI built the el3 in 2 versions - OTR and RV. E\RV is 6" higher - more head room. Multi plex systems are easy to change to Non ECM type wiring. In RV you neither need or want the A/C system and the ride system is easy to convert to a standard system and use it for leveling. Been there, done that. Send me a PM and I will respond to questions
JimH
Sent you an email Jim. You've peaked my interest. Tell me more :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The later E for the entertainers had quite a few more options over the seated and RV shells also,I have a friend that bought the last E RV shell MCI produced has factory installed slides and he is just about finished with the conversion
So we took a look at a J4500 for the first time this past week. Had a friend at a school that owns two. One with a DD60 and the other with a CAT. Anyway, took measurements and just tried to familiarize myself with the Renaissance body style. I liked it. Luggage bays are insanely huge. DD60 seems to be a lot louder and more vibration in the coach than our 6v92 in our MCI9. That was disappointing. Also, this is a 2005 J4500, but it only measured 96" wide...I thought all the newer E and J coaches were 102"? If we purchase an EL3, am I getting a 102" wide coach?
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F01%2F18%2F48ad6d21815aaa7e86e266979cfbef0c.jpg&hash=d7d0b5ba23cbfe26da591091a5fbe3505f512ce2)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F01%2F18%2F4023383178f569c17cef64f04c95d18f.jpg&hash=e957dd796c725a38e75a5f9563f005c2648f2869)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F01%2F18%2F5716f5080163e0f2c6e84da1cc062a9a.jpg&hash=3aaef22510d18c1612577ca0f26f51f75ea29e5e)
What are these buttons on the steering wheel for???
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F01%2F18%2Fcf20de501f75d71aee32cef5968187d1.jpg&hash=a83552fbab8138efc753dcfd7ef02fbac9283400)
(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F15%2F01%2F18%2F717690965e47782597d7b788d07d3cd0.jpg&hash=69132dbddb360f5349ffc35128bf36fcd40b3aad)
Check with Jim to see if he still has his 102el3. He had mentioned to me about selling it.
The steering wheel buttons activate the Jake brake, in 2 cylinder progression. (engine pictogram with. A brake pictogram in the centre) The other side of the "smart wheel" has the cruise control switches.
Where did you measure? I am unaware of these coaches ever being anything but 102 wide? There are places where the interior wall has some space in it for utility or appearance?
happy coaching!
buswarrior
Resistol, already been chatting with Jim about it...thanks for the head's up :)
Buswarrior (brian?) Thanks! I assumed it was the engine brake...but didn't know for sure. I measured outside edge to outside edge of the luggage bay...and was even generous and wasn't even close to 102" wide...
Not 102" wide the "BODY" of the luggage bay or the floor?
They are 102" wide I can assure you!
Now if you'd said you measured @ the nose I'd told you to look closely where the door is on both sides and you'd see where it tapers out!
Have NEVER heard of any of them being less than 102 wide since the C & D model came out!
;D BK ;D
I measured the floor of the luggage bay and even added a couple inches for the luggage bay doors even though they sit flush when closed
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Scott, a friend of mine just told me that he has a J model that is going to be for sale. This will be just a shell ready to start building. That is all I know, give him a call and you may like what he has.
Ray Cox
404-392-7059
Thanks Ray! Will do :)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I mean thanks goose. Haha not ray
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk