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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 01:02:39 PM

Title: MCI F-3500
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 01:02:39 PM
hi Guys,

I'm trying to locate a late model MCI F-3500 35' coach for a customer.

If anybody knows where I could locate one, that would be great.

I have tried all our regular spots including MCI.

Thanks
Nick-
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: tekebird on September 16, 2008, 03:57:06 PM
Coach Converter has two VIP Coach F3500's

if they are wanted a seated one I might advise them against them as they will eventually be a parts issue ( Dina Product)
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: makemineatwostroke on September 16, 2008, 04:14:59 PM
Nick, have you tried the guys that sell entertainer coaches I saw 5 or 6 around the Nashville area this summer neat looking coaches
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 06:21:38 PM
Hi Guy's,

We talked with my "pizon" at ABC Bus this afternoon and he informed us about their new ABC 3035.   35' with a series 40.

N.J. branch of ABC has not been given any inventory of any as of yet so he is not able to give me much info on it..

Only problem is that it may be out of price reach for my customer!  We will see..

Thanks
Nick-

Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: makemineatwostroke on September 16, 2008, 06:43:49 PM
Nick; I would keep looking for the MCI the 3035 bus has been on the market for a year and is made by Thor a S&S manufacturer with a DT 466 IH engine packaged as a Detroit series 40.I know a casino that has one and they are not happy with it.If not wrong here i think it is actually a Goshen one of  divisions of Thor
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: tekebird on September 16, 2008, 07:54:33 PM
Nick, who wants it and what do they want it for (use type)

Keep in mind if you talk to a salesman at ABC thats what your talking to a salesman.

All of the Cheap coaches that have been made over the years are just that Cheap.

Most are well run out at 200k, there are alot of good older clean coaches out there that would suit most better

Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Dreamscape on September 16, 2008, 08:03:21 PM
Quote from: tekebird on September 16, 2008, 07:54:33 PM
Nick, who wants it and what do they want it for (use type)

Keep in mind if you talk to a salesman at ABC thats what your talking to a salesman.

All of the Cheap coaches that have been made over the years are just that Cheap.

Most are well run out at 200k, there are alot of good older clean coaches out there that would suit most better



Tekebird, I always enjoy reading your posts, it makes me laugh.

If a guy wants to buy an MCI F3500, he must know what he wants. Otherwise he might buy an Eagle!  ;D

Keep 'em coming, I enjoy the chuckles. ;)

Paul
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 08:19:17 PM
Hi Doug,

My customer is a Hi- End Limo Co. owner out of NYC that also has 2- 2006 Freightliner 35 ft front engine party buses that

he absolutely hates... He is very stern about 35 footer/30 passenger coaches but I told him more then once that

his options are limited. He feels that the party busses don't hold up to abuse too well and 2 years is all they last. [dancers with poles, booze, etc]

I feel he is very intrested in the quality of the interior of my bus and and is pushing me to get involved with the design and electronics.

Soooo, if I can fullfill his needs,,, I will.

Nick-
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 16, 2008, 08:21:05 PM
Quote from: makemineatwostroke on September 16, 2008, 06:43:49 PM
Nick; I would keep looking for the MCI the 3035 bus has been on the market for a year and is made by Thor a S&S manufacturer with a DT 466 IH engine packaged as a Detroit series 40.I know a casino that has one and they are not happy with it.If not wrong here i think it is actually a Goshen one of  divisions of Thor

It looks like MCI is not even selling new ones anymore and have next to nothing for resale.
Thanks
Nick-
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: tekebird on September 16, 2008, 08:33:24 PM
yep his options are limited.

not sure how the F model would hold up to drunken pole dancers, there are a few top line operators with F models still,

as I said in my first post, Coachconverter has two VIP F models....last I heard both were still at US Coach.  maybe go check them out and make an offer on one of them.  systems should be OK just redo interior to suit.

OR

Train his drivers to drive a 40 foot bus.
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: makemineatwostroke on September 16, 2008, 08:34:55 PM
Nick; if your customer is into electronics you can  order the 3035 with a glass dash from Sliverleaf for about 12 or 15 grand and he would have a nice dash and would look good for a party bus that is the only thing I like in 3035 the casino has, it rides and drives like a wagon  fwiw
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: tekebird on September 16, 2008, 08:38:50 PM
Paul my comment about the cheap buses were about the ABC unit and like low end buses.

all are basically trucks or schoolbuses with aftermarket bodies.  they are considered disposable buses m=by most in the industry as they are worth nothing on resale. and are genearlly low mileage life units.

the F model MCi is indeed a real bus and for all intense and purposes is a modern powered Flxible Flxliner.  Problem is that they did not sell well for MCI and as such I would expect some parts to become hard to get and expensive.

Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: makemineatwostroke on September 16, 2008, 08:44:13 PM
Doug ; the ABC 3035 is junk if it lasts a 100,000 miles there won't be nothing left of it about that way at 43,000 miles just a cheap so called bus
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Gary '79 5C on September 17, 2008, 12:27:06 AM
Nick,
Your customer may wish to talk to F3500 operators, as those I have spoken to all say electrical problems are common, front end overhang bottoms out frequently, and parts are currently a problem, only to worsen in the future.
As you know I have a MCI 35 footer, and I had a hot nut for the F3500, but could not pull that much cash out of my wallet to purchase. I love the look, newer drivetrain, & all painted body panels.
They have dropped significantly in the last few years. Some F3500's still for sale over that period.
I love the idea of a newer 35'(er) as that is all the room I need, and can comfortably park in my building.
If ABC has one on the lot, let me know I go by ABC twice daily.

Take care.
Gary
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Jeremy on September 17, 2008, 03:35:45 AM
I'm sure it doesn't help much, but there is a nice selection of 35'ish models from the various European manufacturers. I had a quick look at the website of one UK dealer I know and they have this MAN 340 that already happens to be converted to a party bus:

Link for full description - http://www.usedcoachsales.co.uk/coach.ihtml?coach=471 (http://www.usedcoachsales.co.uk/coach.ihtml?coach=471)


(https://busconversionmagazine.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usedcoachsales.co.uk%2Fmanw6%2Fkmail.jpg&hash=4e8dcea8cceebb7ef8fa4c3446e474a7c6e5ffea)


The same dealer also has a very cheap double-decker Setra 228 with BK's name all over it, and both a Neoplan Starliner and Skyliner if anyone wants to emulate Sean

Jeremy
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: coachconverter on September 17, 2008, 04:18:16 AM
I was wondering why my ears were burning.  Were on our 4th day without power and just got cell signals back last night.  Thanks to Ike

Nick, I do have two 2001 f3500s with isc, gensets; leveling systems and high end limo interiors with seating for 32pax each.  Very low miles.

Also, MCI. Nj has a seated shell, says needs work for 89k

Drop me a note coachconverter@yahoo.com

Todd
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Nick Badame Refrig/ACC on September 17, 2008, 05:09:57 AM
Thanks Todd,

Will do. And thanks all for your input

Nick-
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: TomC on September 18, 2008, 11:46:35 AM
Check out www.thefuturebus.com.  Looks like an MCI, but it is built on a rear engine Freightliner bus chassis-so it has a full chassis.  It is built in China though.  Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: MCI F-3500
Post by: Busted Knuckle on September 18, 2008, 02:49:30 PM
Quote from: Jeremy


The same dealer also has a very cheap double-decker Setra 228 with BK's name all over it, and both a Neoplan Starliner and Skyliner if anyone wants to emulate Sean

Jeremy

Jeremy it would have to be CHEAP! Shoot my $ is so funny even my own bank didn't want to take my certified travelers checks the other day!
(and besides the base of my project just landed on Monday AM! A beautiful bouncing baby Setra S215 HDH! (beautiful to me anyway! Ans d it didn't bounce to bad when we unloaded it from the stepdeck trailer with no dock! LOL!)  ;D  BK  ;D