Shopping for a new shell to convert - hoping for an MCI 103el3

Dlsnow · February 16, 2018, 07:01:44 AM

Currently driving around in my MCI MC7. I feel ready to park it and move on to something newer. Am I wrong to think that a newer (maybe 1995+) bus is less likely to be challenging.
Challenges with the MC7
-Hard to find service while traveling
-Frequent repairs
-Slow up the hills (8v71)
-Wife thinks it looks old

Anyways - I feel silly for passing up a 1995 MCI 102el3 that was already gutted for $20,000 last summer but life goes on.

So now I am looking for a modern looking bus hopefully its already gutted and affordable for me.

Where should I be looking?

scanzel · February 16, 2018, 07:43:15 AM

Ebay or Northwest bus sales has two locations.

TomC · February 16, 2018, 07:56:33 AM

Consider a truck conversion. I got tired of dealing with my bus-crawling around with it on blocks, cramped engine compartment (and mine is a V-drive). I'm converting my 1985 KW into a 40ft motorhome. I've been working on it for nearly 10 years, and just now will be the first time I'm going to put blocks under to get underneath to install some systems. With my cabover, when you tilt the cab, the engine and transmission are exposed-can't get that in a bus. But, the ride and quietness won't be as good as a bus. Good Luck, TomC

B_K · February 16, 2018, 08:00:40 AM

Shoot I got a 1995 Setra S215 40' coach with a 60 Series engine and an Allison B500 that I'd take less than $10,000 for or a 1993 Neoplan Metroliner 45' coach with 60 Series and Allison 740 and two doors (one front, one middle of coach in front of drive axle) and the restroom is downstairs just inside the rear door (middle of coach) that I would take $10,000 FIRM for!

The Neoplan is one I traded for to build out my personal coach on because of the "midship" door and restroom. But if it sold for the $10,000 it is worth I'd build the Setra. I love driving both buses and I have more experience working on the Setras.
(also I have lots of Setra spare parts that I would throw in with it if it sells as it is my last Setra and I don't need spare parts for a bus I don't own any more!)

BK

lvmci · February 16, 2018, 08:37:20 AM

Hi Disnow, the 102C3 is the transition bus to the modern MCIs, the roof raise, the single large radiator above and the series 60s on some of them are the way to go, lvmci...

luvrbus · February 16, 2018, 08:44:54 AM

The C's are not near as stable driving or riding as the D because of the air bag placement

Dlsnow · February 16, 2018, 10:41:53 AM

I have no complaints about the ride quality of the MC7 - for the passengers (my family) it is a smooth ride. They are able to do whatever while driving cooking, showering, changing diapers, sleeping.

The MC7 is the only bus I ever owned so i am not sure if it is a good or bad ride quality compared to others.

So I guess it is a factor in the new bus.

luvrbus · February 16, 2018, 10:55:04 AM

The DL's don't lean turning a corner but very little they are more like the Prevost with the outer bag placement

Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM · February 16, 2018, 11:43:09 AM

http://transitsales.com/usually has a few good used buses for sale. I believe they go thru every coach before they sell it to ensure it is up to snuff. Give Mando a call at 951.836.4440 to see what he has available.

Dlsnow · February 16, 2018, 12:38:20 PM

Here is a question - Transit vs Coach
I know the coachs (serta, MCI, Vanhool) are designed for expressway driving and the transit busses are easier to get around the turns of city driving. Are there other differences or limitations or special considerations I should be keeping in mind?

We do fulltime it for a couple years at a time and when fulltiming we are generally parked in Tucson for a few months, then sightseeing in the southwest, maybe go to the midwest in the summer and the south in the fall/spring. Really if the coach is in good working condition we are driving maybe 10 days a year in total and grilling and chilling the other 355 days.

I was just thinking if the transit busses are really appropriate for conversion and long hauls on the expressway I guess.

buswarrior · February 16, 2018, 01:05:35 PM

6 inches wider is nice inside, but there was quite a shock for drivers OUTSIDE.

On the super slab, no real issue, but on those barely 8 feet wide side roads...

If you are going to do Buck Rogers, be sure to get an overdrive transmission, not a 4 stroke strapped to a 740...

happy coaching!
buswarrior

chessie4905 · February 16, 2018, 01:21:41 PM

Try to go as new as you can, whatever you get. They keep getting older faster than you think.

B_K · February 16, 2018, 05:35:47 PM

Quote from: Dlsnow on February 16, 2018, 12:38:20 PM
Here is a question - Transit vs Coach
I know the coachs (serta, MCI, Vanhool) are designed for expressway driving and the transit busses are easier to get around the turns of city driving. Are there other differences or limitations or special considerations I should be keeping in mind?

We do fulltime it for a couple years at a time and when fulltiming we are generally parked in Tucson for a few months, then sightseeing in the southwest, maybe go to the midwest in the summer and the south in the fall/spring. Really if the coach is in good working condition we are driving maybe 10 days a year in total and grilling and chilling the other 355 days.

I was just thinking if the transit busses are really appropriate for conversion and long hauls on the expressway I guess.

SERTA is a mattress and a 40' or even a 45' SETRA will blow your mind at how easy they are to maneuver in tight places while still riding like a Mercedes!
Also some of the Tallest luggage bays you'll find in a comparable coach!

BK

RJ · February 23, 2018, 07:30:33 PM

Dave -

Transit buses are designed for driving a block and stopping, driving a block and stopping, driving a block and stopping. Generally speaking, unless they're "Suburban" models, they're not set up for freeway running.

Not to mention that the majority now are a "low-floor" design, thus really no room underneath for house systems.

My preference nowadays, if money wasn't an issue, would be a DL4500 MCI. They don't seem to be as complex as a Prevost, and I much prefer the higher driver's position.

It would be nice if MCI still built a 35-foot model (the "F3500" was a disaster, just a rebadged Dina), as I like the nimbleness of our 5C, but Pat sure likes the room in the 45s. The steerable tag, with the current design steering geometry, makes the D4500 as maneuverable as a 40-footer, if not more so.

Buswarrior has chimed in before about the "E-Series" MCI's problems, might want to search the forum for his comments.

FWIW & HTH. . .

bevans6 · February 24, 2018, 05:17:13 AM

I would research the electronic controls that came into play with more modern buses. I would be very scared of a CAN bus style electronic control system running literally everything on the vehicle, including the lights, when it got old and corrosion started to set it. I had a Kia Sorrento SUV, mid 2000's model year, and when it got to be 4 1/2 years into a 5 year warranty the transmission stopped working properly. I took it in, the "repair" was to completely disassemble the interior wiring harness and unplug-plug every connector, with a spray of anti-corrosion stuff. Fixed the transmission, it was a CAN bus sensor/communications issue. Traded the thing about a week later when something else stopped working right. Now I buy extended warranty's on new cars and plan to trade them or be prepared to walk away after the 8 years of warranty is up.