Large Source for 2001 MCI 102DL3s in Houston, TX

[mqbus767]

Hello Bus Nuts,

First let me start by saying thank you to all that have contributed to these forums. All of you have proven to be a much needed source of information, encouragement, and inspiration for our own little dream.

We just recently purchased a 2001 MCI 102DL3 from the Houston Metro Transit Authority (www.ridemetro.org). Metro has been steadily retiring their older buses from their fleet and when they do so, they auction them off through a website (www.municibid.com) specializing in the sale municipal properties. During the last round of bus auctions, Metro had 12 2001 MCI 102DL3s for sale and we won what I believe was the pride of the litter. Forgive me if this information is already widely known and I'm simply repeating information. I did do a search on the forums and could not find anything about Municibid.

I'm posting this because at the moment Metro has 18 of the same bus for auction closing in 4 days. I also have it on word from a very nice gentlemen at Metro that they will be auctioning off another 40-50 buses over the next year or so. The buses have a starting bid of $6500 and no reserve. During two auctions I have seen the buses sell for anywhere from $6500 up to $11000 (Use the "View Completed Auctions" feature). The last round of buses had a high price of $7600. There is a rather steep buyer's fee of 8% that goes to Municibid.

We looked at 20 buses over a 3 month period. All of the buses are outfitted the same:

• 12.7 Detroit Diesel 60
• Allison B500 6 Speed
• Carrier Supplemental AC (R22)
• No Lavatory (Yea!)
• Jake Brake
• Bus Kneel
• Wheelchair Door/Lift
• Engine compartment extinguisher system (Really impressive looking)
• Dinex Multiplex control system
• Lots and lots of signage
• Transit split style doors

They all have a very similar wear pattern. The major differences between them seem to be:

• Tire tread depth/condition (Some had 80% meat, others closer to 3/32nds)
• Some buses start, others have a dead battery
• Some have windshield cracks, water leaks
• 500K plus miles on most (Saw at least one with only 370K)
• Never saw any significant oil leaks on the ones I inspected
• Corner body bumps and bruises
• Two buses had rust through holes in the side panels
• About half of them have bends in one or two of the bays; especially the forward most one (speed bump/curb hits?)
• Some had signs of rebuilt radiators (fresh paint, cleaner cores)
• Some had evidence of newer turbos, idler pulleys, rebuilt A/C compressors

When I asked about the success rate of just driving the buses off the lot, I was told they either start and drive just fine or need a jump and then they are on their way. Only one out of the last 20 or so buses needed a mechanic. (Replacement "I/O module" and then it started and ran)

As a bonus, Metro is also auctioning off their surplus bus parts. So far I've mostly seen used (core) parts like staters, ac compressors, fan motors, etc. I'm told, however, as the fleet gets purged of this year/model, they will be auctioning off their surplus *new* parts. It's an interesting site to keep an eye on especially if you need 36 A/C condenser motor cores.   

If you have any questions about the process or the bus, I'd be happy to provide whatever information I can. I also have quite a few detailed pictures (beyond what the auctions show) if you'd like to see details on any particular system.

P.S. When we picked ours up, she started immediately and drove the 20 miles home without a hiccup. 

[Lasernomad]

yes please, tell me which ones are the good ones!

[luvrbus]

Houston has always had a fabulous maintenance program for their buses,they have some long routes to run from Conroe,Katy,Baytown and Alvin to Houston   

[Lasernomad]

So clearly they are all using the same pictures do they all have the handicap side door?

EDIT I re read your original post clearly they do.

Second edit: So is it just the 8% to the auction house  or 8 to the house and 8 to the govt?

[mqbus767]

yes please, tell me which ones are the good ones!

To tell you the truth, there is very little difference among them. I think the deciding factors for me were the tires, windshield cracks, and any obvious signs of an engine haul out. (Of course that could be a good sign, but I doubt they in-frame any of these engines) After that, it's pretty much nit-picking.

Here's a video someone shot of one of these buses still in service. (About the 1:50 mark)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MogzWcVA75o

[mqbus767]

So clearly they are all using the same pictures do they all have the handicap side door?

EDIT I re read your original post clearly they do.

Second edit: So is it just the 8% to the auction house  or 8 to the house and 8 to the govt?

They do seem to reuse the photos quite a bit and yes, they all have the access doors on the side.

It's 8% to the house and 6.25% sales tax at the county tax assessor collector. So if you win the auction at 10K, you're looking at 10K + 800 + 625. (Title and registration ding you for another chunk.)

[Jim Blackwood]

May be an important question here, do these buses have transit gearing or highway gears?

Jim

[luvrbus]

May be an important question here, do these buses have transit gearing or highway gears?

Jim

They are highway gears the Allison has a double overdrive and most buses use the 4.30 to 4.56:1 ratio with that transmission and a series 60 mine is 4.30:1 and cruises at 70 mph @ 1600 rpm,those are commuter buses not a stop and go transit bus     

[Jim Blackwood]

Thanks.
How hard would it be to change the door?

Jim

[luvrbus]

They are not that hard to remove Derrick Thomas here removed his,if I was looking for a MCI DL3 bus  a pre 2000 model without the EGR on a series 60 would be my choice, less headaches with better fuel mileage 

[Jim Blackwood]

Good point. I'm in about that price range, transporting it to KY runs the cost up. Don't want a bent bus though. I'd need a bidding agent because of that so there's more expense. Some pros some cons, but it could be made to work. The wheelchair door could be handy but doesn't that use bay space? And how much would a replacement door cost?

I do have family in the Dallas area so there is that, and my brother has a CDL.

Jim

[mqbus767]

The wheelchair lift does use up a large part of the bay, but the door itself is just a slider and uses no bay space. I have no need for the lift, so it will come out, but the door I'm hoping to keep. I like the idea of having a "porch" door on the bus.

[Jim Blackwood]

I'm considering one from the northeast, from photos the rust doesn't seem too bad. Little bit older, little bit less money maybe, should be a little closer. If I don't buy that one a trip to Houston might be in order, we'll see.

How'd the sidewalls look on those tires? Seen a lot of tread on tires with cracks. How old can these be and still be reasonably safe?

Jim

[mqbus767]

Hey Jim,

The sidewalls are not perfect, but I didn't notice any concerning issues. The tire conditions on the buses is the thing that probably varies most. I've no idea on the dry rot time for them.

Best of luck!

[Jim Blackwood]

mqbus767 can I ask your name?
Would you consider acting as a bidding agent? Seems to me getting a bus from down that way there would be far fewer issues with corrosion that the other one I'm looking at and that may be worth the difference in cost. I'd like to have something by spring so it sounds like that works with Houston's schedule for sales.

Jim