MCI "D" on facebook!

windtrader · February 12, 2019, 02:31:09 PM

Others here have far more details than I but Series 50 was an option in early '90s MCI. The D or DL is the designation for 40 or 45 foot models. MCI OEM plants were Detroit Diesel. I have no idea if one could have been factory ordered with a CAT.

Jim Blackwood · February 12, 2019, 03:05:34 PM

When I was looking I found a number of them with Cat engines.
1994 and up generally had the Series 60. Apparently for a year or so both the 11 and 12 liter engine was used before it was dropped and only the 12 liter was used. The 741 was fitted initially and then the B500 as near as I can tell.

I bought a 1996 which turns out to be a good year. 12.7L DDEC3 Series60 and B500, Kneel, Rear Raise, and a number of other features more or less standard. It's a heck of a good platform to start out with.

Jim

kinson · February 12, 2019, 05:14:18 PM

Quote from: Jim Blackwood on February 12, 2019, 03:05:34 PM
When I was looking I found a number of them with Cat engines.
1994 and up generally had the Series 60. Apparently for a year or so both the 11 and 12 liter engine was used before it was dropped and only the 12 liter was used. The 741 was fitted initially and then the B500 as near as I can tell.

I bought a 1996 which turns out to be a good year. 12.7L DDEC3 Series60 and B500, Kneel, Rear Raise, and a number of other features more or less standard. It's a heck of a good platform to start out with.

Jim

Do you recall if they were the C10 or 3176? If it was anything else it was a swap right?
I'd love to find a deal like you did Jim! I am in the Northeast and might have to do some major travelling to find a decent candidate in my price range.

lvmci · February 12, 2019, 05:49:12 PM

You need to be concerned with rust in the Northeast, even though there's so much stainless on the newer generations of Ds, rust can happen anywhere...

Jim Blackwood · February 13, 2019, 07:38:46 AM

To find that kind of a deal takes an investment of time and you have to search literally every available source. Ebay, craigslist, online auctions, facebook, classified ads, and everything else you can find. I'd say the online auctions hold the most promise. I paid about $1350 to have the bus transported from Connecticut. NJ seems to sell a lot of them. Turns out it was driven mostly from a Wyoming locale during use. Where it is doesn't necessarily mean anything about where it was used unless it was owned by a Municipality (like Houston). Cities are getting rid of their older DL's so now is the time and there are a lot of them still in service. It's important not to get in too big of a hurry.

Things to check for include engine history especially the bull gear. When was it replaced? Have the air bag trunions been plated? Then of course all else being equal get one with the shiny wheels if you can.

Jim

kinson · February 13, 2019, 08:12:34 AM

Yep! The other options I am comparing this specific listing to are southern city maintained DL3's. Anything would be a long haul back to PA. Most listings want more than what driving a southern bus back would cost. I checked all those sites you've listed fairly often, but I think snagging a retired city mci would hurt my pockets least. I haven't shared my first purchase nightmare here, but I could use a stellar deal to get me back in the conversion game.

chessie4905 · February 13, 2019, 08:16:33 AM

Make sure the city coach you are looking for hasn't lived it's life running over massive potholes, curbs, etc.

kinson · February 13, 2019, 08:21:11 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on February 13, 2019, 08:16:33 AM
Make sure the city coach you are looking for hasn't lived it's life running over massive potholes, curbs, etc.

Excellent point! I've seen some with the bottoms of bays bent from what you describe or possibly speed bumps. What does everyone think about damage like that? Would it be impossible to fix and does it compromise anything on the coach? Best to avoid or not a big deal?

chessie4905 · February 13, 2019, 08:35:38 AM

Ive ridden some NJ transit coaches. Some rattle over every bump, running gear in some sound like bearings and gears are shot, some don't rattle and driveline is nice and quiet. Same brand and model number. MCI's. Just be careful. Some things are more important in a primarily highway coach than a city run one. Luke may have some input on them since his business is in NJ. Even if your purchase may be somewhere else in the US.

kinson · February 13, 2019, 11:01:30 AM

I did notice a good bit of rattling over bumps on the videos I posted about this listing. The volume had to be cranked.

kinson · February 25, 2019, 11:04:26 AM

Did anyone else happen to have anything to add on this listing? The guy said if he can't get rid of it soon, he will scrap. It is not local to me and I don't have much experience inspecting for deal-breakers. I am just thinking it may not be worth it to settle for this when a few more bucks would get me a better platform(12.7, b500, chassis improvements, better maintained). After a year or two, the "no overdrive" would add a bit more to the fuel costs. The rattling down the road in the videos is what chessie is referring to, correct? Run away? What would you guys offer?

lvmci · February 25, 2019, 01:01:45 PM

The "D" is a good model, the most sold of any model ever made. Waiting for what you really want is always a better idea. How many have you looked at in total? Because of how many D's & C's we're made, there are a lot coming on the market, good luck, lvmci...

windtrader · February 25, 2019, 09:49:13 PM

Did you miss this batch of 2003 MCI DL that sold last weekend for 5000-6500?
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=33782.msg387047#msg387047

kinson · February 26, 2019, 05:38:47 AM

Quote from: windtrader on February 25, 2019, 09:49:13 PM
Did you miss this batch of 2003 MCI DL that sold last weekend for 5000-6500?
https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=33782.msg387047#msg387047

Nope, I was watching with the rest of you. Last two went for $5500.