Some MCI Factory Specs.

[JackConrad]

OK, here are the other MCI models and years built
MCI Model 95   53-60
MCI Model 96   56-60
MC-6               69-70
                                 Jack     

[belfert]

I see someone listed the 102C3 as being made from 91-93.  I just did some searching and found several 1988 102C3s for sale.  I have no idea if 93 was the last year or not.

Brian Elfert

[DavidInWilmNC]

Wasn't there an MC-12 model?  I think it was a slightly updated -9.

David

[coachcrazy]

Wasn't there an MC-12 model?  I think it was a slightly updated -9.

David

Yes, in my search in looking for my future coach i found this sight http://www.4mymc12.com/ .   all they sell are mc12's
     
Jeff

[Dallas]

Hey Nick, What about the 96A2 and 102A2?

An interesting note, the 96's had 144 gallon fuel tanks and the 102's had 156 gallon fuel tanks.

A3's had about a 5' tighter turning radius, but if you weren't careful would scrub tires on the tag.

Payload Capacity for a 96A2 was 10,500 lbs. For a 96A3 was 9500lbs, although the 96A2 was 1000 lbs lighter, the A3 had a tag axle that should have allowed more payload.

Payload Capacity for a 102A2 was 10,260 lbs. but for a 102A3 was 9,250. see above for the 96 differences.

GVW for the 96 series was 36,800. For a 102 series was 37,800 no matter if it had tags or not, the GVW was the same.

I think if I were to look at getting an MCI, (God Forbid), I'd look for an A2 model.

Dallas

[belfert]

Yes, in my search in looking for my future coach i found this sight http://www.4mymc12.com/ .   all they sell are mc12's

The MC-12s were exclusive to Greyhound.  Greyhound's website says they have 450, but that may be before they sold off a bunch of them.  I wonder if Greyhound is replacing these MC-12s or if these sales are the result of route cutbacks over the last year or two?

I wouldn't buy an MC-12 at any price after seeing some of the ones for sale in Chicago.  They looked pretty beat up and have lots and lots of miles.  They aren't very old in years, but the design is basically from the late 1970s and they have a ton of miles for the years.  They are generally priced pretty high for what you are getting.

Brian Elfert

[RJ]

Wasn't there an MC-12 model?  I think it was a slightly updated -9.

Here's the Cliff's Notes version of the Reader's Digest version about the differences between an MC-9 and an MC-12:

The MC-12 is basically a 96A3 below the floor and an MC-9 above.

For more details, see Larry Plachno's book "Modern Intercity Coaches".

-- Russ

[coachcrazy]

was the "D" series the first of the mci 45footers ?

[RJ]

was the "D" series the first of the mci 45footers ?

No, the "E" was, designed from the ground-up as a forty-five from the get-go.  MCI stretched the D after the introduction of the "E".  You can still get the D in both 40 and 45 foot lengths.  All the "J"s are 45, btw.

MCI's entire product line can be seen on their website, including specs.  www.ridemci.com

HTH. . .

[NJT5047]

Anyone considering an "A2" may wish to consider the additional turning radius of the two axle bus.  Other than that, the A2 would make a great coach...and be easier on costs of toll roads.

Cheers, JR

[Dallas]

Anyone considering an "A2" may wish to consider the additional turning radius of the two axle bus.  Other than that, the A2 would make a great coach...and be easier on costs of toll roads.

Cheers, JR

If I were to be looking for an MCI, I'd look at the A2. It's a bus, so tight turning is not required
I can always back and fill.
Besides, isn't there more bay space in the A2's?

Dallas

[Moof]

I found some great information on MCI's the other day while surfing around.  Try this site  http://busforsaleguide.com/mci.htm

Here is an example of the stuff you'll find. This list was too long.  It includes everything from the MC-5 to the MCI J4500.

MCI Bus Model Chart

MCI 12 Bus    1992 - 1998    
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - different roof cap and updated tail light group, otherwise quite similiar to the MCI 9, flat roof and square windows continued
Conversion Issues - squarer roof important for looks and extra space, 96" wide

MCI 102A2 Bus    1985 - 1992    
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102A2 means 102" side with 2 axles, no tag axle, lighter than the 102A3
Conversion Issues - good for light conversions (no towing)
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 310 inches, Turn radius: 48 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71 and DDA 6V-92TA, Seating: 53, Luggage: 362 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches


MCI 102A3 Bus    1985 - 1992    
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102A3 means 102" side with 3 axles, heavier than the 102A2, only the passenger section of the bus was widened, with front windshield and assembly remaining 96-inches wide, body widens at an angle from the drive backwards
Conversion Issues - good for all conversions
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 133 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 44 feet, Typical Engines: DDA 8V-71, DDA 6V-92TA, DDA 8V-92TA, Seating: 43-49, Luggage: 319 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches

MCI 102B3 Bus    1991 - 1993    
Advantages - great value, high quality, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, sub-frame/engine area 90% stainless steel/aluminum, easy to find parts, after market parts and body upgrade kits available
Disadvantages - popularity increases price
Notes - 102B3 means 102" side with 3 axles
Conversion Issues - good for all conversions


MCI 102C3 Bus    1987 - 1993    
Advantages - series 60 engine, fully paintable exterior, more passenger headroom, improved parcel racks, higher grade than A model, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, designed for 30 years/3 million miles, easy to find parts
Disadvantages - engine compartments too small to accommodate 60 series engine (for those wanting to repower)
Notes - called bullet proof due to outstanding operating performance, 40' length
Conversion Issues - can be expensive, three inches higher than the A-series
Specifications - Length: 40 feet, Width: 102 inches, Height: 132 inches, Wheelbase: 285 inches, Turn radius: 51 feet, Typical Engines: six cylinder DDC 6V-92TA two-cycle developing 300 HP at 2100 RPM, eight cylinder DDC 8V-71 two-cycle diesel developing 280 HP at 2100 RPM, eight cylinder DDC 8V-92TA two-cycle diesel developing 400 HP at 2100 RPM, Transmission: Manual: Fuller T-11605D (five speed plus reverse), Automatic: Allison HT740 (four speed plus reverse), Seating: 47-49, Luggage: 319 cubic feet, interior parcel racks - 104 cubic feet, Aisle width: 14 inches, Front door width: 24 inches, Vehicle Weight: 27,250 pounds, two shoe air brakes on each axle, Fuel Tank: 156 gallon or 190 gallon, Suspension: Air ride automatically maintains even ride height, Steering: Hydraulic power steering

[TomC]

Went and looked at this site.  While informative, not completely accurate.  They list the MCI-6 as a 96" when it was the first 102" wide made.  They list the 102C3 as first good for a Series 60 then further down says the engine compartment is too tight for the Series 60.
But my question is, why do they say that the 102A2 is not good for towing?  It has the same 23,000lb axle (which is a beast of an axle.  In trucks, this axle is rated for 130,000lb GCW!).  Is it that they don't feel it would be stable enough without the tag?  Or is it that the engine compartment structure won't take it? Don't quite understand that one. I know it would have plenty of carrying capacity.  My transit (which are generally built heavier than the highway coaches) weighed in around 28,000lb stripped before I started the conversion.  Afterwards, with it completed and with my wife and I on boasrd weighs in at 31,000lb-which is still 5,000lb from gross weight rating.  I say this since an A2 would be rated the same, and I'm guessing weigh about the same.  Any thoughts?   Good Luck, TomC