Newer Used fleet bus shell vs. Older conversion bus shell with (much) less miles

[luvrbus]

They are all that way now Geoff I paid 600 bucks for some Allison software now I have to pay Allison 600 bucks a year to use it 

[dtcerrato]

That $#!% is scary, We'll  stay with our antique, thanks...

[DoubleEagle]

If I ever win the Lottery I will consider having an electronic coach, but until then, I will stick with mechanical's. I have driven newer coaches as Charter Buses, and they are slick in many respects, but when problems arise, it can be awfully expensive.

[Dave5Cs]

Hey Clifford Can I sell you a nice mechanical Bus.....Hhhhhhuuuummmm

[belfert]

For a bus nut, a pre EGR (before 1995 ish) S60  with Allison B500 would be a very good choice.

This exactly what I have.  A 1995 bus with Series 60 and Allison B500.  Tons of wires and a nightmare to troubleshoot electrical issues.  Luckily, the only ongoing electrical issue is I can't use the cruise control to increase the idle speed.  Really minor.  The cruise control itself still works fine.  I did have a problem with the clearance light fuse blowing, but that turned out to be someone doing a crappy job replacing one of the clearance lights.

[plyonsMC9]

Continued thanks for this thread    Everyone's contributions are deeply appreciated.  

Geoff; I did indeed stay in communication with the shop in Phoenix during my last "matter".  They assured me they bled the coolant system before I attempted to drive the bus home.  I called them when the bus shut down at night on the I-17 heading north in Phoenix 20 minutes after leaving their shop.  And twice more attempting go up the I-17 grade.  All shutdowns were due to air pockets in the coolant.  Last shutdown was right in the middle of an intersection.  Turned out they hadn't really bled the system and by the time the night was over, I had added in 4 1/2 gallons of coolant.  Scary night on the mountain.  I did stay in touch, not that it helped a lot.  Appreciated the police in Anthem though setting up their cars around the bus to keep me from getting hit while the bus was disabled.  No names mentioned so no one thrown under the bus.

All; not sure about this 'sell the bus before the warranty runs out'.  ??  I'm sure I've never owned a bus under any kind of warranty.  That sounds like something someone does who can afford a brand new bus & conversion.  Haha!   So if I pick up one of the used 2007 MCI DL4000 / DL4500  shells w/all the electronics - but no warranty - that could turn out bad?  I'm seeing hundreds or thousands of yearly fees for software to interpret codes if there is an issue?  Or am I totally misreading the situation?   Sounds like it may be a good idea to interpret the codes and have that software if I don't purchase older shells.    I like the idea of the ready diagnostics, however, as suggested by many the pre-heavy electronics may be the way to go.  

Could someone please educate me w/ regard to what happens if you don't have the $3,200 scanner or $600 p/year for Allison software.  e.g., what are my risks?  This looks like it will only get more difficult or expensive for us bus folk as time goes on and the trend towards expensive electronics continues !?  

Kind Regards, Phil

[luvrbus]

On a 2004 J like other buses you would need software for the engine,transmission,brakes and the chassis or take it to MCI 

[plyonsMC9]

Thanks Clifford - that helps.  Starting to get the idea now.

For someone like me who doesn't have extensive DD troubleshooting that some of the good folks on the forum have, it may not matter as much since I usually have to find a shop anyway.  Unless it is to have a shop remotely diagnose.

Also sounds like some of the local folk w/ small truck shop may no longer be able to troubleshoot, so I'd be giving up that type of resource.  But would be gaining the more recent supply chain and a larger number of shops / more recent training out on the highways.

Kind of like 'you pays your money and you takes your chances'.

With best regards, Phil

[Geoff]

Well, you pay your money for a newer bus and its value drops every year while labor increases.  The people that can afford the new stuff don't come on this board.

--Geoff

[Jon]

There is no true answer to the original question.

There are some realities that are typically ignored until someone has to face them. Regardless of age the cost to do common maintenance and repair items is the same. That means a cost that would be relatively small in relation to the value of a newer coach, would be a deal breaker for an older coach. Some simple examples would be to replace bay doors that were damaged, or just replacing a set of tires.

Some repairs to older coaches are not possible or practical because of parts availability, rust and corrosion, or lack of knowledgible technicians.

Newer coaches may have parts availability, technical support, but are getting complex and require computers, software or readers to diagnose simple issues.

Owning a bus of any age is not for sissies, is an expensive hobby, and is definitely not for people who cannot or will not do most or all of their own work.

[plyonsMC9]

Very well said Jon re: no true answer.  And agree - definitely not for sissies - it took at least 3 months for my back to heal from my last adventure while cleaning the 8Ds and getting tangled up w/ the wires while moving the batteries.          

keep those bus wheels turnin'!

Kind regards all, Phil