Neoplan price

[Lee Bradley]

I am looking at a 1991 Cityliner; 8-92, Allison, good tires, all the glass is in good shape, some rust around handles. About 10-15 seconds blue smoke on cold start-up.

Ballpark on what I should offer?
Thanks.

[belfert]

I would stay away from a Neoplan unless it is in tip top shape.  Neoplan USA quit making coach buses about 5 or 6 years ago and recently ceased businesss all together.  The parts division, Neopart USA, is still in business, but one has to wonder how long they can survive with no new buses being made.

If you have enough money and paitence, you can find most any part.  The Cityliner seems to be a German design, so you should be able to get some parts from Germany if you speak German.

The Neoplans tend to rust badly as they are all steel including body panels.  If you are seeing rust around the handles, there is probably a lot more rust you aren't seeing and rust never stops without a lot of bodywork.  Check the wheel wells as those often rust badly on Neoplans.

Brian Elfert

[Jeremy]

Trust me, you don't need to speak German to deal with a German company - they are probably the most efficient and well organised people on earth, and you would most likely receive any parts you ordered more quickly than from your local supplier 5 miles down the road.

Personally I love Neoplans - way more sophisticated and advanced than anything built in Britain or America. When I was at school I used to invent and draw 'high tech' coaches on my school books (things with turbofan engines on the roof and stuff). Now I suspect Neoplan were stealing my ideas.




Jeremy

[Runcutter]

Lee, you don't mention where the bus may be from, so I don't know details about the vehicle.  I will pass on the experience of one client who has a fleet of Colorado-built Neoplan transits.  Wreck damaged the front door of one.  Even though the bus wasn't very old, part was unobtainable.  His bus was out of service for many months (if I recall, about a year) while they handmade a new door in Europe, and eventually shipped it to the States.

I'd try to talk with some transit maintenance folks - properties who run/ran Neoplans.  Remember that public transit procurements are, essentially, low bid.  That means that, after the specifications are issued, the properties have little or no choice as to whose bus they buy.  May have wanted a GMC RTS, ended up with a Flexible 870 (I know, I'm dating myself).

Arthur Gaudet  Carrollton, TX

[Lee Bradley]

Thanks for the replies. I have made an offer, contingent on oil analysis, that has been accepted.

[Runcutter]

Lee, please let us know how you made out, and more details on whose it was.  Unless I'm wrong, you're talking about a city transit model.  If so, I (and others) may be able to steer you to some parts sources from properties retiring / recently retired Neoplans.

Arthur Gaudet   Carrollton, TX

[belfert]

Lee, please let us know how you made out, and more details on whose it was.  Unless I'm wrong, you're talking about a city transit model.  If so, I (and others) may be able to steer you to some parts sources from properties retiring / recently retired Neoplans.

A Cityliner is a coach bus.  Pictures can be found by doing a search on Google.  Not a bad bus except for the lack of parts and the rust issues.

Brian Elfert

[Sean]

You'll find other Neoplan owners and enthusiasts here:

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/Spaceliner/

You may find this an important resource, with Neoplan USA effectively out of business.

BTW, a 91 Cityliner is a US-built coach -- the German parts generally will not fit, with the exception of some of the glass.  The good news is that the drivetrain, axles, hubs, etc. are all standard US-spec parts, e.g Meritor.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.us

[Lee Bradley]

Sean,
Actually your bus is one of the things that got me looking at Neoplans. I meant to visit Invinity while your bus was there but never found the time. I live about 70 miles from there shop. Hope you are have a great time down south. I bought the bus from NW Bus Sales; there are picures of the bus on their web site with "Sale Pending".

[belfert]

BTW, a 91 Cityliner is a US-built coach -- the German parts generally will not fit, with the exception of some of the glass.  The good news is that the drivetrain, axles, hubs, etc. are all standard US-spec parts, e.g Meritor.

I was looking at various Nepolans during my bus search.  I thought the Cityliner was a German design being made in the USA, but I could be wrong.

Just because the parts came from Meritor or similiar doesn't mean the parts are readily available.  My tie rods are from some major manufacturer, but they won't sell them to the public and the Manufacturer of my bus didn't have any in stock for months.  The local bus repair place almost had to have them custom made, but they finally came into stock.  The brake drums on my bus were also very hard to find.

Brian Elfert

[Sean]

Brian,

Yes, the basic design of the CityLiner is German.  However, the execution of that design differs greatly between coaches built at the Lamar plant in the US, and coaches built in Stuttgart, Pilsting, or Plauen in Germany.  Most parts are NOT interchangeable.  Take this from someone who knows all too well.

-Sean
http://ourodyssey.blogspot.com

[Lee Bradley]

Bought the bus! No longer a wantabe. Photo in the post a photo thread. Anybody need any seats? 

[H3Jim]

sure is pretty.  Does it have a bus bathroom?  Whats your first project on it?

[Lee Bradley]

Thanks, I thought so. It has a down stairs bathroom. I am planning on removing most of the seats; keep the front passenger seat and setup two as dining booth, a bedroom and kitchen then get it retitled as a motor home before the state changes the rules. Long term see Bus Conversions August 2006; drop the floor and copy that entry stair from there on its what my wife and I design but I want a bus to party 6, eat 4 and sleep 2. 

[tekebird]

lee, How do you plan on lowering the floor?

Quite a job

isn"t the cityliner monoqoque design?

i AM GUESS ING BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO THEN LOWER THE "UTILITIES CONDUIT THAT RUNS THE CENTER OF THE BUS AS WELL