Mercedes/Benz Buses

[luvrbus]

Read in magazine looks like Mercedes is getting serious about the US bus market with their new Tour Rider buses,they are even setting service centers @ Interstate Detroit,Penn Power,Stewart and Stevenson and Valley Power,seems like they left WW Williams out of the loop, my guess there is because of Williams ties to MCI.They way they handled the Setra owners it's to going take a while before buyers get their trust back.IMO.They are manufactured in Monterey Mexico so they don't have the exspensive German running gear and shipping is nothing from Monterey they can drive it,they may make it work this time around   

www.mercedes-benz-bus.com 

[Bill Gerrie]

I remember back in the early 70's Gray Coach had a few Mercedes buses on trial. We had mostly GM and MCI then. The Mercedes looked nice but they had a mechanic ride in them constantly due to always breaking down. Not long after they arrived they were sold off real cheap. 

[luvrbus]

I remember back in the early 70's Gray Coach had a few Mercedes buses on trial. We had mostly GM and MCI then. The Mercedes looked nice but they had a mechanic ride in them constantly due to always breaking down. Not long after they arrived they were sold off real cheap.

Must not be to bad of a bus now when a outfit can sell 90,000 buses in 24 years ,me I don't really like anything that wears the M/B badge

[CrabbyMilton]

Just put the pointed star on the SETRA S417 and S407.
It's part of the same empire anyway.

[DoubleEagle]

The Setra is a close relative of the Eagle, so they can't be bad at all.

[luvrbus]

The Setra is a close relative of the Eagle, so they can't be bad at all.

Setra are a good bus and a nice looking one,Daimler failed in customer relations and service big time.The venture with MCI was a joke from day one MCI wasn't interested in selling ,servicing and stocking parts for Setra all they wanted was the DD13 engine and it got worse when a dealer in Texas took it on.They seem to have the ducks in row this time around setting up sales, financing and service centers in advance,their hurdle is going to be regaining trust after the Setra dog and pony show ,I believe they will do well,with fuel prices you know they are going to be better on fuel mileage than Cummins and Volvo with the M/B or Detroit engine       

[Dave5Cs]

Saw a guy walking down the street with an M/B badge hanging around his kneck. Guess he couldn't afford the car LOL

[DoubleEagle]

I was just on a SETRA S417 yesterday, taking out some of their excellent seats for use in my Model 15. It's a well crafted coach, the only thing I don't like are the overhead rear view mirrors. They are overly complicated, and will fold in to go through an automated wash system. The newest models have seat and shoulder belts integrated into the seats, and some unique protections for the driver such as impact barriers and a driver seat that moves backward in a collision. I don't think anyone else has done that.

[luvrbus]

I was just on a SETRA S417 yesterday, taking out some of their excellent seats for use in my Model 15. It's a well crafted coach, the only thing I don't like are the overhead rear view mirrors. They are overly complicated, and will fold in to go through an automated wash system. The newest models have seat and shoulder belts integrated into the seats, and some unique protections for the driver such as impact barriers and a driver seat that moves backward in a collision. I don't think anyone else has done that.

It's time some one installed drivers safety they seldom survive a head on crash even with a automobile.One thing  I never liked about buses there nothing in the front to protect a driver lol the spare tire up front to protect the driver people post on the internet has to be joke 

[CrabbyMilton]

So will they continue to build the SETRA models for the American market  or is this new series gonna be the replacement at some point?

[luvrbus]

So will they continue to build the SETRA models for the American market  or is this new series gonna be the replacement at some point?

I think they will phase the S417 out the Tour Rider has different models and up grades.I would like to see a TourRider with the glass roof,I am sure Arrow  Stage Lines in Phoenix will have a couple the minute they hit the market I can look at 

[TomC]

The Mercedes OM471 is basically the Detroit Diesel DD13 converted to Mercedes. Unfortunately, the electronics are all Mercedes. But many of the mechanical parts are interchangeable. Good Luck, TomC

[luvrbus]

The Mercedes OM471 is basically the Detroit Diesel DD13 converted to Mercedes. Unfortunately, the electronics are all Mercedes. But many of the mechanical parts are interchangeable. Good Luck, TomC

The OM471 set at 515 hp seem to be a good engine in the ,Setra buses with 4 Detroit dealers set up to service those I wonder if the electronics are still made by Mercedes ?

[TomC]

As I understand it, the OM471 has Mercedes electronics that are not compatible with Detriot (of course). Mercedes sat back to see if the DD13 worked well then decided to use it also.

[chessie4905]

Interesting subject.
Our local Cintas received a new Dodge Sprinter several years ago now. They had some sort drivetrain problem. Local Dodge dealer wouldn't  work on it, saying take it to local MB dealer. They wouldn't  touch it either. Ended up having to take it to a Dodge Commercial vehicle dealer 50 miles away. Body parts were a problem early on also.