| Author | Message | ||
| Angie D., (198.81.26.45) Rating: N/A |
I have a chance to purchase a 1988 Setra, somebody said that Mercedes Benz makes them. can I get parts if something goes haywire, I'd appreciate any information out there Thanks Angie | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean) (64.81.73.194)
Rating: N/A |
Setra coaches are made by Setra. Setra happens, at this time, to be a subsidiary of Daimler/Chrysler, but so is Freightliner (and Dodge, for that matter), and I would not say that a Freightliner class-8 truck was "made by Mercedes Benz" -- it's the truth, in a way, but only to a point. It's hard to tell where any given vehicle in the Daimler line-up is made. If you want to buy a parcel delivery van (such as the ones now being purchased worldwide by FedEx and others), you will buy a Sprinter. No matter where you buy it, or from whom, it will be made in Stuttgart. However, in Europe, it will have a Mercedes badge, in the US, either a Dodge or Freightliner badge. (The FedEx ones are Freightliners, but Joe's Plumbing has to buy a Dodge). Setra, at one time, was considered the bee's knees in luxury motorcoaches in Europe. All that having been said, Daimler is very good at sourcing parts. My Neoplan has headlight assemblies that were sourced from Mercedes (and never sold in the US -- the coach was imported from Germany). When I needed a reflector for the headlamp, Mercedes sent me to Freightliner, the local Freightliner heavy truck dealer took the part number from me (not in their computers, of course) and, in a matter of a couple days, had a price on it from Germany (this is an '85 part, mind you) and now it's in their computer. Like all Daimler parts other than Mopar, expect to mortgage your house first... -Sean | ||
| Auntmelody (67.100.124.105) Rating: N/A |
I'd like to encourage you to purchase a Setra. They are really very good coaches. As with any coach, proper maintenance will ensure cost effectivness. Arrow Stage Lines owned quite a few of them beginning in 1986 I believe and ran hundreds of thousands of miles over the road. In fact, they were leaders in some of the modifications now seen in Setras. Are you buying it for charter or a conversion, because if you are converting it, I'd love to see what it will look like. | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong) (66.229.97.200)
Rating: N/A |
I'll agree w/ Melody that a Setra is a good coach - much better than a VanHool, IMHO. A 215 is the forty foot model, the 217 is forty-five feet in length. Setra was the only manufacturer other than Eagle to put ALL of the five foot stretch into the wheelbase, initially. The others (MCI, Prevost, etc.) only partially stretched the wheelbase and added more rear overhang. Another advantage of the Setra is it's fantastically tight turning capability - the best in the industry. It's almost 10 feet shorter than the other 45 footers currently on the market. The disadvantage of the 215 and 217 models for conversion is that they do not have a flat floor inside, but what's commonly known as a "dropped center aisle". It's been awhile since I poked around one, but IIRC, the baggage bin door mechanism is directly under the seat risers, making leveling the floor a monumental task. The new 417s, however, now have a flat floor. . . HTH, RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Johnny (63.159.204.43) Rating: N/A |
"If you want to buy a parcel delivery van (such as the ones now being purchased worldwide by FedEx and others), you will buy a Sprinter." I will? No, I think I'll buy an Econoline.  | ||
| Abajaba (12.217.192.62) Rating: N/A |
Arrow appears to be purchasing new Setra's again. I was at Mall of America in Bloomington, MN this weekend and two brand new Setra motor coaches showed up without even the ICC numbers on their sides. One of our other drivers went and looked and there was paperwork in the window indicating ownership by Arrow. They really looked nice and appeared to maneuver quite well, even though the drivers didn't know where to drop off the passengers this weekend. :-( Mall of America has changed where charters, taxis and shuttles drop off passengers now. SSSsscccrrrreeeecccchhhhhhhhhhhh! Fingers got going too fast and long winded. Gotta go. | ||
| Auntmelody (67.100.124.105) Rating: N/A |
If I were to buy a 1988 Setra Here's what I'd look for. How many miles does the engine have Has it been inframed Pull the louvers down on inside of the coach and look for any freon leaks Pull the floor board up at the entrance and make sure the main overide door button is in working order Look at the door from the inside to see if it's been knocked out of alighment alot Open the spare tire companrtment and look for the air hose. This can be used with the tire in case of an emergency and will open the luggage bays Make sure the tag axle switch is in working order Are all the fan motor working, (they are in a hole under the middle seats, you kinda gotta stand down there to look. Does the webasto work? Has the A/C had problems with throwing belts What do the A-Frame bushings look like Is the engine & trans clean, no major leaks. OOPs, I guess that's enough, got me on a roll. You can see I love buses. LOL | ||
| James Maxwell (Jmaxwell) (66.81.45.85)
Rating: N/A |
Setra is built by Kasseabohr of Germany, a Mercedes owned sub before it was Daimler/Chrysler. The premeir coach built, at least from a price standpoint. On '88 models a sure problem source will be the steering tag axle. It is purely mechanical and relies on exact alignment to operate properly, something that is very easily knocked out of whack. The major problem in conversion will be the drop ctr. floor and lowering. The structural framing prevents a straight drop of the floor. A multi-levl floor plan could be arranged, but lowering of the floor in the rear 1/3 of the coach is nearly impossible. The main structural side frames are inboard and rise above floor level at the outer edges of the bus and they cannot be cut. I have seen a couple of entertainer coaches made from them, but never have seen a living coach of one. | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean) (64.81.73.194)
Rating: N/A |
Jim, Setra dropped the Kassbohrer name years ago -- it's just plain "Setra" now. Mercedes bought them in 1995. I believe the Kassbohrer name may still be attached to Pisten-Bully all terrain machines. Kassbohrer Gelandefahrzeug AG is not, AFAIK, part of Daimler/Chrysler. Kassbohrer, incidentally, was the original manufacturer of Eagles. I agree with all your comments on this coach, though. The steering tag sure makes it turn quick -- a feature I happen to like a lot on my Neoplan. -Sean | ||
| Sean Welsh (Sean) (64.81.73.194)
Rating: N/A |
Addendum to my last... In case it was not clear from my last, the '88 coach we are discussing would have been made by Kassbohrer, and it would _not_ have been part of Mercedes at the time. Parts, of course, will have to come through Daimler as per my earlier message. -Sean | ||
| Angie Lee (198.81.26.45) Rating: N/A |
Thanks to all for your great advice and input I feel more confident now in making a decision Will be talking again soon Angie | ||
| John Slagmolen (139.142.62.108)
Rating: N/A |
Great Coach, drives like a dream and due to the short wheelbase can make extremely tight turns. There is one BIG problem with Setras of that vintage: RUST. The whole frame is made with regular steel tubing that has been treated on the inside with a rust preventive oil. When you look at the frame you will notice little rubber plugs that cover the holes that were drilled to apply this. The Setra manual states that this procedure has to be repeated in the second year of operation and then every 5 years. If this was not done with the coach you are looking at you will be in for a surprise. |