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Message |
Greg in Colorado (207.189.221.187)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 2:43 am: | |
For a couple years now I've been keeping an eye out for a good GM 4106. I like the styling, it has a good power train, not too long, etc, etc. But today my wandering eye fell upon an MCI MC-5B - what a thing of beauty! Mechanically much like a 4106, but has a more modern appearance, ie: vertical window frames, and seems to have a flatter roof curve side to side, so potentially more headroom inside (?).
I've only seen 2 pictures of a MCI-5B, so not a lot of data to go by. Also, is there much difference between the 5As and the 5Bs? Any thoughts you might have (parts availablity, general durability, ride quality, interior space, etc) are greatly appreciated.
Greg in Colorado |
John Rigby (65.112.227.94)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, June 26, 2004 - 9:04 am: | |
If you look at one have someone that knows, check the drop box.I understand they are expensive to repair. It is simular to some eagle models taking the drive train over the rear end down in front and ending up entering the rear end from the opposite side.
John |
Rick Johnson (24.17.116.236)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 11:14 am: | |
Greg, the 06's went out of production about 1965, the 5's started their run about that time and went through the C series that went out of production in about 1980. There are alot of good running 06's still around today, and I understand that parts can be cross utilized from some of the newer city route GM's. There are sum of 5C's still in service today and parts are not a problem. At least not for me so far.
The 5 A&B's were mostly 8v71's with sticks, the 5C's, were mostly 6v71's with Auto's. Not much difference in style or ride, probably as a 35 ft coach alittle rougher than the longer and heaver 40 and 45ft coaches. Works very well for me.
The only problem that I have seen with the 5's that seems to be consistant is water leakage around the front triangle windows. The water seeps down around the front wheel well covers and rots out the flooring. Some complain that the 6v71 and auto is a dog, but I find mine to be reasonably fuel effecient, 9 to 10 mpg at highway speeds, around 8 in the mountains. I can run 75 to 80 on the flats and 25 to 35 climbing most hills. Not unlike most of the current 40 footers with bigger engines. I thnik weight and horsepower are relative.
How tall are you? I'm 6'2 and the 06 just wouldn't work for me. Those rounded corner that give the 06 that sexy look, makes for a fairly tight cabin if your over 6 ft without a roof raise.
Both can be good buses, but not real popular because their 35 footers. I like the shorter bus, we have not found the difference of 5 or 10 feet in bus length to inhibit our design, and I know that I have been in places with the 5'r, already that I would have never gotten out of with a Eagle or MCI.
If your looking for converted coaches, you can find 06's in fairly good shape for under $30K, the 5'rs are bringing in about $10K more. Seated 5's are running about $5 to 8K and depending on what your going to do with it, I will probably have about $40k in mine when I'm done. If done is a relative term.
There's one 5C for sale for $105k, several more in the $50 to $60K range, but the last group have been on the market for quite a long period of time.
Remember, bus conversions are a buyers market place. When we put these coaches up for sale we're targeting a pretty narrow group of interested buyers, compared to the standard RV industry. Choose carefully, take it for a good long test drive, make sure you test all of the componets and get it checked out with a local mechanic before you buy.
RJ |
Greg in Colorado (207.189.221.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 27, 2004 - 11:42 pm: | |
RJ, thanks for all the info. I will keep the triangle window leaking in mind.
Personally, I like the 35' bus chassis over the 40'. We will probably do more blue route driving and sightseeing, so I think the shorter chassis will be an advantage. I'll probably go with the 8V71 and manual transmission - a little more power, and I like the control that a stick gives you over the engine.
I'm just under 6', so a little extra headroom would be nice. The roofline is what drew my attention to the 5s, which appeared to be a little higher and flatter than the 4106s. Thanks for confirming my hunch.
Greg |
Joe (66.74.53.243)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 12:48 am: | |
Greg,
Drop me an email.
Joe |
joe shelton (67.242.199.211)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, June 28, 2004 - 9:01 am: | |
RJ, You wrote "I'm 6'2 and the 06 just wouldn't work for me." So did you sell your 06? |
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