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Old 11-30-2018, 02:11 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
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Exclamation Is the Mercedes MBE 6.4 l Inline 6 any good ?

Thinking of getting a new bus again. This one came up on the craigslist. 2003 freightliner 5 window conventional.
It looks kinda unusual with the handi door up front. Its the size we are looking for. Just wondering if the engine is trustworthy. Add says auto trans.

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Old 11-30-2018, 02:16 PM   #2
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it's a great motor.. Until it isn't. Most people here recommend against them due to cost and complexity of repairs, and relatively scarcity of knowledgeable people outside of dealerships.
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Old 11-30-2018, 02:45 PM   #3
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Eustis FLORIDA
Posts: 23,764
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Thomas
Chassis: Freighliner FS65
Engine: Cat 3126
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I've got that bus, only with a Cat 3126.
The bus is pretty good. I don't like the WC door up front. My other bus has it in the rear which I prefer.
Can't comment on the Mercedes other than they seem to be ok. I know a guy with one.
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Old 11-30-2018, 02:45 PM   #4
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talking to people who have run the MBE906 motors in school bus fleets they say the yare very reliable but tend to become oil-consumers as they age.. they seem to still run fine but use oil.. there are still a lot of 906's running around in freightliner and thomas C2 busses.. many of them with over 200k..


however, like brokdown says.. a motor can break.. and an MBE is not a cheap motor to fix..

-Christopher
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Old 11-30-2018, 04:25 PM   #5
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Location: pa
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Coachwork: 1. Corbeil & 2. Thomas
Chassis: 1 ford 1998 e350 4x4 7.3 2 mercedes 2004
Engine: 7.3 powerstroke & MBE906
That could be me


good luck with your decision. later Johan
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Old 11-30-2018, 04:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by joeblack5 View Post
That could be me


good luck with your decision. later Johan
I always forget that you have one. Make that two folks I know have them!
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Old 11-30-2018, 09:33 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
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Is the Mercedes MBE 6.4 l Inline 6 any good ?

Maybe the ones back then didn't have all the exh systems problems the 07s and up have.

I can say avoid like the plague 07 and newer MB engines.
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