Suggestions on bus purchase

[Bignate454]

I have steered away from the 84 pass 5.9/AT545, and now we are looking at a 05' International 3000 with the DT466 and MD-3060 transmission. Its a rear engine, with air brakes. I am looking for the good, the bad, and the ugly Would this be a good bus to start with?

[o1marc]

Other than it fits the first year they started going with a bunch of electrical EPA crap, that is an excellent bus to start with compared to the other one you mentioned. Light years difference in performance. That DT466 and 3060 will do everything you want and more, except get better than 10mpg.

[PNW_Steve]

I agree with Marc.

DT466/MD3060 combination is a great setup. RE Vs FE Vs CE is very much a personal preference.

Myself, I have owned two RE's and one FE. I very much prefer the RE's. I find them much more comfortable to drive. Quieter, cooler and ride smoother.

FE's give you a little bit more usable floor space and are more maneuverable than RE's of similar size.

I don't know much about the progression of emissions equipment from 2004-2008. I can't speak to how "bad" a 2005 will be compared to 2003 or earlier.

I bet Christopher or CB could tell us more?

Good luck with your quest.

[EastCoastCB]

05 isn't a great year. Not just because of emissions and the EGR. The quality of manufacturing goes WAY down after 03' at International.
I've been a die hard IC fan since my old Scout Terra II, but they gave up trying to build good stuff by 04'. Timing covers are a really common failure on the 04' and up. Even my non-egr 03 engine has this failure.
Its a big job if you do it yourself and not cheap. If you have to pay someone else to do it its 5-10 grand.