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Topic: 2000 ,270 in MOT (Read 1346 times) previous topic - next topic

2000 ,270 in MOT

Wondering if anyone is at Mot to look at a 36 foot 2000 270 for a friend. Ready to pull the trigger if it looks good. Thanks Andy
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #1 –
From the pictures it looks OK. No miles listed?  Gen hours are not that high. Blue awnings but almost no blue inside front end, wood floors, probably some redecoration was done. At this price, lots of potential.

See if Mike (Michael and Jackie) is home. He lives in NAC and will give you his two sents worth.  Maybe Brett Wolfe.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #2 –
Thanks Roger, did just.that and talked to Mel and Stewart the coach  has 200,000 miles on it so  it has been used well and does look well care for.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #3 –
Quote from: Andy 2 –
Thanks Roger, did just.that and talked to Mel and Stewart the coach  has 200,000 miles on it so  it has been used well and does look well care for.

That is NO miles, if the coach has been maintained. Quite honestly, I'd rather buy a coach with "high" miles, meet the PO and see the paperwork.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #4 –
Thanks Roger, Andy did call as you recommended and we talked.  That was Joyce's coach.  New engine at about 170K miles.  Did some talking, research for him and his friend.  I got Don C. to go look and I talked to sales plus Joyce and Virginia plus I had looked at this coach for another buyer.  SO....Roger, I think your interest probably helped Andy and his friend move their decision process along.  For someone that wants a first coach to try the lifestyle and maybe get a larger coach later, this seems a good fit and worth his friend flying down to look.

Thanks Roger, I really like how this Forum helps each other, special

mike h.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #5 –
Should it make a buyer nervous that it had a new engine at 170k miles?  If it was well maintained, that seems like it should not have been necessary.  A new engine seems like an incredibly high expense that the PO paid.  If we say 200,000 miles is nothing, why would it need a new engine at 170,000?

Scary!  Anyone have any thoughts?

Rich
Used to be 40' U300 1992 Build # 4087

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #6 –
There are many things that may have made that engine work needed.  Replacing the engine at 170K miles would just make me ask why.  It might have been perfectly maintained and had an odd failure.  We had the air filter on our coach fail after it got wet in a very heavy rain storm. They called it a 500 year storm, water got sucked into the intake, filter was wet and failed, engine was "dusted".  It was a 100% rebuild at 64K miles.  They reused the block, the oil pan, the valve cover and the crankshaft.  Everything else from the turbo, the CAC, the ECM, air compressor, everything .... is new.  I wish it didn't happen but it did.  Insurance paid for all but my deductible. It was about 1/4 of what we paid for the coach. Put on one of John H's deflectors and check your air filter.  Mine was good 3,000 miles before this happened.  So my 15 year old coach has 133 hrs on the engine. Someone will ask why.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #7 –
Quote from: littledubz –
Should it make a buyer nervous that it had a new engine at 170k miles?
Rich,

In my opinion, the answer to your question is "Yes".  One of the selling points of diesel pusher RVs is the long expected service life of the engine.  When you move from a gas engine to a diesel, you know the cost of routine upkeep will be higher, but in return you should get a much longer TBO (Time Between Overhaul).  Cummins makes long life/reliability a big selling point in their advertising...they even sponsor a Million Mile Club.  Cummins Million Mile Club - Cummins Engines

This does not mean a coach with a new engine should be automatically eliminated from consideration when shopping.  If it was me, rather than being "nervous", I would advise the prospective buyer to be "cautious".

I would want a full and complete explanation of why the engine was replaced.  I would also want to know who replaced the engine, and what kind of replacement was used.  Is it a brand new engine with full factory warrantee, a factory rebuilt engine with warrantee, a good core engine rebuilt by a competent diesel shop with a sterling reputation, or a junk engine rebuilt by Bubba in his garage.  I would require paperwork covering every detail of the engine replacement.

I would also look very closely at every other mechanical aspect of the coach, and would feel better if the seller could provide proof of consistent routine maintenance and upkeep.  A chat with the prior owner would be invaluable, in my opinion.  Even over the phone, you can get a good feel for how knowledgeable the PO is, and how he (or she) dealt with the engine replacement circumstances.

Finally, I would expect the sales price to reflect the "unusual" history of the coach.  That price could be either lower OR higher than the average market value.  A otherwise "perfect" coach with a brand new factory built engine, installed by a factory authorized dealer, could actually be worth MORE than the same coach with the original 200,000 mile engine.  So much depends on the "story".

Every used coach is unique, and must be evaluated on it's own merits.  Every prospective coach owner is unique, and must decide for themselves what is important when doing the pre-purchase inspection.  One thing we (on this Forum) DO know for sure: a pre-owned Foretravel coach, even with a uncertain history, is still a better buy (at the right price) than most of the used SOB's on the market!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #8 –
Our coach is on its second engine, as the original one had a catastrophic failure (a piston somehow broke loose and shot right into the block) and was replaced under warranty by a Cummins dealer in Tennessee in 2005.  The prior owner had everything documented, including photos of the old engine.  After looking everything over and talking with the PO, my final judgment was that I was buying a 1996 coach with a 2005 engine, which then (in 2012) had about 50,000 miles on it.  I was comfortable with that, and even saw it as a benefit.

We've had an engine (Cummins) replaced in a 2000 model Freightliner delivery truck (to the tune of $14,500) here in at our company, and we still use it to this day - and it's the most reliable, trouble-free vehicle in our fleet.  I especially love it because it has none of the emissions problems of the newer diesels - which have been problematic for us.  We have a 2012 Freightliner with a Cummins engine that self-destructed at 40k mi - the thing actually just blew up while running down the interstate, spewed oil everywhere.  It was replaced under warranty, and has been fine so far at 110k mi.

Cummins is great, but as with all things mechanical - they can break too.  It just matters how they are fixed, and you just might have a better or newer mechanical item afterwards if done correctly.

Chris 
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #9 –
I see the 2000 U270 is "Pending" at MOT - somebody here buying it?

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #10 –
Yup a friend of mine is heading that way this week.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #11 –
Great, congratulations to your friend!  Get them signed up on the Forum.

Chris
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #12 –
He is already a member, he's a little shy lol but that will change . They have been parked next to us here in camp Verde az for three months and has had plenty of  looks at our 92. U300 and was super impressed with the quality of ours. His name is Pete.
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #13 –
Andy, sending you more info via pm on developing plans, covers three matters.  Please check pm.

Wanting firm up arrival, contact, inspection, if you be along with Pete, etc details

Mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #14 –
Copy that, thanks
Andy & Eileen
MONTROSE COLORADO
1992 U300  40' 6V92 TA
2016 4 Runner
1998 Jeep Grand cherokee

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee) Build # 4135 Skp# 122921
 

Re: 2000 ,270 in MOT

Reply #15 –
I will be in NAC 4/28 -5/3
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)