M.B.E. Engines......

We got 13 of them or so, and within 6 months the leasing company basically "lemon'd" them ALL and replaced all our units with Detroit power.. mainly EGR problems if I recall.. Not sure what the story is as this engine isn't from what I understand and a real workhorse in Europe.. not sure if its the smog / EGR systems and not even sure if they use them in Europe.. but these things were horrible for us and caused nothing but problems.. I was very disappointed that the company that basically standardized the use of diesels peformed so poorly.. If you are buying one.. maybe they have the bugs worked out.. but I personally would not buy a tractor with Mercedes power

 

we have one '04 with this engine: egr, turbo, coolant leaks, fuel leaks, belt tensioner pulley (which breaks annually). Previously we had three of these, one was wrecked the other sold. The last one is kept as a spare.

 

I got rid of one and went back to good ol detroit series 60. I had bad fuel mileage, egr issues, lack of power, if you used the engine brake it was as good as rolling down window and holding hand out in the wind or like listening to a cd of someones engine brake sound. It was also expensive parts.

 

we have 5 of them left all have slightly over 600,000 miles they all are doing a good job..the first generation ones we got in 02( I think) had alot of fuel line and turbo issues but the ones we have left are 06-07 they are a good dependable engine they are 420 hp nothing to brag about power wise we pull tankers and leave out at 79900 every load...we didnt care for them at first because we always ran cats but all in all they have proved themselves to be a descent engine...we have maxxforce 13's now I wont get started on them but I will say I would take a wornout MBE over a new Maxxforce anyday ..

 

I've never heard a good thing about them but, some companies seem to like them. I think Central Transport runs MB in their Sterlings and Central isn't the picture of good maintenance so if they are still running in those clapped out sterlings then I guess they can be ok.

You hear the same crap about Mack engines from some guys, just depends on who you talk too.

 

they do have good power, but as someone else mentioned the engine brakes are worthless

 

They are in the market, but not sure if the construction is still going. For me, I would rather start looking for an alternative rather than go on searching them.

 

Didnt they get replaced by the DD13?

 

They sure are reliable, but very very underpowered. My grandma's Honda produces more torque than an MB Engine.