Which would you choose?

The mercedes engine is not really known for its power but freightliner parts are fairly cheap and more available compared to volvo. But powerwise, i would most likely go with the volvo.

 

For me, not a choice. I would move on. But that is just me. I have had two ISX's and will not have a third. I never did like the Volvo line, and the MBE engines are not high on my hit parade either. But that would be my dollars. For others, they might be quite comfortable with one of those selections. Doesn't mean any of us are right or wrong.

 

Is that in terms of power or reliability? My friend has one and thing is just an iron horse with a drinking problem. And the EGR systems are a pain...what i woud do BlownCoyote is get a 14.0 detroit and delete EGR or get a 12.7...

 

I had a fondness for the Cummins N-14, but the ISX is a real wallet buster when things go wrong, which seemed more frequent than I cared for. The MBE is a hit or miss proposition. I have seen some guys have good luck with them, but many more who did not like it. Guess all of this nonsense is why I put in a pre-egr 12.7 in my current truck. Easy to work on. Easy to get parts and not as expensive, great fuel mileage, and when done right, great power/performance. Obviously not a machine to take to California, but that is not an issue with me. Haven't been to California this century. Been there enough to last a lifetime.

 

Thats exactly true. A 14.0 detroit is also easy to fix up and parts are everywhere. I tuned mine myself and this thing is a beast! After deleting the EGR, it runs and sounds like an old school CAT. The ride is fun as long as you stay away from California... Hell, california might as well be there own state with their wack regulations...

 

Is that a pete 387? Did you buy as it glider an put a 12.7 in it? 12.7 will treat you right with regular maintenance but if you want to idle, youll have to raise the rpm to about 900 or so to prevent the bullgear from going out on ya.

 

I got a 2013 FL Columbia glider. Yep, 12.7 in it. Already right there with you on the idle idea. I have 108,000 miles on it and the life time idle is below 10%.

 

if the Volvo was the only truck left with a Cummins I would take it but I would shop around for another truck. MBE not powerful enough to get out of their own wake, and Detroits I never had one worth a 1/4 of a cent. Detroit never had done me well Left me dragging going up hills if not broken down. Cummins I had ran pulled and hardly was broken down. So my opinion MBE and Detroits are the same Garbage

 

Yep thats it. That motor will last you a long time. Way better than the POS DD13 or DD15