2013 MX 13

I drove a 2010 386, 13 spd with a 430hp MX13,.. did not like it at all. I apologize in advance as my comments here do not answer your question directly. Just my opinions here.

I can not comment on the reliability as I only made 3 hauls with it. Best way I can relate to it was having gerbils under the hood.

As for what others say,.. I hear mixed opinions about the MX13. Some say they are very happy,.. others are completely frustrated with just about every bad scenario you can think of. I guess its much like the C15 ACERT. Many nightmare stories,.. and then others have nothing but praise. So I guess you can flip a coin as to what you get.

I personally will never buy one. I would prefer to stick with the big 3,.. CAT, Cummins or Detroit.

I recently spent a few weeks with 2 newer Detroit equipped trucks. DD15 ad DD16. I was pleasantly surprised by both. Fuel mileage and power,.. particularly the power of the DD16. Unfortunately I can not comment on how well they did with emissions as both were modified at under 100kmi due to emissions related problems. Neither regens or uses DEF anymore.

Hurst

 

I have an 05 also with the CAT. Mine developed leaks too. Air compressor oil pressure line, the valve cover, oil pan, pwr steering line off the steering box. As annoying and ugly as they are,.. its really nothing. Easy fixes.

Paid $20k for this truck with 875k on it. Other than some minor electrical things, air lines chaffing, coolant hoses leaking,.. I had no mechanical issues at all.

In fact the entire cause of mine breaking down was my fault, coolant line under the truck leaked all the coolant out and I didnt catch it in time. Cracked the head. Had inframe done. I'm at almost 1.3 million. I've got probably $45k - $50k tied up in this truck all said and done. I'd be lucky to see $20k if I tried to sell or trade it.

For me its not what my truck is worth,.. rather will it stay reliable and efficient enough to make money with. For now,.. its better than ever. I could have bought a $45k truck,.. and still ended up with the same maintenance and repairs,.. so what is better,.. a $45k invested in a $20k truck,.. or $90k invested in a $45k truck?

Mechanically if oil samples are good and no blow by,.. I think you will be fine with the CAT for a few more years. Your tranny is going to need to be serviced. Should not be outrageously expensive.

The way I see it,.. do you want to keep the truck you have? If so,.. repairs and maintenance is part of doing business. No matter what you buy, you will have to stay on top of it to minimize down time and avoid small problems leading to expensive big problems. Is the MX13 the only truck they have that you like or they are offering you the deal on? Nothing else interests you?

I'm just leery of the MX13. But that is only my opinion. Hopefully someone who knows and has more experience with them can answer you in depth about them.

I thinking if you fix the little things,.. have the money ready for when it does need an inframe. You'll know what you have in your truck, instead of buying someone elses problems. If not,.. just buy the truck you want and invest the money into something that makes you happier. I'm married to this one now,.. not the truck I want. But I know what I have and think it would be foolish to sell or trade it now after all that I have spent on it. I'll get the truck I want eventually.

Hurst

 

Here's my theory on trucks. If you are not buying a new truck,.. then buy one with 1 million plus miles on it. One that has exceeded the life expectancy of most parts that usually start failing after 400k - 600k miles. Preferably one that has had an inframe and/or a well documented maintenance list.

Thats how I came to buying this truck. Most everything that would need to be replaced,.. already had been. Plus it helped that knew the truck as I bought it from my carrier. He bought it from another carrier out of Texas who was the original owner. Used to be owned by Powel landscaping out of Texas. Hauled plants and landscaping things to Lowes, Home Depot etc. Never really worked hard till my carrier got it. Previous drivers were brutal to the interior. What do you expect from a company driver? Not his truck.

Hurst

 

Reefer,don't know if this helps but the MX is not the new kid on block ,it started life in '06.(in the rest off the world,not North America)
So the internal workings have been tested enough to not have to worry about those.
Also,if you hear someone complaining about the MX you will find that it isn't the engine giving them headaches but the DPF(the DEF system i wouldn't worry about,again that has been around since '06)

The turbo ,that will not last a million miles because it is a VGT and they wear out quicker then fixed vane turbo's.My advice is to not run it untill it breaks(if you break it there a serious chance off getting oil in the aftertreathment and that will cost $$$$$.

I would advice you get the longest possible warranty on the aftertreathment system.

Get all the updates off the software done before you take it home and have them check if there are no recalls on certain parts.

Let us know what you decide.

 

How much are they asking for the '13 with mx engine?

 

Reefer,i just reread your original post and there is one thing i would get the dealer to throw in the deal.
A new turbo.

 

I'm just curious because I have my 2013 386 listed for sale on ebay. Cummins isx motor 13 spd 370k mileage still under warranty for motor and after treatment system. Only selling to get back into hauling cars.