MBE Engines

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by BigBadBill, Jul 3, 2011.

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  1. Jul 3, 2011 #1
    BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

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    I have to start by saying that these are not for me.
    Looking at Colombia’s with MBE engines. More of range we are looking at with these compared to Detroit. And the ones available are $5-7k cheaper. But what little I have heard about these is that they are a modified Det.
    These will be bought by guys that will run these for 10+ years if they can and will just plan on having to replace the engine.
    We don’t need to talk about why KW, Pete or something else would be better. About a 1/3 of the people that I will be dealing with will want the cheapest that meets the minimum spec I set. And right not that is an ’04-’05 Columbia Mid-roof with MBE. If I am to move them off of this then I need to have a valid reason with support from the mechanic community.
     
    BigBadBill, Jul 3, 2011
    BigBadBill, Jul 3, 2011
    #1
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  3. Jul 3, 2011 #2
    RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    I'll be curious to see other's input on this. The dealer I bought our Century from was showing a bunch of these recently. Their MBE-equipped Columbias aren't really priced any better than other powerplants. Are the ones with a discount autoshifts? That's been about the only thing I've seen lead to such a discount.

    My experience with Mercedes cars is unnecessary complexity, proprietary systems, and many special service tools required. I've owned two Mercedes cars and worked on dozens, both diesel and gas. IMO they are deliberately designed to keep them away from independent service shops. Maybe the truck engines are different, but I'm not going to buy one and find out.
     
    RedForeman, Jul 3, 2011
    RedForeman, Jul 3, 2011
    #2
  4. Jul 4, 2011 #3
    Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    MB has lost a lot of customers over in the car world because of poor quality. In the 70's and 80's there cars were head and shoulders above everyone, I had a '79 450SEL 6.9 and loved it, built like a tank, not today, very poor. No reason to believe their heavy duty division is any different.
     
    Dryver, Jul 4, 2011
    Dryver, Jul 4, 2011
    #3
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  5. Jul 4, 2011 #4
    Krooser

    Krooser Road Train Member

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    MBE's are German... not even related to the Series 60 engines.
     
    Krooser, Jul 4, 2011
    Krooser, Jul 4, 2011
    #4
  7. Jul 4, 2011 #5
    CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Those that bought one have not bought another. Enough said. :)
     
    CondoCruiser, Jul 4, 2011
    CondoCruiser, Jul 4, 2011
    #5
  8. Jul 4, 2011 #6
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Cummins is the future so far. At least in Cali due to EMMISIONS. To bad CAT wussy out !!!
     
    Diesel Dave, Jul 4, 2011
    Diesel Dave, Jul 4, 2011
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    BigBadBill Thanks this.
  9. Jul 4, 2011 #7
    10 speed

    10 speed Light Load Member

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    Cat's back jack!
     
    10 speed, Jul 4, 2011
    10 speed, Jul 4, 2011
    #7
  10. Jul 4, 2011 #8
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Do tell...........
     
    Diesel Dave, Jul 4, 2011
    Diesel Dave, Jul 4, 2011
    #8
  11. Jul 4, 2011 #9
    Jumbo

    Jumbo Road Train Member

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    We bought a bunch of brand new Columbias starting in 2005 and mine was the only one out of the 12 that never had a major breakdown. Couldnt get out of its own way and engine brake couldnt stop a fleas motorcycle. We will never buy another MBE. My Columbia was set at 450 horsepower and now I have a 2010 ISX set at 400 horse and you cannot imagine the difference.
     
    Jumbo, Jul 4, 2011
    Jumbo, Jul 4, 2011
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  12. Jul 4, 2011 #10
    striker

    striker Road Train Member

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    We have 2 Columbia's with the MBE 4000 engine, yeah they pull great, but they break constantly. Both trucks have under 600K and are on their 3rd turbos, 3rd water pump, fuel lines that rupture and leak annually, belt tensioners that break annually
     
    striker, Jul 4, 2011
    striker, Jul 4, 2011
    #10
    BigBadBill Thanks this.
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