Yahoo Message Number: 85381 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/85381)
Greetings!
We've been looking at 2008 Magna Rembrandts. While I'm fairly neutral on whether it has a Cat or Cummins engine (maybe leaning toward the latter), I was surprised to find a coach that had both a Cat Engine (C-15) as well as an owener-specified Cat transmission (rather than an Alison).
If I remember correctly, those were the powertrains offered on the Rhapsodys.
I have heard they were really built for durability (i.e. huge mining dump truck use), but not sure how well that would translate into coach use (Hard shifting, finding service, etc).
I'd appreciate anyone's insight/thoughts!
Mark
Future Magna Owner
Yahoo Message Number: 85388 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/85388)
They, CC, first tried a Cat transmission for the 2006 Intrigue with a C-13 and it had square cut gears and was terribly noisy. By 2008 all the Cat transmissions had been up dated. I understand there were a few failures but that was with early units. The main difference between a Cat transmission and a Allison is with the Cat you get what you get. If there are changes to be maid, you have to reprogram the transmission. The Allision World transmission is a learning transmission. That means it takes into account how you drive and changes shift patterns to give the best results. Of course Allison can change parameters by computer also. I had mine changed to seek 2nd gear instead of 4th gear when I take my foot off the throttle. Its great when you are driving the mountains of Colorado & New Mexico or the narrow roads of coastal California and Oregon. And the Allison is tuff. It with stood a lot of abuse with cross contamination when my radiators failed, and has continued onward for 2 years without issues. I assume most of the kudos should go to the Transynd. I have friends with Cat transmissions from Inspires to Magnas and they seem happy. I wish I had a 7th gear, however, as third gear is way to broad in my opinion.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731 w/ 3000 transmission.