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looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Yahoo Message Number: 102569
Are there any older magna owners that can tell me what you think of the Magna and the cummins 8.3.  What kind of fuel economy do you get.  Major problems you have had. etc thank you
Daniel

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102571
We have a 1994 magna for 16 years, we are the 2nd owner. We have had no problems at all, just general maintenance. We love our coach and don't see anything new out there that could compare in quality. We get 10 miles to the gallon fuel economy. Good  luck!

Dave

1994 magna #5158

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102573
1996 Magna 38'. What a grand old Lady she is. Normal maintenance and little else. Rides and handles very well. Fuel economy runs 8.5 on a mountainous drive to  9.999 on a more gentle adventure, (my foot can't seem to find that last little bit for a 10).

ChucknKim 96 Magna 38  #5330

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102575
I can tell you that there is no engine out there any better than the 8.3 Cummins. These things will start faster than you can get a Detroit plugged in to the block heater. Just wish my CC prevost had a Cummin's engine. I have a 40ft American Dream, 1995 model withe the 8.3 and a six speed Allison .I have gotten as high as eleven mpg non towing and running around 60mph and as little as 6mpg towing a Grand Cherokee and letting her rip.I consistently get between 81/2 to 9 mpg. It does slow down on long upgrades but mine is only rated at 300 hp. Some of the later ones are rated up to 350hp which should help with that.

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102580
13+ years of ownership with 97,000 miles on the odometer, 71,000 by current owner.

Replaced fuel injection pump in 2005.  $4K

Repaired exhaust manifold in 2010.  $1.5K

13 year 7.36 average mpg excluding generator use estimate.  Mostly west coast mountain driving towing Jeep Grand Cherokee the entire time.

Repaired OTR AC system including compressor.  $700

Replaced fuel shut down solenoid in 2013.  $77

Replaced water pump in 2013.  $80

Clear coat peeling on white portion of body which is Clear Coat applied over Gelcoat.

Well thought out construction with quality materials and control.  Except for recovering the couch, all interior items are original and in good or great repair.

The front axle is nearly overweight on 10R 22.5 tires requiring 115 psi in tire which is max for the tire and the wheel.

Front brakes just inspected at 97,000 miles.  Mechanic said new shoes would look no different than ours. (one of the original critiques of this rig was that the brakes installed were too small.  Guess not! )

Front hubs with packed grease serviced at 97,000 miles.  Right side was nearing a problem but bearings did not need replacement.

Repeated Oil Analysis shows no wear concerns.

Wonderful ride on the Gillig Bus chassis (but I have no experience comparison).

The rig does ride low to the ground, so if you are planning on rough road access boon docking, not the best choice.  Works just fine at the Quartzite desert experience.

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102581
Oops.  Forgot to sign the previous post.

dean

1995 CC Magna 5280

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102583
When we were shopping I asked a family member who has worked at Cummins for years in research and development what diesel to buy. No question was a mechanical 8.3.
Good luck
Nate

1998 Allure

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102586
Dean

Thank you for the great details. My wife is having serious concerns about this coach. She says I do not need another project. It is a big project since it has 167K miles and several issues. Seems to run well and drive very good. It does need tires $3500, Passenger windshield Cracked at top $800??) House batteries $800?, Clear coast coming off on the white and cleanup. Could not try out appliances since Generator battery was dead and would not start. The good. Price $13K  It is a Country Coach Magna (Well built). Engine did not smoke on start up. cummins 8.3 6 spd allison. No leaks.  Interior is original and  in half way decent shape and will clean up nicely. Has inverter and Blue OX tow. We do want to try the RV lifestyle for about a month this winter and I do not want to spend a fortune.
Thanks
Again  Dan

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102587
Many thanks for your input.  I have heard nothing but good about the Cummins 8.3 and 5.9.

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102588
Thank you Chuck. I have looked at 2 older CC Sadona's (not enough storage both had cat engines) This 94 Magna (big project with high mileage) and other brands Fleetwood Discovery, Fortravel Unihome, Winnebago Vectra, Itasca, 2 Safari's, Monaco Dynasty. No question about the difference in quality. I like the Country Coach quality best out of all so if I pass on this one I will try to hold out till I find another.
Thanks again 
Dan

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102589
10 MPG is great!  I hope to be as please as you after making a purchase.

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102590
Once the engine is running hit the boost or emergency boost switch.  It ties the chassis and house batteries together it should then allow the genset to start.

Even at 13K if the genset doesn't work another appliance can be checked out wouldn't tackle. Fridge air conditioners etc are pricey .

Ray O 
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Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102594
Thanks Ray. Hopefully They will get the coach out so I can check things out. It was parked behind several coaches in their lot on the side of a hill yesterday.

Re: looking buying first diesel 1994 Magna with 8.3 cummins

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102596
Dan ,

If u so decide to Pass on this one , we have a friend who is looking for a coach "Project" . Send along the info and updates on your decision