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TICK7277 · 10-27-2010, 03:24 PM

I am interested in buying an older 1994 Country Coach Magna with higher miles (about 120,000) and wanted to see if anyone owns one and can give me any information or opinions on theirs. Mostly concerned with Country Coach being out of business and any issues that are common with these older coaches (ie. radiator). Thx.

deandec · 10-28-2010, 10:57 AM

I have one that is one year newer with 82,000 miles.

We have only owned it for 9 years so are still deciding whether we like it or not.

The Gillig bus chassis provides a great ride. Gillig still builds buses in Fremont, CA.

Neither the Factory nor a CC dealer have ever worked on the coach in that time. I use local specialists and do a lot of the house and some mechanical work myself.

Paint checking in dark color areas is common, expensive to repair, but not a big deal to this owner of a 15 yr old rig.

The front entry door, seems to be a nagging adjustment issue on our rig, but still locks, keeps out the rain, and opens when needed.

Check for exhaust leaks at the exhaust manifold. That is a $1,000 repair that seems to be common on an 8.3L Cummins (if your target rig has a Cummins). Otherwise that is a sweet running engine.

On a 6% grade our rig will slow to 35mph whether towing or not. We still always get to the top of the hill and our destinations. 300HP pushing 31,000 lbs.

We have not had a problem with our side radiator.

The coolant booster pumps (about $200) that move coolant to the front of the coach for heater and then to the water heater, for enroute hot water, fail frequently, and then cause excessive loss of coolant. I have removed mine with no ill effect.

Fit and finish, quality materials, and having been built by someone who understands RV travel make the rig a pleasure for us to own.

TICK7277 · 10-28-2010, 09:04 PM

Thx for the post Dean. I have noticed before that you had a 95 Magna. This one appears to be well cared for. Paint is immaculate. It has a lot of upgrades: 325 hp Cummins with extra Banks kit, custom made living room slide, power patio/window awnings. Have you heard of any issues with a custom slide? It appears to be from the factory. Have you had any problems with the steering? This one appears to veer a little to the left. May just be the air in the tires. Also does your older Cummins make a little more noise than the electronic version? My only issue are the miles (120K). I know these diesels are tough, but that is a lot of weight for the last 16 years on the engine and transmission. Thx for the tips.

deandec · 10-29-2010, 10:40 AM

Cummins mechanical noise: I have no point of comparison to the ISC. Since the engine is in the rear, noise is not an issue inside the rig.

325 HP Cummins: I was not aware that the 325HP engine was available on that vintage Country Coach. But maybe an option at the time?

Living Room Slide: I do not think CC had introduced slides to their rigs at that time. I believe 1997 was the first year for CC slideouts. So an issue with an aftermarket slide might be weight distribution. Our 1995 Magna is borderline max weight on the front axle and tires. A front slide must add about 750 lbs to the rig, much of it on the front axle. I know one could add an aftermarket slideout for about $25,000 6 years ago, but in our 38' rig it would shorten the sofa and galley counter top. Not an option for us.

Left Biased Steering: We have not had such a problem.

The 120,000 miles would not be a concern for me if the maintenance records are good and the interior is in acceptable condition.

deandec · 10-29-2010, 10:46 AM

I just checked the brochure for the 1995 Magna. The base engine was a 250hp Cummins 8.3L. The optional engine was a 300hp Cummins 8.3L.

TICK7277 · 10-29-2010, 09:23 PM

Thx Dean, I am going to look into the weight issue.

Good man · 10-29-2010, 10:00 PM

Tick7277,
I would not worry at all about the 120K on the odometer of a Cummins engine, or any diesel engine for that matter. You should focus specifically on the condition of this particular MH, with less focus on the CC brand as a whole. You can be sure that it was built to very high standards... what you need to know is how well it has been maintained and cared for by her owner(s).

There will be many hints of how well it was cared for... look closely at wear items, leaks, smells, sounds, etc. She will tell you her story if you you give her a chance. Having a good mechanic go through the engine/drivetrain/chassis would be a good investment.

Having said that, I hope you will be as satisfied with your vintage CC as we are if you are ultimately led by your good senses to acquire her.
Best wishes,
Jim

Papa_Jim · 10-29-2010, 10:42 PM

I don't own a Country Coach, but my coach has the same powertrain with 120,000 plus miles on it.

First, 120,000 miles on a Cummins 8.3 Diesel with an Allison automatic transmission is NOT a lot of miles. It's just getting broken in! Let's talk when it's got over 500,000 miles! It all depends on how it's been maintained, whether the antifreeze has been looked after properly, and if the oil has been kept fresh.

The Banks Stinger kit changes the engines. Mine has it, and I have not had a grade that my coach will not climb at a minimum of 45 MPH. My fuel mileage averages around 8 MPG. The previous owner of my coach had the Banks kit installed, claims that it was dyno tested, and claims that the HP was certified at 375HP. I have no way to dispute or support that claim.

Steering to the left could be tire inflation, could be an alignment problem caused by the driver running into a curb and bending a linkage. You won't know that until you get the front end checked. If the coach has been sitting for a while, the kingpins could be dry and sticking, the tie rods could be dry and seizing, causing a steering pull.

These coaches drive better when they are being driven. When they are sitting, they tend to 'dry up' and begin to get a bit 'sticky' in the way they handle.

There are literally thousands of coaches out there with fiberglass 'cracking' under dark paint. Some make a big deal of it. The truth of the matter is that fiberglass wall will outlive you. How big a deal do you want to make of it?

If the coach looks like it has been generally well cared for, and there don't seem to be any obvious flaws, it should be a good bet.

The slide: check carefully to see if there have been any water leaks, and make sure that the slide is functioning properly.

Maintenance: It makes a huge difference if there are records from the previous owner regarding maintenance. If there are no records, then you have to make your own judgments based on appearances. Then, if you do buy it, change ALL fluids, filters, belts, and any hoses that don't pass inspection, and go from there.

TICK7277 · 10-31-2010, 01:01 AM

Thx to all for the help. This forum has helped me out a lot.

Daffounet · 06-30-2021, 03:29 PM

Hi there,

I'm buying an old Country Coach MAgna here in France and I wanted to know how much seats are written on the certificate ?
This is a 38' from 1994, low mileage, number 5226. Nice coach, here in France it needs good chassis with a lot of bad roads

If you have this information it would be very helpfull for me !!
Thanks by advance !

deandec · 06-30-2021, 04:01 PM

I do not understand the question about seats.

But our rig has two cockpit chairs, two sofas that can seat three, and four dining table chairs.

Only two positions on one sofa and the two cockpit chairs have seat belts.

My title certificate does not discuss the number of seats.

Daffounet · 06-30-2021, 04:14 PM

Thanks deandec,

In Europe, we need this number of seats on the certificate to know how many people can be seated when driving !
I understand that there is 2 seat belts in the sofa + 2 for pilot and copilot. So it would be 4 !!

Again, thanks, I saw you might have the same CC as I*‘m buying ! Same problem with the paint in here, 25 years old coach…