Quote:
Originally Posted by garbear1
Hi this is Gary, thanks a bunch for the leads and expectations. I see a bunch with C-15 Cats and I know they're thirsty but are they bullet proof?? That's a lot of power and I'd love to have that at my disposal, but not if I'm going to get 4 to 5 mpg, that's nuts. I get 8 on my coach now with a Cummins. I'm a little confused and don't want to make a mistake. I would think that the Cummins has more resale, am I all wet or is this true??
Thanks Gang, safe travels and watch out for those nutz!
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C-15's come in multiple flavors
! If it's a 2007+ ACERT Smog generation engine, I'd look very cautiously at it (Actually, I would not look at it at all
!)
I just recently asked a fellow CC owner with a 42' 04 coach and C-15, about MPG. He let me know that he has seen as high as 8.5 while cruising on the flat highways, and that at about 100K miles, he's has about a 6MPG life of engine mileage...
I've also read other threads of owners with the C-15, that said they had a light foot - and that they were getting 6.5MPG range over many years of driving. (Also very possible they did not travel in regions of heavy mountains...)
The C-15 is an abundant of power plant HP/Torque available in that era, and depending upon gearing - it's really just loafing along at interstate speeds... Even in a heavy 45' Top Tier coach (Say Affinity or Magna). with the heavier weights those coaches sum up to with all of their 'goodies'. And heck, toss in a heavy toad too. The C-15, is just not being worked very hard...
Sure, compared to a C-12 or even C-13, it's going cost a bit more for annual maintenance - just a bit of oil in that C-15... But, that's a fixed known cost. The C-15, again pre 2007 ACERT generation engine, is going to be a simpler engine to maintain overall then the C-13. Single vs dual turbo's, as one example.
IF you find a coach you like, in good condition - don't let the C-15 scare you away. I'd personally prefer an older C-12, as I do not have a heavy toad (Though the C-12 could handle one too
!). The C-12 in the 2002-2004 era, was at the mature end of it's life cycle. Less oil needed annually. Less weight be a smaller block then the C-15 or C-13. And I'll use the term KISS, in comparison to the C-13... That being said, for the right coach, I'd not hesitate on a C-15, regardless of preferring the C-12... (Or, if you go a bit newer, one of the rare Cummins ISM 500's.).
As far as value. Well if it's in say a 2004 era coach, Intrigue or Magna or Affinity (Though I admit I don't know if the Affinity had a C-15 option(?).) - I'd personally feel the C-15 would not be a detriment to value of the coach...
Ongoing best of luck to you on your hunt!!
Smitty