What to look for when buying a 2000 Magna

[Mr_D]

Originally Posted by phays

Check the charge air cooler. Use a flashlight and look at the connection between the core and the headers. On my 2000 40' Magna you could see a small crack if you knew what you were looking. The crack was visible by looking through the grill. Some of the 2000's were fixed under warranty but many weren't. Mine wasn't. About $5000 for replacement. You won't have enough boost pressure to climb grades if the CAC is leaking. Without a way to read boost pressure, you may only be able to tell if the CAC is leaking is to find a hill and see if you climb it at a reasonable speed. Tough to do in Florida.

Some coaches around this period also had similar radiator problems. I haven't had any problems with my radiator.

No wet PTO's on the 2000 Magna; the hydraulic pump is an engine mounted/driven pump.

I replaced the drag link and tie rod ends because the rubber seals were cracked and there was little grease on those parts. With alignment and a some other minor work about $2000.

If the air dryer hasn't been replaced, another $600 for that. Tires will be about $5000 if needed. Check the DOT date on the sidewall; anything 7 years or older MAY need replacing.

The hydraulic driven engine coolant fan controller has been a problem on some coaches. I haven't had a problem with the controller but did have to replace two of the sensors used with the controller. If the controller fails, or as in my case the two sensors failed, the fan will not run at high speed and you can get into an overheat situation pretty easily.

My clear coat along the front cap and the sides of the roof was peeling off. This is a common problem with any coach that has clear coat applied to gel coat. Some coaches have problems with clear coat on the sides but mine does not. This is an aesthetic problem but to have the roof problems fixed was about $5000.

Although my expenses on my coach for all but the tires for these items totaled about $12000, I bought my coach quite a bit less than market value and still have a great coach and even with these expenses I have less than market value in the coach after 5 years of ownership.

This coach has a Hydrohot furnace that needs annual maintenance. Check to see if the maintenance has been done recently. Usually all that is required is a bit of burner area cleaning and replacement of the fuel nozzle and fuel filter.

On a coach of this age you should, unless you know they have been repaired, expect problems with the normal wear items like the water pump,, etc.

The smoke and LP alarms probably need replacement if original. They have a 5 or 6 year shelf life. The LP alarm is coupled with a solenoid on the LP tank and the original LP alarm is no longer available. Not a serious problem but you have to get a new LP alarm and solenoid as the new replacement alarm won't work with the existing solenoid.

Look at the NADA pricing for this coach and press the seller for answers to the condition of the CAC. See if the dealer can check the boost pressure. I have a CAT C10 and it can generate about 25 psi of boost pressure. With the bad CAC, I was lucky to get 9 psi of boost.

You should press the seller for maintenance records. Things like oil change, fuel, coolant and oil filter changes, hydraulic oil filter change, generator fuel and oil filter changes. Coolant changes and type of coolant. Does the transmission have Dexron or TranSynd. TranSynd is better as you get longer periods before maintenance is required.

I don't want to scare you off this coach as Country Coaches are great motor homes. I've had my 2000 Magna since 2010 and full time in it and appreciate the build quality of the coach. Although I shouldn't say this, but this will be the last coach I buy as I don't believe I can find a comparable coach for even twice the money I have in this coach. I do have friends that made similar statements and then bought another coach and I may have to eat my words in the future.

You can go over to the Yahoo Country Coach Owners forum and ask questions there and get more input.

Fixed it for you since even the tire manufacturers don't agree with what you posted.

[waternut]

Got info from former owner and am pleased to hear he had kept up with all the recommended maintenance. Plan to travel to Tampa area and trade in our 5th wheel on it if it is like pics show. They have quoted us a trade in value on ours already. Hope nothing changes. Wish us luck, should know by Friday afternoon if all is good.