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There boring I think, yes there are a couple that can really go, but there just becoming to dominant. Nx have loads of them, the recent platinums are actually nice, the 66 reg ones, the 6701-6718 should not be classed as platinum as they don't have usb sockets nor stop start technology.

Have nx ever thought of having like semi platinum? Like arriva sapphire and arriva Max?

Well NX won't have considered when buying them whether they would be boring for enthusiasts really - as a passenger I find them a real step up in terms of comfort and ride. Drive wise they're an improvement over previous E400s as well I believe. In terms of becoming dominant, they're nowhere near the dominance the Tridents have had for years, and the MMCs offer better quality as well. Importantly no more leaking windows, freezing cold mornings, or ineffective suspension.

A semi-Platinum would devalue the actual Platinum brand - no real need to have a semi when NX are clearly seeing excellent results from the Platinum brand and are insistent on improving the main corridors to the full.

More bloody Mmc probably

What exactly is wrong with the MMCs? I think they're a step up on the previous ADL products and the Voith gearbox on the 2016 E400MMCs is better than the ZF versions; I'd quite happily see a mix of MMCs and Wright products next year again.

Duct tape and planks of wood seem to be in abundance in Diamond's spare parts bin

Are the planks of wood used to hit any malfunctioning engine into action each morning then :D Another thing I notice is the mess of lighting the Signatures have internally - when new they all had the brighter LED style lights. Now most of the internal lights on them are a useless dim yellow variant and even those are failing. Looks a mess. 

I think it's unfair to slate the Optares for being unreliable when they've been run by an operator that likes doing many repairs with duct tape.

I've seen a Dennis Dart front bumper basically made out of newspaper on one of these guys buses. You could literally put your hand through it. It was used as some sort of filler.

There was actually a Solo with a load of duct tape all over one of the seat backs, wasn't there?

Anyway, my point is, maintenance and Diamond don't go hand in hand, so to call any of these buses unreliable isn't a fair statement.

I can see where you are coming from. The maintenance maybe hasn't helped the buses in that case; upon further reflection Johnsons' Optares are pretty good and Silverline's were as well actually. So perhaps I'm being a bit harsh on Optare.

Yeah there was duct tape all over a couple of the leather seat backs on one of the SRs - some vandals thought it would be funny to write in biro on the leather over time and then rip it as well for good measure. There was also duct tape at one point holding on one of the rear light panels  ;D

Having just sampled the new optare metro city, they are amazing

They do look good the Metrocity, except having had the best part of 6 years with Optare products now I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. When they are working they are decent buses for passenger and driver alike - but the engines on the SRs have let them down badly, and the electrics/suspension on the Hybrids has caused problems in the past. MFY has had its cooling fan running constantly for a couple of years now and had black smoke enter the passenger compartment the once (couple of years ago) and had to be taken out of service immediately. MFV had to have a transplant engine from a Solo; MFZ and MFX are the best two. Wrights are far better, although I prefer the Volvo B7RLE/B8RLE chassis to the Streetlite; just more refined.

32307 is out on the S2 today - so I assume that has now transferred.

I've also heard about the Versas moving on, with Streetlites likely for the Signature services. Will be glad to see the back of the Optares - been useless reliability wise.

Saw 4566 yesterday (don't know whether it was in service or not) in that case - thought I was seeing things when I saw a Crimson Trident in the distance round Hall Green!

Yeah I think the B7RLEs are probably the best single decks in the fleet. The 56 reg versions were always a favourite with drivers and passengers when at AG, and actually still think they were the best buses the 37 has had.

The new versions also a good workhorse and does what it's ask to very well. Smooth and quiet and suspension is decent. When on a smooth road, no rattling, and having sat in one of the cabs, feel a good quality and well setout. The Volvo chassis is naturally strong, and it's a shame that the B8RLE, Wright bodied versions haven't received that much of an uptake. Having been on one, they're another step up. Certainly a far better bus than the Streetlite.

I can't say the Stop-Start annoys or bothers me. Seems to work quite well on 2203 and 2204 from my experience on them and it's not noisy at all. I drive cars with Stop-Start and again have no issue with it.

There's only a handful that have made it through repaint with the badges still affixed. Believe NX and Scania had a falling out a few years ago - hence the reluctance I suspect for keeping the badges on these days. Although, could also be for more practical reasons, such as cleaning. YW's batch are looking very smart - good job by WA!

From what I can gather the Platinums at my garage have a tv screen in the cab that can be switched from upper saloon view to showing the outside of the bus. That is all well and good, but why oh why dont bus manufacturers ever ask drivers what they would like to see on their buses. For example a tv screen focused on the upstairs back seat rather than the side of the vehicle.

@Bham Central Driver Exactly - they probably haven't done that option as it involves too much commonsense  ;)

Do you guys actually find these branded MMCs interesting to see on other routes?

It happens every day. In fact, the engineers at AG send them anywhere and everywhere. You even get them on the staff bus in case you wanted to note that down too.

@MW

Can see where you're coming from MW - I'm finding it a bit tedious now coming on the likes of the AG thread to find that new post after new post is of a MMC being 'off its intended route'. I would prefer the thread being left for the interesting news or 'goings-on' rather than a commonplace event of an MMC being reported continuously.

1896 isn't tatty, that's not in a terrible state, think it was treated to a repaint a couple of years ago

Yeah 1896 is a good one - was fully refurbished in 2013. Good to have at YW and shame it left to go back to WA. Remember the heating on it was pretty strong, so a good one to have on the Winter mornings!

Yes, the ex WB ones are the worst and will be done first

Good to hear - makes sense as they certainly are the tattiest of the lot.

Which ones are you classing as original Walsall?

Good point there considering a fair proportion of them are actually West Brom's originally (1848 up to 1862).

The ex PB lot are in good condition as would be expected.