Least Favourite Bus (NXWM or Otherwise)

[Liverpool Street]

@Matt @Liverpool Street

First have specified a new ZF box for this year's e200's apparently- I read an article on it. Apparently leads to large fuel savings...

@DiamondDart - probably be the same as NX's set-up with a painfully slow reaction times with everything. It takes about 2-3 seconds before the horn realises it's been pressed and there's no damn indicator sound? Why? Gah I hate those E200's so much it makes me want to punch a horse to the ground grrr

[ross4122]

It was a joke Kiewii.....

[PM]

@Liverpool Street

I guess to achieve good fuel economy the performance may have to suffer. Do you not prefer not having an indicator sound then ooi? The b7rles make a less intrusive sound than the indicators on some alx400/presidents.

Do you really not prefer e200s to say a b6? I'd have thought the cab seat heaters etc were better plus there's more space?

[Bob]

Any arriva dart allocated to cannock or stafford.  Threadbare, knackered extremely prone to breakdown and badly maintained.  Worse than wednesfield's examples and thats saying some!

[Liverpool Street]

@Liverpool Street

I guess to achieve good fuel economy the performance may have to suffer. Do you not prefer not having an indicator sound then ooi? The b7rles make a less intrusive sound than the indicators on some alx400/presidents.

Do you really not prefer e200s to say a b6? I'd have thought the cab seat heaters etc were better plus there's more space?

Give me a B6 over an E200 any day. I'm a big lad and not really had any seating issues with a B6, but from what I recall I got chronic back ache and knee ache from the B7rle and E200's. Glad I don't have to drive them any more as my knee is creaking like an un-oiled hinge.

Also prefer to move the steering wheel to the actual movement of the dashboard (As per new ADL stuff)

And I would also want an indicator sound. Even a weak beep is better then nothing. I'm surprised no accidents are caused by none-self-cancelling indicators. I like the "Dink. Dink. Dink. Dink." of the B7tl's, was quite warming....

[P419 EJW]

@Liverpool Street

I guess to achieve good fuel economy the performance may have to suffer. Do you not prefer not having an indicator sound then ooi? The b7rles make a less intrusive sound than the indicators on some alx400/presidents.

Do you really not prefer e200s to say a b6? I'd have thought the cab seat heaters etc were better plus there's more space?

Give me a B6 over an E200 any day. I'm a big lad and not really had any seating issues with a B6, but from what I recall I got chronic back ache and knee ache from the B7rle and E200's. Glad I don't have to drive them any more as my knee is creaking like an un-oiled hinge.

Also prefer to move the steering wheel to the actual movement of the dashboard (As per new ADL stuff)

And I would also want an indicator sound. Even a weak beep is better then nothing. I'm surprised no accidents are caused by none-self-cancelling indicators. I like the "Dink. Dink. Dink. Dink." of the B7tl's, was quite warming....

I'm with you, @Liverpool Street. I love travelling on B6s. It's just great. Yeah, okay, B6s might have small legroom (derp) but I usually sit on a single seat on the left near the doors so I can see where I'm going. :P You're right with the indicator noise, I have to listen to it - a quiet or loud soft beep beep beep - it's somewhat relaxing. A while ago, when 547 was on 335, the driver was driving slow and used the indicator well, it made me sleepy. :P Or I sit at the back, middle seat, only when the B6 is bouncy - like 584 on 45. Also, I like listening to Wright Eclipse Geminis that have a President sound (like 4680-4686) and Presidents' indicator noise, it's a nice sound. Surprisingly, 620 and 626 have President noise rather than a Wright Crusader noise!

[PM]

@P419 EJW @Liverpool Street

Whilst I do quite like the B6's as I remember them from my childhood being some of the first low-floor buses, the interior layout seems poor. For instance, there is a fair trek towards the back of the bus to find a decent forward facing seat. There is then a lot of seats in the raised rear section which seems pretty cramped. I agree the front nearside seat is the best, though!!

They also rattle quite a lot-particularly the massive CCTV-or whatever its predecessor was called-pod inside the bus and the cab area as well. They also seemed quite underpowered and slow-I don't think anyone who likes B6's could call them anything but steady. To be fair, the Wright Crusader bodywork complete with NX's comprehensive refurbs on the remaining examples-I bet most passengers wouldn't guess they are up to 18 years old.

The withdrawal process seems to be so spread out though-weren't some being withdrawn as long ago as 2006/7?

Wright bodied darts are a different story though! :)

[bususer12]

Don't forget the ding ding ding overheating sound to go with the indicators! Usually followed by a smack on the dashboard.

[Bob]

B6 legroom is terrible!  Wright bodied B10L's have pretty good legroom though. ...metrobuses had fantastic legroom throughout, older buses generally did I think. Worst ever legroom I found was step entry pointer darts! Awful

[P419 EJW]

Don't forget the ding ding ding overheating sound to go with the indicators! Usually followed by a smack on the dashboard.

Ahhhh, yes! Thanks for reminding me. I miss hearing them! Good old days.

[4006]

E200's seem to vary so much. 30929 is absolutely fantastic-pretty much as new-but I've been on some very bad e200's with all the issues you mention and more. A wright crusader dart would certainly be up there with the best e200's though in terms of lack of rattles...

I'm sure it's probably just the strangled NX set-up to be honest. On a smooth road I bet those awful E200's are good, but on the streets of Brum? No chance. @DiamondDart

@Liverpool Street NX's are dreadful, but I do think Enviro200s are better with allison gearboxes, which is what most other operators have in them. Much quicker pulling off.

Are NX's that pathetic ZF box? @Matt - They seemed to have really reduced the power for the first 500 - 1000 rpm, absolutely no low end torque. I can't imagine these things lasting well if we get a freezing winter, with the gear box set up they'll most likely just spin out. Not that they've even given drivers the choice of anything, the damn CCTV Drivers Aid button doesn't even work!

Talking about that, @Tony, why has the manufacturer fitted these buttons and they do absolutely nothing? I remember, when being at BC, getting into new buses and looking at all the switches, just for the Driver Trainer to say "Oh, those aren't operative" - Damn it! ;) :P

I heard that the buttons for the CCTV drivers aid was SO COMPLICATED for the drivers to operate correctly it has all been disabled. Endless pressing of buttons in the wrong sequence, pressing unnecessarily, accidental pressing of the buttons etc, that's what I have been told

[ross4122]

B6s were absolute beast. Some people may differ, but 7164 ( R164 RSN ) was the best.
I also liked the Excels, 7211 the best. But of course that was back when the "better" Dundee routes existed.

[nitromatt1]

B6s were absolute beast. Some people may differ, but 7164 ( R164 RSN ) was the best.
I also liked the Excels, 7211 the best. But of course that was back when the "better" Dundee routes existed.

I always loved B6s and still do. I had a ride on 680 earlier, every time the driver used kickdown it went like excrement off a shovel, so to speak. Great bus.

[Tony]

B6s were absolute beast. Some people may differ, but 7164 ( R164 RSN ) was the best.
I also liked the Excels, 7211 the best. But of course that was back when the "better" Dundee routes existed.

I always loved B6s and still do. I had a ride on 680 earlier, every time the driver used kickdown it went like excrement off a shovel, so to speak. Great bus.

B6s do not have kickdown

[nitromatt1]

B6s were absolute beast. Some people may differ, but 7164 ( R164 RSN ) was the best.
I also liked the Excels, 7211 the best. But of course that was back when the "better" Dundee routes existed.

I always loved B6s and still do. I had a ride on 680 earlier, every time the driver used kickdown it went like excrement off a shovel, so to speak. Great bus.

B6s do not have kickdown

This one did!