Diamond bus reviews

[Jack]

Loud Turbo = decent Bus?  Seriously!? 😂

It's whiny and loud. Howls too. It actually moves as well compared to 30826...

[Tony]

There is a lot of Diamond Darts that have defects, just take 20002 for an example, stuck in limp mode.
30880 and 30881 are decent Centro's. 30881 has a loud turbo too.

Do darts have a limp mode?

I've never come across an Alexander Dennis vehicle in limp mode. Serious question as I genuinely don't know. Perhaps someone who has maintained darts can answer @BN

[Straightlines]

Do darts have a limp mode?

I've never come across an Alexander Dennis vehicle in limp mode. Serious question as I genuinely don't know. Perhaps someone who has maintained darts can answer @BN

They definitely do, but even so - I can't see how the Bus is 'permanently stuck' in Limp Mode as it virtually renders them undrivable.

[BN]

Do darts have a limp mode?

I've never come across an Alexander Dennis vehicle in limp mode. Serious question as I genuinely don't know. Perhaps someone who has maintained darts can answer @BN

Yes they do, anything from 2002 onwards in the Dart with the Cummins 3.9lt isbe4 engine is electronically controlled. Limp mode is the way the ECU behaves which saves itself from causing mechanical damage to the block. In this day and age, it's normally fuel or Adblue related.

[Trident 4194]

I had the pleasure of 30807 today on 4H. What a brilliant bus. Certainly plenty of power accelerating and maintained speed well. Being driven quite fast. This is how all the centros should be!

10/10

[Jack]

I had the pleasure of 30807 today on 4H. What a brilliant bus. Certainly plenty of power accelerating and maintained speed well. Being driven quite fast. This is how all the centros should be!

10/10

30881 is the one of the last good ones going. Most of the others are stuck in limp mode.

One of the Royale Centro's is letting plumes of black smoke out, think it's 30823.

[Straightlines]

30881 is the one of the last good ones going. Most of the others are stuck in limp mode.

One of the Royale Centro's is letting plumes of black smoke out, think it's 30823.

Still struggling to understand how Buses are permanently stuck in limp mode!

[Trident 4194]

Still struggling to understand how Buses are permanently stuck in limp mode!

Try sampling an 002 branded one or a royale  according to others

[Stu]

Still struggling to understand how Buses are permanently stuck in limp mode!

I agree, if a bus is in limp mode it should not be out in service, it should be receiving maintenance to resolve the fault.

It is called 'limp mode' because it is designed to get the vehicle to 'limp' to a garage or repair centre for maintenance without causing any harm or damage to the engine.

The buses people believe are 'stuck' in limp mode are probably just being driven slowly.  ;)

[Trident 4194]

30922-4H- there's something I like about these despite them being possibily one of the most uncomfortable buses to travel. Suspension was very bouncy and this one seemed quite underpowered, but it's a bus I don't get to travel on often which is probably why I like these and they have plenty of engine noice which adds to character.

[Jack]

30922-4H- there's something I like about these despite them being possibily one of the most uncomfortable buses to travel. Suspension was very bouncy and this one seemed quite underpowered, but it's a bus I don't get to travel on often which is probably why I like these and they have plenty of engine noice which adds to character.

30952 is like that too. This one has very loud breaks.

[Jack]

30502 - Plaxton B7RLE (Wessex Livery)

Had a ride on this on the 50. Way better than many of the other Plaxton's Diamond own. Flew down Alcester Road. The livery is very smart and the interior is relatively clean. I doubt it will last like this for long though. 8/10

[Trident 4194]

I had the absolute priviledge of 20540 on 231. Some say these are slow and horrible, but I have to disagree. Firstly I love the howling of the engines, brought back the memories of nx solos on the 654 as they do sound very similar. The interior all in the same moquette, and the fact that there painted in blue suggests that they think that they are worthy buses. On flat and coming down mucklows hill it certainly wasn't sluggish. Up mucklows hill it may have been a different matter. This is a vehicle type that I very rarely get to go on- in fact the last time was when they operated on the 142. Ideally would have liked 20538/20539 as these were the two branded originally for the Stourbridge shuttle, but this one was adequately as good

[Jack]

30211 - Cadet

Diamond's last '02' plate Cadet left. The howling engine reminded me of the 30206 and 30209. Interior a little messy, will probably be withdrawn soon. Shame this the last 02 plate. 6/10

30933 - Ex-First E300

Beast!! Can't beat this bus. Way better than the other E300's at Tividale. The E300's that First currently operate are the best ones going. 10/10

[Trident 4194]

30211 - Cadet

Diamond's last '02' plate Cadet left. The howling engine reminded me of the 30206 and 30209. Interior a little messy, will probably be withdrawn soon. Shame this the last 02 plate. 6/10

30933 - Ex-First E300

Beast!! Can't beat this bus. Way better than the other E300's at Tividale. The E300's that First currently operate are the best ones going. 10/10

30206 and 30209 had different gearboxes did they not to 30211, 30212 etc? Certainly sounded different from what I recall. My favourite cadet was 30218- what a bus that was being ex ludlows made it even more special.