I am looking at this 99 monaco dipolomat 40ft, i am assuming it is one of the 38 models haven't seen it yet. It had a fire in the battery compartment, below the bedroom. It has a 5.9 cum mins with an allison tranny, I know the cummins are good engines but it has 200,000 miles on it, at what point do they need a rebuild, that is 320km, seems high to me and causes a concern a rebuild is easily 10k. I can can pick up the unit for around 10k

Get maintenance records or WALK.Proper maintenance and 200k is one thing. 200k and iffy maintenance-- no way.

Really? 200K and damaged by a fire? Run, don't walk.

Run as fast as you can!! A 1999 RV with 200,000 miles has been used hard. Most 1999 Class A RV's have less than half as many miles on them. The fire would kill it for me as well. The Cummins could go much more than 200,000 miles if well maintained, I'm not sure what the tranny can go over 200,000 miles. There are lots of Class a RV's out there, I'd keep looking. An engine rebuild with tranny rebuild can cost you many $$$$$.JMO

I'm not a mechanic, but I have always been told that the 5.9 Cummins was good for at least 300,000 miles if the oil was changed as it should be and other routine maintenance was followed. I have a '99 Dodge pickup with the same engine and it is still running strong at 278,000 miles. I purchased the truck new. At roughly 180,000 miles I had to replace the fuel injector pump which was about $1,800 and the fuel injectors were replaced with +40HP injectors for about another $800 but that has been the only major repairs. I've been very pleased.Cummins did have problem around that time with engine blocks from the "53" casting mold developing cracks due to being too thin in places. The cracks would cause coolant leaks down the side of the block. There is plenty info on the Internet about these engines and they are readily identified by the "53" embossed on the side of the block.Hope this helps.--------- Jim

Yes, I think that maintenance is very important. If it has been looked after well, no issue. If not, walk away. Airport limos run for 650,000 miles without any major work. They are very well maintained, and that's a gas powered vehicle. There is no reason a well cared for diesel pusher could not go a million miles.

99 monaco diplomat w 200,000 miles | Good Sam Community

Bruce_Brown
Moderator
Feb 02, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
He's only talking a price of $10k. If it's running strong and the fire damage can be repaired easily, doesn't sound like to huge of a risk to me.

I'd agree with this. $10K doesn't buy much.
wny_pat1
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
The Cummins 5.9 is not as easy of a rebuild as the big Cummins. It does not have the cylinder sleeves for rebuilding like the big diesels do. A big diesel with sleeves can be rebuild may times, while the little 5.9 has to be bored every rebuild, and that weakens it and shortens its life. Because of that, many call the little Cummins 5.9 a throw away diesel. I would expect to get 500,000 to 1,000,000 miles on that little "throw away" diesel. But one that has not had proper maintenance is anyones guess!!!
topflite51
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
wolfe10 wrote:
Get maintenance records or WALK.

Proper maintenance and 200k is one thing. 200k and iffy maintenance-- no way.
Agree with Brett.
BobandShaz
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
2bzy2c wrote:
Rode hard, put away wet, then it caught fire.
Yep, good deal!

I wouldn't touch it. Not even with your wallet.
RVUSA
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
way too many miles, period. that engine and chassis havent been loafing in a pickup truck running to the grocery store all of their lives.
fcooper
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
msmith1199 wrote:
He's only talking a price of $10k. If it's running strong and the fire damage can be repaired easily, doesn't sound like to huge of a risk to me.

I agree. If it runs and drives good and you like the quality of the coach for your use, and you can fix the fire damage, then I'd say go for it. Doubt you'll ever make any money on a resale but it could be a good inexpensive unit for your personal use.

Fred
tandkj
Explorer
Feb 02, 2014
If you subtract the years and divide that into the milage you get about 14K per year. That is a lot of miles. I would want to see the maintenance records.
2bzy2c
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
Rode hard, put away wet, then it caught fire.
Yep, good deal!

I wouldn't touch it. Not even with your wallet.
msmith1199
Explorer II
Feb 01, 2014
He's only talking a price of $10k. If it's running strong and the fire damage can be repaired easily, doesn't sound like to huge of a risk to me.
Lug_Nut
Explorer
Feb 01, 2014
Yes, I think that maintenance is very important. If it has been looked after well, no issue. If not, walk away. Airport limos run for 650,000 miles without any major work. They are very well maintained, and that's a gas powered vehicle. There is no reason a well cared for diesel pusher could not go a million miles.