Hi all, looking for information on the reliability of the Magnum auto gearbox. It would be the 04/05 model range. Thank you in advance
04 is Mack powered and will be ZF Astronic - Changes gear eventually
First Dxi Volvo powered ones came out in 2005 - Early versions are Euro 3 with Optidriver (I shift) - Gearchange control is on the floor as per Astronic - Not many of these about.
Later versions have the Gearchange control on the column.
Early versions no problems with clutch or gearbox.
Later versions occasional release bearing pack failure which results in the vehicle trying to drive all the time as it leaks air and can’t push the clutch fully resulting in only partial dis-engagement.
Also had some selector shafts break now and again.
Since Dxi with Optidriver came out in Premium and Magnum forms in 2005 we have only had one gearbox that’s had to be stripped.
Steve
Ah! interesting request as the gearbox on my 55 plate Magnum has just ceased functioning. Gearbox removed, now in Renaults, they have the tools to analyse the fault.
Option will be to repair or replace with a second hand box, cheaper than new which costs £8000 while unit is only worth about £5000 and like me getting old.
First major fault since new and over 1million k’s travelled so not overly concerned at this little prob. Interesting to note when we removed the clutch
it was almost as brand new, incredible. What did you actually want to know?
As has been said, what are you wanting to know? If you are thinking about buying one, then I would be inclined to steer well clear. And this is not some knock about the Magnum, it’s getting on a bit in years now and I’ve seen a few Magnums wipe people out financially.
Would have to say Lusk most older rigs can wipe you out but with my vast elderly experience the only time I have been nearly ‘wiped out’ was with a BRAND NEW Actros and
for Actros lovers it was a hell rig when first introduced and the Germans and their dealers went into major denial mode but I got them in the end. But dare I say the Magnum
has recovered my faith in commercial vehicles and I might take it on to 1 million miles, cheaper than buying a new one, great rig.
Armagedon:
Would have to say Lusk most older rigs can wipe you out but with my vast elderly experience the only time I have been nearly ‘wiped out’ was with a BRAND NEW Actros and
for Actros lovers it was a hell rig when first introduced and the Germans and their dealers went into major denial mode but I got them in the end.
Absolutely, there is that saying which says that anything with ■■■■ and wheels will cause you problems.
From my perspective, I think you tend to get the commendable wannabe owner driver who has the balls to start out on his own but the first mistake they make is purchasing the wrong truck. And by this I do mean the Magnums of this world. Take the parts prices on these vehicles, they are astronomical and sadly I’ve seen two or three owner drivers financially wiped out and wiped out within six or so months of trading. Practicality must always come first in this game and I am afraid that big is not always beautiful.
What you’re saying though is the difference between the o/ds that make it and those that don’t is down to the choice of truck make and model and I have never seen any evidence of this. This is just a favourite excuse that one’s who’ve thrown in the towel trot out.
Easy to blame it all on the truck being a bag of nails but, they can’t do that as it implies their mechanical nouse doesn’t extend to spotting a tired truck so the make or model end up copping the blame. I suspect the main reason most don’t make it is the work they do is unprofitable and it wouldn’t matter what the truck is.
First, thanks for all the comments and info. Have been offered a choice of 2 magnums, both Mack 480, one auto and one manual. They’re coming a the right money and have good service records. I knew the later models were based on the I shift box but was unsure of the mack engined auto and whether there is common problem with the Mack engined auto box.
Own Account Driver:
What you’re saying though is the difference between the o/ds that make it and those that don’t is down to the choice of truck make and model and I have never seen any evidence of this. This is just a favourite excuse that one’s who’ve thrown in the towel trot out.Easy to blame it all on the truck being a bag of nails but, they can’t do that as it implies their mechanical nouse doesn’t extend to spotting a tired truck so the make or model end up copping the blame. I suspect the main reason most don’t make it is the work they do is unprofitable and it wouldn’t matter what the truck is.
What I am saying is that I’ve seen people come into the haulage industry and think that big is beautiful and they must have the top of the range truck with the biggest cab etc when in actual fact, good old Joe Bloggs who has the bottom of the range cab gets on better. Granted, this is a generalisation but I’ve seen it time and time again and I hate to say it but those older Magnums can be a bottomless pit.
Totally agree with you about the work being unprofitable but when you couple this with a tired and expensive older truck, you really are on a hiding to nothing.
topline1977:
First, thanks for all the comments and info. Have been offered a choice of 2 magnums, both Mack 480, one auto and one manual. They’re coming a the right money and have good service records. I knew the later models were based on the I shift box but was unsure of the mack engined auto and whether there is common problem with the Mack engined auto box.
It’s Astronic then - Not the most common gearbox in either Premium or Magnum - We have had problems with the Gearchange module - some self inflicted by spilling Tea ,Coffee Pepsi etc over it
Hardly any problems with the gearbox - it’s not the fastest box especially now we’re used to Optidiver (I shift)
Steve
Personally, I’d disagree that a Magnum is an expensive truck to buy, I paid £25,000 for my 08 private sale last year and at the time 08-reg FH12 private sales with similar mileage were going for around £42,000. Obviously the residual value of a Volvo will be higher three years later but the fact that a Magnum is a large and imposing truck doesn’t translate to it being an expensive truck to buy.
I also wouldn’t say Renault are expensive on parts or labour either, I use a main dealer (KTS Renault Truck and Van) and I pay £142.45 including VAT for the six-weekly inspection, I’m having a major M1 service next weekend, total bill will come to £484.00 + VAT. When I had the M1 service done last year I compared the price of the Original Equipment filters to pattern parts on ebay afterwards, prices were virtually identical. I had new anti-roll bar bushes fitted in September, parts and labour was £168 + VAT.
Mine has the i-shift gearbox, which is very quick and responsive, I had to replace the clutch last year when the release bearing failed, this is a common occurrence at around 550,000km, and the alternator and tensioners about the same time but other than that it’s given no trouble at all, in 17 months I have had just five days of downtime, the Magnum’s a superb cab to live in when you’re away all week, I would definitely buy another one.
when I run my trucks ERF I was always gonna buy a magnum never did but I always liked the look of them…Drove one a couple of years ago loved driving it…but when taut or van passed on m/way it felt like they were coming in the cab with me…
I can certainly see the attraction from a drivers point of view of having one especially when being on long haul jobs…ideal.
That seems quite a lot of money, Harry Monk, for just a safety inspection or do you get a grease up too?
Lusk:
That seems quite a lot of money, Harry Monk, for just a safety inspection or do you get a grease up too?
I don’t know what others pay for the six-weekly inspection but it doesn’t seem overpriced to me.
Your OK Harry don’t bother posting bills, wasted effort on here, Maggie Rools.
The grease and consumables are fine but in my opinion the labour is too much. If you say that to do an inspection on a unit takes between 1.50 - 1.75H, this would mean that you are paying around £65 per hour for the labour. I would be looking to pay around £80 for an inspection excluding any grease/consumables.
Having said this, you are happy with the service so that is all that matters really.
I think it’s comparable to what most people pay, my friend has his FH12 serviced at an independent workshop and he told me he pays “a hundred and forty something”. I’d be interested to know what others pay for the six-weekly inspection, but although I could possibly get it done for a little less the problem is that for most independents locally, Saturday is their busiest day with pre-existing customers so any saving would be far outweighed by the cost of the downtime if I had to have it done during the week.
Harry if you’re still around the Kent area, I don’t think £65 per hour isn’t over the top for a main dealer. I’ve heard figures of £85 per hour for labour at some in that area. Where I work in Kent we get charged 2 hours labour for an Inspection and grease up, this is an independent workshop and its only slightly cheaper than what Harry pays.
When I worked in Norfolk we were paying £80 for a tractor unit inspection in 2010, again independent workshops, we stopped using a main Renault dealer because we weren’t happy with their work, and they were charging £160 for an inspection in 2007.
Just had a call from my Renault dealer.
For £151.00 a month they will do all the 6 weekly inspections, check and top up
oil ect, pay and prep and take your truck for MOT, supply courtesy vehicle (van)
to get you home if needed.
Have had 5 Magnums from W reg to 58 reg, never had a clutch fitted or any major
engine problems.
ITS a Volvo with a better cab, shame they stopped production, although I was impressed
with the Renault T.
alanjblack:
ITS a Volvo with a better cab
It’s a Swedish au-pair dressed in a French Maid’s outfit. 