2022 Alexander Dennis Enviro 200 MMC POV Drive

[@JoeysAutismAdventures]

I use your youtube videos as my white noise to help me sleep at night. also I am autistic. i like 15 passenger vans, and Airbus A321 aircraft as a hobby. i also like Yamaha stereo equipment.

[@wheelerd02]

If not already apparent in my manner of speech I also have autism. Also this is evident in my upload content i.e buses and trucks

[@JoeysAutismAdventures]

@@wheelerd02 my transit system here in AZ is Valley Metro

[@Arda972]

Amazing amazing bus honestly thanks for the review. Plus i find it satisfying how bus driver's wave at each other.

[@wheelerd02]

Very pleased to hear you enjoyed my guy. Bus Driver's wave is common place, got to stick together. 🇹🇷 👋 🇬🇧

[@gravelsyrup]

I drive all types of buses for a career and this is one of my favourites to work in.

[@wheelerd02]

I have rose tinted nostalgia for 20 odd year Dennis Darts & Scania Omnicity single deckers. They drove smoothly and the controls acted as one wanted. I appreciate these 200 MMC are current technology with all manner of driver aids & low emission outputs but they aren't the best to drive I find. Especially these ones equipped with the Votih DIWA 4 speed to provide stop/start Euro 6 emissions. I find the gearbox often is in the wrong gear or leaves you lumbered with no acceleration. We have another one in fleet on a 69 plate with an Allison gearbox and that is a dream to drive.

[@britishtransportphotos]

Hello from south wales, love the POV video of the 200MMC, wouldn't mind seeing more PCV POV videos as i find them quite nice. i should be passing my car licence by the end of the year and hopefully next year applying for a well known operator in the area to take me through my PCV licence and hoping i can do POV and cab videos. excellent content!

[@wheelerd02]

Thank you very much for watching, glad you enjoyed. Best of luck on licence acquisition and further advancement in the future.

[@darraghnee]

Nice looking bus ..

[@wheelerd02]

Boss man shall be pleased to read this. Thank you for watching

[@briancopeland9279]

Absolutely fantastic real smooth ride great to be part of it your getting back in there mate keep up the great driving

[@wheelerd02]

Thank you very much

[@MJ-yu3kr]

Great to see you back with some videos! Just need some commentary to go with them now. Used to love listening to you and found you quite motivational to be honest. Keep up the good work. Look forward to more videos soon! 👍

[@wheelerd02]

Oh really you are too kind. Thank you for watching and commenting. I recorded this one as a test bed for potential future white noise/vehicle ASMR projects. Granted not a stunning result, basic X/Y microphone package plus I may have set the levels too low. I need to experiment more and get some AKG (£££) microphones for a decent audio experience. In this vehicle, had I offered a commentary I would have been swearing a great deal on account of the old "Buckaroo" Voith gearbox. Other videos should hopefully be in the pipeline soon.

[@jasonday7378]

Aha vectare I use everyday lol on the 20 from Ongar to Harlow and back. (Well central connect now) can’t wait for the new e400mmcs to finally arrive

[@wheelerd02]

E400? *taps nose sagely* Would you say the service has improved since our takeover? Any comments, compliments, or critiques I can forward?

[@jasonday7378]

@@wheelerd02 yeah mate I use it pretty much everyday it’s a lot better lol although the 20 still seems to be to busy for single deckers especially in the day. But yeah no no complaints the buses are nice just like I say the 20 from Ongar gets to busy for single deckers. There e400mmcs coming aren’t they or just e400s?

[@wheelerd02]

@@jasonday7378 MMC

[@jasonday7378]

@@wheelerd02 good. Funny enough I’m waiting for the 20 now got CT21 GAL the only decker atm🤣

[@jasonday7378]

@@wheelerd02 I’m on YY24 HBA on the 20 to Harlow it’s way to busy tho lol the bus is to small for this route

[@davidwright-sp3zx]

I love those buses! Great video

[@wheelerd02]

Thank you for watching

[@XabiExplores]

Epic video

[@wheelerd02]

Much too kind thank you

[@Dennistridententhusiast17673]

Nice one mate

[@wheelerd02]

Thank you

[@NB-sg7ds]

Enjoy the no rattling while you can, within a year you'll need ear plugs to try cope with these things 😂 Brill video though man! 👍

[@wheelerd02]

No kidding on the noise Thank you for watching

[@Rinoyra]

Bus departing speed run

[@wheelerd02]

Zoom zoom ding ding

[@recycleman975]

nice the front end is simmilar to the Volvo 7700

[@wheelerd02]

High praise for an Enviro

[@recycleman975]

@@wheelerd02 yeah

[@Hebbers]

Are these really only 4-speed transmissions? I know they are intended for mostly city use but that 4th gear is really short for even brief highway runs.

[@wheelerd02]

I may have been too quick to assume 4 speed, although I am having difficulty finding concrete evidence of ratio sets. (Voith DIWA 6 Efficiency Packages) 👇 www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=d2euiryrvxi8z1.cloudfront.net/asset/445934742530/089c760c0386480ecafc341ab704ca0d/g2197-english.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwiYvN2j6vr5AhWFoVwKHYo4DiEQFnoECB4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw3qS16KkeL0WWE4C5IPzF_V This is a PDF of the what I can best think matches our spec, specifically due to the Stop/Start package. It references 1-2 and 2-4 gearshift times and processes. Now, it is called DIWA.6****, on first look I'd automatically assume 6 speed but I could be wrong.

[@BusesInDublin]

Nice one. The Allison gearbox ones are far nicer and nipper though!

[@wheelerd02]

💯, totally transforms the vehicle. We have a vehicle here with the same 4 cylinder but with the Allison box. Such a better drive, swift acceleration, smoother deceleration. Then you get in a Voith equipped vehicle and very quickly you notice the difference. HOWEVER, due to stop/Start requirements for emissions/contractual obligations we have to go for the Voith. A real shame.

[@wakandaforever5732]

@@wheelerd02 contractual obligations? You mean that as an ADL customer you can’t ask for the Allison unit to be fitted? In actual fact most private operators are doing everything they can to scrounge on savings as much as possible. Belief it or not the Voith and Cummins combination can be configured for more performance at the expense of efficiency, it’s simply the gearbox shift software and engines torque & acceleration configuration that can be altered, however, Cummins & Voith need to change these not ADL. The stop-start software isn’t something that needs to be taken if you choose to keep the standard Voith fitment.

[@wheelerd02]

@@wakandaforever5732 Contractual obligations to our operator's customer. The route is funded by a local authority. Allison don't offer a stop/start system (so I am told), so to keep emissions down we had to go for a Voith unit. I am aware of software tweaks within thr vehicle's myriad computers, however due to ever spiraling fuel costs we have opted for maximum efficiency hence the early shifting points and jolting ride.

[@wakandaforever5732]

I’ve always been curious to how these would be with a ZF Ecolife fitted to them..

[@wheelerd02]

I have driven ZF boxes before but pretty sure NOT the Ecolife. Is that a smooth shifter or is it jolty like the Voith?

[@BusTrainsGuy18]

@@wheelerd02 It actually depends because some of the Enviro 200MMC Voith's tend to start acting up and that mostly on operators who are taking care of them, some don't tend to care meaning you will hear more unfamiliar sounds and feel different jolts, but the E200 MMC in my area with voiths don't jolt that often and some of them are smooth, but Abellio in the other hand is harsh its like your about to get smashed into your seat. Edit: I've never come across any ZF's but I've seen one but haven't been on one to experience it.

[@neoman7792]

Great pov vid mate. Would I be right in thinking these buses are equipped with driver A/C courtesy of the small white box near the rear on the roof?

[@wheelerd02]

Thank you for watching. Correct on the air con front, to have full saloon HVAC it would need the 6 cylinder diesel.

[@neoman7792]

@@wheelerd02 Ah wow! Then again it’s believable the A/C uses a fair bit of the engines power to get going to be fair

[@wheelerd02]

@@neoman7792 certainly does, the 4 cylinder has enough going on already trying to move the motor without the encumbrance of air conditioning.

[@neoman7792]

@@wheelerd02 Aye true, all limitations with economy then keeping the temps correct for regens etc.. Surprisingly I think New Zealand have midi MMC 200’s with A/C my only thoughts are a higher engine output or 6cyl in a midi.. It has been done surprisingly

[@aidan1585]

@@wheelerd02 are the straight 6’s much louder or quicker? could possibly be slower with the extra weight and only 40 extra hp (but then again they have an extra 250Nm)

[@jcreedy20]

Driving one of these 61 plate at work today. We have mostly street shites, but have one of these. Love driving this!! However if the retarder suddenly cuts out while braking and your coming up to a junction briskly its a bit scary with how large a throw you have on the brake pedal as you have to compensate a lot with how much retardation force there is.

[@wheelerd02]

Your experience takes me back to 2016 when First Chelmsford got them in, 44660, 44661 etc. We had them on the 57s which compounded disappointment you got your duty card. Widely held in derision. Deathly slow acceleration, rubbish gear changes, door open lights & buzzy over bumps and worse yet was the retarder as you mention. I likened it to stepping on a fully inflated balloon, absolute lack of feedback through the pedal. I hated my time in them back then. Nowadays, these P&R are okay. I say they have 3 pedals: brake, throttle & "None". I find lifting off early and letting it roll up to roundabouts, lights, junctions and bends in the road is far better than relying on service brakes for deceleration. Gearbox shift points are predictable on my routes (given the repetition). Still not especially keen on these Voith DIWA gearboxes though but low emission stop/start functionality necessitated their fitment. At Vectare we have a lwb Enviro 200 "NWB" which has an Allison transmission. Remarkable what a difference it makes. Faster pick up, smooth deceleration and near seemless shifts. Shame they aren't all with that unit here.

[@jcreedy20]

@@wheelerd02 yeah I drove those 2016 models too... I think?!? They were basically what we got to replace our old 02 03 04 Norfolk coast hopper solos. The enviro 200s were 2016 model and had extremely slow pick up. But they used to glide along on the longer runs and as you say had inflated balloon feedback through the brakes.

[@wheelerd02]

@@jcreedy20 Solos, ugh awful things. Cockroaches but awful sodding things to drive. First used a bath of 2013 Enviros 44500, 44558 etc. Not bad pick up but mid gear acceleration (cyclist overtaking) was dismal. Ride quality, NVH and interior panel fitment was miserable.

[@jcreedy20]

@@wheelerd02 The solos we had were the small 32 seat variants and the front wheel positioning made them perfect for the tiny norfolk coast roads as the other front overhang tempos etc would end up with destroyed front side panels where the overhang is due to scuffing the grass verges. We had at least one solo that you would have loved! It came from a wales depot where they had to run powerful buses due to the extreme hills they had over there. It had a trident engine in the back lol!! It was so fast it would burn cars off at the traffic lights up to about 45 - 50.

[@wheelerd02]

@@jcreedy20 a 6 cylinder in a Solo? Decent. We had a single unit that was a full panel shorter than the rest and mild flares on the twin wheel arches.

[@robnicklas68]

Do you drive for Vectare on the Chelmsford Park and Ride shuttles?

[@wheelerd02]

Cannot confirm or deny

[@superbrownsheep3777]

I’m curious if there are any Enviro 200 MMCs powered with the B6.7 out there.

[@wheelerd02]

I wouldn't imagine so, given its relatively small payload and dimensions a big 6 would be a unnecessary fuel cost. Would make for a brisk smooth ride, especially paired with an Allison gearbox 🥰 and not a jolty Votih 🤮

[@superbrownsheep3777]

@@wheelerd02 According to the Enviro 200 MMC spec sheet, it does indeed come with a B6.7, but buyers usually tend to overlook this for some reason.

[@BinandChill]

You should go to hopdeals and see what an econic is like to drive

[@wheelerd02]

Do like a Mercedes so would be curious to see what they were like

[@BinandChill]

@@wheelerd02 i will let you know if i see somewhere you could test drive one

[@ariesworld3500]

Missed u we got ex essex p nr buses here e200s

[@wheelerd02]

Oh you are too kind. Where are you then that you've got them? As far as I saw I thought they had been repurposed amongst the First Essex fleet.

[@ariesworld3500]

@@wheelerd02 we got 4071 4072 73 74 75 they are 15 reg there where black but now in blue arriva colours . Great to see your still doing vids !!

[@ariesworld3500]

@@wheelerd02 Do u have email I can send you picture of them :) or Facebook or insta

[@reeceduggan6749]

do you still drive the bin wagons or have you quit?

[@wheelerd02]

Left back in March my guy, no regrets

[@reeceduggan6749]

@@wheelerd02 loving the new content with buses and coaches BTW keep it up 😊

[@teddysmith7253]

Hi. I’m a bus driver in Essex I’m looking at joining vectare what’s the company like to work for?

[@wheelerd02]

I am enjoying it, a good bunch of people and I laugh a good deal each day. My life since leaving the bins has improved a great deal, I attribute a portion of this to joining Vectare.

[@teddysmith7253]

@@wheelerd02 that’s good to hear I’ve heard good things about the company so I have applied and Is it true at vectare you got to fuel up,add adblue and screen wash?

[@wheelerd02]

@@teddysmith7253 yes if you bringing a bus back you do need to do fluids and a sweep out. Simple enough and can be streamlined once you know where stuff is, don't let that block am opportunity

[@teddysmith7253]

@@wheelerd02 not too bad then. Are you allowed to use your phone in the cab at terminus points?

[@wheelerd02]

@@teddysmith7253 a question to be saved for potential interview time my guy.

[@kevinanderson5658]

Done security at Cummins engines and emissions DARLINGTON assembly plant seen meny these engines built Iknow you like your cars believe it Cummins employe built turbocharged 4.7litre Cummins land rover discovery lol

[@wheelerd02]

Any videos of said Discovery perhaps?

[@racerxr2]

Not an accurate representation, dash doesn't look like a Christmas tree 😂

[@wheelerd02]

These are too bad for lights so far. Approx 52/55k miles on the 8 bus fleet now. Plenty of time yet for lights 😉

[@ShorelineSuncruisers]

it's so strange to me to see the driver seat with a seatbelt

[@wheelerd02]

All the mod cons my guy

[@gavcrayton]

Give it a few months and you'll have laminates all over to stop rattles as per usual with these 🤣

[@wheelerd02]

The First Enviros were dreadful for panel fit and cab rattle. More than once I turned the engine off so I could hear what passengers were saying. These are doing better, thus far

[@davidlacey4665]

Hi pounds for hounds hows everything with you

[@wheelerd02]

I am doing okay thank you, 1 day into the next. How are you doing?

[@davidlacey4665]

@@wheelerd02 yes I'm doing fine thank you and I've got a new girlfriend who is in hospital at the moment so she can get her exess fluid out of her body as it is effecting her heart

[@wheelerd02]

@@davidlacey4665 good heavens, get well soon lady

[@BusTrainsGuy18]

Honestly I think buses should have 8-speed automatic gearboxes because, hearing buses with 4 or 5 speed gearboxes and the screaming of there engines makes me wonder when the engine is going fly off the engine bay, its been in my head for awhile now and makes me feel sympathy for vehicles nowadays. 😂🥲

[@wheelerd02]

Cost and complexity I imagine are the main considerations. Plus given the short duty cycle of bus travel they eohld forever banging up and down the ratios between stops. Whereas HGV ordinarily do longer distance journeys between cities and states, buses do round trips in urban areas stopping multiple times in a given street.

[@aidan1585]

Cost and weight! For a usual citybus, 8 speeds is too much, for an intercity bus, 7/8 is a good number.. all buses should have a minimum of 6 gears though. Not just 4.

[@wheelerd02]

@@aidan1585 I agree, this isn't the 70s