(21 Feb 2020, 9:52 am)mb134 wrote I think newer E400s would be the best bet for the X93 when it requires new vehicles. 

I've had both 14 and 64 plates on the X18 recently that have performed well up hills and manage to reach 60+ no problem along straights. Wherever I've had an MMC they've also performed well, and I imagine if they were bought for the X93 Arriva would spec the gearbox correctly. 

Add to the fact that Wright build quality was awful before they went under and that we don't have a clue what it'll be like under new ownership, while ADL products now are very solid, everything seems to point to MMCs.

As long as they don't go for the 4 cylinder they should have plenty of poke. GNE went for the 4 cylinder with their E400s and they feel like they're about to roll back down on the way up Dunston Bank (same with their E200s in Whickham)

As for the quality with Wrightbus, we'll know what it's like under the new owners once GNE eventually receives their StreetDecks. Their 16 plate StreetDecks are pretty shoddy, but the 67 plates are a vast improvement, I can't say what it was like before they went into administration, but it certainly has to be better than what ADL were like a year or two back!

Having said that, so far GNE's E200/E400s have been fairly solid, with the only real issues coming from the awful quick release windows that are more rattly than a Streetlite door!