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View Full Version : Bova Futura and Bova Magiq

Jacob1029
16-07-09, 07:40 PM
Hello,

Bova Futura, well what can I say its a dream of a coach. The magiq is its future twin.

Im going to post mainly info about the futura instead of the magiq since I no nothing about the magiq apart from little bits.

It was first made in 1983 with some descusting lamp lights with spindly wing mirrors but the same distinctive front end which makes bova:

http://www.northsomersetcoaches.co.uk/Photo%20Galleryprev_files/image009.jpg

It has been branded mainly in Europe however some snuck over to Aussie.

The next generation featured square headlights and later on new nicer wing mirrors. Also a tri axle version was introduced!:
http://www.sinet.it/personalpage/benedicti/autobus/bova/futura_f.html

At the moment the futura has round headlights and smooth wing mirrors:

http://bus-and-coach-photos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/1050.jpg

Recently a FLI intercity coach has been introduced:

http://www.vdlbuscoach.com/index.php?pageid=463&pid=3329

Tech data on the futura:
http://www.vdlbuscoach.com/index.php?pageid=463&pid=3

Over 10000 Futuras have been sold, and for good reason too. They over a fairly smooth ride, lots of different ranges of interior from top spec to low spec. They also offer wheelchair versions. The coach is extremely reliable and good to drive, its based on an intergrated daf chassis which means scania versions arn't possible however there is a few rare ones out there with volvo engines etc.

The magiq is also daf, it has 3 axel varients and 2 axel varients. It is more focused on the upper class market:

http://www.vdlbuscoach.com/index.php?pageid=463&pid=5

So anyone lucky enough to have one of these?What are you thoughts?Anything I missed out?

Best Regards,
Jacob
coachdriverjed
16-07-09, 10:23 PM
ooh a hardcore bova fan then :roflmao:

heres some of the ones ive driven in the past http://www.coachdriverforum.co.uk/welcome/album.php?albumid=13, deleted my bova album cos i thought it was abit sad tbh but all the motors ive driven are there exceot the odd few
Jacob1029
17-07-09, 06:42 AM
ooh a hardcore bova fan then :roflmao:

heres some of the ones ive driven in the past http://www.coachdriverforum.co.uk/welcome/album.php?albumid=13, deleted my bova album cos i thought it was abit sad tbh but all the motors ive driven are there exceot the odd few

Aye, you got me. I do like other stuff to, im not fully set on bovas ruling the roads just yet. Looked at your album earlyier, its got some pretty nice photos.
fmountford
27-10-09, 12:29 PM
Not being a Coach Driver but I do like the Bovas
rriggs
27-10-09, 04:10 PM
Bovas look nice but on all the Futuras I've driven I've ended up hitting my knuckles on the windscreen when driving!! These were 1996 reg'd motors so don't know if they've remedied that....

Cheers

Rog
rriggs
30-10-09, 01:22 PM
Can't say I hit my knuckles on the windscreen at any point though.
It was a long time ago so maybe they've fixed that peculiarity...

Cheers

Rog
jcjdavis1
30-10-09, 06:26 PM
Hi I have only driven or Bova a couple of times but think its the worst coach I have ever driven, could not get comfortable at all and wasn't to keen on the braking system (08 plate), but each to their own. Jim
Badwolf
10-03-10, 10:16 PM
The company I used to work for until recently had three '03' plate Futuras and they were lovely to drive, even with over 600k km on them. The only thing with them was they would really struggle up to the Glenshee Ski Centre on the A93 from Blairgowrie to Braemar. One of them also got stuck on Porlock Hill. Well, I'd never been there before and didn't know that an auto coach wouldn't go up the damn thing... :blush-anim-cl:

I've never driven a Magiq, but was speaking to some drivers from Reays of Wigton when I was in London who had one and they said that it was a good motor but the fit and finish was appalling. Bits of trim kept falling off the interior apparently...
lenny
25-03-10, 06:37 PM
Have driven Magiqs and Futuras and have always found they had loads of pulling power and are really economical.

They are always easy to clean out and the older seats never seemed to break.

The ones in the Magiq can shear the hinge bolts but they are a quick job to fix.

Can be a bit warm to drive in summer but the driving position is brilliant.

Never driven a auto just manuals and AS tronics, and the gear change has always been really positive.

Best vehicles on the road.
Baldy
25-03-10, 10:23 PM
I absolutely hate Bova's
Matt
25-03-10, 10:29 PM
Bovas are fantastic motors, good lock, well built body, generally well thought out. My old Bova was a 1999, not driven a newer one. But i still see it on the streets of Manchester looking well! Its touring days are over by all accounts. Its not LEZ complient so cant even head down there.

However id rarther have my Merc anyday:wink_5:
johnpirate
26-03-10, 06:22 AM
Matt it is LEZ compliant .They spent about £3000 on an eminox exhaust for it so its clear to go.
Matt
26-03-10, 09:54 AM
Matt it is LEZ compliant .They spent about £3000 on an eminox exhaust for it so its clear to go.

LOL didnt know that.
Davey_Boy
02-04-10, 08:18 PM
I do like a Bova, saw a nice Maynes one today.
BovaBandit
15-06-10, 05:05 PM
For me i dont think there's much you can complain about. I sort of expected Bova to crumble and burn before too long but for me they're more than adequate for anything, tours, hires, schools, they are brilliant!

Seems most people worry about accidents due to lack of front end and the crumble zone but lets be honest, very few coaches are going to be on that basis.

But in terms of drive, quality, comfort, driver opinion, reliability, and most importantly, value for money, not much wrong with them!