Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

[tufbnme]

Looking at getting into the MPc 03 series and am wondering what techs think of these. Any problematic issues?
I have seen quite a few low mileage units at the wholesalers so I wonder why. I have had very good luck with the 02 series.
Please let me know. Thanks

[Tonerbomb]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

I definitely like the 03's, they run well and have been good so far. even if you install the SOP still like'm....

[anothertech]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

Yeah, they been good so far. Some early drum failures, some fuser gears wearing fast, but overall looks like a good machine.

[slimslob]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

I am not having any problems with them. One thing I have noticed in WIM, in word Login at the top right corner is not there with most OS and browsers. Only the Door icon button. Threw me the first time I went to use WIM on one.

[Lagonda]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

The '03 series is now 50% of our mid size fleet with over 800 boxes out there in the field. We are more then happy with their performance with no major design flaws apparent. We get the recommended life out of the PCU's but beware they are big bikkies to replace. we're looking at over $5k for 4 PCU's and a fuser.
In fact its cheaper to buy the customer a new MP C2003 then replace all the gizzards at PM interval.

[Counsel]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

I have actually been pretty happy overall with the 02's and 03's series. The 02's had some fuser sleeve issues but beyond the fuser ran pretty well. I have not really had much for calls on the 03's besides recent firmware updates needed. We haven't had them in the field for 5 years yet so hope they hold up in the long run as well as they are starting out.

[tufbnme]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated.

[Boyzie]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

Very reliable
just keep the firmware upto date
had a few fuser related issues early on
all good now.

[ayeright]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

The '03 series is now 50% of our mid size fleet with over 800 boxes out there in the field. We are more then happy with their performance with no major design flaws apparent. We get the recommended life out of the PCU's but beware they are big bikkies to replace. we're looking at over $5k for 4 PCU's and a fuser.
In fact its cheaper to buy the customer a new MP C2003 then replace all the gizzards at PM interval.

Lagonda makes a very important point - these machines are designed for 1 drum life only and it's cheaper to throw it away than to service it. 400k on black, 270k colour if memory serves so if you're buying in second hand or plan to refurb them keep this in mind.

[Gift]

[dusan]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

The '03 series is now 50% of our mid size fleet with over 800 boxes out there in the field. We are more then happy with their performance with no major design flaws apparent. We get the recommended life out of the PCU's but beware they are big bikkies to replace. we're looking at over $5k for 4 PCU's and a fuser.
In fact its cheaper to buy the customer a new MP C2003 then replace all the gizzards at PM interval.

I am afraid that MP C 2003 has different PCDU and Fuser.

[Ricohguy]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

They are solid machines that hate making heavy coverage documents in large quantity(God Forbid you run thick paper on these models without setting to thick, goodbye fusing belt), the finisher are made of the cheapest garbage metal you can imagine, and if ran on the upper end of their max/month they will spray toner and look like the inside of a c6501.
But for general office usage its a very good copier.

[Athlontini]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

PCUs are not so bad to replace once you do it a couple of times. You do have to remember that there is spring tension to adjust if you are replacing one on a 5503/6003 but at least every drum comes with instructions. It makes me happy that the fusing belt actually runs for the posted life. The transfer cleaning unit was a big step down in design, I think, and the overall feel while working on this copier is pretty cheap, but they managed to make it reliable. Can't complain about that.

[Mark Bbb]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

Also here no problems, pretty ok.

[TCA TECH]

Re: Ricoh MPc4503 5503 series

White lines caused by lumps of toner in the dev, replacing way too many devs way too early.