Just a few points on what's been said.  I agree that any "sensible" company would allocate new coaches to cross border work initially to secure the huge advantage of the VAT rebate, but did anyone here say BE were a "Sensible" company??!!

On VC105's post, a couple of points.  Firstly, don't forget that the SP is designed as a flagship tourer not the express service coach BE want/need.  The old VC's you so love were specially designed for BE (you will not see that version of the Caetano Algarve body anywhere else, exceot as an ex BE vehicle).  The Irizar PB is meant for upmarket work which entails a need for a good looking coach (ticks that box in most peoples opinion) with a luxurious, comfortable and pleasing to the eye interior.  The kind of clientele they are intended to carry would not abuse, overuse, vandalise or affect the interior in any way.  The faux cloth trimmed interior panels on side walls and roof/racks are meant to look pretty and not be touched.  Unfortunately, while one of the most comfortable available, in my opinion, the PB seats will not stand up to the rigours of BE workings and general lack of care by passengers, drivers, cleaners etc. These are the problems I think your starting to see. The cloth panels I mentioned are getting mankier by the day due to that same level of lack of care and grubby hands.  Again maintenance must hold their head up for the condition of the cloth on the underside of the luggage racks - look for thick ingrained dirt around the vents at the side of the chrome panel holding the reading lights/AC vents.  This is caused by the aircon filters not being changed and nothing else.  I have posted befor ethat I travelled on a late night 33 service a while back on an LC and it rattled terribly, the ride was crap and it was banging off every bump and cats eye like nothing I've ever come across.  Probably a dodgy adjustment of front shocks but not a nice way to travel.  The LC's and LD's are eating injectors as all DAF trucks & buses at present are prone to do, and there's been a disconcerting number of turbos blown.  A certain amount of failures must be accepted in an operation like BE but the VDL products have given way more than they're share of issues.  Most experienced drivers I know would say that a Volvo B10m Plaxton Paramount/Premiere/Excalibur is probably one of the best handling coaches you will drive, the Scania Irizar range usually come close behind this, VDL products are normally well down the line. 

The rdaio issue you point out is absolutely nothing to do with any particular make of coach or body.  When BE/NTA/T21 etc agree a spec on new vehciles one of the options is what PA equipment to fit.  In the LC's I've been on they have had high end Blaupunkt Professional systems whereas most of the Irizars are supplied with some cheap and nasty no brand system.  I have heard it said that they can save €200 - €400 per vehicle by going for the cheaper alternative - this would give a saving of up to €10000 on a 25 coach order!  I don't think they're too worried about passenger or driver concerns in this regard.  Most private coaches are supplied with high end Blaupunkt gear and hence don't have any issues like what BE have with similar vehicles.   

You and me must know different Dublin based drivers, one of my best mates is one and he'd take anything before an LC, most of his colleagues are the same.  They are notorious for complete failures(i.e breakdowns), the driving position is bad, mirrors are poor .......etc 

I can't speak for the VG's, as I've never driven one but the door problem you mention with the SC's is purely down to drivers.  Plug type entrance doors like those fitted to SP's, LC's, SI's, SC's, VC300's etc are supposed to be fully closed before the coach moves.  On Scania Century type bodies if you pull away with the door open, or in the process of closing, the door will almost always secure at the bottom but sit outside the frame at the top.  Repeated doing so leads to the door going out of adjustment and is very tricky to cure.  I watch drivers day in day out, from BE and privates, pulling away with the door still closing and it annoys the hell out of me.  I know this would verge on a sacking offence with one operator I do a lot of work for.  I have driven as a help on many BE services and never move without a door fully closed, I can honestly say it's never cost me time over a full journey.  There seems to be a general notion that you'll save a fortune of time by getting going that 10-20 seconds earlier - not worth it in my opinion. 

Just a drivers perspective on some of the points raised so far!  Good thread lads - pity I can't get on more at the min - flat out with work!