mercruiser vs. volvo

[aggiedave98]

I'm thinking about getting a new boat. I have had suburbans in the past and have an Invader with the 3L Mercruiser so I'd prefer a mercruiser over a volvo because I'm more familiar with it and the alpha1 sterndrive.

Is there an advantage of one brand over the other or is it all the same?

thanks.

 

[Zackman]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

Chevy vs Ford or is that Ford vs Chevy ???

 

[superpop]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

I would argue that the Volvo unit is much better than the Mercury unit from simply a design and ease of maintenance perspective. IMHO. Not really a ford vs chevy comparison but more like a Chevy vs Mercedes comparison.

 

[DaveM]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

I am happy with my VP, but my next boat will be a Merc because for the ease of parts and service. Most places look at me all bug-eyed when I say I have a Volvo. I was scolded at West Marine because the sales geek insisted that no, I do not have a 1994 4.3L V6. I instead have some AQ175 or some other AQ engine.

I had to research and record Merc. cross reference numbers for fuel and oil filters. It gets frustrating at times.

 

[aggiedave98]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

thanks guys. I wasn't sure if it was the ford vs. chevy arguement or if one was actually more expensive to buy up front, etc.

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

The engines are the same GM 3.0L engine used by all the drive manufacturers. The drive is where the difference is.
Volvo has a cone clutch in the drive. Smooth quiet shifts.
Merc has a dog style clutch. Clunks into gear and has the shift interrupt system to get them out of gear (switches, extra cables, to kill the spark while it shifts, PITA adjustments etc.)

Dave M. Next time you go to WM, give them your FULL engine model number instead of year and V6 4.3. Volvo nor Mercruiser go by year.

 

[fourwinnsdook]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

Volvo= more reliable(arguably), harder to find service/parts

Mercury- less reliable(arguably), Easier to find parts/service.

This has nothing to do with ford vs chevy, but doesn't Ford own volvo and mercury??? Or do they only own the auto division?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

but doesn't Ford own volvo and mercury???

Brunswick owns Merc
Volvo owns Volvo Penta,
Ford does own part of the Volvo car division only.

 

[njlarry]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

IMHO:
Merc pluses: easier to find and lower cost parts, much more online support (volvo dosen't answer email and only has most recent engines on line)
Volvo pluse: the raw water pump is always on the engine so you can replace the impeller without major surgery.
The boat manufacturer means more to me.

 

[DaveM]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

Dave M. Next time you go to WM, give them your FULL engine model number instead of year and V6 4.3. Volvo nor Mercruiser go by year.

Thanks Don, great idea!

 

[aggiedave98]

Re: mercruiser vs. volvo

thanks guys!!