New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

[craze1cars]

I'd prefer answers primarily from techs and/or those who have owned both types.<br /><br />Very close to buying a shiny new runabout...likely a Rinker 192, considering some others. Regardless, I'm choosing the 4.3L engine size with fuel injection. I believe they're basically the same GM motor, so I suppose the outdrive is the real diff.<br /><br />All things being equal, on a 2005 or 2006 new boat, would you choose the Volvo SX, or the Mercruiser Alpha 1?<br /><br />Volvo dealer brags about the cone clutch & smooth shifting, and a longer warranty. Mercruiser dealer brags about being much easier to find service for a Mercruiser than a Volvo, and says they're easier to work on, and says their dog clutches shift much cleaner than they used to (my current Alpha is a 1992 Gen II.) Boat manufacturers I'm considering will sell 'em both. Price seems to be within $200...a non-issue. Counterpoints, anyone?<br /><br />I'll probably keep this new boat for 15+ years and I'm a big do-it-yerselfer, so my priorities are longevity and maintenance/servicability AFTER the warranty expires. I already know the Alpha pretty well and have several of the special tools (alignment, bellows, gimbal bearing tools) and Gen II shop manuals, but I won't object to buying some new stuff if the Volvo is a superior unit.<br /><br />I'm in a big city, with dealers available to handle both for parts or service. What would you do?

 

[QC]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

Originally posted by craze1cars:<br /> What would you do?

Get an outboard . . . <br /><br />In all seriousness, given the choices I would get the Volvo. I have owned an OMC stringer, an Alpha (95) and now have a Bravo 1, so I don't actually fit your preference . . . Anyway, cone clutch for me. If you ever let others drive your boat, wife, son etc. then you know how hard it is to teach the proper shifting technique. With that said, I have not operated the new, smoother shifting Merc models. Do you know anybody with one? I would want to feel the new Alpha before I went that way again. My .02<br /><br />BTW, I probably will go outboard next boat. I've just had it with two 90 degree directional changes in the drive system. Pretty stupid that there is even one. I guess I want a surfacing drive . . .<br /><br /> http://www.dbdmarine.com/dbdmarine.htm <br /><br />I wish these guys would make a run at both Volvo and Merc.

 

[AaronG]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

Mercruiser has a page on the website comparing its drives to Volvo's Here's the link:<br /> http://www.mercurymarine.com/mercruiser_volvo <br /><br />I couldn't find anything similar on volvo's site.

 

[craze1cars]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

Thanks to both for your thoughts...I have a hard time putting much credibility in a one-sided comparison site from Mercruiser, but thanks for the link, always good to get more info, regardless of how much more confused it makes me!<br /><br />Still very curious to hear from a few of the techs who regularly work on these machines, or who've owned both. Any notorious weak or strong spots on either one? Is one easier to service than the other?<br /><br />Thanks again.

 

[mikebc]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

OK, get the Volvo!<br /> I have the SX drive now, and came from the Merc. Wow, the Volvo is the cat's meow. It's sooo quiet and smooth, well worth $200. I too have the 4.3, and the combo is great. I would recommend it to anyone. I have a pamphlet on the differences, published by Volvo, you should be able to get one at any boat show or Volvo dealer, but I think it's the better drive. Just my .02

 

[Don S]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

I installed a 4.3MPI With Volvo DP drive on an older 21' Bayliner a month or so ago. Had a 3.0 OMC before, now gets 46 mph. <br />He took 4 friends, coolers, tackle etc. out. Even with everyone but the driver on the stern, it got on step quickly and easily and still could go in the 40's. Can't wipe that smile off his face.<br />To me, Merc isn't even a close second to that. On a 19 foot boat, you will flat love it.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

All the inferior publicly compare to the superior.<br /><br />Twin Volvo Penta 5.0Gi SX drive owner, and will NEVER down grade to Merclooser again. <br /><br />Like don said

On a 19 foot boat, you will flat love it.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

buy the merc<br /> your local techs need the paychecks.

 

[mfinucan@sympatico.ca]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

I know I also don't qualify as a tech but here are my two cents. I recently purchased a '03 Campion Allante 19.5' with the 4.3 MPI Merc, engine ran fine for the first 2 hours then the module ($2500 under warranty) packed it in with the wife and I 30 miles from home. Not happy as the boat is a brand new non-current with 0 hours on it! The module was replaced and the boat runs just fine at about 56 MPH. <br /><br /> There is no loud clunking when shifted, this is my second Alpha 1 powered boat, the first a '99 SeaRay 180, never had problems with that one either. <br /><br /> I think it comes down to preference, also if you already have the tools and knowledge of the Alpha...?<br /><br /> There is nothing like a new boat to put excitement in your life! Happy boating, cheers!

 

[garycinn]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

I've got more questions than answers regarding your post. Things that would help me make the decision. <br /><br />For example:<br /><br />Do they both have serpantine belts now vs multi V belts?<br />Do they both have remote oil filters?<br />Do they both have thru the transom oil drains?<br />How easy to get to are the cooling system drain plugs? How many are there?<br />Are the maintenance items on each similar? For example, impeller, PS greasing, coupler greasing?<br />Do they both have emergency warning systems (oil temp, oil pressure, drive fluid level), etc?<br />Do they both have drive oil reservoirs?<br />What about availability and cost of maintenance and semi-major repair parts? Are they similarly priced?<br /><br />Lastly, where are each of them designed, manufactured, assembled, etc. -- Engine, bolt on parts (risers, etc.), drive, etc.?<br /><br />As I know many of the answers to the above for Merc, I don't know them for Volvo.

 

[tommays]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

i think my GEN II drive is a good unit<br /><br />BUT given were merc is headed mexico and china i would be hard pressed to buy a nother<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[craze1cars]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

This is all very useful info, everyone. Thanks for the thoughts. Looks like Volvo is getting more votes. Incidentally, I'm finding the approx $200 difference to be in FAVOR of the Volvo setup. <br /><br />From what I've seen/read, they rate it 5hp higher than the Merc setup, runs and shifts smoother, and is about $200 cheaper. And nobody screaming about problems so far. So it sounds like Volvo is probably my answer.<br /><br />I'm still unclear on ease of self-service, but I figure as much of a contortionist as I have to be to work on my older Gen II, how can it be any worse?! Garycinn...your list of questions is exactly what I'd like an apples to apples comparison to, from someone who is NOT affiliated with one or the other and can be objective. It seems that they have a pretty stout competition going between themselves, and they both advertise easy oil changes, etc. But again, that's advertising....not necessarily reality. So if anyone has further thoughts on his post, please advise.<br /><br />Anyone else feel free to chime in if you have any other thoughts. I'm surely not the only one who is or will be in this mild quandry... Thanks again.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: New boat 4.3 MPI, should I choose Volvo or Mercruiser?

most all new engines will run the sepentine belt. I would rather not have power steering and eliminate the cooler, lines, pump and other associated problems. while the resevoir on the GenII is good it tends to plug with muddy stuff and wont drain or otherwise do its job. the volvo is much easier to change a bellows on . have you looked at the composite Dou-prop drives? they have a monitor similar to the mercs. the SX stuff is made in lexington Kentucky and the engines are GM. prolly made in mexico now but wherever GM makes them thats what volvo gets. simiilar to every non high performance mercruiser. although the freshwater cooled mercs normally cool the manifolds with anti-freeze coolant mix. add a set of stainless rises and salt water use is wonderful. the volvo stuff is not as robust in my opinion but any cast iron manifold/riser has an average life of about 3 years here.<br /> but for drive reliability, the prop shaft seal problem not withstanding, usually the SX and DPS drives work longer than the alpha's. look into a XDP composite drive. on a 19ft hull with a 4.3 and the right props you'll find it will run rings around the mercs on less fuel. and the wonderful thing with the volvo is no shift interupter switch . you will find the crazy manifold type drains found on some mercs dont drain well sometimes.