I have read on this forum that there have been lots of failures with XR drives in the past. Has this been resolved by Merc?
Are they more reliable than the X drive which is what I currently run. I am usually easy on drives but have suffered a failure with a Std bravo 1. Would like to move to a XR drive but only if they are more reliable. Thanks for the input.

Need more info. What are you running it on and what motor is turning it?

Theoretically it's stronger. Bigger shafts, bearings, cones and straight cut gears. The gears have been problematic with power but Bravo One gears would probably have the same issue.

The b1/b1 x gears don't flake like the Xr gears. When the regular b1 gears break they don't take out the case either.

B1x are 1/2 price of XR.

bravo 1 will not last in 500 hp and above - they are rated only rated up to 400 hp - bravo X does a better job but is rated up to 450 hp.

The best bravo made was 1993 & 1994. the gear material and its processing was better made by far.

I have had Bravo 1 's completely come apart including Bravo III's - non X and non XR's.

I have bravo 1x's behind my 500efi's in a kinda heavy boat. At 345 hours they were pulled apart when my motors where being done. Gears looks grate but the prop shaft that was on the same motor I blew a lifter in was not so good. Almost had to come back on one.

It is hard to justify the cost to go from the x to the xr for me

Gears at 345 hours
[IMG][/IMG]

Prop shaft that wasn't looking to good
[IMG][/IMG]

That's an impressive twist!!
I seem to remember reports of excessive (define excessive) failures of the XR uppers. Anyone know if Merc addressed it?
525 hp in 4000 lb. boat single screw.
X has been reliable for me thus far but if I ever have a failure would probably consider moving to XR upper or lower depending on where the failure occurred.