496 vs 525 value point in a 35 Donzi?
 

Ok -2006 35ZR w/525's worth? vs a 2007 35ZR with pair of 496's lets say same condition with same hours what would you say the difference would be on these two boats ? Thanks

25~30K Plus any difference in drives also

closed cooling ?

Not sure on price but night and day difference in the fun department.

496's boat does 82 mph 525's >94 mph

I was just in this decision making process and one thing I found was that pretty much all 525 boats on the market were ready for the top end regularly scheduled maintenance. Not a bad thing but it seemed like few on the market reflected the money you're about to have to spend.

Loving my 496 boat! I'm sure the 525s would be really wild but I'm pretty happy with the 496s.

That seems like a lot for a 10 year old boat, I would think 15k - 18k would be more realistic.
It is all about how bad the buyer wants said boat.

I'd say it depends. Probably 10-25k depending on what exactly has been to the 525EFI boat.

525EFI's with 350hrs and never been opened are going need prob 10-12k+ worth of maintenance soon.
496's with 350 hrs will need nothing for a long time.

I think the biggest thing is when considering a boat with these engines is to get a computer print out of the run history. This in my opinion is one of the best things anyone can do. A boat that has a run history of being at 3,500 rpms most of its life verses 5,000 rpms or the rev limiter is going to need less work, if any, earlier on than the other.

The 525 EFI is a great motor, but besides the normal maintenance schedule on them, there are also known CMI header problems on a lot of these boats. I would thoroughly check out the CMI headers for any issues on any 525 boat that you are considering. Many 525 owners have had expensive CMI header repairs/replacement (myself included). The CMI headers are the weakest link on the 525 boats IMO. Only you can decide if the extra performance/speed is worth the extra expense and maintenance that you will have to endure...

I know three people that had 525 boats and all three had header issues.

10K to freshen up one 525?

10K and then some, don't ask me how I know!

I agree. The header problem is something that could come up regardless of how hard you ran the engines. Best bet is to change them out to something else or a set of Gen X. You think top end work is expensive? Go buy two sets of headers.

What he said. You never know what you will find in a 525EFI with 200-300 hours, especially if it has never been touched.
Also, both motors have closed cooling systems. The only difference is the 496HO has the drain valve system whereas the 525EFI does not.

+1...... unless seller has receipts from a reputable engine builder in the last year/50 hours I wouldn't pay a premium on any 10 yr old 525's. I'd buy the 496 boat and run it until it blows up then repower with new engines.

As far as rebuild costs, compare cost of brand new power:

New in the crate 8.2 HO, $17,500: http://www.proboats.com/pre_owned_de...h=3016095&nv=y

New Merc Racing 520 (2 yr warranty), $24,000: http://www.proboats.com/pre_owned_de...sp?veh=3995570

my 32 sunsation has 496 ho's...I wanted one with 525's but none that I liked and limited for sale at the time... hindsight I'm glad i have the 496's. right at 400 hours...ZERO issues with them!

10-12k for basic top end's refreshed on twins.
Double that for complete rebuilds.

It sounds like a 300 hour 525 equipped boat that does not have documented top end refresh and documented cmi replacement is not worth the same as a comparable hour 496 HO equipped boat.

Thank you sooo much! Yes i had a 07 fountain w/525's and had header issues- I own a 07 Donzi now w/496's and it runs perfect(200 hours) with no issues ever- I have a chance to buy a 06 Donzi 35zr w/525's w/325 hours with no proof of rebuild(Repo) but priced very well.

Nothing get the ladies lubed up like a set of shiny headers on some blue motors, just sayin!!

Sounds like everyone on the forum is buying black motors...that's a shame, there is really no comparison.

Your 100% right but it is kind of like asking do you want a new Corvette or a 15 year old Lamborghini.......If you don't have the money to fix it and you just want to drive it then go with the cheaper, more reliable option. A 72 mph boat is better than a 0 mph boat waiting on parts or funding for parts! :D

Someone on here rebuilt a pair of 525's and it was eye opening expensive.

the 496's are great engines...limited if you want to try and bolt on some HP because that is not what they were originally built for. if you want performance and resale you know that blue is the way to go (document work done while you own it) but with the reputable builders out there today I would be more apt to go with them vs merc due to mark up if the idea is to keep the boat for awhile. just my .02

Another interesting comparison would be the resale value on rebuilt vs. not motors and the ROI.


Boat with 300 hours on factory sealed 525's vs. a similar boat with $20,000 in refresh receipts. I would suspect you don't get the full 20K back.....but it might sell quicker.

I never hear anyone with 525's say they wish they had 496's.

See posts 17 and 20 then consider Sydwayz's AT is a 496 boat.

That being said the 525's look great, perform great but at a cost (headers/rebuilds etc). In a 32-35 ft boat you probably don't need the 525's but at 38+ it is hard not to have them.

what kind of white trash wrench turning ladies do you hang with, that know any difference in what's under the hatch?

I am someone that has owned a 496 boat and road in many 525 boats and I never want a set of 525's but would get another 496 boat any day if it fit my needs.

As an upgrade, what do they get for 525s new?

I don't have the old pricing sheet anymore, but you should be able to extrapolate this data back to the 496/525 price difference.

The price jump for that blue paint is significant. ITS is another $17k option.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...psqe6p1pp8.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/e...pszmkkkau3.jpg

Simply put blue motors are the better motors with better parts. Whether a potential buyer thinks the better motor is worth the money is up to them...as mentioned there is no comparison (i.e. Exhaust, pistons, valve train, etc)

What blows my mind is Mercs pricing. The tangible vs intangible argument could carry on FOREVER. But when looking at Mercs price point I'll never understand how they justify their pricing. Great, I get it. People continue to buy the product so the price point holds. However, for the consumer, they're allowing the pricing to stand. That is more of a rhetorical comment but nevertheless, it's crazy.

For instance; look at the pricing of upgrading from MAG to HO and the $6k per motor it costs for a cam, ECU calibration, and removing some baffles in the new exhaust.

My point is people that own them love them and wouldn't want anything smaller. I have many friends with 496's and they're great motors but most of them would rather have a few more ponies.

Just to be fair, I looked on Formula's website and MSRP to jump from an 8.2 HO to the 565 is about 70K also (similar numbers to Sunsation's site). I looked at proboats and it is about 50% of that number to buy one or the other but the drive package/ITS can easily skew the numbers. I would think most of the motivation to get away from the 8.2 today is the exhaust components, the 520 and above is exempt for now. The 2 yr 520 warranty (it was at introduction time) is a nice benefit also.

But then again couldn't you make that argument with a guy with 700's not wanting 525's or a guy with 1350's not wanting 1075's......

The best part with the 496's is they are plentiful (with people doing upgrades and they were in a lot of boats from cruisers to go fast etc).

Typing it before I can my man.


My thoughts exactly. I like the 525's but for the extra upkeep and cost I am just fine in some 496 HO's and love the turn key hours of them.

Hope your boyfriend takes the breakup well! :D

It just got awkward.

He will understand :D

I expect dinner by 7pm too by the way.