Merc 500efi/bravo reliability????

[1030]

I'm looking for some opinions/experiance with a mercury 500efi (blue motor) with a bravo drive(not x or xr) 125hrs.
Reliability?
Average live of 500efi?
Thanks, 1030

[Havasu1986]

I'm looking for some opinions/experiance with a mercury 500efi (blue motor) with a bravo drive(not x or xr) 125hrs.
Reliability?
Average live of 500efi?
Thanks, 1030
Most of the motor heads are here in Havasu for the Poker Run Going down to the Nautical to check out the big boats

[1030]

yup, I did'nt think there would be much of a response till monday....
thanks

[shippingguy]

I'm looking for some opinions/experiance with a mercury 500efi (blue motor) with a bravo drive(not x or xr) 125hrs.
Reliability?
Average live of 500efi?
Thanks, 1030
It will be very reliable. It is probably a Bravo XZ drive. That was the beefier drive before the XR came out. If you treat the package right and keep regular maintenance both will live for a long time. I had a 525 in my last boat with an XR drive and I ran it hard for 130 hours no problems whatsoever. Changed the oil in the motor and drive every 25 hours and you are good to go. I would definitley have somebody go through the drive and motor before you buy.

[Screaming Pete]

i had an hp500 blue motor and it ran great, at about 60 hrs i put new impellers in and a water pump only because i boated in the lower river. lots of sand down thier. other wise i heard at some point it's wise to do valve springs. they were great motors and designed to run hard in the factory class 1 and 2. something you could run hard all season

[boatnam2]

problem is if your not buying it new,who knows what the realiabilty is maybe you get a guy like andy01 that put 50 hrs on it but it is beat to shit,or a guy that enjoys boating and dont have to be at 5100rpm the whole time your in the boat and has taken care and not ran it top to death.Tough call.

[1030]

Its a one owner boat, "never been beached", and the owner (not a kid) seems like he's not the type to run it hard.....

[boatnam2]

i would say it has plenty of life left then...

[shippingguy]

Its a one owner boat, "never been beached", and the owner (not a kid) seems like he's not the type to run it hard.....
Ran hard or not I would get the motor and the drive checked out still. See if he can show you maintenance receipts. Problems arise when the proper maintenance is not followed through with.

[1030]

I might be going for a test drive this weekend and will be having it looked at before any deal is made.