Moving Up

[GaryP1007]

Have flown a 231 for the past couple years in the southwest and have enjoyed it very much.  Had been looking at Cirrus but pricing is beyond insane in this market.  Trying to determine the best next Mooney.

Mission: 2 people (occasional 3rd); longer distance flying 500+ miles; of course speed; and, would love to stay below $300K.

Thoughts?

[Boilermonkey]

A Bravo, Ovation, or Acclaim.  I went with a Bravo last year, upgrading from a M20C.   It's great.

[KurtWhite]

What does the 231 not do that you would like it to do?  Are you mainly looking for something faster?  If so, a Bravo would certainly be faster.  An Acclaim would be fun, but I don't know that you can get one for under $300k.

[GaryP1007]

43 minutes ago, Boilermonkey said:

A Bravo, Ovation, or Acclaim.  I went with a Bravo last year, upgrading from a M20C.   It's great.

The only  bad thing I hear about Bravo is the cost of overhaul....do engines often go to tbo limits?

[GaryP1007]

38 minutes ago, KurtWhite said:

What does the 231 not do that you would like it to do?  Are you mainly looking for something faster?  If so, a Bravo would certainly be faster.  An Acclaim would be fun, but I don't know that you can get one for under $300k.

It was a partnership I was in and the plane has been sold.  So I'd like to find something 165kts ++ in my price range that is also comfy enough for us to take longer trips.

[Guest]

4 minutes ago, GaryP1007 said:

The only  bad thing I hear about Bravo is the cost of overhaul....do engines often go to tbo limits?

The overhaul cost on any of these engines has little to to do with reality.  Few privately operated airplanes make TBO.  Pick one that your wallet can afford and that your wife won’t kill you when it needs major spending.

Clarence

[Boilermonkey]

Our M20M made it to 2370 hours since new in 1993.  It did have the Bravo conversion at 700 which included new cylinders.  

We are wrapping up installing an engine reman from the factory and other firewall forward work. When all is said and done it'll be about $100k.  So you're right, the engine on these machines is quite expensive.

That being said if you get a good acquisition price of a run out airplane it can make sense. In the end, our total cost of all the new work and purchase price will be about $230k.

For Bravo with TKS, a GTN 750, JPI930, new O2 bottle, new batts, and nearly everything zero timed.  ...not bad...

[GaryP1007]

14 minutes ago, Boilermonkey said:

Our M20M made it to 2370 hours since new in 1993.  It did have the Bravo conversion at 700 which included new cylinders.  

We are wrapping up installing an engine reman from the factory and other firewall forward work. When all is said and done it'll be about $100k.  So you're right, the engine on these machines is quite expensive.

That being said if you get a good acquisition price of a run out airplane it can make sense. In the end, our total cost of all the new work and purchase price will be about $230k.

For Bravo with TKS, a GTN 750, JPI930, new O2 bottle, new batts, and nearly everything zero timed.  ...not bad...

Wow, sounds awesome.  Thanks for sharing your details.

[KurtWhite]

7 hours ago, GaryP1007 said:

It was a partnership I was in and the plane has been sold.  So I'd like to find something 165kts ++ in my price range that is also comfy enough for us to take longer trips.

My 252 will run about 170kts burning 9.8 GPH in the upper teens.  So, you wouldn't have the fuel burn of a Bravo.  But, you will have to fly fairly high to get the real advantage.  On the other hand, if you like to stay lower an Ovation has a longer body (read as more comfortable) than your 231 or my  252 and it will certainly give you the 165kts plus.  

[carusoam]

Hey… wait a minute….

I heard the hard part of owning an M20K was its OH cost…. Six cylinders, TC… and all the plumbing….some even have fancy MP controllers and intercoolers…

Compare that to the Bravo….

+1 for keeping your eyes on costs for the long haul….

Go Long Body!

Best regards,

-a-

[smwash02]

What does "2 occasionally 3" look like weight wise as that can have a pretty big swing and play heavily in your options.

My M20K with ~100 gallons has incredible legs for two "FAA standard people". However, as @carusoam mentioned, the OH cost is not pretty.

 

[slowflyin]

I pulled my Bravo engine at around 2200 hours since 1994.  No major work in its life except some minor exhaust work around 1700 hours.  Don K might chime in.  I think he has had great longevity out of his Bravo engines.