S35 Bo or 20J Mo

[dlthig]

I think that I know the answer to this question, but which airplane?  The Mooney is about 155kts on 11gph with about 950-1000 useful load.  The Bo is about 10 years older another 5-10kts on another 2-3gph but my biggest draw is the room and load of the Bo, about another 200lbs.  Other than critiquing my grammar, any ideas?

[N57039]

Part of that load difference can be made up by carrying less fuel. At 9,000' in a M20J you'll be burning about 9gph LOP. This will be 3 or 4 gph less than the Bo. On a 4 hour flight that's about 100# less fuel (and less money). Is that last 100# that important? If so, and you can manage the CG, go with the Bo; otherwise get the Mooney. Easy, huh!

[M20BE]

Nothing beats the M20J, I love the S35 alot, but you don't wanna be in one in turbulence, and believe me, non of your passengers...

[dlthig]

Are you trying to say that you don't prefer a "textured" interior.  I've got to fly both back to back to get a real comparison.  As you can see, my normal ride keeps me busy and I don't have to worry about room in the cockpit.

 

[Kwixdraw]

The S-35 also has the IO-520 which has a rep for case cracking. The alternator bearing can take a premature dump and the bits go directly into the engine where they wreak havoc and cause all sorts of inflight drama.$$$$

The Bonanza is not practically faster than the Mooney. I recall travelling through the Banning pass and having ATC call my M-20J out as traffic to a BE-35.  After a few minutes the V tail pilot came on and asked aTC where that little Mooney was as he had no visual contact. ATC responded,"He's no factor. You're not gaining on him."

I wanted an S-35 before I finally bought the 201 but I am now quite glad I ended up with what I have. All aircraft have their quirks but the Mooney is easier to live with IMHO.

[FlyingAggie]