Suzuki or Yamaha? And why?
 

Lost my motor Sunday and I'm gonna go brandnew. I want everybody's opinion. I know quite a bit about both but I want yalls opinion. Are yammy a really worth the extra money? And go!

The prices Ive gotten(and sell for) are not that much difference between the two. i'm a huge fan of the Yamaha 150, IMO its the best engine in its class available. Suzuki has a good engine, but they have to prove they've addressed the corrosion issue and start honoring their warranties. At one time there were 5 dealers in our area selling Suzuki engines, now there are none, all based on warranty issues and how Suzuki handled them. By comparison, every dealer in this area sells Yamaha(12), 5 sell Mercury, Only one sells Honda(they aren't price or weight competitive, and corrode worse than Suzuki's). Our lone Etec dealer(long time OMC dealer) finally threw in the towel and stopped selling E Tecs(too many issues with them). Personally in salt water, it would be between Yamaha and Merc. One major choice for you is which dealer are you buying from, that will have a big influence on your choice

You didn't say what hp your looking at.

I went with the merc 150 4S. 360 hours and 30 months later, I'm happy. Our local merc dealer is outstanding and this was a big factor in my decision. All of the reviews I've seen on the merc have been good. Super easy to work on, very simple engine. I think i had $13000 out the door, new prop,controls , wire harness, cables, smart guage, platinum extended warranty.

140 was great on my boat but I'm looking for a little more giddy up so the 150 Suzuki is really what I'm eyeballing. I have 2 fishing buddy's pushing me towards yamaha 150

Yamaha but only because for me it would be plug and play with existing controls, guages, prop, etc.

But Spare brings up a good point. Suzuki really left a skid mark on their reputation with the corrosion fiasco.

If I'm not mistaken it was an aluminum plug (bolt) that caused the problem and was supposedly addressed some time in 2008. Does anyone know - were some 2008 models impacted? Or was it just up until 2007?

I HATE saying it, but I would go for a YAMAHA. I LOVE SUZUKI outboards, but they are PLAGUED with corrosion going all the way back to the beginning. They have tried adding in all kinds of zincs to combat the issue, but it still boils down to they use cheap aluminum. YAMAHA on the other hand uses decent aluminum AND proper zinc placement to combat the issue so long as you do your part and keep up with your maintence. The YAMAHA 150 is a heck of an engine from what I've heard. Theres a member here who had one, and had nothing but positive to say. You could also look at there new 175/200 as they are nearly identical in weight to the 150 if you want some extra giddyup for the calm days.

If I was looking for the perfect match, I would have to say a 2.5L OPTIMAX would get my nod though just to throw a monkey wrench into the equation.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...psdu089vub.jpg

Here is the plug in question. Steel plugs were used......not very smart. This is my motor

there are other corrosion issues with Suzukis, Ive got a 115 on the rack in my shop that is making milky oil, runs great otherwise. General consensus is the cylinder head is corroded thru. I'll add to what Phat Daddy said, the newer Mercury 150's are getting great reviews.


Friends of mine, 8700 hour 150's http://yamahaoutboards.com/yamaha-advantage/reliability

I have a post or two addressing that problem (search DF140) so I won't repeat it all. If thats the same plug as mine in the exhaust it was fixable. Mine is an 2003 that I bought in 04. It now has 1200 hrs. Yamaha had a similar exhaust housing problem in the 2003ish vintage four strokes so there you go... Four strokes were relatively new in 2003 and I think all mfgrs have worked the problems out...except Verados...:nut:

I agree there are way more dealer/service guys for Yamaha and that's a very valid consideration. resale is probably much better also. Yamahas are great motors.
I haven't priced them in a while but it used to be $2k difference at least. That means you might be able to get the upgraded instrument package with the trolling rpm control, fuel burn, etc... or get a 175 for the price of a Yammie 150

I like that the Suzukis have timing chains not belts and I like the offset shaft that puts the weight closer to the transom. I would replace my DF140 with a new DF150 without hesitation... unless I somehow got a really great deal on a Yammie from a highly regarded dealer. Did I say Yamahas are great motors?

Oh and stay with four stroke...end the blue smoke!

Just got a great price. 150 Suzuki, new prop,gauge,binnacle, harness and hydraulic uniflex steering installed all for $13,775.

Nice!

So your 140 doesn't run or just leaking from the corroded plug? or did it get into the oil pan?

When mine started leaking I would have idle & stalling trouble after running hard because the exhaust was getting sucked into intake.
If you are mechanically inclined you can get an "Engine Holder assy" & gaskets for about $850. Labor would kill..
I heard of some people cleaning it up and using JBWELD...

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...psp9whb04n.jpg

What I'm thinking is the exhaust cam locked up and the spit gear everywhere

That sounds like a good price to me Kracker.

What is the weight diffference between the 150 & your 140?

that is a good price, how much for the upgrade to the 175

I think it's like 111 lbs. I need stern weighthttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/m...psci6h6qsk.jpg

111 pounds is the difference. If y'all remember the earlier pics of my boats it shows I need stern weight. Check the chine out in the rear. This boat runs super light

A friend of mine last year what a brand new 30 foot conch and Howard with twin 300 Suzuki he's very happy and goes off shore what it all time baked shrimp and just put a brand new Mercury on his boat not sure what the outcome is

see! the chain didn't break...

Wow! That's ugly. Did a screw fall out or snap?

whats the price difference in yamaha vs suzuki. on the corrosion issue, don't know about up there, but down here you don't see any 10 -12 year old suzuki's. plenty of yamahas and mercs and old omcs.

150 Yamaha I was quoted 16,550. Ridiculous

Wow, 4 grand difference. Didn't know it was that far apart.

I just sold a 150 for $13,000. Plus rigging($1500) hydro steering ($1200), installation($500), complete rewire of boat ($750), plus misc parts ($1000)

I was quoted $12,300 or there about for a new 150 including shipping to the dealer of my choice here in NC. Just the engine, and doesn't include install. I can see how all that rigging and everything could really add up. Called a couple other places and price was about the same.

I have seen this Craigslist ad. Don't know if shipping would rule it out, but you might give them a call.

https://orlando.craigslist.org/bpd/6160702841.html


Also The Boat Place in Naples is worth checking with. I bought a DF175 from them several years back and had it shipped to me.

Congrats on the new motor!

Hope my 2003 Johnzuki doesn't do what yours did...how many hours did you have on it?

The dealer relationship and warranty are key I feel. I talked to the local Yamaha dealer about a 150 back in 2010 and bought an ETEC from someone else due not just to cost but the attitude the yamaha dealer had. Dont buy from someone who has crappy reviews for their service dept or is more concerned about selling entry level boat motor trailer packages vs someone who does clean rigging and repower work.

The owner of the company is actually rigging my boat personally. After he looked at my boat and seeing the time I spent on it. And conversations we had about the boat he decided it would be best if he rigged it. I was pretty impressed with that. The was turned in Monday so I should have it back next weekend.

Yammi, or Suzuki? That's a easy one Its Mercury of course

How much is the install on a 150 ?