ETEC 115 vs Optimax 115?

[mason23]

Hi guys,

After reading the fantastic feedback on threads about buying new engines, I've come down to trying to decide between two new engines: Evinrude ETEC 115 or Mercury Optimax 115.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Its worth noting that I've received a great price on the Optimax 11680 fitted, whilst the ETEC prices in at the moment at 14200 fitted. I'm willing to part with the extra 2520 if its the right choice, but thats where I'm left scratching my head...why, when both engines are considered to be counterparts, is one worth so much more than the other?

(Or maybe I've been quoted too much for the ETEC, although this is from 2 dealers on the Gold Coast.)

Cheers in advance

[eugah]

Thats a good price for the Optimax, i have a 90 Optimax & it has been a great motor. The only problem i have had is a broken alternator belt that required getting towed home. I no carry a spare ($20 from repco)
It no has 350 hrs & is grat on fuel, quiet & no smoke when trolling
I would spend the extra money & get the smartcraft gauges, they tell you everything you could ever want to know about your motor.

Hope this helps
Cheers
Adrian

[disorderly]

When I was looking at the same engines in 90hp one year ago I was quoted about the same price as you for the optimax only in a 90.
If those prices are correct than get the optimax.(as long as they are comparable performance wise)
I chose E-tec but the prices were the same for either motor.If the opti had been 2 and a half grand cheaper than thats what I would have got.

Scott

[trev1]

I would go the etec, for 1 main reason --no belts to break. All other things aside, nearly all other new technology engines need at least 1 belt to run, including 4 strokes. Me and murphy seem to meet up a lot when I go fiushin.

[cormorant]

Do they both come with Stainless props now?

If you go the ETEC or opti make sure you get a heap of there oil thrown in the deal as it is silly expensive. Same for fuel filter and spare alt belt and impeller so you have spare parts handy. On a $10000 plus purchase it isn't much skin off their nose.

Etec has no belts which has to be a plus but the priceing still mystifies me. You have to get fitted prices for both with full guages and props so you can compare apples with apples.

Dependant on weight of boat and use check the torque charts as if you have a heavier boat it is worth looking at which motor produces low down torque to keep it on the plane at lower revs.

What is the real world service costs for both. I know the etec says nothing for 300hrs but the fine print still says that what it means is you still do user serviceable parts you just don't have to drag it to a dealer. Ask what is the full cos of both with the services / checks done at their workshop annually. That way you get any latest updates when they come out.

Most importantly - pick your dealer well as a slack dealer who isn't interested in fitting it properly or helping with follow up issues is a nightmare and a warranty problem will be agony. So pick your dealer as much as pick your motor.

Any reason you haven't considered a 4 stroke and how many hours do you do.?

If you only do a smaller number of yearly hours and a lot of it at full throttle old tech engines may work out cheaper overall.

Let us know how you go.

c

[Chimo]

You really do have to think about the relationship you have with your service person. I don't know where you are and how many options for service you have but the Etec won't officially need a service for 3 yrs although if it was mine I would keep a close watch on prop gearbox seaals esp with fishing line and also the water pump impeller but I have a great OMC / ETEC service guy on the GC

After you add the better guages and the other extras I'd be surprised to see the difference as that big esp if you consider and add all the extra service costs you are going to have with the opti

Oh by the way, what year of manufacture are the motors stamped that you have been quoted on?

All the above is just IMHO, good luck

Cheers

Chimo

[mason23]

Thanks guys.

I've heard things about the servicing that if you buy and ETEC because of the 3 yr/300 hour servicing, even if you do regular checks you may be up to $1500 in front of any other engine on the market. Does this sound right to you Cormorant or Trev1?

In the ETEC I like the advantage of minimal power required to crank the engine, and coupled with that a 133amp alternator to keep your battery charged when you're using finders and gps, lights at night etc.

The smartcraft gauges on the Optimax are a plus cause I've already got a Navman finder, but surely Evinrude does something similar?

To be honest if price was the main factor I wouldn't post the thread. Reliability, quiet, fuel economy are the main three, plus I want an engine I can keep for years without having to upgrade or spend money on costly repairs. So spending a little now is not a major concern.

A 4s is not an option cause its too heavy for my boat.

Cheers

[mason23]

Hi Chimo,

I'm on the Coast too. I've had quotes, fitted, for the ETEC from Hinterland at Burleigh and Slades at Paradise Point. The Merc has had best price quoted, fitted from Nitro Marine. Both packages include everything, cables, prop, oil, throttle etc.

Does the fact that the ETEC not having a belt make it a better engine?

[squidgy-stew]

I did all the same research when I went and purchased my new boat 3 years ago except it was for an engine in the 75-80 hp rating.

It was going on a 475 topender. I eventually went with the Optimax due to the running costs and the Smart Craft guages that came with it as standard.

I do a bit of trolling around the estaries and the advantages of being able to enage a system that allows me to control speed and revs is certainly a bonus with this engine.

The electronics in this system and the gauges allow me to have a far better indication of fuel left to get home safely.

I have several mates with E-TECs and they all wish they could control the troll speed effectively rather than using the throttle lever.

The fuel economy in the optimax is unbeliveable and I do not have to fill the oil tank up every time I go out.

The opti's in the 75-115 series are a larger or bulkier engine in comparison to the slim looking E-Tec's however 1.5 litres of grunt certainly pull you out of the blocks quicker, stronger and cheaper !

I am quite happy with my Opti.

[mason23]

Oh, and don't know what year of manufacture is stamped on the engines. I assumed cause I was shopping for a new engine it would be new stock??? Maybe I better check this out. Is there anything I should be wary of...

[samson]

Mate i own the 115 etec and happy with it so far but when i bought mine which i paid $12500 for which was my second etec, the opti was more expensive so i stuck with the etec ,but i went with what i knew and don't regrett it, i fish commercially and build up good hours, i guess the choice is up to you but i've heard good reports on optis so i guess you can't go wrong either way.
Cheers samson

[FNQCairns]

The optimax is my choice, because of the price difference, they are also fairly well sorted now after using the buying public as the test bed So know who you are buying from!
Etec did the majority of their testing before releasing to public so they are Ok also.

I would also add a nice lump of weight within my choice on the number of cylinders and the cubic capacity, this comparison tool works well when deciding which hull an engine is best suited to or to estimate which will probably have the best cruiseing speed/performance.

cheers fnq

[mason23]

Hi Samson,

Can I ask whereyou got your price from? Are they in SE Qld? For 12500 it would be worth travelling if I decide to go ETEC.

Thanks

[disorderly]

If you go the ETEC or opti make sure you get a heap of there oil thrown in the deal as it is silly expensive.

c

I think you are making a mountain out of a molehill here.
In these mid sized motors oil(and fuel) use is minimal.
I have a 90hp E-tec and just refilled the oil tank yesterday after the gauge beeped at me and warned me to fill her up.
In 109.4 hours I have now used all of 7.6 litres of oil at a cost of less than $1.50 per hour.
Thats pretty reasonable given my motor is being lubricated by a top quality oil.

Scott

[fishing111]

This is a post of fishnet, just something to be aware of regarding etec oil, pretty exxy.


Hello All,

Does anyone know where you can get bulk or competitively priced XD 100 for E-Tecs?

The price at the moment is becoming ridiculous and some what unaffordale, with prices averaging $330 for 18L (Not even a 20L drum as it is claimed).

The ratio claimed at 100:1 is not accurate either IMO. It is more like 80:1. This means that on an average day using 150L of fuel, we are also guzzling around $35 worth of oil.

Me thinks that BRP has us ETEC users by the short and curlies by absolutely rape and pillaging us on the price of the "must use to avoid voiding warranty" engine oil.....
Either that, or the mark up by dealers is ridiculous.

Input appreciated.

Anthony