Microlighters

I do understand that almost all trikes, lsa aircraft comes out with either 503,582,912 rotax engines. They are more reliable than an old 2.4 hilux diesel engine / pratt and whitney. My concern is the price. You can get a 120 hp Jabiru engine for far less than 582/912. Both are imported. Why the difference?

Nobody ever has the correct answer to that question.

And those that know the answer are dead silent.

regards

Ps I parked my new small car at the hanger the other day, 1600cc, 4 doors, boot, nice instrument panel, aircon, central locking, metalic paint,
100 000 km service plan and a five year warranty and all this was cheaper than a 912 rotax
Very scary

joords wrote: ...........They are more reliable than an old 2.4 hilux diesel engine / pratt and whitney............

What!! You must be joking
Today is the 31st of May..........not the 1st of April

Sukkelaar wrote: 100 000 km service plan and a five year warranty and all this was cheaper than a 912 rotax
Very scary

With no sevice plan..........

Joords, consider this, Rotax knows it has an unmatched amount of engines in service...Why? Simply because they are very well made(not crying down other makes) and have proven to be VERY reliable. To keep on producing these engines jiggs have to be replaced as well as molds, this costs money, also all the importers to other countries want their profit and so all the dealers, yes their pricing is rediculous but you get what you pay for IMHO.
Jabiru is mostly CNC machined from solid billets of aluminium, so machined once and done. Rotax is mostly castings and then machined to fit...more labour intensive.
Maybe not the answer you wanted....but ....one of many
Jean

Why drop their price if people are still buying them, as much as it peeves me to have to pay close on R200k for a 912S I would still replace my current 912S with the same make and model.

However, when it comes to the 503 on my trike, I believe that 503's are no longer available, so I would seriously consider the HKS. Not much more power, but 4 stroke economy and the guys running them seem very happy with them.