I have one on my boat and have sold a couple... havent heard any complaints...

Im buying the lower unit from Lake Amistad Sports. He is a mercury dealer,and seems like a really good guy. Hell, he was closed on sunday and came in to help me. Called me first thing this morning to let me no that it was available in Georgia, and it will be shipped today on a truck, and hopefully be here by thursday. I not too keen on buying non OEM parts so this sounds like he is in the ball park with his price, and hes going to run a diagnostics for free.

Mine was $2800 and is a smaller 125 hp.

We sell both aftermarket and factory lower units. For every hundred of the $845 aftermarket lower units we see 2-3 with a problem. Usually, water intrusion from nicked seals during assembly at the factory. However, some do fail out of the box, 1-2 per 100. Typically, you can buy 3 for what a new factory one goes for. These are facts from us tracking warranty issues not just hearsay from "dock talk" at the ramp. If they did not hold up well we would get rid of them and never sell them again. I am sure Classic Fiberglass would not sell them too if they were as bad as some of the rumors. Plus, if you hit a stump with the factory OEM lower unit it won't be covered. Aftermarket Lower Units cover impact damage for 3 yrs. It is simple math to most people.

Thanks for the good intel. Never have liked "I heard"...

ya know, insurance covers hitting underwater obstructions.

Five years ago I bought a rebuild on iboats for a merc 150 black max. Installed it myself. Like I said I bought it 5 years ago. Have had no issues, but I only boat about 100 hours a year.