New engine - what about this?

bendyone said:
If they were at the "market" price no one would buy them, however by offering a good saving they will sell, get known and if they are any good develop into an accepted alternative to the established runners.
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Exactly! What you are describing is called "penetration pricing" commonly used to introduce new products and build market share.

The downside of this strategy is that the market perceives the product to be inferior (particularly a 40% difference) and you never gain acceptance. It also assumes the competitors will not react if they see the newcomer as a threat.

I expect the supplier has given the 2 importers a really low price to try and break in, but suspect if it doesn't work in a couple of years they will give up. There are many more growing markets around the world that are much more attractive than the mature, oversupplied UK market.
 
In terms of building a market position, I suspect the manufacturer doesn't give a toss about a few hundred engines sold in the UK. Witness the lack of branding.

Rather, an importer has seen the opportunity to make a quick buck by flogging cheap engines on low overheads (hence, eBay marketing). If sales don't take off, the importer will fold, or wander away and try his hand with something else, and the buyer will be left to carry the can as far as warranty and service is concerned.
 
Nice extras that one can only dream of on standard engines, like oil extractor pump, cooling expansion tank, nice robust air filter, complete control panel (unlike more expensive VPs with tinsy flimsy faulty counters!)

What I do not like is the color. Bad choice. Awful, I would repaint before getting that into my boat.

vyv_cox;2998465 I guess the questions to be asked are:- what's the difference between a Nissan block and a Nissan-designed block? And who made it? Similarly with the smaller engines:- 'similar to a Kubota design' may mean anything. Worth asking the seller though.[/QUOTE said:
I guess that it can only be good if it weren't Nissan! Nissan engines are not very good quality. I read a technical magazine report of a Nissan car purchased new and anonymously, tested for 100,000 kilometres and then stripped down to see how all the car parts coped (there are about two a year of these tests on Quattroruote, a more technical monthly magazine than the hardly serious Top Gear), well the engine of this Nissan was found with core parts near the end of their life, with cylinders and crankshaft bearings badly worn.

In everyone's interest there should be more people buying these engines, GO FOR IT.
To cover yourself buy some core spares. Engines nowadays can live longer than we do.
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haydude said:
Nice extras that one can only dream of on standard engines, like oil extractor pump, cooling expansion tank, nice robust air filter, complete control panel (unlike more expensive VPs with tinsy flimsy faulty counters!)

What I do not like is the color. Bad choice. Awful, I would repaint before getting that into my boat.



I guess that it can only be good if it weren't Nissan! Nissan engines are not very good quality. I read a technical magazine report of a Nissan car purchased new and anonymously, tested for 100,000 kilometres and then stripped down to see how all the car parts coped (there are about two a year of these tests on Quattroruote, a more technical monthly magazine than the hardly serious Top Gear), well the engine of this Nissan was found with core parts near the end of their life, with cylinders and crankshaft bearings badly worn.
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Nice extras that once can only dream of on standard engines, like oil extractor pump, cooling expansion tank, nice robust air filter, complete control panel

all standard with my Nanni
 
Why try to save money buying something which will almost certainly fail before a second hand quality used unit?

There are so many ancillaries which could also fail prematurely, and render the unit inoperative, and thus could be considered a safety risk.

If ones budget won't stretch to a new motor, why not find a good used one...?
 
No Regrets said:
Why try to save money buying something which will almost certainly fail before a second hand quality used unit?

There are so many ancillaries which could also fail prematurely, and render the unit inoperative, and thus could be considered a safety risk.

If ones budget won't stretch to a new motor, why not find a good used one...?
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I don't follow the logic here - why should this engine be any more likely to fail than a more expensive one? Or is that how the marine business gets away with its charging strategy!
 
Gordonmc said:
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Nice, but I'm concerned about your fuel filter; is it as close to the inlet manifold as it looks?

My general concern with these engines would be the QC; the chinese are as capable as the next guy of turning out well made manufactured goods, and they do it cheaper than anyone, but they have a very flexible attitude to QC. I don't want to be part of their QC team, as it doesn't pay well.
 
Tranona said:
If they really are that good, why are they selling them 40% cheaper than the competition?
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Same reason they Chinese sell their motorcycles 40% less than the Japs. No one would buy them if they didnt.

In a few years time if the product holds up, then the prices will be much nearer other suppliers. After all, why give away 40% if you dont have to do?
 
For the small boater looking to replace an ageing inboard auxiliary this looks like a bargain. The 10HP costs marginally more than a recon 1GM10.

My worry would be spares. If it came with 25 pump impellers, 10 oil filters and a spare head gasket it would probably be good for the projected lifespan of the engine.
 
planteater said:
For the small boater looking to replace an ageing inboard auxiliary this looks like a bargain. The 10HP costs marginally more than a recon 1GM10.

My worry would be spares. If it came with 25 pump impellers, 10 oil filters and a spare head gasket it would probably be good for the projected lifespan of the engine.
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I would be astonished if the consumables you mention were not readily available in the UK(i.e. using generic Jabsco impellors and a standard spin-on filter that can be got from Fram/Wix/Unipart etc). If as the advert implies, they are licenced Kubota and Nissan designs, a good kubota or nissan dealer will be able to supply a suitable gasket(ironically it will probably be made in china too). Any engine designer who does not make such things so dooms his employer to financial ruin, and his employer's customers to much wailing and gnashing of teeth.
 
Black Kipper said:
Out of interest what problems might that cause?
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It looks like it's almost touching the manifold; unless the mounts are very hard, there may be contact between the two, putting strain on the filter housing and over time probably leading to leaks or even wearing a hole in the bowl. Even if there is enough of a gap, it doesn't look very easy to get at for servicing; the easier it is to do servicing, the more likely you are to do it. How often do you put off a nominally routine servicing task because it involves something unpleasant like hanging upside down in a locker?

I don't like those lucas fuel filter assemblies anyway, too many seals and possible leak points; I'd much rather have a disposable spin-on filter unit.
 
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