[abl1111]

Mercruiser 350 Mag w/ Bravo 3 - a wet dream ! Mercruiser - Volvo; If you have a mechanic you like or people who think there is an honest guy around - go w/ that person/manufact.

I was in the same spot you're in and went w/ the Mercruiser because there is a good mechanic here. The price was right - and I wasn't skimping - I got what I wanted. And, he had installed several of the same in other SC's and knew the outcome.

I am very happy w/ it.

My concern on any outdrive is electrolysis and corrosion - w/ either ( unless you get Volvo's composite - then the corrosion can be 'inside' - at least that's Mercruiser's angle on the problem w/ Volvo's ).

I would prep, sand and paint the factory outdrive w/ antifouling - I would do this right out of the box before it all gets assembled. That way you can protect every crevice.

In the end, and outboard is the easiest to maintain, but for me that was not an option ( I did not want to do the bracket thing ).

In the end you'll pull the trigger based on the best info you can gather and your gut feeling. Good luck...