2015 R3 Volvo V8 300HP reliability?

[Tlang901]

Hi All,
I am looking into purchasing a 2015 R3 with the 300hp Volvo Penta v8 Duo Prop. My question is, how reliable are these engines and drives? I am a Mercury guy and have not had a cobalt this will be my first so I really want to make sure I make the right choice! I love cobalt and I am finally in the position to get one used. The boat seems to be maintained very well and they have all the service records. Freshwater use only on this one. I just want to make sure that these volvo penta engines and drives are pretty darn reliable when maintained. I have had great luck with all my Mercury engines! Thank you everyone for your advance!

[AsLan7]

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So glad you found us T901.

Yes if properly maintained these VP engines are very reliable. We’ve owned both Merc and VP. Each have their advantages and disadvantages but as far as reliability the VP engine and drive package has a good reputation.

Any pics?

And welcome aboard mate!

.

[jhnmdahl]

I have the same engine (except the ECU) and they're pretty bulletproof. I ordered my boat to spec so chose it over the other engine options. Bigger displacement on the old 5.7L cast iron block than the current 5.3L aluminum block V8-300, and no variable valve timing on the old 5.7L, which may mean it weighs a bit more but probably also means it's more durable.

John

[billk2632]

I have a 2014 V8 300 (5.7), bought it last year, has 250hrs on it. Have had no issues with it. I too have had Mercruisers and put many hours on them, with little more than maintenance. The VPs seem pretty solid, some things better than Merc, I think the DPS drive is better than the BIII, seems smoother, just my opinion. Some things are definitely carried from Volvo cars (the oil filter, and all the torx bolts and parts seem harder to get and more expensive. So far I am very happy with my VP, but it does have low hours.

[bruceb58]

Some things are definitely carried from Volvo cars (the oil filter, and all the torx bolts and parts seem harder to get and more expensive. So far I am very happy with my VP, but it does have low hours.

Volvo Automotive was sold to Ford in 1999 and not sure how much the two companies really collaborated even before that for awhile. There hasn't been a Volvo auto engine used by Volvo Penta since the early 80s.

[billk2632]

Yeah I know the Volvo history, have owned many Volvos and still currently have one (doubt we will buy another one!) Ford has nothing to do with Volvo anymore and of course Volvo Penta is totally separate. The only engine they really collaborated on was the total disaster 6cyl T6 that was in some of the P3 XC60s. Ford ruined Volvo, then sold it to Chinese Geely to finish it off. The end of the 5cylinder 20valve engine was the end of Volvo in my opinion. They are turning into 4cyl, 100k mile oil burners like VW and Audi.
I can just see the engineering from some of my Volvos in my Volvo Penta. Most obvious is the oil filter/housing, straight from a Volvo car, same filter and all. I just think some of the Swedish engineering that made Volvo cars so good is still there in Volvo Penta - a good thing in my opinion.

[bruceb58]

Yeah I know the Volvo history, have owned many Volvos and still currently have one (doubt we will buy another one!) Ford has nothing to do with Volvo anymore and of course Volvo Penta is totally separate. The only engine they really collaborated on was the total disaster 6cyl T6 that was in some of the P3 XC60s. Ford ruined Volvo, then sold it to Chinese Geely to finish it off. The end of the 5cylinder 20valve engine was the end of Volvo in my opinion. They are turning into 4cyl, 100k mile oil burners like VW and Audi.
I can just see the engineering from some of my Volvos in my Volvo Penta. Most obvious is the oil filter/housing, straight from a Volvo car, same filter and all. I just think some of the Swedish engineering that made Volvo cars so good is still there in Volvo Penta - a good thing in my opinion.

I have owned many Volvos from the 60's and 70s. Have also owned Volvo Pentas from the 70s and 90s. The filters were just plain ole spin on filters on the V8 Volvo Penta GM sourced engines. They were on remote mounts.


I was an engineer for GM and we developed electronics for all the manufacturers. They were going to send me to England to work with Jaguar for 6 months when Ford owned them too.

Maybe current oil filters are cartridges but doubt they were influenced from Volvo automobiles. Personally, I like spin on filters still. I have a Hyundai that has cartridges and it takes more time to change it.

[Noggin Ninja]

I am looking at a 2014 232, and it has a “Volvo 300 V8” in it. I am not mistaken thinking that is the horsepower output correct? It’s pretty much been answered here, but I am just making sure I am clear on it before I reach out to the seller.

[bruceb58]

I am looking at a 2014 232, and it has a “Volvo 300 V8” in it. I am not mistaken thinking that is the horsepower output correct? It’s pretty much been answered here, but I am just making sure I am clear on it before I reach out to the seller.

Yes...it's 300HP. 5.3L engine.

[billk2632]

I would check to be sure - most of the 2014 Cobalts I have seen (my marina is a Cobalt dealer, I see a lot of Cobalts and Malibus) - including my own R5 with the V8-300 have the 5.7 based engine. The Gen 5 5.3/6.2 based engines were introduced late 2014/2015. It's possible there were 2014's or even earl 2015's that could have had either engine. Besides checking the Model / Serial #, all of the Gen 5 engines are aluminum block and have closed cooling. Older 4.3,5.0, 5.7's generally were not closed cooling. Personally I would not let that change my mind on buying the boat -- the 5.7 is a solid, simple motor, VP, Merc, about every marine engine builder has used them - there are 100,000's of them in boats and millions in cars and trucks. Not really aware of problems, but the 5.3 is newer and more complex - aluminum block, overhead cam, variable valve timing and 2014/2015 would have been the first years VP used that engine...

[jhnmdahl]

I have a 2015 V8-225 and it's the old 5.7L. I know they were still making the V8-300 and V80-320 on the same block at the time, as those were other engine options on my order.

[Noggin Ninja]

I got the serial number from the motor, it does appear to be the 5.7L 300hp and I’m totally good with that!

[Noggin Ninja]

I would check to be sure - most of the 2014 Cobalts I have seen (my marina is a Cobalt dealer, I see a lot of Cobalts and Malibus) - including my own R5 with the V8-300 have the 5.7 based engine. The Gen 5 5.3/6.2 based engines were introduced late 2014/2015. It's possible there were 2014's or even earl 2015's that could have had either engine. Besides checking the Model / Serial #, all of the Gen 5 engines are aluminum block and have closed cooling. Older 4.3,5.0, 5.7's generally were not closed cooling. Personally I would not let that change my mind on buying the boat -- the 5.7 is a solid, simple motor, VP, Merc, about every marine engine builder has used them - there are 100,000's of them in boats and millions in cars and trucks. Not really aware of problems, but the 5.3 is newer and more complex - aluminum block, overhead cam, variable valve timing and 2014/2015 would have been the first years VP used that engine...

How does your R5 do with the 300? I am pretty much set on this boat and the 232 is about 500 lbs less dry weight then the R5 I think so I’m curious how she does. This boat I’m looking at does have the 5.7 version of the 300.

[stifflkd]

Hi All,
I am looking into purchasing a 2015 R3 with the 300hp Volvo Penta v8 Duo Prop. My question is, how reliable are these engines and drives? I am a Mercury guy and have not had a cobalt this will be my first so I really want to make sure I make the right choice! I love cobalt and I am finally in the position to get one used. The boat seems to be maintained very well and they have all the service records. Freshwater use only on this one. I just want to make sure that these volvo penta engines and drives are pretty darn reliable when maintained. I have had great luck with all my Mercury engines! Thank you everyone for your advance!

Is it the 5.3 or 5.7? The transition to the 5.3 occurred around 2015, If its the 5.7 then the engine is basically identical to the Merc's 5.7. Bravo 3 and VP DP are similar in reliability but Merc parts are easier to get from more vendors. The 5.3 is a new gen GM engine with latest advancements like variable timing and direct injection. Aluminum block is a couple hundred pounds lighter and comes standard fresh water cooled.

[billk2632]

I would check to be sure - most of the 2014 Cobalts I have seen (my marina is a Cobalt dealer, I see a lot of Cobalts and Malibus) - including my own R5 with the V8-300 have the 5.7 based engine. The Gen 5 5.3/6.2 based engines were introduced late 2014/2015. It's possible there were 2014's or even earl 2015's that could have had either engine. Besides checking the Model / Serial #, all of the Gen 5 engines are aluminum block and have closed cooling. Older 4.3,5.0, 5.7's generally were not closed cooling. Personally I would not let that change my mind on buying the boat -- the 5.7 is a solid, simple motor, VP, Merc, about every marine engine builder has used them - there are 100,000's of them in boats and millions in cars and trucks. Not really aware of problems, but the 5.3 is newer and more complex - aluminum block, overhead cam, variable valve timing and 2014/2015 would have been the first years VP used that engine...

How does your R5 do with the 300? I am pretty much set on this boat and the 232 is about 500 lbs less dry weight then the R5 I think so I’m curious how she does. This boat I’m looking at does have the 5.7 version of the 300.

Very happy with the 5.7 based VP-300 in my R5. We use it mainly for cruising, no water sports, but it has plenty of power for us. Jumps on plane fast with very little bowrise and runs WOT upper 40's - even with 5ppl onboard I have never felt the need for more power. As far as service and reliability, again pretty pleased - parts are a little more $$ and not as widely available as Mercury, but really not an issue. I do most of my own service and have found the routine maintenance no different than the Mercs - except the water pump impeller which is worlds easier than any of the Mercury engines. As far as the VP duoprop drive, again pleasantly surprised, I think I like it better than my Merc BIII. I've had my R5 a little over a year and while my Mercury based SeaRays were good boats - I put close to 1000hrs on both, I think the R5 with the VP is the best one yet.

Can only figure you will have better performance in the slightly smaller/lighter 232.