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If the exclusive US distributor and service center for Jabiru was a 45 minute drive from your house (as in my case), would that make a difference in you choice of engines? Would you still go with Rotax?
I'm thinking it would be nice to have such a resource so close, but perhaps it's not that significant.
Get the Rotax. :)
If Rotax is an option, Rotax is the correct answer. :)
Rotax has the bigger market share for a reason. Go Rotax. A short search on the internet or just polling mechanics will decide for you.
What they said.
I know there have been some improvements, but a close friend had a model IV with a Jabiru 2200. His experience was really different than mine - Rotax 912 UL 80 hp. About every 50 hours, retorque the head bolts. And add oil after every flight segment. You will find that with a rotax you will likely never add oil between oil changes or touch a wrench to it only as needed to complete the annual condition inspection. That said, though, perfection doesn't exist in our world, so another's experience might differ, but statistically Rotax is the way to go.
Even with a service facility that close, I dare say that when you add up the total support available for a Rotax (Kitfox forum, Kitfox staff, Rotax-owner online, CPS, LEAF, etc, you probably still have better support resources for the Rotax.
Are you planning to exclusively fly within an hour drive from your house? If not...Rotax