I'd buy the airplane cheap and then do the overhaul myself.. then you know
what you have... not a cheap overhaul by the seller.

Get an engine shop to tell you the overhaul cost, then add 50% for
"unknowns".
You don't know until it's opened up that the crank and case are good.

O-540 Overhaul just completed, quoted $19000 with a good crank and case.
Price dropped to $17500 because the cylinders were good. Price included mag
overhaul, carb overhaul etc.

Then we ended up spending $500 on a new starter and $500 on new hoses and
clamps etc

Price does not include the labor cost to remove and install the engine.

BT

"Bob Noel" wrote in message
...
In article ,
"DHead" wrote:

Hi group.
I am interested in buying a Sundowner with 2035 TT E&A.
The owner (actually the broker) offered to allow $5K off the asking price
to
have the engine O/H'd.
I am a student pilot and very much want this particular airplane, but I
don't think that $5K off a $14K O/H is reasonable.
The avionics are ok, but could be improved on. My biggest concern at this
point is the engine time.
Any opinions on what is fair to me and the seller concerning allowances
for
the engine O/H?

what is the asking price? what would be the asking price of the aircraft
with
a good overhaul?

In general, it is always cheaper for the buyer to have the previous owner
pay for things because a seller never seems to be able to recover 100%
cost of repairs/improvements. However, be cautious of a cheapo
overhaul.

I'd recommend caution about buying an aircraft with a runout engine.
Overhauling an engine can be a great learning experience, and can
also be a lot of work, with lots of traps for the unwary.

good luck

--
Bob Noel
no one likes an educated mule