"Brinks" wrote
We've been out shopping for an early model Bonanza, and in the process I
went and looked at an Apache that happened to be at the same airport as the
Bo I was looking at. The guy selling it was thinking that the Apache was
probably as inexpensive to own as the Bonanza. Here's his reasons:

1) Apache has two Lycoming O-320 engines that go 2000 hours without a lot of
maintenance. The Bonanza has an E-225 that goes 1500 hours and usually
needs cylinder work along the way.

The E-225 is an orphan. Many parts are unavailable, and many
mechanics are unfamiliar with them. The O-320 is as common as it
gets. The real issue is accessories - vacuum pumps, generators, that
kind of thing. Twice as many. If you're looking for a hard IFR
machine, though, you really want twice as many.

2) The Bonanza parts are expensive, Piper parts are less so.

No doubt. Bonanza parts do seem to hold up better, though.

3) The annuals will be comparable (He thought an Apache annual would be
about $1200, which I think is a little low)

For an annual mostly done by the owner (IA only inspects and does the
hard stuff) that's about right for either airplane. Triple that (or
even quadruple it) if you want to drop off the keys and checkbook and
still want it done right.

4) Fuel burn in the Apache is about 16 gallons / hour

That's about right - maybe even a little high. 65% power is just over
15 gph.

but the Bonanza is
going to burn about 13 gallons / hour, so 3 gallons / hour isn't that much.

I think 13 gph is a little high for an E-225. I think the real
difference in fuel burn will be about 5 gph.

5) The props on the Apache are better / less expensive to maintain than
either the Beech 215 electric prop or the hydraulic props on the Bonanzas.

But there's two of them.

So I've been doing some research on the Bonanzas and have a relatively good
feel for them (joined the ABS, talked to a lot of people, stuff like that)
but I don't know much about Apaches. What say the group? Are Apaches a
viable alternative to an early Bonanza, or will maintenance eat you alive?

I think maintenance will eat you alive on an old Bonanza OR an Apache
(they are all old) unless you do most of it yourself.

The other problem - most Apaches have been trainers. They're beat up.
Most Bonanzas haven't been trainers, and are likely to have lower
airframe times and fewer issues. Basically, you're more likely to
find a good Bo than a good Apache.

If you find a GOOD Apache, it will cost you about 30% more to operate
than the Bonanza. Buy a cheap Apache (or any cheap twin) and
maintenance will kill you. Of course, buying a cheap Bonanza is about
the same.

Michael