Comparing Diamond DA40s

J

JOhnH

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A friend is comparing a 2007 vs 2011 DA40.

2007 2099 total hours, 57 SMOH on engine and prop.
2011 629 total (in 15 yrs!) and around $90k more.

I don't know much about Diamonds, but I suggested the 2007, assuming everything else is similar.
Both have upgrade ADSB transponders.

Are there any other glaring issues he needs to look at?
 
Have him sit in both. Its been a minute since I knew off the top of my head, but after a certain year they raised the bottom of the instrument panel for improved occupant comfort.

Run a few trial W&B to check acceptability with or without some weight in the back seat. I seem to remember discussion of 10 lbs. balast behind the prop to make load scenarios much more flexible.
 
I’m in a club with two DA40s. 2005 and 2010. Both G1000. One WAAS with GFC700. One non-WAAS with KAP140.

Handling, no significant difference, although I actually like the older one a little better.

By 2007, we’re talking GFC 700 rather than the KAP 140, so we’re ok there. But you may not have WAAS and updates are either cost-prohibitive or unavailable.

The other thing I would do to compare the two is determine whether or not either has had the extended range tanks upgrade/MGW upgrade, and run a W&B for the heaviest/longest missions. Dunno if this matters, but I used our two as examples in my MOSAIC presentation: one is sport pilot qualified; the other is not.

Related to the WAAS update, the main downside of G1000 in general is upgradability. This is an OEM where upgrades are controlled by Diamond- not as simple as replacing a steam panel with a G3X. Have your friend hang out in their user group and you’ll hear the complaints about Diamond in this regard.
 
I don't have any experience with the newer ones, but I was renting an earlier one ('03?) that had the small rudder to get some time in one to see if I liked it. Other than it looks cool and I like the center stick, I didn't really like much more about it. It was fun to fly and easy to land, but you get beat up pretty bad in turbulence and they suck to taxi (I dislike castering nosewheels.) The one I flew had bad issues with vapor lock in the heat and wouldn't idle at a normal speed. Ultimately, I bought in to another Arrow.
 
I have owned both. A 2007 and a 2011. Is the 2007 an XLS? If it is, it’s the same plane as the 2011 as long as they are both Avgas planes. Both of mine were G1000 Garmin autopilot with WAAS. If they have the same equipment and are in the same condition, I’d lean toward the 2007 because it has a new engine and planes need to be flown. 629 hour in 15 years is not enough unless it was meticulously maintained.
 
I’ve somehow managed to fly 4 different DA40 generations. Pre-G1000/analog instruments (26 years ago). G1000 + KAP140 non-WAAS. G1000 + GFC700 with WAAS. NG Diesel with G1000nxi.
 
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