Hi !
Just taking some feedback about this motor, which is on my short list.
It has been on the market for a couple of years now, what is the reliability of the M510 compared to Bosch (CX) and Shimano (EP8) ?
Thanks
Reliability is always going to be a difficult one to analyse due to how figures are/and aren't ... presented.
M510's are tiny in the scheme of overall number of motor's on EMTB's (used as EMTB's).
Manufactures generally don't give numbers either.
Ultimately you need to look at support and parts availability. The M510 doesn't have much at the moment but the older ones do, so things trickle through as warranty times expire.
In terms of efficiency/range/feel .. the M510 is nice. It's pretty comparable to a Bosch Gen4 once it's run in. EMTB mode on a Gen4 is still slightly nicer and gives slightly better range/power combination to a 510.
Personally, I wouldn't even quantify Shimano in the same comparison. Either in terms of performance, range, altitude, economy, reliability, warranty (especially that !) - though some people like it. (It's better than nothing).
Ultimately, the Brose, Bosch and M510 are all pretty "similar" for what you will get. So if you're really stuck then either pick the bike which has all the other bits you want or for longer term, the M510 will probably be safer as it's easier to buy a replacement motor for example.
Now they're more mainstream (M510) they've revealed a lot of short comings with electronics water proofing, which is their main fail point, so if you ride it in the wet a lot possibly spend some time making sure connections are correct and add additional sealing + lots of water ingress problems on the handlebar controllers and display.
Personally, I've ridden repeatedly in torrential rain and had zero issues.. But I guess I've been lucky. Always dry the bike well afterwards.