You are correct, Tim. The warranty/support issues are REAL, there is no doubt of that. DL as a manufacturer apparently sells to anyone (or any reseller), but also seems to only select a "few" actual "factory authorized distributors". Although the facts of these business arrangements aren't clear, or known (and I don't think they need to public, actually), the result is that some buyers get engines as have been described. It's unfortunate, but some are only really looking for the "lowest $$$", period.

I got into the DL's because of perceived "value" by me.... they appeared to have reasonable quality, good performance, and a "local" US distributor that I could actually talk to on the phone.

The DL's are not DA's, never will be, and have never been represented as such. They are "similar"....that's it, I think.

DL has been very receptive to feedback provided to them on improvements and have shown that they will make changes when needed. That's pretty good.

As for Peakmodel.... well.... I have BTDT, and won't do it again. Support is positively AWFUL to totally NON EXISTENT in my own experiences.