I am looking to get into a 35% bird and looking at engine choices. I have looked at ZDZ, DA, BME, 3W, & MVVS/Evolution.
Gets a bit difficult to compare since the BME, MVVS/Evolution are 115-116cc while the ZDZ, DA, and 3W are 100-106cc displacement.
So looking at cost, weight, power, and reliability what would be your choice and why?

Greg,
The BME would be a good choice, since they are made just south of you near Waco. They all cost about the same and service would be quicker. You could even drive there.

Dave

I am a through and through MVVS man, but if I lived that close to BME I would be a through and through BME man instead. Got to be the only sensible thing to do.

Mike

I knew they were south of me a couple hours, dang that would mean I have to pay sales tax hehehe. But service if needed would hopefully be quicker LoL.

I don't think you'll pay sales tax. I've bought DA's and have never had to pay sales tax even though I live in Arizona.

Take all the engines you've noted and determine which one is almost 2 pounds lighter than any of the others but still has almost the largest displacement. Also which one is the only 6 port engine in the group? Nobody else can figure out how to do more than 4. Now allow that two of them have a block mounted carb instead of a rear mounted carb, making for a stronger case. Only one of them has a one piece crankcase with a cover at each end. Not having a split case is once again stronger, and lighter.

BME 115 wins easily.

They are all good engines and all will run just fine. I doubt any of them will need much service unless the user plants it or runs it lean.
The next thing to look at is weight. The MVVS 116 is quite a bit heavier than all listed and the BME115 is lighter than all listed. When it comes to power I would put the 115 and 116 at the top.
As has been mentioned previously, why not take the lightest and most powerful engine. Don't let people tell you that you can not balance a plane with a light engine. Most planes now are being designed for the lighter engines. I have not had a problem balancing my planes with the 115 and neither has anyone I know.
If I had an engine manufacturer that close to me with all those advantages I know where I would be buying.